Rec Club plans centenary celebrations, new museum

The Rec Club has long been a community hub in Witta

by Cameron Outridge

The Witta Recreation Club is gearing up to celebrate a landmark anniversary by inviting descendants of the town’s original settlers to contribute to a new cultural initiative. As the club approaches its 100th anniversary in 2026, plans are underway to establish a museum upstairs in the historic Witta Sports Grounds Pavilion, which was gift to the community by Mrs Adaline Bergann, a descendant of German settlers, almost 100 years ago.

Witta, originally known as Teutoberg, was settled by German immigrants in the late 19th century. It was renamed during World War One due to anti-German sentiment. 

This rich history is important to locals, including Lynda Burgess, Vice-President of the Witta Recreation Club. “My great grandfather (Fredrick Charles Warne) was an Englishman in the German settlement. He was one of the first interested immigrants to put in a bid for a block,” Lynda said. “And his next door neighbour was Chas Nothling, and both my grandfather and Chas Nothling became chairmen of the Landsborough Shire Council at different stages in the early days.”

A chronicle of Witta’s families
and their contributions

The new museum aims to preserve and showcase the historical narratives of Witta’s families and their contributions to the community. “What we’re trying to do is A: find more descendants from the original settlers. B: try and get them together to get information because we want to develop a museum out at Witta and turn the upstairs part of the building into the museum,” Lynda explained.

“It’s a hundred years in April, 2026 since the 5 acres of land for the Witta Sportsground was generously donated.”

Significant renovations would be required to accommodate the museum, including installing a lift to ensure accessibility for all visitors. 

The Witta Recreation Club, known for hosting sports clubs, fundraisers and community functions, continues to serve as a pivotal community hub. With the centenary celebrations on the horizon, the club is keen to involve as many community members as possible in both commemorating its past and planning for its future.

• Those interested in contributing to the museum or learning more about the celebrations can contact Lynda Burgess at presidentwittarec@gmail.com. Witta Sportsgrounds and Rec Club are at 351 Witta Road, Witta.