Rosewood History. Qld.
Mr. and Mrs. George HARDING of Cabanda
The Queenslander Illustrated Weekly (Brisbane, Qld.) Thursday, 22 May 1930, page 50
A DIAMOND WEDDING.
Two very old residents of the Rosewood district, Mr. and Mrs. George Harding, of Cabanda, celebrated their diamond wedding last Saturday, and although the rain and consequently impassable roads prevented the gathering which was to have been held, the old couple received many congratulations and good wishes.
Mr. and Mrs. Harding were married in Romsey Abbey, Southampton England, and came to Queensland in the sailing ship Warwick, with their six children, landing in Brisbane, after 16 weeks’ voyage on July 4, 1880. Mr. Thomas McIlwraith (after Sir Thomas) met them at the boat, and took the family to Auchenflower House.
Mr. Harding’s father had been overseer or farm bailiff for Lady Mills, at Moddisfont and the family had resided on that estate, but after his marriage, Mr. George Harding was appointed farm bailiff for Mr. Edward (afterwards Sir Edward) Wilson in Hayes, Kent. Mr. Wilson was a part proprietor of the Melbourne “Argus “.
Sir Thomas McIlwraith had met Mr. Harding when on a visit to this estate, and advised him strongly to come to Queensland. Shortly afterwards Mr. Wilson died, and Mr. Harding decided to take his advice. Through him the family went to Jimbour, where they remained for six years.
The chief newspaper which reached the station was “The Queenslander”. That paper has been read by them ever since, for a period of 50 years, and up to the end of last year it was posted regularly to relatives in England. Nudgee Orphanage Estate having advertised in “The Queenslander” for an overseer to take charge of that estate, Messrs Thynne and Macartney were entrusted with the selection, and Mr. Harding was chosen for the position out of 80 applicants who had answered the advertisement.
The coastal area did not suit Mrs. Harding’s health, however, and after a year they moved to Rosewood, on January 26, 1887. In 1890 they acquired their present holding, Cabanda, where they have resided ever since, carrying on successfully agricultural pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Harding are in their 84th year, a few months only separating them in age. Mr. Harding’s health is not entirely satisfactory, but Mrs. Harding is well and bright, interested as ever in her garden and her books. Always a very capable needlewoman, and great crochet worker, the years are taking their toll of her eyesight, and fine work is not quite so easy as it was.
During their 40 years in Rosewood, they and their family have taken an active part in all public life. For about two decades Mr. Harding was the most successful exhibitor at the Rosewood annual show. Three of their sons Messrs Tom, Harry and Ernie Harding, are settled in Rosewood, and are engaged in agricultural pursuits, while another son, Mr. B G Harding, is prominent in the commercial life of the city, and is president of the Con-gregational Union of Queensland. Two daughters, Mesdames Aitken and J. W. Evans reside also in Rosewood, and one, Mrs. Smallbone, in Brisbane.