Take a flick back through the stories of Jimbour House over the years. The Darling Downs settlement is abundant in historical substance, and has been long adored for its “comfort, beauty and dignity” by countless guests throughout its time.
If only the sandstone walls could share their stories. Having borne witness to weddings, concerts, garden parties, wine tastings, festivals, feasting, renovations and more in it’s many years of operation, the House gracefully retains the stories of many times passed.
Jimbour House custodian David Russell carries on pioneering the evolution of the property, through its all encompassing offerings. From it’s political roots in the late 1800’s to a culture surrounding Opera hosted in the amphitheatre in the early 2000’s, Jimbour has worn many hats. A brand symbolic of wool, then wine tourism and long tradition of premium beef production, Jimbour House is a custodian, she holds a spirited character brimming with social significance.
In her youth, a small township grew around Jimbour House including a butchers shop, school and general store – Jimbour became something of a “Mecca of civilisation” in the Darling Downs and was host to a number of notable guests. Among those was the late King George V was a guest in the House when as the Duke of York he visited Australia. Princess Alice also spent a week in the ‘palace in the bush’ during her first visit to Australia in 1954.
Another was Charles Darwin’s son, who visited the property in 1881. As mentioned in The Great Australian Homesteads article, a group from the Royal Society of London brought out an observatory which was erected at Jimbour to watch Venus transit across the sun. The observatory housed Charles Darwin’s very own telescope.
During the 1950’s, Jimbour House screened films for employees and their families to watch on Saturday evenings, along with opening the Hollywood style swimming pool and tennis court for the district to enjoy. The local school even hosted swimming classes in the pool.
Neighbours and residents of the small township of Jimbour gathered monthly for a church service in a small chapel on the property. Afterwards locals would attend an open-invite buffet style lunch at the House, making toast to memorable times spent in the glorious space and upholding the tradition of community and hospitality that lies at the heart of Jimbour.
While the evolution and guests of Jimbour over many years have been impressive, the ceaseless charm of Jimbour House lies in those stories of embracing community and encompassing public life into her welcoming gardens and walls.
