During October this year the residents of the Yamsion district forwarded an invitation to State Library and the Queensland Memory team to attend their Back to Yamsion Day.
Prior to receiving the invitation, I had not heard of the township of Yamsion or any of the other settlements referred to by the organising committee as inclusive to the celebration.
In her correspondence organiser Kay Nation explained there was once a thriving community of 8 small schools in the district including those in the nearby Bunya Mountains.
Did you know the Yamsion district was once a 5km long settlement west of the Bunya Mountains, 50 kms N-E of Dalby and a 60min drive north of Toowoomba?
The area on the map showing the location of Yamsion, west of the Bunya Mts, Queensland.
Dating back to 1887 the district supported a thriving timber industry followed by dairying; had a telephone exchange and post office, a cheese factory, church, and later on, rodeo grounds.
Today the area supports mostly cattle production and all that remains of its built heritage is the Yamsion Hall.
As a result Back to Yamsion Day was celebrated with a student roll call, various displays, stalls, woodchop, cheese making demonstrations and a visit by three vintage car clubs.
The young generation with a family connection to Yamsion cut the anniversary cake on the day. Present to do the honours were Chloe Nation, Lane Zeller, Abbey Zeller, Joshua Nation and Pastor Noel Noack. Photo courtesy of Leisa (nee Nation), October 2017.
It was a fun day and everybody who participated enjoyed reminiscing and the opportunity to renew acquaintances.
Past pupils Lloyd Priebbnow, Othni Priebbnow and seated Betty White attended the day, October 2017.
Members of the Nation family present on the day, October 2017. Photo courtesy of Kay Nation.
Mr Ray Humphrys attended Russell Vale school. Here he speaks about the history and his recently published book – Yamsion: Gateway to the Bunyas. Photo courtesy of Kay Nation.
Yamsion School, c 1960’s Source: Yamsion Hall Facebook
Have you ever traveled through Yamsion, Woodlawn, Boomum, Russell Vale and Rangemore districts? Did you know of their existence?
State Library is interested in recording links to these small communities and appreciates hearing from the residents of Yamsion who were keen to share their local story with our audience. If you have a personal connection to these communities or a story to pass on please add your comments.
Additional image:
Bunya Mountains, c 1895 State Library of Queensland
The Bunya Mountains are a distinctive set of peaks forming an isolated section of the Great Dividing Range in southern Queensland. The mountain range forms the northern edge of the Darling Downs near Bell and Dalby. The mountains are south of Kingaroy and to the south west of Nanango.
The Bunya Mountains are the remains of a shield volcano which was built from numerous basalt lava flows about 23-24 million years ago.
Anne Scheu | Engagement Officer, Queensland Memory
Kay Nation | Guest contributor, Back to Yamsion Day resident