Banana Shire Historical Society Inc

17/06/2026

14/06/2026

On Tuesday the 9th June we played host to 15 tourists plus bus driver and tourist guide. They came from Sydney, Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast and Brisbane and were mainly retired people having a look around QLD. They were very impressed with what we had to offer which included history talks, artifacts and of course good food. A very interesting and complimentary group of people. One fellow was a musician and after getting this old piano accordion out which we had in the Homestead he proceeded to entertain us.

Details of the instrument are as follows;

Piano Accordion GH2017.0037
Made by HONER in Wurttemberg, Germany, a TANGO III accordion, decorated with coloured jewelled patterns. The number A440 is stamped on the back. Case has a plaque; Andersons Music Salon Kingaroy, Anything Musical. C.F. Oberle is written in ink pen inside lid. It was donated by Helen Anderson, it belonged to her father C.F. (Charlie) Oberle

20/05/2026

On behalf of the President and Committee, It is with sadness, to inform you of the passing of our former member Alan Rideout.
Only just a few years ago, Alan shared his life story, a life solely lived in the Biloela for just over 97 years.
Our Condolences go to Isobel, and the Rideout and Osborne Families.
(Alan was also my uncle, with Sybil, his first wife, was my Dads oldest sister).
We thank Alan and Isobel for their membership, friendship and assistance over the years.
Including rosewood posts, made available for the Greycliffe Homestead upkeep.

Funeral details are as follows-
TOMORROW
THURSDAY 21st MAY AT 9AM
BILOELA CEMETERY CHAPEL
VALENTINE PLAINS RD, BILOELA.

Alison Hodda
Secretary

02/05/2026

The members of the Society had a very enjoyable REAL HISTORY experience today travelling the eastern edge of the Banana Shire visiting the lesser known sites of "Dumgree" ; “Benopai”; Bell Creek Headwaters; “Inverness”; Collard-Bell Creeks Junction and Kilbirnie Homestead. Many thanks to Ailsa and Rose, and Fiona (decedents of the Campbells), and Lindsay and Alison for their research and organisation.

13/04/2026

Another fruitful General Meeting was held at Greycliffe Homestead yesterday, capably chaired by Vice President John Hodda. Among other business we discussed our next planned tour/outing for Saturday 2nd May, travelling to Mount Rainbow on the Calliope Range to visit Inverness, Dumgree and the source of the Bell Creek. If you would like to join us, call Alison on 0427844363

29/03/2026

About 50 people attended a day at Drumburle on Saturday 28th March to hear first-hand from Stuart Barrett about the early history of the Barrett and Purvis families in that area. Drumburle is situated about 12 miles south of Thangool. This was followed by Stuart's father Tex who gave a comprehensive description of when and how the Greycliffe Homestead was moved into Biloela. Approximately 30 Historical Society members attended plus neighbours and other invited friends. Drumburle was first gazetted in the early 1860's the first owners being the Gerard Brothers from Dumgree before Robert Purvis took over the 40,000 acre block in 1873. Stuart Andrew Barrett, a local contractor at the time then married Robert Purvis' daughter and over time was able to acquire the property and so the history of the Barrett's on Drumburle began.