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C1
Part C
Celebrating A Rich Cultural Heritage
Harlaxton House and the Lamington
This home in Munro Street was completed in 1870 for surveyor Francis Gregory and his family . It is constructed of local stone and relates well to the climate of Toowoomba . For the summer 1900-1901 Lord Lamington , the Governor of Queensland , resided at Harlaxton House to escape Brisbane ’ s heat . It was during this visit that the Governor ’ s cook is said to have improvised the cake now named in his honour .
So it may be said that Toowoomba gave Australia its beloved lamington .
C2
Weetwood ’ s Historic Documents
These rare plans dated 1888 are on canvas ( 33cm x 48cm ), together with handwritten documents relating to the building and contents of ‘ Weetwood ’ in Tor Street . They are a detailed record including specifications of sub-contracts , furniture and other costings for one of Toowoomba ’ s most impressive houses . ‘ Weetwood ’ was designed by prominent Toowoomba architect James Marks and built by Richard Godsall as a residence for Richard William Scholefield .
Toowoomba ’ s famous Weetwood Handicap is named in Mr Scholefield ’ s honour as he was an active member of the Toowoomba Turf Club .
C3
Bound Photograph Album c . 1899
This old bound album of sepia photographs contains 54 images depicting Toowoomba places .
T he Toowoomba region is particularly fortunate to have a number of locations , buildings and artefacts with identified historical and cultural associations . From grand houses and government buildings to commercial landmarks and relatively insignificant objects , they remain graphic mementos of our past . There are also reminders of people whose input made the Toowoomba Region famous across Australia and overseas . They all contribute to the region ’ s rich cultural background and tell their stories in a uniquely tangible way .
In 1899 , when the South British Fire and Marine Insurance Company upgraded its Toowoomba agency to the status of a branch , the State manager , W . H . Rigby , visited the town and photographed properties insured by his company . Fortunately , the photographs returned to Toowoomba in this album given to Paul Herbert by Pat Thompson , Mr Rigby ’ s grand-daughter .
In 2003 , the Toowoomba Historical Society , with assistance from Local and State governments , produced a brochure , ‘ Toowoomba Then and Now ’, using eleven of the photographs .
Framed Photograph of The Austral Board
In 1903 , mainly through the efforts of the poet George Essex Evans , The Austral Society was formed in Toowoomba for the promotion and advancement of music , literature , art and science . It was proposed to hold a festival over three days in November to coincide with the King ’ s birthday .
The first Austral Festival was so successful that the walls of the disused Toowoomba Gaol were roofed and adapted to form the Austral Hall , which was the main venue for future festivals until the last one was held in 1911 .
This framed collection contains photographs of the executive committee of the Austral Society in 1905 . It displays the images of prominent men who worked to make the festival a success and is also an excellent example of the work of local photographer James Bain .