ROSEWOOD Scrub Historical Society President Susanne Ruijs addressed members of the Rosewood History Group and shared her thoughts about the importance of volunteers in historical societies.
“The Rosewood Scrub Historical Society was established in 1979, as a result of many local school centenary celebrations, collected photographs, and documented history from the Marburg area,” she said.
“Meetings within the society were originally held in private locations, until a permanent site was located where all the photos were catalogued and the local history was preserved.”
She described 2023 as very different from the early years of the society. Membership numbers thrived then but are now declining, which has resulted in real concerns for the societies future.
“Where do we, or should we, go from here and what is the future of the society, if there still is one,” she said.
“It is essential to find out how the society can engage more people, because the need to keep going is essential for the well-being and existence of our area.”
Members of the Rosewood History Group listened to these concerns from Susanne, and as a result, have agreed to work with the Rosewood Scrub Historical Society.
History Group founder David Pahlke said the Rosewood Scrub Historical Society covers geographically the area that the Rosewood Scrub vegetation covered, that is from Rosewood to Minden, Lowood to Esk, and other outlying areas.
“Our Rosewood History Group is Rosewood concentric – we also research areas like Grandchester, Tallegalla, Ebenezer, Walloon, Thagoona and Amberley,” he said.
“Our group’s general areas of interest differ, but there is an overlap between the two groups, therefore the history group members have decided to work with the historical society in the gathering of our history and memories.”
A gift of appreciation was presented to Susanne from Group member Mary Ross.
And David presented a copy of the Australian Native Association’s minute book from the 1970s, which came from the Haigslea Marburg Branch of the ANA, and a personal copy of the 1993 Marburg Flood study to Susanne.
“I acquired the 1993 Marburg flood study when I was a councillor with the Moreton Shire Council, and Rosewood resident Dos Claus donated the ANA minutes book to me,” he said.
“Thank you to Dos for passing on the minutes book, it was greatly appreciated and it, along with the Marburg flood study will now be preserved for future reference.”
