Community Profile - Lenore Meldrum President Kenilworth & District Historical Association
Birth date and/or star sign: I was born 5 days after D Day in WW2. My mother told me that when the doctor pondered over the fact that I was to arrive so close to midnight whether he might delay my arrival so that I might arrive on the Kings birthday. After 36 hours in labour my mother’s response was “no way”
Where did you grow up? I was born in Maleny and spent the first 3 years of my life on Scandal Hill near Kenilworth (yes there is a story there). In 1947 the family moved to the Sims property at Gheerulla where I grew up. After secondary schooling at Gympie High I worked in the public service in Brisbane – spending a few years in the Deputy Premiers Office as a junior typist. After my marriage – when I had to resign from my job my bank officer husband took me on 13 transfers and moves of homes in 26 years before moving back to Gheerulla in 2002 to retire.
Most memorable moment in life? I have had many memorable moments in my life – marriage, children – two being there for their first breath and two being asked “do you want to take this child home with you?” All four were precious gifts. But two of the most memorable moments for me were the receipt of my degree at James Cook University at the age of 47 and some years later receiving my Masters degree from the Vice Chancellor of the University of Queensland Sir Llew Edwards who had been our general practitioner in Ipswich.
‘I would like the powers that be to realise that our area is no longer that forgotten wilderness it was 70 years ago’
What one thing would you like to see happen around Kenilworth? Many years ago it was written “But what of this Upper Mary Valley country today? It is in a kind of no-man’s land, being the junction of four Parishes, two Counties, three Shires, and three State Electorates”. I would like the powers that be not only in government but in large business to realise that the area is no longer that forgotten wilderness it was 70 years ago and is now the mecca for thousands of tourists. The population living here and those tourists deserve first class communication and roadways. It is embarrassing that visitors have to go to a high point in the township to link to their phone carrier because said carrier refuses to install in an additional telephone tower in the district because of the isolation and small population. It is also a danger to the tourists, the school children and the general population that we are forced to travel on roads that could be considered third world standard as main arterial roads into our part of the Mary Valley (Obi Obi range down road and the missing link at Conondale)
First job you ever had & what was it like? My first paying job was working as an assistant on Telegrams in the Gympie Post Office during my school holidays. Myself and another senior clerk would type out the telegrams as they were read to us over the telephone – these would be then given to the male teletype operator who would then send them off over the wires to their destination. I can remember receiving a reprimand from the teletype operator (a volatile redheaded gentleman) because I had not put a space between the word has and nylon – and it was sent as hasnylon.
Favourite Saying? Great to be above ground and breathing.
Best local activity & why? There are so many local activities in and around Kenilworth but some that I enjoy are – the Kenilworth Show and Rodeo in September; The Kenilworth Quilt and Craft Show in June; The Kenilworth Art Show in October; and while I do not have children to take along these days one of the brightest spots in December is the town Christmas Tree.
What is something people don’t know about you? I have a severe and life threatening allergy to wine. I am fine with a good single malt Whiskey though.
One thing on your bucket list?
To stand on Cable Beach at sunset – preferably with the handsome companion.