Community & Business
24 September, 2024
Nobby gets into the Carnival spirit
The township of Nobby has dressed up to help the region celebrate the 75th anniversary the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.
Driving into Nobby from the north, the signboard at Dillybag Gunyah notes the fact that Nobby has joined the 75th party, preparing visitors for what’s around the corner.
Instigated by the owners of the Pepperina Gallery, Amanda and Peter Roberts, the move to brighten Nobby for the Carnival has proved to be popular.
A number of local locations have joined the celebration, taking up the offer of bunting to add a party atmosphere.
Gardens have been tended and a number of organisations are awaiting the judges’ decisions to see how they go in the annual garden competition.
Even the local school children have been involved, helping with decorating the front of Sister Kenny Park and Museum.
Inside the Pepperina Gallery, old movies are showing past Carnival of Flowers parades.
Visitors can watch the pictures as they sit on old 1933 seats from the Empire Theatre, which were acquired via the Gowrie Little Plain Hall.
Peter Roberts explains that the hall committee had to replace the seats to provide more comfort for the older patrons, so he and Amanda were happy to take them for their Nobby investment.
Since they bought the premises some ten years
ago, they have had an ambition to create a café in the building, which was originally a retail shop, established in 1898 and operated by D. Brodie & Co.
The business was established at Greenmount by Violet Brodie (the “D.” recognises her husband Daniel, who died after falling from a horse before Mrs Brodie moved to Greenmount).
The Roberts have an obvious love for Nobby and have spent much time and money reviving the old building and adjoining gardens.
