Drinan District Residents' Memories

Thanks to the past (& present) residents, as well as past students, who shared their memories at the 100th Anniversary of Drinan District Hall & School.

This is a small narration from those who shared, either in speeches or around the circle at the book 100th Anniversary of the Drinan District Hall and the book launch of Drinan District Hall, School & Residents.

Wayne

Grew up here, born in Gin Gin Hospital.  Went all his life at Wallaville School until they sold the farm and moved to Gin Gin. He remembers his father running dances at Drinan Hall.  He used to ride his push bike around, inside the hall, when he was 6, 7, 8 year old, around the dance floor with a hesshain bag and kero [keroisine]  to polish the floor before the dances. He remembers the card tables being set up along one side of the hall,  and the table tennis on the otherside  for the kids while, while the adults played cards on a Friday night. 

Peter

Peter agreed that there were thirty to forty people would turn up every Friday night for cards. He remembers going to town with his family to get all the prizes for the games . He also vividly recalls the rafters being hung with strings of foil milk bottle lids, and the place sparkled red, blue and gold.

Rhonda

Rhonda added that busses would come from Gin Gin to play because they loved their Eucha, including her dad.

Conversations around the Circle

The walls are adorned by chairs by old theatre chairs, which we were surprised to find out came from the Wintergarden Theatre in Maryborough!

There were lots of memories of childhood mischief.

Memories of sliding up and down the floor before the dances. The MC would chase them off the floor before the night started. But as soon as the dance would stop, they'd do it all over again! Many admitted that they were guilty of it.

There was also the time when the local police officer and one of the boys was outside playing hide and seek. They were trying to find him. The officer came to see what they were up to. One of the other cheeky boys had climbed up on top of the poles outside!

There were a few other tales, that are better left unspoken, or perhaps unwritten.

If you want to know more, you can drop into the BGA Resource Library to find out all the details.

And don't forget to get your LIMITED COPY of Drinan District Hall, School & Residents, available now! Contact us.

Thank you to History Queensland Inc. for funding the project.