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COCKSCOMB
HISTORY
Cockscomb,
a dream that came true...
Cockscomb Veteran Camp came about from an idea that was developed
about July 1997, between a number of the Vietnam Veterans
in the Central Queensland area. The Veterans came up with
a plan to develop an area somewhere in the bush as a reasonably
isolated camp. A place where fellow veterans could go, when
things were getting tough, or when they felt the need to be
out of it and alone for a while, or the need to lean on someone
for moral support, or find someone that could walk the walk,
talk the talk and understand the burden. It was promoted as
an idea amongst interested parties.
After some discussions within our own ranks and with
Bruce, he offered us the use of a section of land on some
60 acres he had.
However after a couple of years this was not possible and
one (1) Hectaire of land was surveyed off to become a permanent
piece of land asigned to Cockscomb Veterans Bush Retreat in
an area known as Cawarral. An old gold mining and farming
community, approx 30 km’s from Rockhampton; half way
between Rocky and the Capricorn coast. This was considered
to be an ideal location and the gracious offer was accepted.
First meeting |
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CAMM's Road was named after the Camm Family who
lived in the Cawarral District many years ago. Mrs Camm
was a Matron and Mid Wife for the district.
At the time Gold had been discovered in and around Mt Wheeler.
The time was about mid 1868. A 12-year-old boy found one
of the largest nuggets ever found in the area on the 14th
July 1869. The nugget weighed
258oz. Another boy found a 178oz nugget the following day.
By 1889, Cawarral was a flourishing township with a population
of 1000 - all supported by the Gold mines. Mt Wheeler gold
was obtained easily and quickly. The field proved not to
be extensive and the population soon dwindled down to less
than 100. Gold is still to be found in the area.
There are still open shafts and care should be exercised
when moving near these old workings.
Looking at the Department of Mapping and Surveying
map "Mining Field: Cawarral Plan Ln.2279" the
area of Reserve R948 and portions 42 and 111 make up the
largest portions. Portion 1628 bound by a road on all sides
and to the south of R948 is Cockscomb Farm. The
Reserve area has been resurveyed in early 2005 and now looks
roughly like the Map below
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