grand

Raymont Residential College is located in the historic suburb of Auchenflower. It began in a grand old house Drysllwyn (named after a ruined castle in Wales, meaning ‘green, rolling hills’), built for the Davies family in 1904-05. William Davies was a Welshman who came to Australia during the gold rush. He prospered in the nearby town of Gympie, accumulating a controlling interest in about 18 mines. With the Second World War in full swing, the US military command requisitioned Somerville House Girls School, displacing the students from their premises. Davies offered to lease Drysllwyn to the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association and from 1942 to 1944 the house was used as a day school for about 50 girls. After the war, the Methodist Church began to use the house for female boarders from the country who were undergoing teacher training or working. In 1947 Mrs E. Raymont left a large bequest to the church which enabled them to pay off debts and formally take ownership of Drysllwyn. Hence the building was renamed Raymont College in recognition of this philanthropy. The beautiful verandas of the house were closed in to create more bedrooms. There were various additions for kitchen staff quarters and walkways to and from these buildings. Source: raymont.com.au/about-us/

No yellow lines or parking meters!

Goomeri’s Grand Hotel fire claimed the lives of eight people BY MICK ROBERTS on MAY 29, 2018 THE classic art deco Grand Hotel at Goomeri in Queensland was re-built in 1943 after the original pub was destroyed in a tragic fire that killed the publican and his wife, a barmaid, and five guests on December 23, 1939. Goomeri Village is located in the wine region of the South Burnett, at the junction of the Wide Bay Highway from the coast and Gympie and the Burnett Highway, between Brisbane and Gladstone. The 1939 fire claimed the lives of: 1. John William Parker, 40, licensee, escaped from the building but died later from burns and shock. 2. Eva Isabel Parker, 40, his wife. 3. Gladys Edwards, 24, was staying at the hotel overnight. 4. Pearl Frahm, 25, the barmaid. 5. Bridget Eileen Eisentrager, 30, clerk. 6. Allen Gordon Carter, 35 who arrived from the West on the previous Friday. 7. Thomas Robert Rixon, 23, of Grafton, timber-getter. 8. George Eddie, 26, of Boonabah, farm laborer. Source: timegents.com/2018/05/29/grand-hotel-goomeri/

Historic Goomeri pub featured in the calendar GOOMERI'S Grand Hotel has been featured in a 2017 calendar that has been distributed to more than 2,000 people across Queensland. Queensland Senator James McGrath created the Historic Pubs of Queensland calendar to celebrate the central and historic place local pub holds in many communities. "Not everyone drinks, but everyone knows their local pub,” Mr. McGrath said. "These old pubs are often anchors for local communities among the flotsam and jetsam of a frantic, frazzled modern life - holding firm to the traditions of serving drink, food, and often cheap accommodation.” Senator McGrath said many of Queensland's historic pubs were over 100 years old and had been central to local communities during some of Australia's most difficult times, as well as our most celebrated times. "If only the walls could talk - there would be so many amazing tales to tell. The local pub has been central during World Wars, the Great Depression, boom times and bust, sporting triumphs, and more. "It is a place that brings people together, during good times and bad.” The classic art deco Goomeri Grand Hotel was built in 1943 after the original building was taken by fire in 1939. "Goomeri is a great little town in the South Burnett region of Queensland, and this pub is central to community life. Watch out for rolling pumpkins on May 28- the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival is a sight to behold,” he said. Source: www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/south-burnett/hist...