Gondolas on Ross Creek

One of the most spectacular fundraising events Townsville had ever seen occurred in 1929, when a “Venetian Carnival” was held in aid of the Anglican Church Schools League.

These gondolas, pictured on Ross Creek, formed part of a spectacular “Venetian Carnival” in Townsville in August 1929. Victoria Bridge is visible in the background.

Photo: James Cook University, NQID No. 3544 from E.R. (Bob) Hayles Album.

Described as “the most enchanting thing ever seen in Townsville”, Ross Creek was transformed into a scene resembling the Grand Canal of Venice, with brightly illuminated launches and gondolas that conveyed ticket holders from the Harbour Board pontoon to the Seamen’s Mission Hall, where a grand ball was held.

Mr I. MacDiarmid, whose artistic efforts in this regard were considered a triumph, had converted the grounds of the Seamen’s Mission Hall into an Italian garden. The Townsville Daily Bulletin reported on what they believed was “the brightest scene ever witnessed in Townsville”:

“From 7.30 music could be heard floating from the launch Malanda which was gaily decorated and had been anchored in midstream, and the launches and gondolas were busy taking people to the landing place at the Seamen’s Institute.

The slip was decorated with coloured lights, flags and streamers and as one walked out of the boathouse the paths each side were flanked with flowering rose bushes and on through an archway of wisteria through which showed coloured lights and then into the garden itself which resembled fairyland.

It was a revelation to see the transformation from a barren piece of ground to the brightly flowering garden. Beds of poppies bordered the stage and round the outskirts were beds of chrysanthemums, tulips, lillies and delphiniums.”

The evening began with an Italian quartet, whose members strolled through the crowd playing mandolins and guitars, followed by a tambourine dance performed by eight young ladies.

Later, twelve couples danced a traditional Minuetto, which was considered to be the attraction of the evening. The ladies wore bright floral frocks with plain bodices and the men wore suits to match their partner’s frock and all wore white wigs.

The Bulletin reporter described another dance:

“The Neapolitan Dance, the Tarantella, was most attractive and one realised the skill of the dancers when they saw them doing the intricate steps and the vim they put into it from start to finish. They deservedly received a vociferous encore and responded immediately.

The girls wore bright red skirts bordered with black, white blouses and boleros and a flat white bow on their heads and carried tambourines. The men wore black trousers, white shirts, coloured sashes and handkerchiefs on their heads.”

Catering for the evening was entrusted to Mrs J. Norris, who, together with a willing band of helpers that included 20 waitresses, provided supper for 500 people.

According to the Bulletin, if not for the work of Mr Bob Hayles, the water part of the entertainment would have been impossible.

“His launches, and those of Mr Sell, too, were at the disposal of the people and he superintended the construction of the gondolas and made it all safe for those who were inclined to be mistrustful of the water.

Mr Satini’s boat won the prize for the best-illuminated boat and it certainly was a very pretty sight as it sailed up and down the harbour. Mr F. Willmett’s Ariadne also came in for a lot of praise. Mr Tuesley won the prize for best gondola.”

Townsville Flying Squadron Club House

For almost sixty years the Flying Squadron club house on Palmer Street was a landmark on the Ross Creek skyline.  Built over several years in the early 1920s by volunteer labour, it was both a boatshed and a dance hall, all rolled in to one.

Townsville Flying Squadron Club House, Palmer Street, c. 1925.
Photo: John Mathew Collection, CityLibraries.

The sailing club house on Ross Creek was built on land obtained from the Townsville Harbour Board and built by the club members, who volunteered their time on weekends over several years.  The working bees saw 30-40 members pitching in with everything from clearing ground and the sinking and laying of foundations in the muddy creek bed to building the dance floor. 

Flying Squadron club house under construction, 1920s.
Photo: John Mathew Collection, CityLibraries.

Most of the materials for the building were supplied at cost price by club members who were also skilled tradesmen.  Skiffs were stored in the boat shed underneath and the top floor housed a superb dance floor, which meant the club house became a popular venue for dances and annual balls.  Its location on Ross Creek took full advantage of the sea breezes, which cooled the dance hall in the summer.

Fancy Dress Ball held at the Flying Squadron Club House, 1920s.
Photo:  John Mathew Collection, CityLibraries.

The Townsville Daily Bulletin reported in 1930 that the sailing season had opened with “great style” on a very pleasant Saturday afternoon in September.  Mr R Hayles loaned his vessel, the Malita, to the Townsville Flying Squadron for a flagship, which was “decked out in bunting and carried a fine crowd of ladies and gentlemen.”

 

Those lucky enough to have been invited on board were treated to a performance by a small orchestra aboard the Malita.  The orchestra included the club’s piano, which had been moved from the ballroom and was played by Mr Vic Foley during the trip.  Mr Foley was accompanied by Miss V. Cameron on the violin and Mr Patterson on the banjo.  

According to the Bulletin, “the three players were most unselfish with their services, and were responsible for much of the success achieved.”

“A very fine afternoon tea was served by the ladies’ committee, and this in conjunction with the ideal weather, the sweet music and the racing, made the function one of the most enjoyable that has been held in the City.”

Some of the men who helped to build the Flying Squadron Club House.
Photo: John Mathew Collection, CityLibraries.

American forces commandeered the club house during World War II and used it to store sugar.  According to Mr A Duffield, who was a life member and past treasurer of the Townsville Sailing Club, the sugar stored during the war, “wrecked the dance floor forever”.

The Bulletin interviewed Mr Duffield in late 1979, when the Flying Squadron club house was about to be demolished.  The club house had fallen into disrepair after a number of years of neglect.  The sailing clubs who had once made it their home had long since left, after navigation of their skiffs became difficult and dangerous in the busy Ross Creek shipping traffic.

Mr Duffield spoke fondly of the club house, particularly of the dances that were held there.

“When the modern up tempo dances arrived the whole building would rock and roll”, Mr Duffield said. 

“Sometimes I thought it would roll off its stumps in the middle of one of the razzle dazzle dances”, he said.