Bonus Downs Centenary: Angel Flight

All proceeds from the Bonus Downs Centenary Celebrations were donated to Angel Flight.

Angel Flight is a charity that offers air transport to patients and their carers attending medical appointments and hospital treatments. The Royal Flying Doctor Service transports critically ill patients, whereas Angel Flight concentrates its efforts on people who have chronic illness and live in remote Australia.

Private pilots generously donate their aircraft and time to offer this service.

A striking quilt was created by experienced quilters with the aim of raising money for Angel Flight. Helen, who's photographed beside the quilt, was one of the main creators. The quilt reflects the colours of the outback covered by Angel Flight and the changing seasonal shades of Bonus Downs. The quilt measures 145 cm by 145 cm. Tickets were sold throughout the weekend with the lucky winner the recipient of the magnificent quilt.

Angel Flight received a generous cheque towards carrying on its work to help people living in remote Australia who are experiencing ill-health and hardship.

Bonus Downs Centenary: Marimba Music

Our Mitchell Marimba Group -- River Rhythms -- has been practising all year to perform at the Bonus Downs Centenary. Celebrations this past weekend.

We played three sets, with each set containing four or five songs.

Our band is made up of 2 bass players Doug and Spiro; a drummer, Darcy; 9 mid and high players; and vocalists Joy, Spiro, Sandi and Krystal.

Marimba music is lively happy music with strong rhythms and a jaunty air.

Joy (our leader and wonderful teacher) coaxes us to achieve ever higher. Her weekly marimba lessons are always fun!

It's our hope that the audience at Bonus Downs came away feeling uplifted and happy .

Bonus Downs: Mitchell Qld

On the weekend of 22, 23 October 2011, Bonus Downs (located 46 km from Mitchell, and 630 km west of Brisbane) celebrated its centenary -- in style!

Bonus Downs is a cattle property of 13,380 ha that was selected in 1860 and now runs a tourism enterprise as well as cattle. Madonna and Lyle Connolly offer guests the opportunity to see how early pioneers lived and worked. In addition, they share their stand of rare ooline trees: about 80 ha grow at Bonus Downs.

Built in 1911 by innovative pastoralist and philanthropist Sir Samuel McCaughey, the homestead of 60 squares is designed for coolness, comfort and elegance. It's a fine example of Queensland architecture.

The homestead has a long hallway, 14 rooms and wide verandas. There are tasteful furnishings, antiques and memorabilia -- most of which were handed down from Lyle's grandmother.

Restoring the homestead to its original condition was a labour of love for the Connollys. When Lyle and Madonna and their two young children purchased Bonus Downs, in 1990, it was run-down and neglected with peeling paint, rotting stumps and weatherboards, and an overgrown garden. Since then, they've restored the homestead, outbuildings and tennis court, added a pool and created spacious lawns and gardens.

Bonus Downs offers farm stay accommodation in the jackaroo's cottage and shearing shed. Alongside is a large dining hall that is decorated with interesting historical photos, bits and pieces from the past and natural heritage posters. At Bonus Downs, guests receive warm hospitality and a memorable Australian outback experience.

So much happened throughout the weekend of celebrations, that I plan a series of 4 blogs (and lots of photographs) to cover the Centenary Celebrations at Bonus Downs.

PS

The 2 paintings: one is of Bonus Downs and the other is Lyle Connolly.