ABOUT US
Our Mission
R&DCA believes in a safe and equitable community where everyone has the opportunity to lead fulfilling lives.
Vision
R&DCA believes in a safe and equitable community where everyone has the opportunity to lead fulfilling lives.
Funding
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Rollingstone Community Centre receives funding from:
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The Queensland Government Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors.
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Grant Funding through application opportunities
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Op Shop Sales with donations of goods that are given a second life. With volunteers manning the Op Shop helping with sales and sorting (we love our volunteers)
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Admin Services, Computer Cafe (a small fee to help cover costs)
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Donations
In the beginning...
Rollingstone and District Community Association Inc. RaDCA has been established since 1961 and many of its members have been instrumental in establishing and promoting activities in our area for the benefits of the local residents and visitors. The original Community Hall was located on the Bruce Highway and in 1998 a new Community Hall was built on its present location at 44 Community Crescent off Mystic Ave, Balgal Beach.
......and of course, dressing up as Batman!
The Rollingstone and District Community Centre provides access to
information and support services in a friendly welcoming environment
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Justice of the Peace is available to members of the public, 9 am-4 pm drop-in or phone to book. No fee is charged for this service, however, a small fee may be charged for photocopying if needed.
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We have up-to-date information on local services and operate based on the philosophy that there is “no wrong door”, so if we don’t provide the help you are seeking we will endeavour to find the service that can.
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We also provide supported referrals, assistance with assessing your situation and help with completing paperwork. A key focus is to link clients to the specialist support they need such as housing, family matters and legal concerns.
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Community access to Computer Cafe (small fee).
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Assistance with Internet Technology, computer access help is given where possible either with your own device or using provided Computer Cafe. Some training available one-on-one, resume writing, it is best to phone ahead to request a time-slot.
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Centrelink Access by provided free to use Computer and Telephone direct links to Services Australia Network
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The centre provides access to photocopying, fax and laminating services to members of the public. A reasonable fee is charged for these services.
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Library and Book Exchange in the old Historic Rollingstone Railway building which was preserved from demolition.
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Rooms and centre facilities are available for individuals, groups and other organisations to use and hire.
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Computer classes run by Townsville City Library (when things settle down a bit due to COVID 19). We will advise when this starts again.
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Indoor Bowls Wednesday morning and evening, a great way for low impact exercise, social exchange and a way to build on friendships.
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Line Dancing on a Monday morning from 9 am, this is a very popular group and provides great stimulation in both the enjoyment of music and a physical outlet.
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Craft group meets every 2nd Tuesday of the month @ 1.30 pm, for those who love to create. Participants bring along their current project and enjoy a cuppa and the company of others.
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Card Group: Weekly social card afternoon which generally attracts those who are over fifty. They meet on a Monday afternoon from 12 Noon to 4 pm New members are welcome.
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Fortnightly Vet visit from Margaret Preston, no need to travel into the city (unless it is urgent) the Vet comes to us.
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Friday morning Fitness with Entire Wellbeing, Local trainer cert 4 qualifications for personal training and group classes. Level 3 Exercise professional registered with Fitness Australia. Friday morning 8-9 am circuit class at Rollingstone Community Hall. Saturday mornings on demand.
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The Rolly Rag monthly magazine informs residents of services available in the local area and events that are taking place both at the Community Centre and in the community. Advertising space is available. The Rolly Rag is produced and delivered households within the Rollingstone, Balgal Beach, Toomulla districts. Also available in digital format https://issuu.com/rollingstonerag
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Rollingstone history
Settled in 1883 by John Lambert, the district was originally a pastoral lease known as Armidale, extending from Bluewater Creek in the south to Clerk Creek (later known as Ollera Creek) in the north.
In 1906 the Armidale Hotel opened along the stagecoach route between Townsville and Ingham.
When the North Coast railway opened through Rollingstone in 1915, the railway station was to serve as a post office. However, concern over possible confusion with Armidale in New South Wales resulted in the town and railway station being renamed Rollingstone after the creek, which is believed to be named for the round shape of the rocks found in the creek bed. The hotel was renamed the Rollingstone Hotel.
Rollingstone State School opened on 4th September 1916 with 28 students on land donated by the hotel owners, John and Isabella Fitzpatrick.
The opening of the railway opened up the beaches north of Townsville for recreational use. The beach near Rollingstone just south of the mouth of Rollingstone Creek was surveyed for a town in 1947 and named Balgal with the town-land allotments being sold in 1948 onwards (this area is now a separate suburb called Balgal Beach).
What's going on here?
This beautiful image is of what is believed to be Chief Surveyor, Railway General Manager and Railway Police. If anyone in the community has any information which would shed some light on their names, or any correction of whom they may be we would appreciate your assistance. This image has been reproduced and framed and can be seen first hand at the Rollingstone Community Centre.
44 Community Crescent
ROLLINGSTONE Qld 4816
Phone: 07 47707855
Fax: 07 47707811
EMAIL:
Manager Chris Click
Reception Mark Click
FOLLOW US
Source: Paluma Album, Thuringowa Photographic Library Collection
Rollingstone Railway Station, 22 March 1922 I wonder what they are doing? Waiting for someone? Waiting for freight? Giving a farewell to someone they know? At Rollingstone Railway Siding. Please note the Railway siding building, of which there were two, placed end to end. One would have been the booking office while the other was the Tea Rooms. One of which is now housed at Rollingstone Community Centre, serving as our Community Library.
Source: Rollingstone Historical Society Inc.
Isabella Fitzpatrick – Hotel Rollingstone, Rollingstone - Opening Day 1922
Isabella Fitzpatrick (nee Wyatt) was born in Townsville in 1874. Her father, Charles Wyatt, was the licensee of the Court House Hotel, in Sturt Street, between 1887 and 1904. In 1907 the hotel was in the hands of Wyatt’s son-in-law, John Fitzpatrick. In 1912, after having changed the name of the hotel to Herbert in 1910, John transferred the license to his wife, Isabella. In 1913 Isabella purchased the hotel at Armidale (later known as Rollingstone), although it appears that initially, family members ran the hotel for her. In the early 1920s, she took over the license. At some point she decided, quite shrewdly, to relocate the hotel to a site opposite the railway line. Isabella was also involved in civic affairs and agitating for a school at Rollingstone. She served as a councillor on the Thuringowa Shire Council in 1924, making her one of the first women to serve on local government authority in Queensland. (The first woman to do so was Dr Ellen Kent Hughes Wilson, in 1923 in Kingaroy, Queensland).
Below is the original 'Deed of Grant of Land' issued to Edward George Smith for the parcel of land now called Balgal Beach
Facing page of the document
Back Page of Document​
