People may be confused to hear Quandialla is celebrating a centenary when entrance signs read ‘the 1915 town’.
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But the 1980s ABC miniseries 1915 is just one claim to fame for the village nestled below the Weddin Mountains, west of Young.
Quandy also has a strong Hollywood connection in Don McAlpine, one of Australia’s most distinguished film-makers born in Quandialla.
Don has been the cinematographer on a string of well-known motion pictures too numerous to mention from Breaker Morant, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, X-Men Origins: Wolverine and the movie that earned him an Oscar nomination Moulin Rouge.
The close-knit community of Quandialla is proud of residents’ achievements both past and present which are to be celebrated with the milestone of 100 years arriving after many changes in the village.
The Quandialla township was founded in 1914, the legacy of railway construction. Opening in 1916, the railway was both a driver of settlement and a catalyst for further development of the grain based farming economy.
In terms of celebrations, an event-filled October long weekend has been planned.
Celebrations start on Saturday, October 4 with a bush dance commencing at 6.30pm in the Quandialla Soldiers Memorial Hall.
On Sunday, October 5 the main day of celebration will commence with mass in the newly refurbished Catholic Church at 8am.
There will then be a non-denominational service and blessing at 10.30am near the hall, followed by the official opening at 11am. This will include the commemoration of the Fettlers and Settlers Wall and the unveiling of the centenary quilt which will take pride of place in the hall.
Sunday will be a day packed full of activities with the main street closed to traffic from 9am.
Open days and exhibits will feature in the celebrations.
Getting around won’t be a problem, in addition to a shuttle bus, a Cobb and Co Coach and a rail motor will be operating. The beautifully restored piece of history will transport you back in time as it travels between the nearby villages of Caragabal and Bribbaree.
At the end of the day visitors can attend events at the Quandialla Bowling Club and Bland Hotel, have a meal with friends old and new and relax after what will be an exhausting day.
The final event of the weekend will be a breakfast and farewell to all visitors on Monday morning.
Anyone who would like further information about the centenary can look at their website www.quandialla.com.au which is frequently updated.
