The Oxford English Dictionary defines ‘quest’ as a noun … looking for or seeking; a search.
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And what a search it was as families from Cunnamulla to Cooktown and from the Gold Coast to Mount Isa, participated in the once-off Queensland Family Quest, held during the financial year of 1959/60.
Such was the eagerness of families, in scores of towns across the state, to enter the quest, organisers had to divide the State into zones to accommodate ease of judging.
The Western Queensland zone was open to families from the land as well as towns people from the electorates of Flinders, Gregory, Barcoo and Warrego.
One of the first entrants was Berwick Station grazier, John Jefferies and his family of nine, from Winton.
And there was no doubt the attractiveness of the winner’s prize list was a prime incentive for many families to nominate for the quest.
However it was also an opportunity for the more fortunate families to make a constructive effort on behalf of the state’s 1,300 handicapped children.
For the Freeman family of 85 Oban Road, Mineside, the quest was a humbling opportunity to acknowledge the wholesome family values and opportunities that Mount Isa had to offer its citizens while at the same time raise funds for those children and their families in need.
Arriving in Mount Isa in 1936, Jim Freeman initially worked as a miner and diamond driller underground before he enlisted in the R.A.A.F. as a Flight Sergeant with the Construction during World War II.
It was his experience during the war that instilled in him the importance of ‘giving back’ to the community and which saw him become instrumental in the formation of the local branch of the Returned Servicemen’s League.
The decision to commit to fund-raising was enthusiastically undertaken by the Freemans, as they already had a creditable record of service to the community and were endorsed as Mount Isa’s entrants with sponsorship by Rotary, Apex and the R.A.O.B.
Their eldest son, Ralph, played football for Black Stars while eldest sister, Judith was a talented swimmer who represented Mount Isa at the North Queensland Swimming Championships in Townsville; younger children Alvan, Elaine and Russell were also keen swimmers.
And not to be outdone by her community spirited family, Mrs Freeman was President of the local Girl Guides’ Association and a passionate supporter of Mount Isa Amateur Theatrical Society.
“Of course, we’re fully aware of the generous prizes to be won,” said Jim,” who wouldn’t want a fully paid trip around the world and university scholarships for the kids?”
The Queensland Family Quest was planned to recognise the contribution of family life to the progress and development of the State and as such was suitably recognised and rewarded.
Considering the Quest was aimed at the whole family, the prize list included an 80 day world tour by air, courtesy of QANTAS Empire Airways, a 5,000 Pounds fully paid Life Assurance donated by A.M.P. Society.
Also inlcuded was a 100 Pounds savings accounts for each child from the Bank of New South Wales.
In addition, the State Quest Director, Mr Connelly, said the family named Queensland Family of the Year would also win a fully registered radio equipped Ford Consul Sedan and full University Scholarships for each child.
And when asked to support the Quest by provision of a full University Scholarship for one child, George Fisher, Chairman of Mount Isa Mines Limited, had no reservations and endorsed sponsorship of a scholarship.
Indeed, such was the importance of the Quest, the Commonwealth Department of Trade and Immigration indicated their interest in assisting with the world tour through the Australian Embassies and Consulates.
In publicising the search for Queensland’s number one family, Mr Connelly went on to say ...
“As The Queensland Family Quest, it is intended that the winning family should help publicise abroad the tremendous possibilities of Queensland, so that the State may benefit though immigration, trade and investment.”
The Freeman family was well aware of the advantages that could accrue in promoting job opportunities and the healthy outdoor lifestyle of living in the Mount Isa region, to the rest of Australia and to the rest of the world.
But before any prizes could be tagged with the Freeman name, the task of fund-raising had to be organised; which included garden parties, wandering baskets, cake stalls, social evenings and raffles.
At judging, unlike other Quests of the day, entrants in the Queensland Family Quest were not required to parade in swim suits nor strut ‘their stuff’ along a catwalk.
However they were questioned in depth on their citizenship (community spirit and neighbourliness), moral integrity and finally their sincerity in raising awareness for the beneficiaries of the Quest; handicapped children.
“We’ve got friends with a handicapped son and we know the struggles they have trying to give their boy every opportunity,” said Jim Freeman.
This was the new era of Rock’n’roll, a time when Elvis Presley and Johnny O’Keefe were swivelling their hips and shaking a leg and teenagers were embracing the new rebellious style of music and dance.
So the inclusion of ‘moral integrity’ had as much to do with family stability as it did with extolling the virtues of the Christian faith.
All of which the Freeman family had in abundance as they shook, rattled and rolled to Elvis and Johnny.
It did not matter that they missed out on the title, Jim Freeman and his family were already winners in the eyes of Mount Isa, as they drove their consolation prize, a Ford Consul Sedan, around town.
And as for the first family to enter the Quest, the Jefferies of Berwick Station, Winton, they did their zone proud by taking out the state title of Queensland Family of the Year.
Researched and written by Kim-Maree Burton.
Photographs provided courtesy of the North Queensland History Collection.
Information sourced from Mount Isa Mail, MIMAG, Brisbane Courier Mail and the Queensland State Library.