Above … our mob outside the Binna Burra cabins posing for the group photo. Diana is in the centre with her head poking through. I am standing behind her. Sue Coward also poking her head through and Valerie standing in the centre.
Below … tea break on the track … Diana is at the back centre next to the tree. Susan Coward in front of Diana. Valerie in the forefront.
Note … Valerie (Tunley) Joy is a shareholder through her father.
The annual Easter Bushwalking at Binna Burra, 1959.
Ours was a group of 12-15 from Redcliffe and Sandgate. We had been to Binna Burra on previous Easters but always had more boys than girls. This year, the arrival of three Brisbane girls, all school mates from Somerville House, was most welcome. It was a great weekend, and we all connected so well … bushwalking in the day and at night we had Bush Dancing, Singing and the usual Party Games like Wink and Musical Chairs.
One of the Sandgate girls told Diana I was a good kisser and my fate was sealed.
Of course, having met Diana at Easter just after “Nasho” and not having a car meant that I had to put Diana on the back burner. We did meet at a few group activities and I did phone her, once-in-a-while. It was not until Peter, her brother, had his 21st. birthday party in October and she invited me (six months after meeting) that we became “an item”.
Now that meant I had to phone once a week. We went to the city movies on a Saturday night. In those days, it was dress up for the theatres with a cup of coffee and cinnamon toast afterwards. I can’t remember Diana and I ever going for dinner on our own. Her family birthdays were celebrated at the Cathay Chinese Café in the Valley and were big events. We were engaged in May 1962 and married in May 1963. We have visited and stayed at Binna Burra on several occasions over the years.
I often wonder how many others went bushwalking at Binna Burra, met someone special, became engaged and then married … Trevor.
1959 … Peter’s Twenty first Birthday Party. 2024 … at school reunion still going strong.
Left … Lunch out on the track. Note… the boys wore their special hats when out walking.
Right … Trevor wearing his outdated Brisbane City Tram Driver’s hat. Not much use in the sun or rain.
Lyn, Graham, Richard and Noel … taking a break … late 50’s.
Looking out from Binna Burra Lodge to Egg Rock in the Numinbah Valley. 1959.
Oh Binna Burra. What memories.
To think that in 1959 I would meet my “Darling Downes”, and I have Val Tunley to thank for that as she organised for Sue Coward and me to go there to bush walk. I was at Training College then and that was my first holiday without my parents! Oh goodness gracious! Mind you, my father drove the three of us to Binna Burra.
Trev and I have returned a couple of times for a weekend, but it was in 2007 that some of the Sydney Somerville girls were up in Brisbane. A group of us decided to spend a weekend at Binna Burra to talk about our upcoming 50th Reunion in 2008.
I can remember quite clearly Marg Hill organizing a walk from O’Reilly’s to Binna Burra. “Yes” says I not realising I was letting myself in for a 21.5 km trek through rain-soaked wet jungle. The non-walkers drove us to O’Reilly’s and had a jolly good time doing whatever. The rest of us tramped off on our adventurous trek to Binna Burra.
The weather at that time was quite the opposite of now. Streams were running high, and I know that because Trev slipped on the rocks and drowned his camera … hence no records of the great event. Well, the leeches had a field day and when we finally arrived at our destination, talk about Blood on the Toga. As each group came in there were “oohs” and “aahs” and “show me your body”.
Though the Lodge and surrounds have gone, the memories will remain forever … Diana.
