Descendants of Ernest Rowling gathered at the Stanthorpe cemetery on Sunday 29 May, around the grave of their ancestor, Ernest Rowling.
Granite Belt Uniting Church minister Rev. Kaye Ronalds performed the service at the restored grave, beautifully built by Mick Reibelt.
Ernest, an orchardist, died in a motor accident. His wife Emily was devastated and the family hastily took her to Brisbane. His grave had remained unmarked since 1940.
It is likely that the family was cash strapped after the end of the Great Depression and farming did not generate any spare money for the family, which included ten children.
No permanent grave or headstone was built at the time of his burial.
Family members are happy now that Ernest’s grave is properly marked, and future generations have a link with their pioneering past in Stanthorpe.
