Every town has a story.. or more!
In a Queensland first, Banana Shire Council has partnered with Storytowns to launch the ‘Hidden Gems of the Sandstone Wonders’ podcast tour.
The tour uncovers stories from locals who live here, including publicans, cotton and beef farmers, an artist, café proprietor, rural retreat owner and our Mayor. The app users listen to real stories in real time while traveling and find out about the little-known places, history and attractions to be found in the diverse communities of Banana Shire.
Contemporary digital technology allows listeners to hear these stories from the comfort of their home and create their future travel plans with the Sandstone Wonders on the must-see list. Or, if travellers are already on the road, they can unlock these fascinating stories in the geo-located Storytowns Touring App which will automatically start playing once they reach the area.
Baralaba Stars: Polly and Lyn
Polly Bromley Lyn Eather and Carl
Long-time Baralaba local, Polly Bromley, is a character and a half, with a million and a half stories to tell. Polly’s family used to own Major’s Store, the only grocery store for miles around, which multi-tasked as an Ansett agent and Castrol distributor over the years. Her family still owns the Historical Village in the heart of Baralaba and you’re in for a treat with Polly as your tour guide. With a wicked sense of humour and a voice like an angel, Polly is one of those people you could listen to for hours on end.
About 15 minutes outside of Baralaba is Myella Farm Stay, a magical place which welcomes guests from Australia and around the world. Lyn Eather, her mother Olive and Lyn’s partner, Carl raise beef cattle on their property, along with orphaned joey kangaroos, farm dogs, sheep and a miniature Shetland pony called “Mr Big”. Their passion for Myella is as clear as day and it’s worthwhile going on a farm tour with Lyn, who knows absolutely everything about the beautiful flora, fauna and sustainable farming practices.
Biloela Stars: Cindy and Matto
Cindy Cooper Matto and Liz
Cindy Cooper can answer every single question thrown at her about Biloela and the surrounding areas. “Where are all the bananas?” is one of the most common, says Cindy, who welcomes guests at the Queensland Heritage Park visitor information centre all year round. Cindy has lived in Biloela since 2000 and has seen many changes over the years, including the exciting re-branding of the World Expo ’88 silo at the heritage park. “What’s inside the silo?” is another question… but you’ll just have to listen to the podcast to find out!
Matto has a very special connection to the Biloela Hotel in Callide Street, also known as the “Bottom Pub”. Believe it or not, Matto’s grandparents were married on the upstairs balcony of the building and their wedding photo occupies pride of place in the hotel’s recently renovated whiskey bar. Matto, Liz and their business partner spent countless hours designing and working on the renovations to bring their dreams to life at the pub, which is proving to be a hit with visitors and locals. A big screen out the back, no pokies or keno, a quirky kids menu and a jar of marbles are just a few of the many talking points at the pub, so pop in and have for a meal, cold beer and a yarn!
Cracow Stars: Sarah and Stuart
Sarah Cox Stuart Burke
Sarah Cox lives on Cracow Station, a 10,374 hectare cattle station settled in 1853, just 7 years after Ludwig Leichhardt and his party explored the region in 1844. Sarah is a local history buff and entertainingly regales stories of a time when Cracow was a bustling commercial centre filled with hopeful gold prospectors, a softdrink factory and even a cinema. As well as being a pastoralist, Sarah is also a freelance journalist and had she been around for the Cracow goldrush, the story of a nugget discovered by Johnny Nips on Cracow Station would have made headlines. Who’s Johnny Nips? You’ll have to listen to find out!
Stuart and his wife Nikki bought the Cracow Pub off Fred Brophy in 2021 and have quickly restored the historic building to its former glory, while maintaining its quirky interior. Stuart, who was a boxer in Fred Brophy’s Boxing Troupe, met Nikki at the Pub while she was working behind the bar, and it’s pretty obvious they love “the Crac”. Both also love a good yarn and make everyone feel welcome… even the friendly pub ghost apparently!
Dululu and Goovigen Stars: Rob and Mayor Nev
Maree and Rob Mayor Nev Ferrier
Rob Kummerfeld has lived in Goovigen since he was ‘knee high to a grasshopper’, so knows the area like the back of his hand. Rob and his partner Maree run Golden Park Retreat in Peaceful Lane, which opens on the weekends for billy tea and damper. The retreat is a little piece of paradise, with beautifully landscaped gardens, a mini golf course, antique machinery and undercover areas with long tables and benches.
Mayor Nev Ferrier tells the tale of growing up in Dululu, a tiny town at the junction of the Leichhardt and Burnett Highways, about 50 minutes south west of Rockhampton. Dululu has a lovely campground and is on the Dee River, which is known for great freshwater fishing. Nev has a witty, self-deprecating sense of humour and knows his shire and its residents well, having been a trucker and a publican at various times throughout his career. He’s super proud of the Sandstone Wonders region and reckons its bakeries, pubs, cafes and restaurants give big city retailers a run for their money!
Moura and Banana Stars: Angela and Greg
Angela Riddell Greg Hutchinson
Angela and her husband Ricky run the Country Atmosphere café in the central business district of Moura. Angela has strong connections to Moura and was one of the last babies born in the Moura Hospital before the closure of the maternity ward. Visitors are always delighted to learn that the café operates hours over the weekend, has a family room with books and toys to keep the kids entertained and even has a gifts and homewares section. Angela knows all the hidden gems of Moura, loves a chat and welcomes café patrons as old friends.
Greg Hutchinson comes from a long line of pastoralists, with his ancestors being successful in the ‘Brigalow scheme’ land ballot system. Greg and his extended family manage two properties, which primarily focus on irrigated crops, with some dryland cropping and cattle. Dispelling commonly-held myths about cotton production, Greg’s passion and knowledge of modern farming techniques is second-to-none. Wife Michelle is a photographer, whose breathtaking landscape images can be viewed on the family business website and social media pages. Greg’s story is inspirational and reminds us to ‘thank a farmer’.
Theodore Stars: Anne and Peter
Anne Chater Peter Oelkers
When Anne Chater received an email advising that she had been awarded the Order of Australia medal for community service, she thought it was a joke. Such is the humility of this hard-working medical practice manager, mother of four, doctor’s wife, learning support teacher, active member of various committees, former board member and rural health advocate. Anne and husband, Dr Bruce Chater, moved to Theodore 40 years ago and have experienced the highs and lows of life in a regional Queensland town. Listening to Anne’s harrowing story of the 2011 floods is heart-breaking, yet shows the amazing resilience of the close-knit, ‘can do’ Theodore community.
A self-proclaimed ‘bank Johnny’ when he moved to Theodore 46 years ago, Peter reckons he’s almost a local… almost! A font of local knowledge, Peter can be found at the towns’ Visitor Information Centre a few days a week, when he’s not safely driving the schoolkids to and from Theodore’s P-10 school. Peter can answer most, if not all, questions about pretty Theodore, its history, tourist attractions and events. He doesn’t mind a good party either and is especially looking forward to the town’s centennial celebrations. Dubbed the “World’s Longest Party” since they are scheduled over the next 3 years, Theodore visitors and locals can expect fantastic entertainment.
Taroom Stars: Susan and Harry
Susan Cook Harry Johnson
Susan Cook’s arrival in Taroom was nothing short of a personal homecoming. Having lived in large towns and cities all her life, Susan was amazed at the overwhelming sense of inner peace upon arrival in the tiny town. The name Taroom is thought to derive from the Iman Aboriginal word ‘tarum’, meaning pomegranate. A twin, Susan and her sister Wendy are of Iman descent, which may explain why Susan feels so at home; and what inspired her to lovingly paint a giant mural on the walls and ceiling of the Wardingarri Keeping Place at the Taroom Museum. The museum is open by appointment and visitors can spend hours trawling through the exhibits, including the Star of Taroom, which was walked home to country in a journey of healing and reconciliation in July 2021.
If you’re of the opinion that a post office is purely for mail, then a trip to the Taroom Post Office in the main street will have that opinion turned around. A clue that this post office is unlike any other, is the fish cut-out sign on the building’s exterior. Upon entry, you’ll be greeted with a friendly “g’day” by Harry or his wife Dell, who’ve been living in Taroom for 30 years. Harry is a mad keen fisherman and stocks fishing equipment, as well as postpaks, in the post office. With plenty of advice for experienced and beginner fisherfolk alike, Harry is generous with his local knowledge… but you’ll have to visit in person to find out the very best fishing spot!
Intrigued? Download the Storytowns app now
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