Heritage Treasures of the Toowoomba Region 2013 6791801HeritageTreasuresOfTheToowoombaRegion2013 | Page 14

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Chair Used By George Essex Evans
George Essex Evans was described by his friend, Prime
Minister Alfred Deakin as ‘Australia’s National Poet’. He was
registrar of births, marriages and deaths in Toowoomba and
lived at Glenbar, about halfway down The Range on the Old Toll
Bar Road.
Of his many poems, ‘The Women of the West’ and ‘The
Nation Builders’ are probably the best known. When he died
suddenly in 1909, the community erected a monument in his
honour at Webb Park overlooking his home.
The Ladies’ Literary Society donated the chair to the
Toowoomba City Council. It is on permanent display at the
Toowoomba City Library in Victoria Street.
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Poem by George Essex Evans
This is an original hand-written copy of the poem ‘The
Crown of Empire’ signed by the poet, George Essex Evans.
It was an ode commemorating the coronation of King
Edward VII. A copy was printed on white satin and presented to
the King by Prime Minister Edmund Barton.
The poem is historically significant as one written during the
Federation era and has associations with a Prime Minister and
the King.
Souvenir Vase
The view from Picnic Point is unrivalled in Australia and
this vase shows the original kiosk with part of the iconic Mt
Tabletop, while roses are reminders of Toowoomba’s Garden
City image. This picture is shown on both sides of the vase
and its base contains the inscription, ‘G.A. Morton Red Arcade
Toowoomba’. The Red Arcade in Ruthven Street was a fancy
goods store specialising in souvenirs such as this.
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Carnival of Flowers Memorabilia
Toowoomba’s first Carnival of Flowers parade was held on
21 October 1950, and has become a popular event associated
with the Garden City. That year the Carnival Queen was Fay
Ryan, but a crown was made for the queen in 1953 and Dawn
Hillocks was the first to wear it. The same crown was used at
every Carnival until 1966.
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Statue of ‘Puppy’ at Picnic Point
From the first Carnival of Flowers procession in 1950,
‘Puppy’, the mascot of the Toowoomba Thistle Pipe Band,
was an eager participant beside his owner, Drum Major
Hughie Morgan.
At well over six feet when adorned in his magnificent
bearskin and full Scottish national dress, Mr Morgan was an
imposing figure leading the band.
Not to be outdone, ‘Puppy’, wearing his tartan-fringed rug,
trotted beside his master and won the hearts of all.
A statue of ‘Puppy’ was erected