13 JANUARY 2012 As we enter into a new year, Glengallan is experiencing the effects of a continuing tourism downturn with visitor numbers down during the festive season. A refreshing boost over the second weekend gives hope of a better January with return-to-school traffic on the New England Highway. We have been delighted to welcome visiting family and friends introducing many locals to Glengallan as a great place to bring their visitors.

29 SEPTEMBER 2011  Directors were re-elected, unopposed, at the 24 September Annual General Meeting of Glengallan Homestead Trust Limited. Meeting chair Mr Lewis von Stieglitz, CEO of Warwick Credit Union, declared Donna Fraser chairman, Doug Roulston vice-chairman, Col Smith honorary treasurer and directors Joy Mackay, Helen Judd, Ross Fraser, Bill Goddard, Gary Hayes and Fr Brian Sparksman. The chairman's report on the year made reference to the difficulties faced by the tourism industry over the past year due to abnormal rainfall and flooding and the continuing effects of flood and road repair. Despite these adversities, the financial report showed a trading profit due, largely to cost-cutting measures.

9 AUGUST 2011 -2011 Deuchar Dinner cancelled.  *Alternative fundraiser to be announced. Suggestions for a fundraiser early 2012 include an “antiques roadshow” type of event at Glengallan. Can anyone help with this concept? Call Donna Fraser 0417 781 136; Bill Goddard 07 4661 3393.

TV segment prompts renewed interest

-Channel 7 recently featured Glengallan and our Family History Centre on their Great South East program, prompting inquiry and offers of information for our archives. Recent additions to our library include a biography of Jack (Jackie) Howe, champion blade shearer, whose name appears in rations books of the 1870s during shearing at Glengallan, and a book written by Seafield Deuchar about his life in Tasmania and some of his paintings. Requests for information from our archives should be directed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Research and photocopy fees apply.

Heritage Council visit

Queensland Heritage Council members and staff have accepted our invitation to visit Glengallan. On Thursday 1 September, our Board of Directors will host a tour of heritage places including Assmanshausen Winery, Canning Downs and prominent Warwick buildings.

RHSQ offers furniture for display

-The Royal Historical Society of Queensland has offered permanent loan of a number of items of furniture for display at Glengallan. The selected items will enhance the restored drawing room and enable us to progress with the recently re-plastered and painted dining room.

13 JUNE 2011 GILLESPIES AT GLENGALLAN: Descendants of Alex and Keena Gillespie gathered at Glengallan last weekend for a joint celebration of the 60th birthdays of twins Susan and Barbara Gaden and dedication of a Gillespie family memorial plinth in the parterre of the formal gardens. Tartan was the order of the day with the guests of honour in matching outfits and other family members rising to the occasion. An interesting and informative address on the history of the Gillespie clan was delivered by Caroline Gaden who also collated a display of clippings and photographs. Three generations were represented with matriach, Marie (Gillespie) Ryall, the last of the family to have lived at Glengallan. Alex Gillespie (originally with his mother, Clara and brother, George) owned Glengallan 1904 to his sudden death in 1927.  

JUNE 2011 MARKETS SUCCESS: After being rained-out on four of the five previous marketdays, the Winter markets of 5 June were a resounding success. House attendants Fred and Burt (who travel up from Brisbane to volunteer each market day) report a marketday record in the number touring the House. More regular stallholders have promised to be back for the Spring Markets (first Sunday in September) which also happens to be Father's Day.

30 MAY 2011 FAMILY HISTORY CENTRE OPENS Legendary “gun” shearer Jackie Howe’s gold medals, shield and fob watch were highlights of  a family history day at Glengallan on Sunday 29 May, the culmination of Warwick’s 150th birthday celebrations. Howe, who became part of shearing folklore, shore at Glengallan, near his Warwick birthplace, Canning Downs, in the 1870s. A rations book held in Glengallan archives records issue of “1 pair shears” to J.Howe. Among guests were his grandson, Mr Eric Howe and his wife, Vi, of Toowoomba

A display of more than 100 family histories, assembled by volunteer Jenny Walker for Warwick’s 150th anniversary celebrations, attracted keen interest as did the family history archive and database, officially opened during the afternoon by John Oxley Library collections manager Mr Brian Randall. Earlier in the afternoon, Mr Graeme Garde opened a permanent display of Queensland I Zingari Cricket Club memorabilia donated by Mrs Mary Feez in memory of the late Douglas “Ginger” Feez. The IZs, formed by WB Slade, first played in 1871 at Glengallan. QIZCC is the oldest active cricket club in Queensland and one of the oldest in Australia.

Since 1993, Glengallan Homestead Trust has been collecting and documenting history of owner and worker families and early settlers of the district. Over the past three years, in particular, a dedicated group working under the guidance of archivist Fr Brian Sparksman, has databased thousands of photographs and documents and collated a comprehensive series of early maps. They have also undertaken several research trips to Brisbane's John Oxley Library which houses a significant collection of Slade papers from Glengallan and other Warwick-district papers. Future opening of the archives on Sunday afternoons will enable public access to Glengallan records for family or personal research as well as sharing of information, copies of photographs and documents to be added to the database.

A surprise addition to the Glengallan collection during the previous week added to interest on the day. An old sword, given by her father, Mr Virgil Willett, to the late Mrs Monica Connolly, nee Willett, was offered to us by Mr Eric Connolly of Toowoomba who believes it once hung over a fireplace at Glengallan and was gifted to George Willett, the first of three generations named George Willett, who worked on the property. Initial research reveals it is an English heavy cavalry sword, dating to 1796, and used in the Napoleonic Wars. It is likely the sword brought to Australia in 1861 by W.B. Slade, and described in his memoirs, along with two duelling pistols, as having belonged to his father. 

COMING UP AT GLENGALLAN:

WINTER MARKETS FIRST SUNDAY IN JUNE

GILLESPIE FAMILY REUNION: Descendants of the Gillespies, (Glengallan 1904-1927), will return to the one-time family home on 11 June to dedicate a memorial to family members. The sandstone plinth, fashioned by former Glengallan director Graeme Gillatt, forms a base for the sundial at the centre of the parterre in the formal gardens. A family dinner at Eliza’s in the Heritage Centre that night will mark the birthday of twin daughters of the late Judith Gaden who, with her twin sister, Trudy, brother John and younger sister Marie, lived at Glengallan as small children.

MT MARSHALL SCHOOL REUNION

Past Students of Mt Marshall School held a reunion at Glengallan on 2 April with 120 sitting down to a three-course lunch in the marquee on the tennis court. A display of memorabilia in the dining room of the Homestead attracted great interest. Congratulations to the committee headed by Ashley Hoey with assistance from Fr Brian Sparksman.

GLENGALLAN ROSE: Good news for rose lovers with more propagations from the original available through the Heritage Centre. Warwick rose expert Charles Shann managed to strike some 65 cuttings this year (propagated from rootstock of the sole lamarque remaining at Glengallan in 1993). If you would like to purchase or reserve a Glengallan Rose ($15 each potted, with commemorative card) Contact Us   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

21 February 2011: Glengallan Homestead Trust members will be saddened to learn of the passing of  Life Member Pat Lee, of "Broadmere" Nanango. Pat and John Lee (a descendant of the brother of Eliza (Lee) Deuchar) have been long-time Glengallan supporters.

1 February 2011: Like tourism operations across Queensland, Glengallan has felt the pinch over the past few months due to prolonged rain, flooding and consequent road conditions. With a welcome break but more rain forecast we are praying for good weather for our Autumn Markets on Sunday 6 March 2011

Our annual volunteers get-together, held this year on Australia Day, brought some 30 regulars who enjoyed the chance to get together over a succulent barbecue.

ELIZA'S at Glengallan: Cafe operator Lesley Harrison continues with Eliza's now with the assistance of (former GHT director) Sue Creed and Deb Lawrance. The provision of a mobile kitchen has extended the catering facility at Glengallan and Lesley welcomes opportunity to quote for your next function or gathering at Glengallan. Phone 0408 067 986. 

We hope you like our new website, developed with the assistance of Trevor Springate of CountryBiz and maintained by clerical assistant Deb Lawrance together with yours truly. We recently had a congratulatory email from former Director Ian McDonald who appreciated the new look and opportunity to keep up-to-date with Glengallan happenings. Trust Members will welcome news of return to good health of another former director, Graham Gillatt. 

DONNA FRASER Chairman

(on behalf of the Board of Directors of Glengallan Homestead Trust Ltd: vice-chairman Doug Roulston, honorary treasurer Col Smith, directors Joy Mackay, Helen Judd, Bill Goddard, Brian Sparksman, Ross Fraser and Gary Hayes).