VISITORS from the Ashgrove Branch of the National Seniors Club visited Rosewood on Friday to learn about the local history and to take the opportunity to explore the town.
The group travelled to Rosewood by bus and were greeted by David Pahlke at the Rosewood Library for an informative talk about the area’s history.
David said that he enjoyed sharing interesting stories starting with the early settlement days.
“Before white settlement, it’s estimated that about 5,000 Aboriginal People lived in the region, pastoral settlement began occurring in the 1840s, and the population was just under 100, whereas today it is at over 3,000.
“Roads were frequently impassable for weeks and sometimes even months. It was not uncommon for up to 100 drays to be detained for weeks.”
David also shared information on the mining days, historic houses and businesses, hospitals, schools and churches and notable people from the past who have left a lasting legacy.
Club President Helen Morris said the group “really enjoyed the history talk that left everyone learning something new about the town”.
“In particular, visiting Rosewood brought back many fond memories for me, because I was born in Rosewood in 1943 and grew up in the town with my parents Ellen and Ralph Skinner and my brother, Ralph, who was named after my father,” she said.
“Skinner Street in Rosewood is actually named after my family because my parents owned the land.”
The family left Rosewood in 1958.
“As a child I attended St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School for my schooling years and along with friends I often visited the businesses and shops in the town by foot or on my bike.
“I recall going to the Sellars supermarket with my friends where Mrs Sellars would share stories with us and from there we would visit the soft drink factory where Mr Thomas would show us the operation of how to make soft drinks, while giving us a taste of the different flavours.”
Helen said she had been looking forward to returning to Rosewood because she wondered how much the main street and the town in general may have changed. She said she was pleased that it was still a nice country town.
“This trip was described by the whole group as one of the best ones that we have been on together, because of the history talk, the lovely dress shops, the nice lunch that we shared and because of our visit to the Rosewood library,” she said.
“The library was so impressive, definitely something that I wish we had at Ashgrove, I was really amazed at the size of it, and also the number of books and media that are available inside.
“Walking around the town, David introduced me to many shop and business owners some who lived in the town when I was still living here, and it was really nice to share information and stories with them.
“Rosewood is a really pretty and quaint little town, with an interesting history that I enjoyed hearing about and relating to, I am really grateful to David for sharing it.”
