Contributed by Norma Caton née Vichie
Over the last weeks, there have been photos of 150-years in Stanthorpe and a few of these were of my Grandparents, Father, Aunts and Uncles – namely, the Vichie family.
Grandfather Nicholas (formally spelt Nikola Vicic) married Catherine Gurarich (formally Juranic) on 23 June 1889.
They had nine children – Catherine, Martin, Josie, Paul, Norah, Nicholas (my father), May, Frank, and Doris.
My Father’s parents had 10 siblings and they came from Croatia in 1885 when he was 12 years old.
Nicholas, Catherine and family came to Stanthorpe from Drake after he heard of mining there (he was mining in Drake).
Grandfather later purchased the land at the base of Mt Marlay from Father Davadi.
The property extended from Minna Street along Amosfield Road to Alice Street.
He made wine from the grapes he grew so built an underground cellar at the back of the home to store the bottles.
Sadly, several years ago council ordered the cellar to be filled in.
My cousin Paul managed to buy the bricks and built a small house at the back of his home in Tyrell Street.
He gave me two of the ones left over which I have stored away with the story.
After Grandfather passed away of 27 March 1933, the cellar was cleared, leaving it free for all the neighbourhood children to play there – it was lovely and cool on hot summer days.
Sometimes we would pick some fruit and have a picnic in the old shed.
The original slab hut (original home) proved to be too small for the growing family, so Grandfather bought the first convent built in Stanthorpe as the new home.
As a child, I remember beautiful stained glass windows in what was the chapel.
My parents were Nicholas and Amy and brother Clifford (he was an ambulance officer for 25 years in Stanthorpe).
Dad established a business (Stanthorpe Body Building works) making couches, furniture, etc.
He built houses with Mr Col McLucas prior to this.
He also helped build the present Catholic Church.
Mum loved cooking and sewing and winning lots of prizes at shows.
I loved my teenage years working at the local photographers (Crostons) and as Bass Drummer of the Pipe Band.
Also was a member of the choir.
Frank and Paul stayed in Stanthorpe and continued mining for several years.
Martin moved to Bundaberg working in a sugarmill where he later designed machinery to make mining quicker and easier.
The daughters all married and moved away except May and Doris.
Several members of the family still reside in Stanthorpe and run a business – others live in areas of Brisbane, Ipswich and Melbourne.
We are all proud of our heritage.
