The Australian Light Horse Monto District Support Group (ALHMDSG), formed in 2005, had just three members: Harold J. Ware (Spook), Sel Mundt and Barbara Robinson. They approached Edith Rutherford, Special Projects, Times Newspaper Group, for Central & North Burnett Times to provide a sponsorship support, and were able to negotiate a major media partner through them. This group held their first event in 2005, launched a permanent public display of Light Horse memorabilia in early 2006, and went on to host the biggest Light Horse sporting events in regional Queensland in November, 2006.
Now firmly planted on the Light Horse annual calendar, the event will be developed further to continue its growth for the future. The same committee now operated the event, following ALHA regulations and aims, and has formed another partnership. The newest partnership is with Monto Historical Society Inc. allowing the event to operate under its auspice, and potentially broadening the opportunity to achieve support of this event.
There are more than 60 local organisations, community groups, businesses and individuals recognised for their partnership contributions to the project, including Monto Shire Council, Monto & District Show Society Inc., Monto Cultural & Historical Complex Management Committee, Gladstone Area Promotion & Development Limited, Bundaberg Region Limited, Aged Care Monto Inc., Monto & District RSL Sub-Branch, ABC Wide Bay Radio and Channel 7 Wide Bay, who have all assisted in the success of this project since its inception.
ALHMDSG has successfully achieved and acquitted funding support through the Australian Government program Saluting Their Service (2005), Regional Arts Development Funding (2005) and now operated an event with a massive budget, including very little cash, lots of in kind, participant and volunteer work. ALHMDSG remains solvent, and has met all financial commitments since its commencement.
2008 sees the formation of sub-committees to assist event operations, including Ground Crew Co-ordinator Dennis Smith, member and ceremonial co-ordinator of Queensland Mounted Infantry Historical Troop (QMIHT) and Lockyer Valley Light Horse Troop. Chief Judge 2006 Jim Simon (QMIHT) ably assisted by Stewart Cook (Lockyer Valley Troop) and Peter Leasy (Ilfracombe Troop) have offered their services for 2008, it is proposed to include more judges for 2008 to ease the workload, as it is expected there may be as many as 48 participants. Luke Painter (retired British Army) and Lynden Baxter (resident Bush Poet) will head the entertainment sub-committee, having excelled in their assistance in this area for the 2006 event. Luke, himself talented pianist will co-ordinate overall entertainment, while Lynden has once more confirmed a dozen bush poets from Bundaberg to Brisbane will perform at the Monto event.
ALHMDSG Executive/Treasurer : Harold J. Ware (aka Spook)
Harold J. Ware, better known through regional Queensland as "Spook" comes from a long line of army personnel, with his father, uncles, grandfather and great grandfather all serving their country.
Spook served in the Air Force for ten years, however had always been a little disappointed he was too young to join the Light Horse with his father during WWII.
He went on to be a hard worker, gaining recognition as a talented photographer, and later a historian, wheelwright, and restorer. Spook found and restored much of the various equipment and machinery on display at the Monto Museum Reserve, and was responsible for the collection, collation and co-ordination of the permanent Light Horse display at the Monto Cultural & Historical Complex.
He is the curator of the Museum Reserve, and can be found tinkering around most days, when he is not travelling regional Queensland looking for more parts and materials for the collection.
It is Spook who first dreamt of holding a Light Horse Re-enactment and Reunion in Monto early in 2005, and set about getting others involved in what has now become the biggest re-enactment of Light Horse sporting events in regional Queensland.
ALHMDSG President : Selwyn Mundt (aka Sel)
Selwyn Mundt, who prefers to be called Sel, is the second member of the organising committee, and the youngest remaining of the 5th Light Horse Monto Troops WWII. A farmer for most of his life, and long term Councillor on Monto Shire, Sel has been active in most committees locally, and is still actively involved in Lodge, Monto & District RSL Branch, Monto & District Show Society Inc., as well as volunteering at Ridgehaven Retirement Complex.
Sel and wife Doris moved into town off the farm some years ago, Doris remaining active on committees until recently also. Their children and grandchildren travelled to Monto for the inaugural event. Sel was very proud of the achievements of this small committee. He enjoys the opportunity to meet with other old soldier mates, and to be part of an event which passes on such an important part of our cultural heritage to the next generation.
He spends much time speaking with just about anyone who will listen, and has much knowledge of the local region. Sel has door knocked almost every business in the town for support of the Light Horse project, and feels it is now time the big companies from away helped to share the load to see this event develop into the future.
ALHMDSG Vice-President : Barbara Robinson
Barbara Robinson, born Barbara Derrick has always remembered the stories her own father, often photographed Frank Derrick shared, of his time in the Light Horse. Barbara, now a grandmother, had long wanted to meet some of the men he spoke of and she was quick to become involved when asked if she was interested in helping host a re-enactment and reunion.
Barbara has been on various committees over the years, and is still actively involved with the Monto Horticultural Society Inc. which hosts the Monto Garden & Craft Show annually. This successful event draws visitors from as far as Rockhampton and Moura. Barbara's husband Ray, who volunteers much time to assist the Light Horse event, is President of the Garden Expo Committee, and is currently organising a cricketing reunion for the district. They are a fine example to the small community which achieves so much with such limited numbers.
© Ron & Jennifer
Marshall
www.marshall-fine-art.com
Central & North Burnett Times
Central & North Burnett Times, the major media sponsor to this project, has been able to achieve broad coverage and promotion through the Times Newspaper Group APN Network, and assisted in the co-ordination of media coverage and promotion through all media.
Central & North Burnett Times has steadily increased its investment in this project, and for 2007 has committed more than $30,000.00 in advertising value to the event.
Management has also approved co-ordination of the event by Special Projects Co-ordinator Edith Rutherford, on their behalf.
Central & North Burnett Times were nominated for the Prime Ministers Awards of Excellence in Community Business Partnerships for Impact on a Community in 2006, receiving a certificate recognising their contribution to this partnership.
Central & North Burnett Times is the only weekly newspaper covering the entire Central and North Burnett, with readership audited at more than 90% of the population through Monto, Eidsvold, Mundubbera, Gayndah, Biggenden and Mount Perry.
The event program has been published and inserted into this and the South Burnett Times, which is the only bi-weekly newspaper covering he entire South Burnett, in both 2005 and 2006.
It is proposed the 2008 program be inserted into the Central Telegraph, which is the only weekly newspaper covering the Callide Valley, Banana Shire and into Central Queensland minefields region to Moura. This will increase readership to an audience of more than 50,000 regional Queenslanders, and further encourage visitation to this significant event. This is an extension of the advertising campaign which will promote this event into publications from Rockhampton to northern NSW, and out to the Darling Downs this year.
Event Co-ordinator : Edith Rutherford ALHMDSG Acting Secretary
Project partners Times Newspaper Groups, through Central & North Burnett Times has endorsed the work of Edith Rutherford, Special Projects Co-ordinator to assist this project. With more than twenty years experience in event management, sponsorship, public relations and the media industry Edith has contributed time, both for the major media sponsor Central & North Burnett Times, and as a community member.
Edith admits having absolutely no previous experience with matters of military or Light Horse before this project, and that it has been a steep learning curve partnering this project. She says the one aspect that makes it easy to provide ongoing support is the commitment of the tiny committee, their dedication and the research she has undertaken which has unearthed so many historically significant details of Monto's involvement serving the country in times of conflict.
She affectionately describes the committee as "two old codgers and a grandmother, who turned a dream into reality", an apt phrase for the three. Edith says many could learn from these three, who have proven age does not matter, and that you can always make something out of nothing if you really want to. Now two years on, Edith says she learnt a little about Light Horse, however anyone who has witnessed her work with this project would have to agree she has learnt more than a little, and handles the administration and co-ordination requirements with apparent ease.