ANOTHER chapter has been written in the history of Biddaddaba with a reserve at Boyland being named for a local heritage group.
Biddaddaba Creek Heritage Reserve was named in September 2023, following a 20-year campaign that began with the launch in December 2000 of The History of Biddaddaba Creek, Boyland, Canungra Line, Queensland.
Surplus funds from the project were donated to the then Beaudesert Shire Council and contributed to installing a picnic shelter at the reserve near Cavell Bridge on Boyland Road.
Bore water tanks have since been installed.
The reserve was officially opened in February this year by the Biddaddaba Creek Heritage Group, and councillors at the time Division Two Councillor and Deputy Mayor Jeff McConnell and Division Three Councillor Virginia West.
Virginia said the naming of the reserve would be welcomed by the local community and acknowledged former Beaudesert Shire Councillor Rae Benson’s part in establishing the reserve.
“There are still a number of long-term residents in this valley who were very much a part of writing the history book and will be happy to see this outcome,” she said.
Biddaddaba Creek Heritage Group’s Robert Cawley said the Group formed in 1993 following a local school reunion, with the intention of writing a book of the history of the area.
“Everyone was writing stories. We worked away for seven years and the book was launched on May 7, 2000,” he said.
Robert said the Group’s Secretary, the late Betty Markwell, was instrumental in organising the book and launch.
“People still come up and tell me what a great day it was.”
“When it came to paying for the book there were enough members who had faith in the project to donate money and then get paid back if we sold the books.”
The books all sold quickly and the people were paid back.
“Sadly many of our members have since passed away. It would have been good if we started ten years earlier but it would have been sad if we had started ten years later.”
Biddaddaba Heritage Group still meets several times a year at the Visitor Information Centre in Beaudesert.
