By Hollie Harris
Esme Tait’s wish of seeing her former home become a place where the community can come together became a reality last Wednesday.
Ms Tait cut the ribbon of Noosa’s newest community facility with a grin ear to ear.
“The house looks beautiful in its new setting. I’m so pleased to see my old home transformed for the benefit of the community to enjoy,” she said.
The cottage has been a labor of love for a number of volunteers giving up their time to bring this space to life. After being relocated in Earl Street, Tewantin in 2005, Noosa Council partnered with United Synergies and Hutchinson Builders and Noosa Heads Rotary Club to restore the beauty back to her old self.
Charles Tait and Emma Duke built the house in 1919 when there was little there except for a few dirt roads and the Royal Mail Hotel. I wonder if they would recognise Tewantin today after nearly a century of residential and commercial development. What I am sure they would recognise is the community spirit shown by their daughter, Esme.
Esme was born in 1922 and lived in this house until 2009. She donated this historic Queenslander to the Noosa Shire Council so the public can enjoy it for generations to come. The house will serve as a community hub for Tewantin, giving local community organisations much needed meeting and office spaces.
It is now the long awaited home of Noosa Heads Rotary and with a heartfelt speech from Jim Bennett, who after 15 years with the club said that “finding a permanent home means a lot. Some of the visionary members are no longer with us and I am sure they are watching. This day is also for them”.
