At the end of 2014, my daughter and son-in-law announced that they would be relocating to Koumala in 2015. My son-in-law had been appointed Principal of Koumala State School.

I had heard of Koumala and remembered passing through it once or twice, as it is on the Bruce Highway (the main road linking Brisbane and Cairns). However, I confess that before my first visit in January 2015, I knew next to nothing about Koumala. And I’m not alone in this.

When I tell people I am going to Koumala, or that my family live in Koumala, invariably they look at me blankly and ask: “Koumala: Where’s that?” Clearly, not many people have heard of Koumala, know where it is or much (if anything) about it.

So, let me take you on a tour of Koumala and district, checking in at its major sites and landmarks, and along the way learning a little about its history and the Koumala community today.

Koumala: Our tour starts here.

Koumala is a tiny town located approximately 900 km by road or rail north of Brisbane. Via the Bruce Highway it’s 280 km (about 3 hours’ drive) north of Rockhampton, 62 km south of Mackay and 22 km south of Sarina. The township is about 20 km inland from the coast. Lots of travellers pass through Koumala as they head north (pictured) or south on the Bruce Highway.

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Travellers heading north on the Bruce Highway at Koumala. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016.

It’s worth having a stopover in Koumala. It’s a convenient place to break your journey, especially if you are not in a hurry. You can stay a night or two at the caravan park or the pub. Why not stop and have a counter lunch at the Koumala Hotel? Or you may prefer to buy homemade pies or cakes at the Koumala Grocery Store and have smoko or lunch in the park at the northern end of town.

Koumala Caravan Park

Koumala Caravan Park is located at 2 Mumby Street. Travelling north, take the first turn left into Andrews Street (Ewart Road) and you’ll find the caravan park on your right, at the corner of Andrew and Mumby Streets. It’s small, but very clean. It has individual concrete slabs, a manicured lawn and the managers live on site.

Koumala Caravan Park, 2 Mumby Street
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Koumala Caravan Park, 2 Mumby Street. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016.

Koumala Hotel

The Koumala Hotel is located on the town side of the Bruce Highway, at 13 Brown Street. You can’t miss it. A bright yellow oversized Castlemaine XXXX beer can perched on top of an old tank stand is one of the first things you’ll notice (as you travel north). Next (and don’t get a shock) there is a large lifelike sculptured crocodile above the name of the hotel. Why? Because crocodiles inhabit nearby Rocky Dam Creek, where many of the locals like to go fishing and crabbing!

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Koumala Hotel. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016.
Oversized XXXX beer can, Koumala Hotel
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Oversized XXXX beer can, Koumala Hotel. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016.

The majestic two-story timber building, constructed in 1939-1940, is one of Koumala’s oldest. A side annex houses an open-air beer garden; a lounge or parlour with more seating is located inside, at the rear of the building. There is a separate bush-style function room out the back. The accommodation is located upstairs. The hotel’s upper level features spacious open verandas on the front and one side.

Inside, the hotel bar is a must-see for visitors. Its four walls are covered floor to ceiling with local artifacts, photographs and memorabilia (sporting, historical, Australiana). For the locals, I’m sure these help in maintaining a connection with the past. Over the years, the Koumala Hotel has had a number of owners. Since it changed hands early in 2016 its new owners, Ray and Rowena Colgrave, have been renovating the property and revitalizing the business. The pub is a popular gathering place for the locals, especially after a long day’s work on the farm.

Koulmala Post Office

The Koumala Post Office is next door to the hotel, at 15 Brown Street. Koumala’s first Post Office opened in 1898. At first a receiving office only, it was located in a slab hut, some distance out of town, to the south. A local woman, Mrs M Davis, was Postmistress, a position she held for 10 years.

Several years later, after the railway was extended from Sarina to Koumala (1915), the Post Office relocated to the railway station and was managed by railway officials. In 1929, it moved to its present site where the building served as a Post Office, store and home for its owners. The store owner, Mr George Neal, was Postmaster. There have been many Postmistresses and Postmasters over the years. Mrs Jenny Patroni (nee Hatfield), a descendant of early settlers in the district and a well-known local identity, is the current Postmistress. Jenny has held this position for 37 years (since 1979).

Koumala Post Office
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Koumala Post Office. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016.

Koumala Community Hall

The Koumala Community Hall is next door to the Post Office, at 17 Brown Street. The hall, which is managed by a committee of local people, is used for community events and functions. The first hall on the site burnt down in 1925, not long after it was built. The current building replaced it. For many years, until 1967, the hall functioned as a picture theatre under private ownership.

The hall has been used for events such as Ca$h 4 Tra$h Nights, Mother’s Day High Teas, Trivia Nights and Koumala Hoy. The Koumala Markets are held in the hall every 2 or 3 months.

Koumala Community Hall
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Koumala Community Hall. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016.

Koumala General Store

Groceries and petrol may be purchased at the Koumala General Store, next door to the Community Hall, on the corner of Brown and Molinas Streets. The two-story timber building dates from 1954. At the time of writing, the store is operated by John Harmon and his sister-in-law Michelle Gardner, who are well-known for their homemade pies and cakes.

Koumala Grocery Store
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Koumala General Store. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016.

Koumala Mechanical

Across the road, on the other corner of Brown and Molinas Streets, you’ll find Koumala Mechanical. It’s a motor repair business owned and operated on this location by members of the Blyth Family since 1960. Its current owner is Darryl Blyth.

Koumala Mechanical
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Koumala Mechanical. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016.

Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA) Rest Room

At 33 Brown Street, between Molinas and Bull Streets, there’s a quaint little cottage painted white with a blue door and blue trim, the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA) Rest Room. The building opened in October 1953. According to Norma Lovelace (2012), one of the main objectives of the QCWA in its early days was to provide a suitable resting place or “rest room” for country mothers and their children and women about to give birth. These rest rooms provided a much-needed place for rural women to meet and connect with their peers. Most country towns in Queensland boast a QCWA Rest Room.

Koumala QCWA Rest Room
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Koumala QCWA Rest Room. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016.

The Koumala QCWA Branch was formed in 1928. It closed during World War II and, like many other QCWA branches, as part of its contribution to the war effort a branch of the Australian Comforts Fund (ACF) replaced it. The Koumala QCWA Branch reopened in 1947. The Branch is still active although, sadly, the number of members has dwindled in recent years. Mrs Jenny Patroni is the current President.

Koumala Rest and Recreation Area

You’ll find a park and rest area by the Bruce Highway at the northern end of town. It’s on the corner of Brown and Bull Streets. It provides tables and chairs under cover, and toilet facilities, which make it a popular place for travellers to stop and take a break. The park is situated next to the town’s recreation area, which includes tennis and basketball courts and a large sports field used for cricket, football, gymkhana and rodeo events. A well-attended Christmas Fair has been held here for the last few years.

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Park, corner Brown and Bull Streets, Koumala. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016.

Koumala Water Tower

Adjacent to the recreation area, overlooking the township on its northern outskirts, is one of Koumala’s landmarks: a water tower. You can’t miss it. It’s high and imposing, and visible from many vantage points around the town. The township has had a reticulated supply of bore water since 1966. The bore water is hard, so it’s not surprising that many of the townsfolk have rainwater tanks as well.

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Koumala water tower, view from recreation area. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016.

Koumala War Memorial

Let’s take a short walk down Bull Street (Koumala-Bolingbroke Road) to the Koumala War Memorial on the corner of Bull and Mumby Streets. This is an important and revered landmark in Koumala. Built as a public memorial to six local men who served in the armed forces overseas and died during World War II, it was dedicated on 18th April 1959. It honours James Browne, Lionel Mumby, Wilson Graham, Claude Bull, Frank Molinas, Albert Andrews, and William Bonsop and John Greene as well.

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The Koumala War Memorial honours local World War II service men. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016.
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Koumala War Memorial. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016.

The Koumala War Memorial is a heritage-listed site, added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1999. The concrete monument is painted white and comprises a double stepped base, square plinth, obelisk and small Latin cross. A flagpole is located behind it. On Anzac Day, members of the community gather here for a Service of Remembrance following the Anzac Day street parade. Morning tea is always provided afterwards by the ladies of the Koumala QCWA, at the Rest Room in Brown Street.

More about Koumala

At the 2016 Australian Census, the total population of the township and district was 831. Koumala’s a tiny town. The township comprises just six streets, dividing it into four large rectangular street blocks, with about 60 private dwellings. Neat modestly-sized houses, mostly low-set on large blocks of land, line the wide bitumenised streets.

Here are three interesting facts about Koumala:

  1. Its streets (Brown, Mumby, Graham, Bull, Molinas and Andrews) are named after six local men who served overseas in the armed forces, and died, during World War II.
  2. Koumala was originally called “Kelvin Grove”. For a time both names were used. The official change of name from Kelvin Grove to Koumala occurred in the mid-1880s.
  3. Koumala is most likely an aboriginal word for sweet potato or yams, which apparently grew freely here in the past.
Street names, Koumala
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Koulmala streets are named after local World War II servicemen. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016.

Koumala State School

In Bull Street next to the Koumala War Memorial and over the road from the water tower, we find Koumala State School. The school is one of Koumala’s enduring establishments. As is common for small towns and rural communities in Queensland, the ups and downs of the Koumala township and district are mirrored in the status of its public school.

Here’s a little about the school’s history.

The first school in the district, the Provisional School of Koumala, was established at Inneston (north of Koumala). It opened in March 1889 but closed 2 years later, in August 1891, due to low attendance. Various obstacles, including lack of funds, meant that the Koumala Provisional School at Inneston did not reopen until 1916.

The Koumala Township State School opened in 1922 in makeshift accommodation, with 13 pupils and Mr John Blair as Head Teacher. A one-room building with verandas on two sides was constructed on the site of the present school, which they occupied from August 1923. The name “Koumala Township State School” changed to “Koumala State School” in September 1926.

Koumala Township State School 1923
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Koumala Township State School, 1923. Photo source: Public domain.

With increasing enrolments, the school needed a second teacher. Miss Noreen Moyce was appointed as the first assistant teacher in August 1929. Mr Blair remained Head Teacher and Miss Moyce Assistant Teacher until October 1931. In 1973, John Blair and Noreen Moyce were special guests at the Koumala State School’s Golden Jubilee Reunion. Miss Moyce cut the 50th anniversary cake. A monument commemorating the school’s 75th anniversary in 1998, located in the school grounds, honours John Blair as the first teacher of Koumala State School.

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Koumala State School 75th anniversary monument. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016.

What is the status of the school today?

Over the years, enrollments at Koumala State School have fluctuated, as have staff numbers. If the public school is a barometer of the life of a small town or rural community, then the Koumala community is alive and well today.

At the beginning of 2016 Koumala State School had 109 enrolments from Prep to Year 6. Its staff comprises Principal (Mr Cameron Brown), two full-time and six part-time teachers, four visiting teachers (Music, Japanese, Physical Education, Special Education), a chaplain, four teacher-aides, administration officer and two cleaners. There is an active Parents’ and Citizens’ Association.

The school consists of two classroom blocks, modern well-equipped library, computer room, staffroom, administration area, tuckshop, covered playground areas, tennis courts and large sports field.

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Koumala State School entrance. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016.
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Koumala State School classroom today. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016.

The Principal’s residence is located on a large allotment adjoining the school, at 10 Bull Street. The highset weatherboard timber house, constructed in 1932, is typical of Queensland Department of Education houses of that period. Over the years, various improvements and modifications have helped to make the residence a comfortable home for the school Principal and family.

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Principal’s residence, rear view. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016.

When I was researching this story, I met Tom Huddleston, a local canefarmer, in the bar of the Koumala Hotel. When I mentioned that my son-in-law is Principal of Koumala State School, he told me about his family’s long history and connection to the school.

Patrons in the Koumala Hotel Bar
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I met Tom Huddleston in the Koumala Hotel Bar. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016.

Tom’s wife Kay (nee Sleeman) and her four siblings attended Koumala State School (I am guessing this was in the 1960s), and Tom and Kay Huddleston’s four sons (Neville, Brendon, Daniel and Simon) also attended the school. Two of Tom’s grandchildren, a third generation, currently attend Koumala State School.

Tom told me that his wife Kay worked in the school tuckshop for 10 years and that Kay’s mother, Beth Sleeman (nee Lyons), worked in the school tuckshop for 25 years prior to that. Tom said he contributed to upkeep of the school grounds for many years by slashing the grass on a regular basis.

Let’s continue our tour of the township.

Immediately across the road from the school, on the corner of Mumby and Bull Streets, a neat little weatherboard timber building, a church, stands proudly on the large corner allotment.

All Saints Anglican Church

All Saints Anglican Church, built and dedicated in 1930, is one of Koumala’s oldest buildings. The church is part of the Sarina Parish of the Anglican Church and a small group of believers continue to meet for church services at All Saints on the third Sunday of each month. My husband and I joined our family and other worshippers here on two occasions when we visited Koumala, and I highly recommend it as an uplifting place of Christian worship and fellowship. Why not try it for yourself?

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All Saints Anglican Church, Koumala. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016.
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All Saints Anglican Church, Koumala. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016.

All Saints is Koumala’s only remaining church building.

The Koumala Presbyterian Church (1924) and Church Hall (1952) were located in Mumby Street between Molinas and Andrews Streets. In the 1970s, these became part of the Uniting Church. In 1997, the former Presbyterian Church building was removed and for a time services were held in the Church Hall. Today this building is a private residence.

Koumala’s Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family, located on the corner of Molinas and Graham Streets, opened on 30th May 1954. Similarly, it is now a private dwelling (pictured below).

Former Catholic Church, Koumala
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Former Catholic Church, Koumala, now a private residence. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016.

Our tour of the township is over. It’s time to explore the district and find out a little more about what makes the Koumala community tick. The community comprises not only the townsfolk but also many people who live on farms and properties in the surrounding area.

Now, let’s take a drive around the district.

When you approach Koumala via the Bruce Highway, from the south or north, you can’t help but notice sugarcane farms and cattle properties along the way.

This is an agricultural area, with the local economy sustained primarily by the sugar, cattle and fishing industries. According to census data, people who live in Koumala are employed in growing crops (such as sugarcane) or coal mining, cattle and grain farming, agriculture and fishing support services, and rail freight transport.

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Sugarcane harvesting, Bolingbroke Road, Koumala. Photo source: Ruth Salecich-Brown 2016.

The earliest settlers in the district, in the 1860s, leased large tracts of land on which they raised cattle. The first tract leased, “Mount Funnell No. 1”, comprised 26,000 acres (10,522 hectares); the second, “Mount Funnell No. 2” comprised 20,000 acres (8094 hectares). Around the turn of the century, some of this land was thrown open to selection, and subdivided, and a number of landowners tried growing sugarcane.

The Plane Creek Mill at Sarina opened in 1896. But this didn’t help canefarmers in the Koumala district, because at that time there was no rail link between Koumala and Sarina. The growers had no viable means of transporting their harvested cane to the mill.

The railway line between Koumala and Sarina opened in July 1915, which enabled sugarcane growing in the Koumala district to be established. In 1926, the construction of a tramline connecting Koumala and farms in the Bolingbroke Road area (to the west) assisted growers in that vicinity. Many years later, in 1960, growers in the Koumala district as a whole benefitted by the construction of a tramline linking Koumala directly to the Sarina mill. This tramline is still used today.

Koumala-Bolingbroke Road

It’s worth taking a drive west from Koumala along Koumala-Bolingbroke Road (Bull Street), past the sugarcane farms, winding your way through the Kelvin State Forest, towards the Sarina Range. I especially like Black Mountain, northwest of the township. It is huge, towering over the area, so dominant and impressive. Later, you won’t miss seeing Black Mountain as you exit Koumala and drive north along the Bruce Highway.

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View west along Koumala-Bolingbroke Road. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016. .

Mount Funnel and Rocky Dam Creek

Finally, we’ll take a drive east along Landings Road and Landing Road to Rocky Dam Creek. To begin, we head north from Koumala and take the first turn right off the Bruce Highway.

The views along the way are terrific. Besides sugarcane farms and cattle properties, once on Landing Road you’ll see the picturesque local wetlands with their native birds and distinctive coastal vegetation. It’s a photographer’s dream destination!

You’ll also catch sight of one of Koumala’s iconic landmarks: Mount Funnel. It’s a volcanic plug, 344 metres above sea level, with a distinguishing rocky cap. From a distance it looks like an inverted funnel, hence its name. You may be surprised to learn that English navigator Captain Matthew Flinders named it, in 1802, as he circumnavigated Australia.

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Koumala wetlands and Mount Funnel. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016.

Mount Funnel is located at the southwest boundary of Cape Palmerston National Park, 7160 hectares of protected undeveloped coastline that includes Cape Palmerston. Captain James Cook named the cape after Viscount Palmerston, one of the Lords of the British Admiralty, as Cook sailed along the Queensland coast in 1770. Cape Palmerston National Park is important for its natural coastal vegetation and a few rare or endangered animal species. It is accessible by boat, or four-wheel drive vehicles via Ilbilbie, which is 24 km south of Koumala on the Bruce Highway.

At the end of Landing Road, we arrive at Rocky Dam Creek. There’s a camping area here and a boat ramp giving boat owners access to the creek. It’s a popular fishing and crabbing area for locals and travellers alike. But visitors beware: Crocodiles are known to inhabit these waters!

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Boat ramp entrance, Rocky Dam Creek. Photo source: Judith Salecich 2016.

From Rocky Dam Creek, we must retrace our path and return to Koumala township.

Our virtual tour of Koumala and district is over.

I hope you enjoyed your visit.

“Koumala: Where’s that?” Now you know. Furthermore, you’ve learnt a little about Koumala, its history and people. You know that Koumala’s a small town, but also part of a larger rural community.

EPILOGUE

According to The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, Australians who live in towns of less than 1000 residents, and in rural areas, have significantly higher levels of life satisfaction than those who live in major Australian cities. The study found that the kind of community a person lives in, having helpful neighbours and doing things together significantly affect people’s health and happiness.

So, what makes Koumala a great place to live and visit?

Here are a few suggestions:

  • There’s a real sense of community and belonging. This is greatly assisted by online communities. The Koumala Community Noticeboard, set up “for general local advertising, queries and genuine community concerns”, currently has 599 Facebook members. The Koumala Progress Association and Koumala Community Hall also have Facebook pages, with 200-300 followers each.
  • People are encouraged to get involved in local activities and their contribution is valued. For example, the Koumala Progress Association, a community group, organises events for the local community and involves community members in having a say in what activities and events they want.
  • The locals are friendly and welcoming to newcomers and visitors.
  • There is plenty of open space and fresh air. The sunsets are amazing and in fine weather the stars are visible in the night sky.
  • There are no traffic jams or parking problems.
  • Here one can escape the “rat race” (e.g. shopping centres, cinemas, traffic). It’s noticeably quieter than a big city (as long as you don’t live near the highway or railway line) and the pace of life is considerably slower.

What do you think? What makes Koumala a great place to live or visit? Let me and my readers know by adding your thoughts about Koumala in the comments section below.

REFERENCES

MAIN REFERENCES

The following two booklets contain significant historical information about Koumala and district, some of which I have included in my story. A copy of the 1974 publication is in the John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland, and available for research purposes. I recommend that a copy of the 1998 booklet, and photographs (if available), be submitted to the John Oxley Library.

Koumala Presbyterian Women’s Guild, 1974. Historical Review of Koumala and District: 1859-1974. Koumala Presbyterian Women’s Guild: Koumala, Queensland.

75th Book Committee, 1998. Koumala State School 75th Commemorative Book: A History of the Koumala District and Koumala State School 1923-1998. Unpublished.

OTHER REFERENCES

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 2011. Census data and analysis, Quick Stats. Koumala (State Suburb). On-line: http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/quickstat/SSC30903?opendocument&navpos=220

Lovelace, Norma, 2012. Service to the Country by QCWA: In Times of Peace and War. Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA): Brisbane, Queensland.

Trove (National Library of Australia). Digitalized newspapers (1930). Koumala. On-line: http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/170237119?searchTerm=koumala%20all%20saint%27s&searchLimits=

University of Melbourne, The, 2015. The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. On-line: https://www.melbourneinstitute.com/hilda/

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Author

Judith Salecich

Writer, researcher, former secondary and tertiary teacher and public servant, wife, mother, grandmother, child of God, photography enthusiast, lover of life, history, food and all things creative.

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17 thoughts on “Koumala: Where’s that?”

  1. What a lovely story you have written about Koumala. My husband Ned and I are both born and bred ‘Koumala-Ites’, and lived there for 62/60 years. My Dad, Bill Rolfe was an original pupil of Koumala school, and Miss Moyce lived with my Rolfe grandparents on their farm on Bolingbroke Rd. The family stayed in touch with her and we enjoyed seeing her return for the 50th reunion in 1973 which I was very involved with. Congratulations on this great story about Koumala.

    • Jill, thank you so much for sharing your story. You are very fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of Queensland, and all your life! Tony and I are thrilled to find out who Miss Moyce boarded with during her time in Koumala. Like your family, we loved her, and she played a special part in our lives too. I’m so pleased you had the opportunity to see her again in 1973. Congratulations, too, on your contribution to the 50th anniversary event. I’m sure it would have been worth all the effort! Warm regards, Judy.

  2. Thanks Judy for a very interesting and informative read. I spent my childhood in Koumala. Dad worked for the railway and all three of us kids went to the primary school. Great little school then, looks like it still is. A wonderful place to grow up – we rode our bikes, went swimming in the creek (what crocs?), and had good fun. Hi to Jill, your first commenter!

    • Thanks, Sharon, for sharing your connection with Koumala, and your happy memories of growing up in Koumala. It sounds like your life then was full, carefree and safe – such a great start for a child. Many blessings, Judy.

  3. A really interesting story. I really enjoyed it It made me think back to my 3 years spent in Kilkivan with Terry and two little boys. They were very happy years and I have to say that I cried when Terry was transferred to Brisbane. I missed the friendliness of a very small town but eventually got to like city living and the convenience of all that goes with city life.

    • Lorna, I’m glad you enjoyed the story and it brought back happy memories of your time in Kilkivan with your husband and two little ones. I didn’t know that you lived there, so that is very interesting for me to discover. Tony and I lived in Bluff for a short time, and before that, Blackwater (when it was much smaller), both in Central Queensland. We loved our time spent there too. Thank you for sharing. Love, Judy.

  4. Wonderful story. I visited Koumala a couple of years ago in my role of (the then) State Vice President of the QCWA, and was fascinated to read what you have written. I reckon other small places should pay you to do a similar thing for their town. Maybe we need to talk to the Education Department and arrnage the future transfers of your son in law to other places who could do to have their many atributes advertised like this.!!! Well done and Thank you for taking the time and trouble. I have thoroughly enjoyed my journey and will make sure I spend time there next time I am travelling that way. Incidently – the QCWA Branch has 3 new members and is still going strong!

    • Meg, how lovely to receive your feedback. I appreciate very much your taking the time to respond. I feel very honoured by your comments, even though I’m sure they are a little tongue-in-cheek! Nevertheless, I admit I would love to write stories about other little Queensland townships and rural communities. Each one has its own unique story. And I’m sure the QCWA would be part of many of these stories. As for the Koumala QCWA, thank you for letting me and my readers know that the branch is still going strong, and is encouraged by its three new members. That is so good to read. Thanks again for sharing. My warmest wishes, Judy.

  5. My folks still live there, I believe the new principle lives next door! 😉 it was great reading this from someone else perspective I loved it! You captured everything I like about our town, and the pictures are awesome as well! Very well written

    • Ashley, thank you for sharing your response to the story and your obvious love for your hometown. I hope I get to meet your folks when I am next in Koumala. I’m glad you liked the photographs. I took most of them during my last visit (in May), and my daughter Ruth took the photos of the cane harvesting a month later. The harvest hadn’t started when I was there in May. Thanks for your encouraging feedback. Best wishes, Judy.

  6. Great story! My family members (Canning) still live in the district. My dad Jack Canning was one of the original pupils at Koumala school. Thanks for the story. Ruth Flynn

    • Ruth, thank you for letting me and my readers know about your family, who still live in the district. It’s wonderful to hear that your father was one of the original pupils. Did he tell you about his days at the Koumala School? Was he present at the 50th reunion? Thanks again for sharing. Best wishes, Judy.

  7. Well done. We lived in the Koumala area for 25 years, raising 4 children and many tons of sugar cane. Being very active in community affairs we enjoyed a very happy social life. May the ‘tiny’ town continue to prosper, and be the happy community that we enjpyed. It is great that you were able to find so much information.

  8. Judith,
    Love your website. It has this warmth in regard to its subjects.

    I would like to seek your permission to use some of your photographs of All Saints Anglican Church on my website. My site is none commercial and being used to create a photographic record of Australian churches. Website address is http://www.churchesaustralia.org. I am happy to attribute the photographs as you require.
    Regards, John Conn

  9. Hi Judy, I really enjoyed reading your story about Koumala. Kevin and I and most of our friends, all asked the same question, Where’s Koumala? Even though we’ve been going up there now periodically over the last couple of years, it is really fascinating to read about the community and its history. Very well put together. We will be up there in 2 weeks and looking forward to exploring a little further afield.

  10. I enjoyed reading this as just found I had relatives here when doing a family history. next time we will stop here and investigate. Thank your for such an informative journey through the area

  11. Hello Judith
    I came across your stories while I was trying to find my heritage. I loved all the snaps and stories. I am trying to locate information on my Grandmother and her family. The family name I am trying to track down is Gladwood. 1950,S They were indigenous and apparently lived in Koumala. Any info would be helpful.

    Kind regards

    Kim Holland

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