springsure

Springsure is a pleasant rural service center nestled below the Capricorn Highlands with the local landmark Mount Zamia, of which Virgin Rock is the most prominent feature, looming above the town. The area around Springsure is characterized by a rich black clay soil which, in recent times, due to extensive irrigation, has produced a range of crops including sunflowers, sorghum, wheat, and chickpeas. The area is also known for its cattle. The town was named after a local property which, in turn, was named Springsure for the unsurprising reason that it had a reliable, permanent spring. Located 10 km out of Springsure on the Wealwandangie Road, Old Rainworth Station was built in 1862 by George Goldring, an English stonemason for Jesse Gregson. The Fort is a stone storehouse that was built to store food for the staff and families of Rainworth Station, a 100,000-acre cattle property at a time when the closest source of food was Rockhampton, which was a 4-month return trip. It was also built for shelter if an Aboriginal attack occurred (the Wills massacre had just occurred) although there is no evidence any attacks ever occurred. Since its construction, the "fort" has served as a magistrate's office and a post office. Inside Rainworth Fort there is a box titled "Relics from Garden Creek Wills Massacre 1861. Collected then preserved at Cullin-la-Ringo Homestead until 1950 when the then owners sold out. Source: www.aussietowns.com.au/town/springsure-qld

beautiful portrait

A wedding in which very great interest was evinced was celebrated in the Presbyterian Church, Springsure, recently. The contracting parties were Clarence, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Wieling and Nancy, fourth daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. McLaughlin. The parents of both bride and bridegroom have lived for upwards of 50 years in the district and the bride and bridegroom are both natives of Springsure. The church was beautifully decorated by girl friends of the bride in pink and blue flowers and streamers . A conspicuous feature was a large wedding bell made by Mrs. Fred Smith. The bride entered the church with her eldest brother. Mr. W. D. McLaughin, who gave her away in the absence, through illness, of her father. She wore a dress of ivory mariette over white silk. The soft cross over bodice was daintily beaded with silver beads and touches of pale pink pearls and rhinestones. The beaded panels at the side of the skirt formed an uneven hemline. The waistline was encircled with diamonte trimmings and sprays of orange blossom and a large brilliant buckle on the side were the finishing touches. A beautiful silk tulle veil, scalloped and embroidered, was worn draped across the forehead with a spray orange blossom and caught at the back of the head with a diamante spray. She carried a shower bouquet of spirea, white roses and Eucharist lilies finished with white and pink streamers to which were attached while satin horseshoes. The bride was attended by her sister, Dolly, as bridesmaid, whose frock was of pale pink mariette pintucked transversely. The skirt was finished with drapings showing touches of blue and forming an uneven hemline. Pale blue and pale pink flowers encircled the waist line. She wore a bandeau of pale pink tulle finished with a large bow and ends and carried a bouquet of pale pink roses and asparagus. Little Miss Joan Foot (cousin of the bride- groom), who attended as flower girl, wore a frock of pale blue crepe de chine with a plain bodice and skirt composed of three frills finished with touches of pink. She carried a basket of dianthus. The bridegroom was attended by his brother. Mr. A. V. Wieling, as best man. Miss Myrtle Hofmeister presided at the organ and Miss Gloria Smith played the violin. During the signing of the register Mrs. Bell rendered a solo. After the ceremony Mrs. McLaughlin entertained the guests at the Oddfellow's Hall. She wore an old gold marocain frock relieved with saxe and carried a bouquet of cream roses. The bridegroom's mother wore a frock of black mariette with panels of French pleating; she carried a bouquet of lavender stocks. An outstanding and much admired three-tiered wedding cake adorned by the table; this was made and decorated by the bridesmaid. Subsequently Mr. and Mrs. Wieting left by car for Emerald, en route to Brisbane and Tambourine Mountain. The bride's travelling frock was of rose biege velvet, French pleated and pin tucked, with a biege hat of satin ribbon and velvet flowers to tone. She also wore a black crepe de chine coat showing group of pin tucks. You can see the digitised version of the original newspaper article here: trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/55328953

A fernery is a specialized garden for the cultivation and display of ferns. In many countries, ferneries are indoors or at least sheltered or kept in a shadehouse to provide a moist environment, filtered light, and protection from frost and other extremes; on the other hand, some ferns native to arid regions require protection from rain and humid conditions and grow best in full sun. In mild climates, ferneries are often outside and have an array of different species that grow under similar conditions. Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernery