WALLANGARRA MARKETS 2
When I access the New England Highway at Glen Aplin I must STOP and look for trains before I cross the railway line. It is compulsory that such road signs be obeyed, or I risk a fine and the loss of points from my driver’s license if sighted by a Queensland Policeman. Every time I obediently comply, it makes Eberhard chuckle. Only one day a month will a train appear twice on this line. This is a steam train, the Downs Dasher, bringing tourists from Warwick to Wallangarra for the monthly market. It arrives at Wallangarra about mid-day and departs on the return trip at 2.00pm
The Downs Dasher
Pulling a couple of passenger carriages it chugs its way up from the city of Warwick at the south of the Darling Downs to the border highlands of the Granite Belt, which is the northernmost extension of the New England Tableland. It’s destination is Wallangarra/Jennings the Queensland/New South Wales border town. When I took these photos it was true to its name dashing down the slope and across the bridge to gather speed to pull up the far hill.
Off to Wallangarra
In Australia the railways were built and managed by State governments who foolishly could never agree to cooperate.
One can laugh at the petty silliness displayed in the construction of the Wallangarra border railway station, but the stupidity of the States in each deciding to construct railway lines with different width gauges has not been forgiven by the Australian population. It held back the development of rail transport within Australia as no train could cross a State border as every system of lines was a different width. It is known that the Queensland Government decided to create a narrower system than that of New South Wales to reduce the cost of construction, but in so doing created subsequent road transport costs for the next century. The New South Wales State Government decided to close the railway on their side of the border and allowed it to fall into disrepair.
Wallangarra railway station
Originally this station was the most important border crossing between Queensland and New South Wales. In 1889 Sir Henry Parkes, “The Father of Federation” transhipped on his way to Tenterfield. He was horrified to see wheat shipped interstate to be milled into flour and then returned across the border where it faced an excise tax. The work involved of unloading and reloading the trains was enormous. Sir Henry went on to Tenterfield where he made one of his three famous speeches calling for the Federation of the States of Australia.
Railway platforms
The pettiness of the State departments can be seen in the way they could not agree on even the structure of this railway station. The Queensland platform has a rounded ‘bullnose’ iron roof, whereas the NSW platform has a flat sloping roof. As the Downs Dasher was due to pull in on the Queensland side of the platform, the market stalls were under the roof on the southern side.
Platform market stalls
These markets are held once a month on the third Sunday of the month. It was a cold day when I attended this market in August – the last month of winter in Australia. The whole Market atmosphere changes by December as it then becomes bustling market during the summer and autumn months when farmers bring their produce.
All the markets of the Granite Belt have different criteria about what can be sold. The Southern Downs Shire Council insists that all jams and baked goods be produced in a licensed kitchen that meets State Health Department requirements. I think it is horrendous that a woman such as this producing homemade cakes must pay $140.00 a year for a food license. Another example of taxing gone mad!
A raffle of firewood.
I bought a ticket in this raffle. It was a load of firewood. As I have kept two wood stoves burning throughout recent months a load of quality firewood would be much appreciated.
Second hand bric-a-brac
Out in the clear grassed area between the Queensland railway lines and the other buildings of this railway complex, stall owners braved the weather in the weak winter sunshine. It appears that this market is open of people selling all types of goods, from fresh fruit to second hand farm tools or pre-read books.
Old books
At each market I attend I always buy fresh fruit and vegetables. Sometimes the fruit has skin blemishes which means it would be rejected for sale in city shops, but certainly does not affect the taste.
Potted plants
This lady was sitting back out of the cold wind, but if I had picked up a pot of flowering jonquils she would have come to take my money. Unfortunately I couldn’t see anything on her stall that I wasn’t already growing in my garden.
Red back spiders
The Spider Lady Bead Artistry stall belonging to Robyn Hargreaves captured my attention with her collection of creepy crawlies created from coloured beads.
Beautiful bead spiders
Robyn is considering setting up a website to display her unique creations, which are truly works of art. She may be contacted for pictures of her work or to place orders on robynhargreaves7@bigpond.com
It was Robyn who drew my attention to the next stall concerning the BORDER BIKE & CUSTOM CAR SHOW to be held on Saturday, 25th September 2010 at the Wallangarra Football Ground.
A bike raffle
I bought a ticket in the raffle for the bike, but i don’t know what i will do with it if my ticket is drawn as the winner.
For more details about this event which will include a Giant Charity Auction contact info@borderbikeandcustomcarshow.org or go to the website www.borderbikeandcutomcarshow.org
Granite Belt apples
My last stop was a fruit stall to load up on Granite Belt apples. It is sad to say that the apples sold in Stanthorpe’s Woolworth store are not necessarily apples grown here on the Granite Belt. By patronising stalls at these various Granite Belt markets I am able to purchase locally grown produce and thus help local farmers to remain viable.
Wildflowers, wilderness and wine
My book Wildflowers, wilderness and wine is available within Australia on http://www.australia-book.com.au and for overseas readers on the StrictlyLiterary site. Dr. John Cokley of StrictlyLiterary acted as my editor.
I am also publishing for my readers to read free of charge my book The Forgotten Ones on http://fayhelwigauthor.com It is there that I write about Eberhard’s youth in Germany from 1926 to 1950. Enjoy!
