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      girraween > history > a glimpse of girraween > chapter 1


Bill Goebel's Homeland...

For over eight decades, Bill Goebel has had a strong and intimate connection with this area.

In 1931 Bill's parents, Harry and Ellen Goebel, purchased 130 acres at the base of The Pyramids and Slip Rock. Les Rice, a local carpenter at the time, built a slab house for the family of 15, which they lived in for the next 13 years.

In 1944, most of the Goebel family moved to Eukey, leaving Bill and his two brothers Hock and Fred to take care of the family farm. The brothers continued to do this and later carted wood to power the boilers at the Wallangarra meatworks until 1966 (Bill) and 1967 (Hock) when they were employed by the Forestry Department to work in the national park.

 


The Goebel's family house.
© Girraween National Park, 2009.

The Goebel's family house.
Bill lived in a tent for 14 years in various places in what is now national park, until 1957 when he built the house in which he resided until 2012.


Hock and Bill Goebel carting cordwood.
© Girraween National Park, 2009.

Hock and Bill Goebel carting cordwood.
Bill Goebel camping in the park.
© Girraween National Park, 2009.

Bill Goebel camping in the park.


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© Vanessa and Chris Ryan, 2009 | Copyright Details and Disclaimer
Last updated: 7th May 2014