Rosewood History

The corner of Railway Street and John Street, now the site of the Rosewood Library.

Greg Brown was born at St Kilda’s Hospital, Rosewood in 1944. These are a few of his memories from the 1950’s and 1960’s.
My grandmother (Catherine Brown nee Moran) used to pass the chief ganger’s place in Railway Street on the way to Mass every morning at St Brigid’s and she admired a white rose that the ganger had growing on a trellis in front of the house. Eventually she acquired a cutting and was able to get it growing at her place in Railway St. That rose continued to bloom and grow long after she passed and we always referred to it as “Grandmas Rose”.

I remember the duwk, an amphibious vehicle which could also travel on roads. It was white and I can remember Pip George driving it up and down John Street.

I also remember the Majestic Theatre very well. I spent many a Friday night at the pictures. St Brigid’s also held the annual St Patrick Day concert there in March. School children performed various items from singing, dancing and the boys did some drill. All with Irish theme. Many adult singers also performed viz; Fr Gleeson from Laidley/Gatton, Brian Bruce, Girlie Skinner, and I others from around the area. It always turned out a great night for everyone.

I remember the seating. The theatre was split into 3 sections, two sides, with about 10 seats each, and the main section in the middle where there were about 20 seats. Up front of theatre were canvas seats, a piece of canvas slung between two timber rails and down the back were leather covered flip up seats. We as kids liked the canvas seats and the adults preferred the leather seating. On the left side of theatre in the front front section of building was a small shop selling sweets, ice creams chips etc. Everyone lined  up for something at matinee time. We always had two films with news reel at beginning. First up, when lights went out, we all stood up to attention when they played God Save the King/Queen. Maybe there was another newsreel after matinee prior to the film.

Out the front of the theatre, the films showing that week were displayed on large paper posters about 2ftx3ft. Also on picture night the local ambulance held a raffle selling tickets to patrons on entry. The raffle was then drawn and prize collected after the show.

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Girl Guides Memories by Kathryn Sue Rodgers, Diploma of Teaching (Primary)
I attended Rosewood Girl Guides led by great friends Lorna Kanofski and Pam Evans – the Guiders.

Guides was a fun night out for me on Fridays with great people. We played Duster Hockey often in the Guide Hut in Matthew St, Rosewood. This was played with hockey sticks and a duster like school teachers used then on the blackboards. We had campfires in the backyard of the Guide Hut. We made damper and toasted marshmallows there. Great friendships were made. Sometimes we had a Chalk Chase. A group of Guides would mark a trail on the local roads for the rest of the Guides to follow and complete, ending back at the Guide Hut. The Guides decorated a float to be in Street Parades in Rosewood. We loved riding on these and waving to the crowd. 

Sometimes a Rosewood Girl Guides’ Camp would be held at Lorna Kanofski’s paddock at Lanefield on a weekend. Much hiking took place there. One morning I woke up with my head outside the tent looking up at a cow! 

Lorna Kanofski later became Rosewood Citizen of the year.

Guides could gain badges when they passed tests on various topics. My Mother Daphne Irene Rodgers was the Badge Secretary. She organised clever Rosewoodites to test each Guide at an arranged time. We were very thankful to her and the rest of the Guides’ Ladies Association (called the LA).

My time in the Girl Guides from 1974 to 1976 was wonderful.