Heritage Treasures of the Toowoomba Region 2013 6791801HeritageTreasuresOfTheToowoombaRegion2013 | Page 12

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Part C
T
Celebrating
A Rich Cultural
Heritage
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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.
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
C3 Bound Photograph Album c. 1899
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.
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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.
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This old bound album of sepia photographs contains 54
images depicting Toowoomba places.
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