News photos from decades of life in Bundaberg

Bundaberg is a vibrant and active city, with a proud history of farming, big events and local names and faces. We look back at some of the most captivating social, sport and news images from the 1980s through to the 2000s.

We look back on decades of reporting on the Bundaberg community.

They say a picture paints a thousand words, and if that’s true, then the images in this story should serve as a rich reminder of life in Bundaberg through the eras.

We’ve hit pause on time to bring readers an eclectic mix of images showing moments encapsulating fun, joy, excitement, wonder and heartbreak - a snapshot of the moments and people that have made our region over the years.

Events: Days and nights out

Bundaberg people have always known how to put on a party, whether it’s race days that have endured in their sense of style or a simple night out on the town.

A day at the races in 1986.

Wakka Wakka dancer Nigel Williams performs at Bundaberg high school as part of indigenous celebrations at the school, December 1994. Photo: NewsMail

Norma Strathdee, Jeanne Ferguson, Nina Aplin out and about in 1997.

Pictured in 1997 is Bernard Whebell, Giuseppina Caruso, Helen Sweeney and John Elphinstone.

Bundaberg State High School string orchestra students Carly Christensen and Katrina Boyd with conductor Christine Buwalda at the Fanfare 98 Grand Final concert in 1998.

Locals gather to watch a turtle with a satellite tracking device heading for the sea at Mon Repos, Bundaberg, on January 7, 1999.

Tahlitha Herrick and Melissa Waggett at Bundaberg’s Fashion Fantasia event on September 12, 1999.

Amal Doukari at Bundaberg’s Fashion Fantasia event on September 12, 1999.

Matt Clarke, Nathan Towns, James Smith and Ryan Litchfield enjoy an evening at the then Moncrieff Theatre in 2004.

Melissa Farrer, Anna Roffey and Antse Noll at Bundaberg’s Fashion Fantasia event on September 12, 1999.

The 2001 Fashion Fantasia young designer award winner Renae Steindl is presented with her Fantasia award by then Bundaberg Mayor Kay McDuff. Submitted by Eva Anderson.

At the 2008 Emirates Melbourne Cup is Bundaberg’s Jacqui Collard, Justene Pickett, twin sister Hayley Pickett and Casey Miller.

Looking back to a city’s heart

Bundaberg's Whaling Wall was painted in September 1990 by American artist Wyland. It is expected to be gone forever when the “whale building” is renovated. Photo: Picture Bundaberg

A quieter time - Bourbong Street, June 1987. Photo courtesy of Picture Bundaberg

In 1998, this was what the Bundaberg Rum Distillery looked like.

The Bundaberg CBD in 1999.

Bundaberg in 2001.

Locals stop to have a breather in Bundaberg, November 1999.

Bourbong Street in 2001.

Faces of Bundaberg

It’s the people that make a region and many of these smiling faces are still making the city a brighter place today.

2002 Summer Surf Girl Quest finals entrants Belinda Baddeley, Dana James and Shona McClelland at Jupiters.

In 1983 Bundaberg had a Sportsgirl store on Bourbong St, on the corner of Targo St.Pictured are Meg Mooney, Vicki Flanders and manager Marie Woods. Photo: contributed

Miss Queensland 1981, 20-year-old Bundaberg school teacher Leanne Dick.

Sherrie Dorron at Innes Park, after being named the Bundaberg Show Girl in 1983. Photo: Contributed

NASA astronaut Dr Don Lind hands autographed photos to Penny Williams and Katrina Mohamed during a trip to Bundaberg in 1985 where he presented the third Hinkler Memorial lecture. His appreciation gift was a 12cm wooden rib from one of Hinkler's hand-made gliders. Dr Lind gave the relic to Challenger commander Dick Scobee, who took it with him on his ill-fated final Challenger mission. The relic was recovered from the sea after the space shuttle's explosion and was returned to the Hinkler Memorial Museum. Photo: NewsMail

Ray and Dell Townson with a steam train at the opening of the Bundaberg Railway Museum on November 20, 1988.

Miss Queensland Soccer entrant for the Waves soccer club Liz Williams in 1997.

On May 113, 1998, Deanne Fitzgerald gave birth on the street outside Bundaberg Hospital to little Gabrielle.

Tanya Cockerell of Bundaberg Cooperage at the Pond Scapes exhibit at the home show in March 1998.

March 31, 2002: Volunteers Julian Negri with daughter Caitlin and Sue Sargent, part of group at Hoffman’s Rocks in Bundaberg studying number of oysters on volcanic basalt.

Kylie Hill is all smiles at the Moncrieff, 2004.

Members of the Bundaberg Youth Choir rehearse for a concert, August 1995. Photo: NewsMail

Life on the farm

Agriculture has long been the lifeblood of the Bundaberg region. The region continues to be one of the nation’s major foodbowls.

On May 23, 1997, Canadian backpacker Tara Dickson works picking zucchini.

Bundaberg Lychee grower Glenice Purdey, dubbed the Lychee Lady, with her dog Megsie in 1997.

Graham Moulden, general manager of 'Hi-Tech' Aloe Vera Bundaberg , pictured among the plants growing in Bundaberg in 1997.

Sugarcane burning on a farm in Bundaberg in August, 1998.

Dramatic images we can’t forget

Of course, no city is without its dramatic moments - whether it’s the weather, nature or human activity.

Sinking of the Mohawk to help create an artificial reef near Bundaberg in 2002.

A woman walks past debris on Water Street, Bundaberg, after catastrophic flooding in January, 2013. At the time, about 1200 people remained in official evacuation centres, with 2000 homes affected by flooding as a result of ex-tropical cyclone Oswald.

Locals watch as flood waters rise in Bundaberg, on January 28, 2013.

On Boxing Day in 2010, Greg Buckland took his boat out on the flooded Kendalls Flat grounds.

A mammoth effort as Richard and Julie Tooher's house was removed from Bundaberg in 1999 in order to find a new home in Fig Tree Pocket.

Residents watch an army Blackhawk helicopter performing a rescue from a property affected by the swollen Burnett River on January 28, 2013. At least 1200 Bundaberg properties flooded at the time.

This stunning image shows what happens when fishermen reel in a shark only for a bigger shark to take the smaller one as bait. This image was taken in the waters off Bundaberg in 1992. The large shark swam away after enjoying its meal.

Politics in the Rum City

We’ve often been a key seat when it comes to elections, with many big name pollies stopping by.

Labor’s Peter Beattie and his deputy Jim Elder walk the streets of Bundaberg in 1997.

Kevin Rudd with Peter Garrett in Bundaberg, 2006.

Sport snapshots

Bundaberg people love their sport, here we take a look back at a handful of special moments.

Queensland under-15s soccer players Cory Nicholson and Daniel Dreger in 1997.

Soccer player Steve Starr in new Bundaberg Waves strip in 1997.

Broncos fan Wayne Michaels celebrates the grand final between the Canterbury Bulldogs Brisbane Broncos in September 1998.

Seagulls veterans Guy Meredith and Adam Roderick embrace, both playing the side's 2001 title.