Bronze bust to be built in memory of ‘father’ of Carnival of Flowers

The memory and impact of the man who created the Carnival of Flowers will be immortalised with a bronze bust to be erected ahead of the festivities.

LIKE many who grew up in Toowoomba in the early days of the Carnival of Flowers, Stuart Tait has fond memories of lining the streets of the city, watching flower-laiden floats make their way through Toowoomba.

But Stuart’s memories live a little brighter than most, because his father, Essex McEwan Tait, created the Carnival of Flowers back in 1950.

“It’s now the biggest carnival in the country,” he said.

“This year it’s going to be a month long and I’ve been up to Toowoomba a few times and I think it’s a fantastic event for the economy and people of Toowoomba and I’m delighted our family had a role in making it happen.”

Essex’s memory and influence over the Carnival of Flowers will be immortalised with a bronze bust to be erected in Queens Park next month.

Stuart approached Toowoomba Regional Council mayor Paul Antonio about the idea.

“I came up with the idea and I arranged a meeting with the mayor and said this is what I’m thinking,” he said.

“And he said that it was a fantastic idea.”

Stuart said his father came up with the Carnival of Flowers at a time where the state was still reeling from the impacts of the second World War.

Essex suggested to council and the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce that the town host a “spring carnival”.

IN LOVING MEMORY: A bronze bust of Essex McEwan Tait will be erected to remember the “father” of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. Picture: File

In its first year, the event attracted 50,000 visitors.

The Carnival of Flowers has lived on since that day.

Decades later, the carnival has morphed from weekend festivities to a month-long celebration.

Stuart said the carnival was one of his father’s greatest achievements in life.

“Dad did two really great things in his life,” he said.

“He came up with the Carnival of Flowers and he looked after a whole stack of legacies from the Second World War onwards.”

Not only is his impact remembered fondly in Toowoomba, but his work with Legacy in the years after he served in the war has also been recognised across the country.

Stuart said he remembers being approached by people who remembered his father through the work he did, citing one particular memory where a set of twins approached Stuart at his university graduation, and told him they would never have been able to attend university or graduate if it wasn’t for Essex looking after them after the war.

The bronze bust, set for completion in August will feature Essex wearing a tie scattered with Legacy logos, in memory of his work with veterans after the Second World War.

A local business, Wagners, will assist with the creation of the bronze bust.