Gatton and District Historical Society

02/06/2026

A couple more Winwill photos in colour

02/06/2026

31/05/2026

A couple more Winwill photos turned into colour.

30/05/2026

Look at what can be achieved using photo restoration software. I have changed three of the Winwill photos to colour.

30/05/2026

More residents of Riddell Street Cemetery - allow me to introduce Jane Patterson Orr, mother of young Jackson Curry ( 1863-1864). Can you imagine being a young lass, married less than one (1) year and to leave your parents, siblings, cousins & friends and to travel to the other side of the world? As Jane walked up the passenger ramp to embark did she feel she would not see her Mum & Dad again.
Jane and her husband Jackson Curry arrived in Moreton Bay, 1 Aug, 1855 disembarking from the Çambodia' ready to start a new life in this strange land. Sadness and loss were her constant companion as her daughter Elizabeth Ann (1855-1858), her son Jackson not even 1 year old had also died and finally an infant baby girl (possibly stillborn.)
Jane's husband Jackson Curry (Snr) was a police officer in the Lockyer Valley. Both Jane & her husband were interred in Dutton Park Cemetery, Brisbane. As a mother Jane must have been gutted to leave her babies behind in Riddell St.
And did she her parents again - sadly no! Nor did she ever return to Ireland.

More information in the files of G.&D.H.S.

28/05/2026

Have you ever driven down Riddell St, Gatton and looked at the agricultural fields in front of you? Would you believe there is a somewhat forgotten cemetery on your right at the bottom of the hill. At the top of this same hill was a Police Station and a horse stable. Over the next few weeks I will introduce some of the 22 residents (with research verified) but I think the number is more like 35 residents.
Meet WILLIAM BONIFANT (BONNIFANTT) he was granted a Publican's License 27 June, 1845 for his public house ''The Halfway Inn''. He was already a successful and wealthy land owner with his property being on the western side of Lockyer Creek across from the race course. This license was transferred to James Sibley in 1847 and later to John Burgess.
Sources used Á History of Gatton & District 1824-2008 and NSW (Public license board)

An unnamed female infant and an unnamed male infant - it is believed these two infants were the children of Mary McGowen and Richard Ring. It is believed the babies died 5 May, 1866 - no further information at this stage.

27/05/2026

Shown are photos and news articles of the Reimann farm at Winwill. This farm was in the family for about 100 years. I (Frank Reimann) lived on the farm from 1949 to 1966 before joining the RAAF. If anyone has photos and news articles on places within the Lockyer Valley, please post and I will add them to the Gatton and District Historical Societies collection.

23/02/2026

Just another quick reminder