The Hodgkinson family make the trek to Toowoomba for 40 years

Meet the family who have made the trek from Brisbane to the Carnival of Flowers for 40 years, sharing their family’s local connections with the next generation.

FAMILY FLOWER POWER: The Hodgkinson-Oliveri family have returned to Toowoomba’s Carnival of Flowers after regularly attending the event for 40 years. In the Botanic Gardens (from left) Everlyn Oliveri, Paul and Helen Hodgkinson with Fletcher, Elizabeth and Amelia Oliveri. Picture: Nev Madsen

The Hodgkinson family from Ormiston have been growing their Carnival of Flowers tradition ever since Paul and Helen married in 1981.

“We’ve been coming to Toowoomba every September for the better part of 40 years,” Mr Hodgkinson said.

“It’s just beautiful to be able to return to where my mother, Shirley Gibson lived on Mary Street, overlooking Queens Park and to be able to share this part of the world with our own grandchildren.”

Mr Hodgkinson, 65, said his grandfather, Ernie Gibson worked at the Toowoomba Foundry making Southern Cross Windmills, so he enjoyed being able to return to the region to share all of this family history with his children and grandchildren.

The Hodgkinson family have been making the pilgrimage to Toowoomba for 40 years (from left) Paul Hodgkinson, Helen Hodgkinson, Fletcher Oliveri, Everlyn Oliveri, Elizabeth Oliveri and Amelia Oliveri gather in the Botanic Gardens in Queens Park for the 2021 Carnival of Flowers. Picture: Nev Madsen

“We love staying in our caravans at the Showgrounds together and getting out to all the private gardens and catching up with people we’ve been visiting for years,” Mrs Hodgkinson said.

“We became very close with long-time local garden competition winner Mr Mundy who has since passed, but we loved visiting his stunning garden overlooking Tabletop Mountain.”

The Hodgkinsons explained this year was particularly special because they had a new member in tow for the first time, with four-month-old grandson Fletcher joining in on the annual family getaway.

Helen Hodgkinson holding four-month-old Fletcher Oliveri with Paul Hodgkinson and Amelia Oliveri. Picture: Nev Madsen

“We’ve made the trip up to Toowoomba for the carnival for as long as I can remember,” the Hodgkinson’s daughter, Elizabeth Oliveri, 35, said.

“It’s lovely to be able to make new family memories and traditions somewhere so close to my dad’s heart in a city that has played such a big part in his family’s heritage.”

Amelia Oliveri, Everlyn Oliveri, Paul Hodgkinson, Helen Hodgkinson, Fletcher Oliveri and Elizabeth Oliveri have returned to Toowoomba for the Carnival of Flowers after making the pilgrimage as a family for 40 years. Picture: Nev Madsen