THE 32nd JONDARYAN WOOLSHED FESTIVAL 2008

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2008 marked the 32nd Annual ‘Jondaryan’ Woolshed Festival in the beautiful little South-East Queensland country town by the same name.

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About two hours behind the wheel from Brisbane through the Great Dividing Range, Toowoomba and Oakey will bring you out to home of the oldest woolshed Australia has to offer.

The station was first registered in 1842 by Henry Coxen, changing ownership to Kent & Weinholt in 1858, the year before tools were first lifted for construction of the now still standing woolshed.

Ownership and management now lays with the Jondaryan Shire Council after 2002, and with great merit to their organisational skills, as they now host this annual event that spreads out a display to many a country visitor (and city one for that matter), offering an array of everything you could possibly envisage of early history Australia that helped shaped the land and where we’re at today.

The minute you walk through the gates, you can see how popular the event is by the overflowing visitors car park out front, to be then pleasantly surprised on how spread out and comfortable it is inside to wander around for a look.

It’s like stepping back in time, and judging by the awestruck looks and smiles abounding the faces of many a child at the old machinery that would literally ‘steam’ it’s way past in the grand parade, it’s an exciting visit for the younger generation as well as those who appreciate remembering actually using it.

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As you work your way around, not only is there every conceivable piece of farming equipment and transport machinery in their own range of colours, but also everything from miniature steam trains, to large steam driven carriage rides, draught-horse drawn wagons, animal nurseries, some 300 sheep dogs in competition, food courts, arts and crafts, sheep shearing, cheese making, honey display, rock crushers, blacksmith displays and much, much more.

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All this while a varied run of bands fill the air with their toe tapping beats, strumming out their own style of country tunes.

For those that choose to stay, there’s a fence that encloses an adjoining group of caravans and motor homes in park style rows, and outside this, a vast amount of rolling green pasture, (much thanks to the recent rain) that rolls into the meandering creek separating the landscape, of which you can take your pick at your favoured spot.

The festival itself is a week long event, generally in August, and climaxes on the last weekend with a machinery parade at lunchtime and dance on the Saturday night, although you can visit the station year round to take advantage of these beautiful camping grounds.

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If you do make a run out, remember to take your own timber, (you can still buy some out there for your campfire), as if visiting during the winter months, it’s a very valuable item to have.

To get out there from the hustle and bustle of the city, away from the computers, phones, tv and internet, it’s like a breath of fresh air, and for those taking the kids out there, an extremely valuable insight into their country’s early history and as importantly country style hospitality.

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It was great to experience an overwhelming feeling of the people having respect for the land and others, which seemed to be shown by all.

What better way to enjoy a break, than to settle back on a river bank with a cuppa around a campfire at night under the clear country sky with friends, for a peaceful nights sleep, only to be broken on sunrise with the chirps of the birds and barks of a practicing sheep dog in the distance, under the whistle of his owner vying for a trophy, to have breaky and prepare to for a visual feast of Australian history with a flavour of that country hospitality.

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If you have the opportunity to get out there for a day, weekend or the entire week one year, mark it on your travel calendar, as it’s such a rewarding experience for yourself and those lucky enough to be able to join you.

For dates and official notes - www.jondaryanwoolshed.com

Thanks to: John Osbourne - Event coordinator

And our close family friends, Stuart & June Campbell and John & Judy Cramb for afternoon tea!

SOME MORE PIC'S -

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