Ben Bennett & Ben Bennett Botanical Park

In 1969 the Queensland Lands Department excised 30 acres (12.14 hectares) of Crown Land from the Caloundra Town Reserve for a botanical park of native flora.

Landsborough Shire Council was appointed trustee for the area and the park was named in honour of the person primarily responsible for its preservation, former Shire Councillor, Ben Bennett.  It is a testament to the many valuable contributions that he made to the Caloundra community.

The park is next to Caloundra High School and is useful for the students biology studies.  It is close to the Girl Guide Hut and is used by Guides and Guide Brownies for natural history observation.  Of course there are others – walkers, joggers, birdwatchers, picnicers and parties.  It is a haven of peace, only seldom abused.

Learn more about the club's project to celebrate Rotary's Centennial and the club's 50th Charter Anniversary by following this link to the new trial website.

Rotary Park at Duck Holes Creek

Early Days

“Although traditional life has long gone, Caloundra Region is rich in Aboriginal heritage, in the form of significant sites and place names. A number of families of Undumbi decent still reside within Caloundra and have traditional ties to this country. It is recorded in Caloundra’s early history that Aboriginal families lived in the Duck Hole Creek area, Golden Beach and somewhere in Arthur Street, Shelly Beach.” 

Source: Sunshine Coast Indigenous History - Caloundra

“Eventually they no longer worked for Tripconys and they split up. Some of the family lived on Bribie Island, a few went to Duck Holes creek and eventually they left.” 

Source: Sunshine Coast Library Oral Histories - Lloyd-Clarke

The Rotary Club of Caloundra established the Park

Read more by following this link to the new trial website

Meeting 4th April - Cheque Presentation to SunnyKids

 

Meeting 28th March - Marilyn Holness, Zonta on the Rise Project (a women’s refuge centre)

 

 

 

 

Gordon smiling