Family returns to homestead site
THE Gillespie clan enjoyed a double celebration at Glengallan Home
stead on Saturday night, combining a birthday with the unveiling of a plinth.
The Gillespies owned Glengallan from 1904-1927 and the weekend’s celebrations included a birthday dinner for twin daughters, Sue and Barbara Gaden, of the late Judith Gaden who spent her early childhood at Glengallan.
The family is proud of its roots, and as such wanted to have the plinth at the property as a tribute.
Descendants travelled from across Australia to meet up for the occasion.
The family has made the historic homestead something of a meeting place for reunions and while unveiling the plinth, Bob Gaden expressed their gratitude to the people of Warwick for their work in restoring the homestead.
Sue Woolcock said the reunions were very emotional.
“My mother used to come here as a child and play within the grounds,” she said.
“It’s amazing to think back.”
The handcrafted sandstone plinth was sculpted by stonemason Graeme Gillatt, a former director of the Glengallan Homestead Trust.
The plinth forms a base for a sundial and is set at the axis of the parterre amid rampant rosemary (for remembrance).
Trust chairman Donna Fraser said this was a fitting tribute to the family of Alex Gillespie.
