Rosewood History. Qld.
Dawn McLachlan IMRIE
Born 1st November 1927, at Rosewood, Dawn was the only child of Andrew Crawford McLachlan IMRIE and Emily Rose née SMITH.
Dawn attended Rosewood State School and when she was eight years old she was in a aeroplane accident. She was on a joy fight being conducted in a plane owned by Constable Appleby and piloted by Norman Blight. The plane took off from near the pound reserve at Anzac Park and struck a stump, causing one of its wheels to fall off. The pilot found a place to land in a patch of tall, green corn on the property of Charles Dutney jnr. at Ashwell. The plane turned completely over and the passengers were thrown clear. Dawn was shocked but not injured otherwise.
Like her mother, Dawn liked to sing, and she performed at numerous events around the district. She went to work at Rhunos store and became a Cub and Scout leader in Rosewood.
In 1944, Dawn was nominated by the P.A.F. S.O. A. as their candidate for the Digger’s Rosewood Queen competition. The purpose of the competition was to raise funds for the proposed Soldiers’ Memorial Hall at Rosewood. The candidates held different fun events e.g. morning teas, card parties, hay rides and lawn parties. Raffles, competitions, music, vocal items and community singing were features of many of the events. So was dancing, and guests danced the hokey-pokey and La Conga on the lawn. For one fundraiser Dawn held a pre mock wedding at Mrs John Embrey’s home, and people were invited to “Come and see the lovesick pair, Darby and Joan!” Betty Barnes ultimately became Rosewood Queen, but the whole concept proved to be of great assistance to the cause.
Dawn’s photo was taken for the Courier Mail (18th November, 1949 p 3). The caption read DANGER FOR STROLLERS – Miss Dawn Imrie of Rosewood indicates a hole in the planking of the Redcliffe Jetty for which Redcliffe Town Council has asked for a Government loan of £1500 for repair work to enable the Koopa to berth next month. (The steamer “Koopa” bought people to Redcliffe on picnics and excursions.)
On 4th April 1950, on the eve of Dawn’s retirement from duty on the office staff of Ruhnos, the employees assembled to wish her every happiness in her approaching marriage to Thomas Price. Norman Ruhno presented her with a crystal salad bowl from her fellow employees. He spoke in complimentary terms about the way in which Dawn carried out her duties, and John Thomas Wyatt endorsed his remarks. Mrs Ellen Leone Innes congratulated Dawn on the high standard of her work.
Thomas Exley Price (1917-1958), was a returned soldier and a bank officer in the National Bank in Rosewood. He lived at Rising Sun Hotel. Thomas and Dawn married on April Fool’s Day in 1950, at the Central Congregational Church in Ipswich.
Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. : 1909 – 1954), Thursday 13 April 1950, page 7
In the Central Congregational Church, Ipswich, Rev. H. S. Capern officiated at the marriage of Dawn Maclachlan, only child of Mr. and Mrs. A. C. M. Imrie, Albert-street. Rosewood, and Thomas Exley, only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Price, The Drive, Bardon, Brisbane.
The bride, who was escorted by her father, was frocked in Chantilly lace over bridal satin. The Old World style frock had a panelled front of silk net frills, and orange blossoms were revealed on the drawn back lace. A draped fischu and orange blossoms showed on the bodice, and the frock was finished with a train. She wore a triple strand necklet of pearls. The veil, lent by Mrs. Eric Edgeworth, had a coronet of orange blossoms and semi-halo of embroidered tulle. Tuber roses and gladioli, with touches of pink baby roses, formed the bride’s bouquet. Miss Ann Joynson, of Rosewood, was bridesmaid. Her frock was of lilac silk lace over taffeta, and she wore a Bo peep hat of lilac lace. She carried a duchess-style bouquet in various shades of lilac. Mr. Tim Barrett (Brisbane) was best man. Mr. F. E. Willesden was organist and Mr. Fred Capern sang “My Prayer.” Over 40 guests attended the reception at a city cafe. The bride’s mother wore a navy hat and navy accessories with her frock of blue charmant crepe, to which she added a posy of toning pink flowers. The bridegroom’s mother chose a frock of American floral silk, with which she wore a Leghorn picture hat. An autumn-toned posy was added to her frock. For travelling the bride wore a frock of delphinium blue crepeline embroidered in silver. She added navy accessories. Mr. and Mrs. Price are spending their honeymoon at Lindeman Island and at Tugun on the South Coast.
In March 1951 the couple left Rosewood because Thomas had been promoted to Senior Bank Clerk at Atherton. They stayed until about 1954. They had two children Peter and Jillian.
In 1958 they were living at 9 Moolabin Crescent, Yerongpilly. Thomas died after only 8 years of marriage aged 41 years. Dawn moved to Sherwood. She passed away on 3rd August 2010 at her home in Springwood, aged 82 years, 9 months.
