THEODORE – the town that water built – TURNS 100

A centenary ago, along the Dawson River in Central Queensland, there emerged a little town called, Theodore, dubbed the town that water built. It was originally known as Castle Creek but was renamed in 1926 by the then premier of Queensland, Edward Granville 'Red Ted' Theodore, who was a major supporter of the Dawson Valley irrigation scheme.

In the beginning Theodore was a stopping point for travellers and it was the same again in June, this year, for the township saw hundreds of visitors returning to their hometown. Locals, family and friends of this close-knit community gathered together to partake in the three-day Centenary Celebrations.

The town wasn't the only one marking a centennial; the Theodore Ambulance Station, Holmes Enterprises and the Theodore State School did also. Visitors could walk down memory lane, explore the town's rich history, appreciate memorabilia in the shopfronts, watch the Grand Old Street Parade, listen to guest speaker Stephen Theodore, the great-nephew of the town's namesake, and possibly join in the 100km Relay and Family Picnic Day.

Throughout the weekend, friends reunited, families gathered, stories were shared, and cherished memories came flooding back.

Guest speaker Stephen Theodore, the great-nephew of the town's namesake, spoke during the official ceremony.

Holmes Enterprises celebrated 100 years of business. Pictured with Sharon Holmes (green shirt) were past and present employees of the department store.

On Saturday, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, attended the Theodore Ambulance Station centenary celebrations and the town's official ceremony. Her Excellency unveiled the Queensland Ambulance Service Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM and dedicated the water tower, expressing her delight at joining Theodore's Centenary Celebrations, especially as it was her inaugural visit as Governor to this distinctive and picturesque town. The Qld Governor also mingled with the crowd along the Boulevard during the street parade.

Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM unveiled the QAS centenary plaque and is pictured with Theodore's Officer-in-Charge, Rowena Ngawati, paramedic Rebecca Poole and QAS Assistant Commissioner of Central Region, Robbie Medlin.

The Qld Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, dedicated the water tower during the official ceremony.

Official Queensland Ambulance Service dignitaries joined in the celebrations at the Theodore Ambulance Station and paid tribute to 100 years of ambulance services to the community. QAS said, "100 years of ambulances services were only possible through community spirit and sacrifice".

Over the weekend the Theodore Local Ambulance Committee - LAC members conducted a 24-hour CPR challenge to bring awareness and highlight the importance of these life-saving skills.

The centenary event at the Theodore Ambulance Station honoured the Bryant Family with a Certificate of Appreciation for Superintendent George Bryant, who served for 21 years, making him the longest-serving officer of the century.

During the formalities QAS Assistant Commissioner of Central Region, Robbie Medlin, and QAS Deputy Commissioner of Operations North and Rural and Remote, Kari Arbouin, recognised long service milestones for paramedics, Local Ambulance Committee volunteers and volunteer Emergency Drivers. Theodore is fortunate to have such committed local first responders.

Theodore paramedic, Rebecca Poole, being presented her 10 years of service award.

Local ambulance committee member, Kathy Kucks, receiving an award for 20 years of service.

Local ambulance committee member, John Dale, receiving an award for 15 years of service.

Local ambulance committee member, Margaret Dale, receiving an award for 15 years of service.

Local ambulance committee president, Kimberley Gonse, receiving an award for 5 years of service.

Local ambulance committee member, Donna Smiley, receiving an award for 5 years of service.

Donald Dale received the Assistant Commisser award for 10 years serving as a Theodore Emergency Driver.

Timothy Stevens received the Assistant Commisser award for 10 years serving as a Theodore Emergency Driver.

Francis Ngawati received the Assistant Commisser award for 10 years serving as a Theodore Emergency Driver.

Queensland Local Ambulance Committee Representative for Central and Rockhampton Region, Uncle George James, was pleasantly surprised when Theodore's Officer-in-Charge, Rowena Ngawati, presented him with a cake to celebrate his 68th birthday.

Theodore State School has a long and proud history and was a focal point of the town's centenary celebrations.

David, Tian, Liev and Wavy Moore, Sunshine Coast, walking down Memory Lane with Laurie Moore, Theodore, Kevin Moore, Theodore, and his daughter, Cassandra Moore, Bundaberg.

Visitors could spend hours walking down Memory Lane

Ian Kerr, Home Hill, found his class while strolling down Memory Lane. Mr Kerr was a student from 1960 - 1969 and later pursued a career in teaching.

Bill and Desleigh Murray, together with their daughter Mary-Anne Crawford, fondly recall the memorabilia from the 75th anniversary time capsule, unearthed a week before the centennial celebration. Mr. Murray served as the school principal from 1995 to 2001, and before that, he was a high school teacher, a role he held from 1979.

The Drew Brothers - Attending TSS were John from 1961-1969, Irvingdale; Peter from 1971-1974, Mackay; Stephen from 1964-1973, Toowoomba; and David from 1963-1972, Mackay.

Past students of the Theodore State School journeyed from various points along the East Coast, with some travelling as far as Darwin, to join in celebrating the school's anniversary. Keith Sewell returned to school 85 years after attending his first class in 1939.

According to the 2021 census, Theodore had 451 residents, and the current student count stands at 114, with ninety-three pupils from Prep to Year 6 and twenty-one from Years 7 to 10.

Over 300 individuals registered for Theodore State School's 100 Year Roll Call and there were representatives from each decade.

George Anderson was born and bred in Cracow, which is located just 50kms south-east of Theodore. In 1940 Cracow was the largest town in the Banana shire, with a hospital, courthouse, school, ambulance service, shops and other public buildings. The primary school opened there in 1933 and only closed in 1997. George was a student at the Theodore State School in the 1960’s and while strolling down Memory Lane, he caught up with Lorna and Karen Dollar from Brisbane. Lorna is the granddaughter of Claude Dollar, who was Theodore's first school teacher.

George Anderson, Brisbane, with Lorna and Karen Dollar, both of Brisbane.

Travelling from Buderim, David Woodrow AM, came back to see how things had changed in and around Theodore. Mr Woodrow and Pam Anderson were Theodore's first high school teachers, and while attending the centenary he caught up with four of his “first batch of students” from 1960.

Theodore's first high school teacher, David Woodrow AM, with inaugural high school students, Helen Doodson, Kingaroy, Trevor Van Bael, Innisfail, and Jenny Yates, Brisbane.

First high school student, Bill Gresham, Canberra, ACT, showing Theodore's first high school teacher, David Woodrow AM, the Class of 1960.

Trevor Van Bael, now of Innisfail, was one of those first high school students and he has his own story to tell, "Back in 1960 the school didn’t have a badge, so the teachers organised a school competition and I won the prize." Trevor's drawing was the first draft of how the school badge looks today.

David Woodrow AM, with Trevor Van Bael, and current TSS Librarian, Anne Goodland, Theodore.

GIBBER GUNYAH Irrigation Settlement - The original families who settled in this district when it was mainly for growing cotton.

Tennis enthusiasts would know who Mal Anderson is, but for those who are not familiar, Malcolm Anderson MBE, is an Australian former tennis player who represented Australia in the Davis Cup and became the first unseeded player to win the U.S. National Men’s Singles Championships in 1957. Mr Anderson grew up on a cattle property in Central Queensland and was a student at the Theodore State School in the 1940’s. At an early age Mr Anderson started playing tennis and is still passionate about the game.

Australian tennis player Malcolm Anderson was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2000 and into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame in 2001.

The centenary's theme, 'Sensing the Past, Enjoying the Present, and Focusing on the Future,' was vividly brought to life in the grand street parade, featuring local groups, businesses, and historical vehicles. It was truly a magnificent parade!

The 1955 Dodge Kingsway ambulance from yesteryear and the brand-new Mercedes Sprinter being used by today’s local paramedics.

Theodore Junior Roosters won best community organisation display.

Tone Markey drove his father's 1968 Fiat 650 tractor which was purchased brand new for $5300 from Farmers Centre in Biolela. The flood waters in 2010/2011 went 300mm over the top of the steering wheel.

Catching up with Kylie Mactaggart, Bears Lagoon, Moura, and her parents Murray and Wendy Gibson, Rolleston, during the Grand Old Street Parade were Meredith Servin, Boonarga, Theodore, and Sarah Cox, Cracow Station, Cracow.

Before the official ceremony, the Moura School of Ballet dancers graced the stage, in the presence of the Member for Flynn, Mr. Colin Boyce MP, Member for Callide, Mr. Bryson Head MP, Banana Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Neville Ferrier, and other invited guests. The Moura School of Ballet - Theodore Branch consists of dancers from Theodore, Taroom and Moura. The freshly painted water tower provided a picturesque backdrop for their performance and the official formalities.

Theodore Centenary Organiser, Anne Chater, believes there were close to 1000 people in town over the anniversary weekend. Anne said, “The weekend exceeded my expectations and those of everyone who contributed to organising the event."

"The hotel was fully booked, the local cafe and service station were kept busy, there were approximately 100 caravans and campervans at the showgrounds and most of the homes in and around town had additional family and friends staying with them. It’s incredible to see the community come together to honour our past and look forward to our future.”

On Sunday, there was a 100km relay where teams each completed a one-kilometre stretch. The picnic games at Junction Park delighted both children and adults, while those still engaged in catching up found a chair, a spot on the grass, or simply stood around chatting, eating, and enjoying the festive atmosphere.

Children and adults alike competed in the Picnic Games.

The Goodland Family completed a one kilometre stretch for the 100km relay.

Charlotte Wilson and Penny Hinds wondered whether the egg was hard-boiled for the throwing contest.

Penny Hinds proving to all that the eggs weren't hard-boiled.

Relay coordinator Jane Conway (pictured) and Heidi Shoecraft organised the 100km event to mark 100 years in Theodore.

Picnic Games coordinator Judy Tweed, Theodore, announces the next game with the assistance of Darcy McIntyre, Theodore.

Picnic Games coordinator Cheryl Chapman watching all the action with Juanita and Dallas Norris.

To Anne Chater, Jess Weimar, and all who were involved in organising Theodore's Centenary Celebrations. Your relentless dedication, exceptional efforts and hard work exceeded all expectations and made this centenary truly spectacular. The memories created for all those who attended will be cherished and fondly remembered for many years to come. Congratulations to everyone!

And finally, I would like to take this moment to bid farewell to Dr. Bruce and Anne Chater.

The Chaters have lived in Theodore for forty-three years. Bruce arrived in Theodore as a young doctor and, alongside Anne, founded the Theodore Medical Centre in 1981. They have committed themselves as community volunteers for many years, and the Centenary celebration marked their final hurrah as they bid farewell to the town they've cherished as home for almost 44 years in the coming months.

Thank you for all that you have done for not only this community but for my family as well. Since we arrived in Theodore eight years ago, your support, guidance and understanding has been appreciated on many different levels and will forever be remembered. Even though your chapter in Theodore will be coming to an end soon, you have left an imprint on many lives and because of that neither of you will be forgotten. My family extends our best wishes to yours and we hope that retirement brings you both joy and happiness. All our love, The Wilson Family xx

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Thank you for taking the time to read my blog about Theodore's Centenary - Here's hoping that this little town that water built, continues to thrive until 2124 and beyond!

Happy 100 years THEODORE….