PRAISE FOR COUPLE

I was delighted to read the letter to the editor published in your paper on lauding the contribution by Peter and Anne Eldridge to the Toowoomba community and in particular DownsSteam.

I wholeheartedly support the comments by the author of that letter and wish to offer my insight to Peter and Anne’s selfless and generous involvement with and support of many Toowoomba community activities and charities.

My relationship with Peter goes back in excess of 30 years when Peter and I were board members of the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce.

With the late John Peel, Peter played a pivotal role in securing the return of steam locomotive 106 to Toowoomba from QR.

Peter then became the driving force behind the setting up of Darling Downs Historical Rail Society Limited that trades as DownsSteam.

Over the years, during my visits to DownsSteam, Peter and Anne were always there working long hours developing the site and paying for additions to this amazing complex out of their own pockets that few ever knew about.

While reflecting on how DownsSteam has become such an important part of the Toowoomba community over 20 plus years since it was formed, I want to pass on my deep appreciation to the inspirational volunteers at DownsSteam who were so dedicated in improving that facility and restoring the historic rolling stock such as “Pride of Toowoomba” (loco 106) and the iconic railmotor “The Gatsby Flyer” that was beautifully and loving rebuilt by the DownsSteam volunteers.

Also the generosity of Clive Berghoffer in contributing much needed capital to the final efforts to complete the renovation of Loco 106 deserves wide accolades.

Peter and Anne have also been generous in material, financial and communal support to at least ten Toowoomba community endeavours that I know of.

I do not have their permission to name the beneficiaries and even if I asked, that permission would be refused.

Toowoomba is fortunate to have a high percentage of philanthropic minded citizens like Peter and Anne Eldridge and I applaud The Chronicle in publishing letters to the editor that acknowledge and thank the numerous community minded people that do so much good for our community. Patrick Nunan, Toowoomba