Thursday, September 19, 2013

OLD VOWS , OLD LACE


To mark the centenary of  the  ornate bandstand on Townsville's waterfront , married couples   who tied  the  knot  in  the  surrounds  are  lining up  to  renew  their  wedding vows . The impressive  building  in the background , built in  Federation  red brick style , is  the old   Queen's Hotel , of which  Alderman  John  Henry Tyack , mentioned  in  the bandstand's  plaque, below,   was  the licensee  from 1899.   Tyack took steps to beautify the   area in front of  the  hotel  and  Queensland Premier  Robert  Philp  sent  him  postcards  of  the  waterfront  at  Durban , South Africa ,  saying he   could  make  Townsville  as   beautiful.   Acting  on  this  advice , he  began collecting  money  for the  bandstand .    Vallis  Photo .