Thursday May 3, 2012

THE year 1928 is recognised as the period Hughenden got a town electricity supply.

But, and surely more significant in the eyes of the Hughenden woman Ailsa Morton, it was the year her mother Jean Scott was married.

The Flinders Discovery Centre has brought this significant day to life, along with many other weddings from the region.

The call for brides, past and present, interested in putting their wedding dresses, and bridal story on display first went out in January, with the result an exhibition including photos and information about each wedding.

The Centre’s `Bridal Exhibition’ started on May 2, with this first of four displays to run until May 25.

A second display will start on May 28 and continue until June 15, with the entire exhibition finishing after three months.

The idea for the Exhibition started when Council’s Community Development Officer Sherilee Honnery and Tourism Development Officer Sue Takacs attended a Small Museums Conference in Coolangatta late last year.

``We are wanting to get the community more involved so we have projects lined up for the year,’’ Ms Takacs said.

Ms Takacs said there was free admission for this current Exhibition for residents of the Flinders Shire and hoped that all locals would take the chance to look at this part of the region’s history.

``Our oldest dress in this display is Mrs Jean Scott the mother of Mrs Ailsa Morton Hughenden,’’ she said.

``The dress of Mrs Cecilia McNamara from “Delbessie” Hughenden is 60 years old.

``A big thank you must go to Monique’s for lending their mannequins and to all the ladies of the Hughenden Districts for the loan of their wedding dresses.’’

For more information contact Communications Officer Alexis Gillham on communications@flinders.qld.gov.au .

Left: Jean Scott's dress (1928).

Middle: Karen McCartney's dress (1981).

Right: Kerry Davidson's dress (1983) and Kelly Carter's dress (1990).