Wednesday 28 October 2015

Jubilee Pioneers Luncheon - Townsville

In 1951, celebrations took place all around Australia to celebrate the Jubilee (50th anniversary) of Australia's nationhood. In Townsville, a Pioneer's Luncheon was held on 7th May at the Showgrounds, with around 300 of the city's most senior residents in attendance.
Jubilee Pioneer's Luncheon, held at Townsville Showgrounds, 7 May 1951.
Photo:  Fraley Studio Townsville, Townsville City Libraries.
The Townsville Daily Bulletin described those who would be in attendance:


“They will comprise men and women who have meant much to the development of the district, and of the north. Few of them are marked by wealth or high position, but they represent the real backbone of the nation, the people who do their job where they find it, without inordinate ambition, working conscientiously, unnoticed, often misunderstood, but steady and the essential basis of progress everywhere.”[1]
Mr George King (seated front left) at the Jubilee Pioneer's Luncheon, Townsville Showgrounds 7 May 1951, was the oldest person at the gathering. Seated on his right is 94 year-old Mrs Isobel Tippet (the oldest woman present at the Pioneers Luncheon). Seated on the far right is Townsville Mayor Alderman J.S. Gill.
Photo: Fraley Studio Townsville, Townsville City Libraries.
“Pride of place at Monday’s Pioneer Luncheon was given to Mr. George William King, of 29 Gregory Street, North Ward. Aged 95 years, Mr. King was the oldest person at the gathering. Born in Warwick on February 14, 1856, he now lives with one of his daughters, Mrs. P. Olsen. Mr. King married in 1883 and had 12 children - nine of whom are living. Among his other descendants are 41 grand-children, 51 great grand-children, and two great great grand-children.”[2] 

Remarkably, the newspaper listed the names and addresses of every person who was invited to the function! If you have trouble reading these screen shots, just go to Trove and search for the original article[3]
Townsville Daily Bulletin, 8 May 1951, p. 2.
Source: Trove.
Townsville Daily Bulletin, 8 May 1951, p. 2.
Source: Trove.
Townsville Daily Bulletin, 8 May 1951, p. 2.
Source: Trove.


[1] Townsville Daily Bulletin, 5 May 1951, p. 2.
[2] ‘His City Honoured Him’, Townsville Daily Bulletin, 8 May 1951, p. 2.
[3] ‘Talked of Old Times’, Townsville Daily Bulletin, 8 May 1951, p. 2.

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