Community & Business
31 March, 2022
Commemorating the ‘Major of Leyburn’
A special ceremony will be held in Leyburn on Saturday, 23 April, to unveil the memorial being built for community figure Alan Richards, affectionately known as the Major of Leyburn.
The event will start with an RSL Poppy Ceremony, then a dedication of the memorial picnic table and shelter followed by a barbecue.
The date marks two years since Mr Richards’ passing.
Mr Richards ran the trading post, a meeting place in Leyburn, and was involved in numerous community organisations.
He was a member of the Karara Rural Fire Brigade, life member of the Leyburn RSL, founder of the Leyburn Ratepayers Association, member of the Leyburn Progress Association and a founding member of the Leyburn & District Men’s Shed.
Susan Richards, Alan’s daughter, said he was not a Leyburn local but Kingaroy bred and born.
“He first visited to Leyburn in the mid 1990s visiting Keith and Maria McKenzie on their property on Stonehenge Road,” she said.
“Liking the area and thinking ‘what great value’ it was, he purchased 460 acres at 519 Stonehenge Road for $45,000 in 1997 which would become known as ‘Wadja’.
“When asked why he called it ‘Wadja’ he would say “Wad’ya you want to live at Leyburn?”. “Wad’ya you build a 2km long driveway?” “Wad’ya call it Wadja for?. He designed and build a two bedroom home.”
Ms Richards said her father spent the next 24 years living between North Stradbroke Island, running a real estate business and Leyburn, living the last several years full time in Leyburn.
She said he liked building projects, which included buying the river front cottage at 31 Talgai Street, moving the old cheese factory barn that was on the site to Wadja and buying the gravesite block on Toowoomba Karara Road.
The trading post that he ran is now the meeting place for the Leyburn & District Men’s Shed.
Vince Wight, President of the men’s shed, has been heavily involved with constructing the memorial.
He said Mr Richards was one of the main instigators in forming the men’s shed in 2019 and was a life member, however he only lived to see it in its early stages.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no public memorial service held, although the family still was able to have a private service.
Mr Wight said he asked the community what would be an appropriate way to commemorate Mr Richards.
“One person suggested naming the cricket grounds Alan Richards Memorial Park,” he said.
Permission was granted through Southern Downs Regional Council to name the grounds and erect a sign as well as a picnic shelter that is currently being built.
Mr Wight said the construction of the picnic shelter has been a real community effort.
“All the funding has been from the men’s shed, RSL and community donations.
“Timbers have been donated, corrugated iron and time and effort.
“I’m grateful to be involved,” he said.
The ceremony begins at 10am at the park on Tummaville Road just north of the bridge.
For catering purposes, RSVP to Susan Richards by 16 April on 0438 951 179.
