Rosevale History

Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld.), Tuesday 11 April 1939, page 6

ROSEVALE JUBILEE.

TRIBUTES TO OLD IRISH FAMILIES.

Archbishop Duhig’s Address.
Rosevale, one of the richest corners of West Moreton, was originally settled by emigrant Irish families, and in the days when nearly every farm house there echoed brogue and blarney, when the parish priest took three days to complete his periodic visit, a “simple weatherboard house of God.” In the words of Archbishop Duhig was erected to serve the flourishing community. 

Yesterday Archbishop Duhig, who himself had been associated with the district in his younger days, and five priests who at different times had presided at Mass in the old church, attended the golden jubilee celebrations to meet and renew old friendships with the families to whom they had ministered. A crowd of Rosevale residents, including a few of the original members and sons and grandsons of the old pioneers, was present at the celebrations which comprised a Mass and a luncheon.

 The Rosevale R.C. Church, opened by Bishop Dunne, was erected in 1889 by an Ipswich contractor, Mr. John Madden and his son Mr. Con. Madden and is situated practically in the centre of the vale enclosed by the watershed between the Bremer River and Warrill Creek and the Main Dividing Range. Built on a gentle rise to the west of the river course, the church commands a view of the rich flats which extend from Mt Walker right up to the first ridges of the range and the source of the Bremer. Perhaps because the country reminded them so much of their native land and certainly because it was prolific soil, Irish families were attracted in great number, and by 1889 a solid little farming community had been established. Community interest was cemented by the erection of the church, and for years Rosevale was one of the happiest and most contented “little Irelands” in the colony. 

BUILT BY DEAN HORAN.
The first parish priest was Dean Horan and it was at his instigation that the church was built, as with many other centres in West Moreton. He was instrumental in the erection of St. Mary’s at Ipswich, St. Brigid’s at Rosewood, and others. From Ipswich he travelled by horseback and sulky to Rosevale in the early days, and the first Masses were held at the residence of Mr. P. Quirk, not very far from the present site. After the church was built, regular visits were paid by Ipswich priests, including Deans Brady (Nudgee), and Cashman (Brisbane), and Father P. Murphy (Corinda), all of whom were present at yesterday’s ceremony. Father O’Rourke, of Rosewood, who organised the celebrations, and Father Cahill, who has been ministering at Rosevale recently, for Father O’Rourke, were also present Mother Philomena, of the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (Brisbane), who was a daughter of one of the pioneering families in the district, was among the visitors, also Sisters of Mercy from Rosewood. 

Only a few of those who attended the opening 50 years ago were present, but notable among them were Mr. E. Collins, now 85 years of age, and one of the original settlers, Messrs. John Cannan, James Kelly, and M. Dwyer, and Mrs. M. Nugent. It was explained that quite a number of the old Irish families had left the district for other centres, and this had reduced the attendance. 

PRIESTS’ REMINISCENCES
Interesting and many humorous reminiscences were exchanged between Deans Cashman and Brady especially and the older residents. Tales of horseback rides through bad weather over worse roads, of droughts and floods, good seasons and bad, adventurous incidents in the life of the parish priest, were retailed at the luncheon table, and were referred to in speeches of congratulation for the Church’s jubilee. Conversation was bright and still full of Gaelic accent but it had one sombre note, regret at the passing of old pioneers, and the lose to the district of many Irish families who had moved to other centres. 

Archbishop Duhig, replying to speeches of welcome after the luncheon, quoted a passage from Thomas Moore, greatest of Irish poets, which caught to the full the atmosphere which prevailed at the celebrations – “Doth not a meeting like this make amends for all the long years we have been wandering away?” Many stout-hearted men and women had gone from them, he said, but they had given much to the district. Everywhere now were flourishing communities founded by these old pioneers, and West Moreton had become one of the most prosperous districts in Queensland. 

People had now got away from the primitive methods which existed when the old families first came, he continued. Forty years ago there were no creameries or butter factories. People carried their produce into Ipswich in spring carts, and out of their industry built up homes and reared large, healthy families. 

Father Brady referred to his experiences as parish priest 30 years ago and paid a tribute to the people of Rosevale for two outstanding characteristics-hospitality and spirit of charity.

YOUTH WOULD RISE TO OCCASION.
Dean Cashman, who described the people of Rosevale as “big, bluff, and honest” like the spurs of the dividing range which abutted on the district, refuted the charge that the young people of today had lost the old pioneering spirit. There was too much bottle feeding, he said; but given the circumstances and the necessity, they would be quite capable of tackling and overcoming the same obstacles that their forebears had had to contend with. 

Fathers Murphy and Cahill also congratulated Rosevale on its Jubilee, and praised the work of the old families. 

The Chairman of the Normanby Shire Council (Cr. E. J. Hayes) stated that he had been present at the opening of the church. The district was noted for its hospitality, he said, and he had had many experiences of it. 

Cr. C. Murphy (Mt. Walker, of the Rosewood Shire Council, contended that the sad aspect of the Jubilee was the absence of many old faces. The old families had developed the district, he said, but they had been followed by sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters, whose work was a credit to their parents and themselves. 

Mr. James Kelly, one of the original members of the church, recalled the difficulties of the old days when Archbishop Duhig and other priests had come in sulkies and on horseback to minister to the community. Since then many old families had moved out but they were settled in other parts of the State, and were carrying on their traditions. The drift away would cure Itself in time, considered Mr. Kelly, and he had the utmost faith in the younger generation. The Jubilee had stirred up many pleasant memories of the good old or the bad old days.

Father O’Rourke, who presided, expressed his appreciation of the visit of the Archbishop and the other priests for the occasion. It was a signal expression of respect that the people of the district welcomed and recognised. 

At the luncheon a Jubilee cake made by Misses M. and V. Dwyer, and iced by Mrs. A. C. Zahnow (Mt. Walker), was cut by the Archbishop and distributed to the guests. 

The catering was done by a women’s committee supervised by Mrs. M. F. Dwyer, comprising Mesdames J. P. J. Ahearn, L. Ahearn, M. Nugent, J. Kelly, J. P. Nugent, M. Coyne, and J. Cannan, and Misses M. Bourke, A. Coyne, Peg, Pat, and Mary Nugent, M. Kelly, M. and V. Dwyer, B. Ahearn, M. Madden, and K. Brennan.

CHANNEL OF SO MANY GRACES.
Mass was celebrated at 10 a.m. by Father Cahill, add the Benediction was given by Father O’Rourke. A crowded congregation listened to the address by Archbishop Duhig, in which he referred to the past, present, and future condition of the Church. 

“The gathering here is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the opening of this simple weatherboard House of God, which in the intervening years has been the channel of so many graces and blessings to the people,” he said. “Fifty years was a small period in the history of the Church, but a long period in the history of human life or the history of a parish in a young country. Ten are here today who stood around Archbishop Dunne and Father Horan when this church was dedicated. We cannot let the anniversary pass without remembering those who have gone-the Archbishop, parish priest, and parishioners who are at rest in the little cemetery close by.” 

The church, though four walls and little more, had supplied a great want when it was built 50 years ago, he continued. All of its’ parishioners had contributed in some way to its embellishment, and it was theirs. It radiated to all the homes in the district the blessings and graces of God. 

“For three generations baptisms. marriages, and last sacraments have been performed in this church,” said the Archbishop. “Friendships have been born and cemented by its influence, and above all it has inspired that wonderful family life that is such a feature of country parishes. I have shaken hands today with men I remember as boys, grandmothers I remember as girls.” 

A sad note was present among the joy, he stated, the abandonment of the land by so many families. The Irish names had gone to be replaced by foreign ones and other people were inheriting the land in this beautiful part of Queensland. Regret was also present for the loss in the land of many young Irishmen who had joined the police force and the railway service. 

Choral accompaniment during the service was rendered by the Rosewood R.C. Church children’s choir, and the altar boys were Gerald Rafter, J. and D. Potts (Rosewood).