WALLANGARRA MARKETS 1

During World War Two it is my understanding that most days 45 trains passed through the Railway Station at Wallangarra . What activity there must have been around the station those days as troop trains pulled in from New South Wales to disgorge soldiers who then to embarked on Queensland trains to head further north to Brisbane and Townsville before taking ships to join the fighting against the Japanese in New Guinea. There would have been numerous trains transporting munitions too as a military base remained in service at Wallangarran until recent years as munitions dump. When we arrived here at Glen Aplin in 1992 trains with diesel engines would pass by once a week to pick up containers of game meat (horse, goat, wild boar) destined for the tables of Europe. Finally it was decided to close the line for economic reasons. What a pity, for this railway line and the Wallangarra station has figured strongly in Australian history. I promise to write more about the history another day.

Presently this huge space provided by the platforms of the Wallangarra railway station and surrounding area is used once a month for a community market. I attended this market to purchase products and promote attendance at all  Granite Belt Markets. While all these markets have similarities, they have different criteria applying to the stall holders. The Wallangarra market was originally begun as a farmer’s market and I expect that when the summer and autumn seasons return there will be many locals selling their produce from the back of trucks or open trailers.

Wallangarra Railway Station

The first attraction to catch my eye was the small train providing rides for the children. This was the  “Dasher junior”.  The real Downs Dasher is a steam train restored by the Southern Downs Steam Railway, based in Warwick. The Downs Dasher regularly steams between Warwick and Wallangarra taking paying passengers on Sunday outings.  See www.southerndownssteamrailway.com.au Visitors to the region can board the Downs Dasher in Warwick for a nostalgic trip up through two tunnels and many deep cuttings onto the border highlands. As they proceed across bridges over rocky ravines they enjoy the spectacular scenery of true wilderness. Passing beside some of the Granite Belt vineyards wets their appetite to undertake wine tours and tastings of these high altitude wines.

Train rides for the children

This small train operated a circuit on a clear area of grassed land at the back of which were a series of outdoor market stands. This area is between the station and restored former railway buildings. It is a huge expanse that must really come to life when the summer harvest of stone fruits, Mediterranean vegetables and apples are on display. The day I attended the market the stall holders were mostly local people selling non perishables.

Warm hats and gloves

It was a cold winter’s day with a freezing wind blowing up from the Antarctic. These dry cold winds are described as lazy winds because they seem to go right through you, chilling you to the bone, rather than blow around you. One stand doing a roaring trade was selling knitted woolen goods and pull-on caps like these girls were buying to cover their ears.

A smart hat

It was a day for snug fitting hats and gloves, or to keep ones hands tucked into pockets. One reason that there was a good attendance on this particularly cold day day was that the Downs Dasher was due in at twelve noon.  I had peeked in the dining room to see it already set for the expected luncheon crowd.

Wallangarra Railway Station dining room

In the shade on the New South Wales side of the railway station platform other stall holders huddled against the wind. They were entertained by three buskers.

Music while you wait

These people were from Tenterfield and told me they represented the Steinbrook Progress Association Incorporated Country Music Group.

Homemade cakes

There is always a demand for home made cakes and by mid-morning this lady had sold most of her baking.

Wines

The only Granite Belt winery represented at the market was the Granite Belt Highland Winery.

Mark Winkler has a different Scottish tartan on the label of each of his wines.  Not only does he make the traditional grape wines but has produced a number of interesting wines and liqueurs with other fruits, one of which was mulberries.  Mark’s winery is situated in the hills above us here at Glen Aplin, which led me to ask him about his micro-climate. Although I grow a mulberry tree I have rarely harvested a crop as the fruit on my tree is usually frosted each spring. That is because frost travels down a slope and settles at the lowest point, which is where we are positioned in the bottom of the valley beside the Severn River. Mark and I could have talked for hours when he produced a photo album of Granite Belt wildflowers and showed me a rare plant he had photographed on his farm, but I didn’t want to interfere with his sales.

Wallangarra

As this photo shows Wallangarra is situated 2882ft above sea level.

The railway station was built about 140 years ago.  Australia went metric during my lifetime so I can tell you that sign means the station is 960 metres above sea level.

Nowadays no trains ever pull in on the New South Wales side of this platform as the line has been abandoned. Next week I will share with you more about the history of this unique station and the market stalls where I shopped last Sunday.

Wildflowers, wilderness and wine

My book Wildflowers, wilderness and wine is published by StrictlyLiterary and available on that site or on my webpage http://www.australia-book.com.au

I am also publishing for free via http://fayhelwigauthor.com my book called The Forgotten Ones, which tells the story of Eberhard’s youth in Germany prior to 1950 when he immigrated to Australia. I have illustrated these chapters with photographs I have taken when in Germany with Eberhard.