By Jess Baker
Residents of the Southern Downs will have an opportunity to explore their region’s, and potentially their ancestors’, history this October at a special springtime celebration in Allora.
The Allora and District Historical Society will open its doors to visitors on 2 and 3 October, with a collection of vintage wedding gowns, bridesmaids dresses, and accessories worn by Allora locals on display.
Dresses featured will include those worn by three brides from different generations of the same family, Wilhelmina Brown who married Herbert Blanch in 1938, Anita Blanch who married Graham Morrish in 1960, and Alvena Davidson who married Ashley Ruhle in 1992.
Allora and District Historical Society vice president Lyn Wright said there will be more than a dozen wedding dresses on display over the weekend, with one more than 140 years old.
“We want to encourage people to come (to Allora) by having a special display,” she said.
“A lot of things in the museum are the same … but we’re hoping something topical will bring the locals in. There could be a relative’s dress on display.”
Lyn said wedding exhibits, parades, and competitions had been popular in Allora over the years, particularly during the springtime, so next month’s display was sure to be a hit.
After a year of event cancellations and postponements due to Covid-19, she said the society was eager to take advantage of Queenslanders’ current freedom to travel within the state.
Visitors to Allora on the October weekend will also be able to participate in a ‘walk down Herbert Street’ tour commencing at 8.30am on both days, and a cemetery walk commencing at 11am.
Keen historian Trevor Neale will lead the tours of Allora’s main street while Colin Newport will take visitors through the town’s 1869 cemetery, sharing stories of the town’s most notable past residents.
“(Trevor) will tell the stories of the changes in ownership of the old buildings and tell of the many fires that destroyed some many buildings and the changes that resulted,” Lyn said.
“In 1965 a series of articles titled ‘A Walk Down Herbert Street’ appeared in the Warwick Daily News. The articles were written by Oliver Neale under the pen name of ‘Oliver Twist’.
“The articles were written from his memories of Herbert Street in 1905, sixty years earlier.
“Trevor has family connections to Oliver.”
Also on 2 and 3 October, visitors and locals can enjoy spring markets at the Memorial Hall and surrounding grounds, hosted by the Allora RSL Sub Branch.
A number of stall sites – including bric a brac, old wares, and craft – have already been booked for the weekend.
Those interested in hosting a stall may contact Ray Saunders on 0408 061 092 for more details.
Visitors can view the special wedding display at the Allora Historical Museum between 9am and 3pm both days of the spring event.
Tickets for tours of the town’s main street and cemetery are $10. Bookings can be made by phoning society secretary Wendy Ardrey on 0488 673 778 or emailing at adhssec@gmail.com.
