In 1961 peaches were bringing in premium prices and a new high school principal arrived but the biggest news was about a local on the world stage.
Leone Murphy, 17, from Ballandea was selected to represent Australia in a table tennis tournament in China.
January 5
Obituary: Harriet Elizabeth Koina (Ciss)
New Peaches Bring Premium Prices
US peaches, Starking Delicious, imported by Henry Franklin
January 10
Vast
January 17
Deposit of Tin
High School Principal Arrives
Mr. LA. Kohnke appointed principal of new Stanthorpe High School
12 year old girl saves boy from drowning
Lynette Collins, Geoffrey Carter
January 19
Leone Murphy To Visit China
Miss Leone Murphy, of Ballandea, one of the most talented table tennis players in Australia, has been selected to represent this country in a tour of China. Aged 17
January 24
Mrs. Maren Christensen celebrates 106th birthday
Facelift for Post Office –
£2300 to repair and repaint clock tower, public entrance and interior and Postmasters
Residence.
January 26
Proposed Dam on Pikes Creek
The Department of Public Works advises that a major water conservation scheme was
under investigation at Pikes Creek, 5 miles upstream from the junction with the Severn
River
Janaury 31
Obituary: James Edward Long (Wallangarra)
Public Appeal to Help Leone Murphy
Ballandean’s Wonder Girl. At 12, the youngest player ever to compete in Queensland
championship. In 1956, she was Junior and Senior Granite Belt Champion; Age 14
Women’s, Doubles, Junior Girls, Mixed Doubles; Australian Jr Champion, Runner Up
Open champion. 1959 held all Queensland Titles, 1960, held all State Titles for third
Chosen to represent Australia against Japan. At 17 she was chosen
year in succession.
of Australia’s six top player to play inthe 40 nation World Championship,
ranking second to the Olympics, World Table Tennis Championship.
February 7
Stanthorpe’s 81st annual show
February 9
Stanthorpe Show on TV
February 14
• Savage Hailstorm lashes Applethorpe
£75,000 damage. Hail as large as hen’s eggs – 18 inches deep in devastated orchards.
Fire Protection for New High School
Stanthorpe’s new High School is in a great bush fire area. Technically it is outside the
area covered by Stanthorpe Fire Brigade. New buildings come under Applethorpe Bush
Fire Brigade.
February 21
• Civic Centre Plans Approved
Architect Blair Wilson
March 9
High School Separation Ceremony
At 11 am (on March 7)
600 students stood together on the parade ground of the Rural
School for the honouring of the flag. At the conclusion of the ceremony 180 high school
students rose to their feet and took a last look at their old home as they moved off in a
column to towards the new buildings at the foot of Bald Rock Mountain.
April 18
April 20
Obituary: Patrick Ryan (Bandmaster)
Neil Sullivan first president
●
May 11
Squash Association Formed
May 30
DSGC Nursery
Naturalisation Ceremony
Ordination of Priests in Stanthorpe
History will be made in Stanthorpe on June 30 when His Lordship Bishop Brenna will raise the priesthood the Rev. John Alexius Bathersby and the Rev. John Francis Ryan.
This is the first occasion on which the rite of ordination has been performed in both these Stanthorpe and as the event is arousing great interest, particularly as only one native of Stanthorpe, Rev. Joseph Hannigan, has been elevated to the priesthood.
July 6
• Sr. Citizens Club Officially Opened
Ordination of Priests
August 8
August 24
Pike Creek Dam Approved
Visit to Red China – Leone Murphy
September 7
Obituary: Carmelo Torrisi
September 19
● Applethorpe State School Jubilee
September 26
Shooting/Stabbing at The Summit
October 5
Border Post 76 years ago
Local Businesses – 1885 – A. E. Bateman
Early History of Stanthorpe Golf Club – A.E. Bateman
Ram Chandra
Demonstrations and Lectures. 30 live snakes including taipans
Wildlife in Stanthorpe District
Thunderbolt- A.E. Bateman
Mining at Rivertree
Granite Belt Geology
October 5
Texas Hall Test Case
Supreme Court Test Case for Damages
October 19
Population of Stanthorpe 3236 (town)
October 24
● Obituary: John Thomas Pierpoint
Iona To Build Bulk Coldstore at Applethorpe
