Eacham Historical Society

Members of the Eacham Historical Society celebrated the end of another successful year with a number of gatherings just before last Christmas.  Those who volunteer at the history centre in Malanda got together for a morning tea on the barbeque deck at Atherton's Platypus Park while the members who volunteer at the museum in Millaa Millaa enjoyed a get together at De Millaa Cafe.  The group could not function without the efforts of those who volunteer and their generosity is greatly appreciated.  Some forty members and guests also attended the annual end of year dinner held again in the function room of the Malanda RSL Club.  The Society has recently completed a project to reprint a number of its popular publications which had sold out.  This also included a long awaited second edition of the 'Murder in the Boonjie Scrub' book which was launched in a brief ceremony at the end of year dinner.  It was also decided to award a Life Membership to Mr Anton Kneubuhler in recognition of his many year of dedicated service to the Society.  The new year began with the Society's first meeting in late January at which a paper written by David Candow was read telling of the childhood adventures growing up at Topaz in the mid 1940's.  The group was also asked to assist with the travelling Railways 1914-1919 project which has been organized by the Workshop Rail Museum to honour the military service of the railways and its personnel during the First World War.  The first field-trip for the year was held in late February to explore the Ravenshoe - Innot Hot Springs district.  A wild storm that hit during lunch at Glen Gordon Station made it a most adventures outing.  The next meeting will be held on 20 March at the Malanda Centre.