15 June 2021

Dreambeyan? Queanbo residents tell em they're dreamin'

| Michael Weaver
Join the conversation
44
Sign welcoming people to Queanbeyan

What’s your calling card for Queanbeyan, the town that promises country living and city benefits. Photo: File.

Queanbeyan has been called many things over the years, but when the ABC Canberra team lobbed into town on Tuesday (8 June) to feature the town’s many stories, a reporter referred to it as ‘Dreambeyan’.

While many may see the moniker as a step up from the oft-used Struggletown, Q-banger and Queanbeyhole, the reference has stirred debate about the town that claims “country living, city benefits” on its outskirts.

“Never heard of Dreambeyan, we affectionately say Quangers,” said one of more than 200 commenters on the Queanbeyan Community Noticeboard.

“It’s only ever been Struggletown. Lived here a long time. I do like Dreambeyan as it’s a really good town,” said another.

Officially, the city was founded in 1828 as a holding called Queen Bean, or Quinbean, a name phonetically derived from an Aboriginal word meaning “clear water”.

But today, you’re as likely to hear Queanbo, City of Champions, Queen bee Anne and even Hollywood.

There is no doubt the city, also known as the ‘gateway to the nation’s capital’ and the ‘spiritual home of the Canberra Raiders’, is undergoing a renaissance.

A vibrant $74 million civic and cultural precinct is on the way, along with a thriving arts and entertainment scene and heritage buildings getting a new lease on life as exhibition and community spaces.

Selina and Elwin Bell, and Sean

Queanbeyanites Selina and Elwin Bell, who run Bell’s Amusements and Sean (who loves dagwood dogs) at the Queanbeyan Showground. Photo: Michael Weaver.

“There is nothing sterile or ‘cookie cutter’ about this city. There are beautiful areas as well as not-so-beautiful parts – which means there is great diversity,” said The Queanbeyan Hive director Helen Ferguson.

Author and social historian Nichole Overall said the town’s Riverside Cemetery was one of her favourite spots.

“Opened in 1846, it’s the oldest official public cemetery in our region. With its picturesque setting, it offers a physical chronicle of the regional journey following the arrival of Europeans in 1828. It also acts as a monument to our people, their challenges and progress,” she said.

Mathew Griffin, the publican at one of the town’s oldest pubs, Hotel Queanbeyan (much better known as the Toppy), highlighted the town’s rich sporting history.

“Queanbeyan is the original home of The Raiders, Formula One driver Mark Webber comes from here, as well as cricketer Brad Haddin, rugby union player Matt Giteau and a couple of Olympic gold medallists. This sporting heritage flows back into our junior sport, which has really strong participation rates,” he said.

READ ALSO I was trashed for living in Queanbeyan as a teenager – is the rivalry finally over?

Charlie Tizzard, a sixth-generation Queanbeyaner, started a media business seven years ago and said his hometown has everything he needs.

“My family are direct descendants of the ‘Father of Canberra’ and founder of the Queanbeyan Age, John Gale. My family has lived on the same land in Queanbeyan for more than a century and, while I’ve spent time in America and Europe and South East Asia, Queanbeyan has always been home,” Mr Tizzard said.

Man with Queanbeyan tattooed across his back

Scott Jeffery’s homage to his hometown of Queanbeyan. Photo: Deep Image Tattooing.

Region Media columnist Zoya Patel agrees Queanbeyan’s stigma as ‘Struggletown’ is undeserved.

“Queanbeyan has a vibrant multicultural community and generations of locals who have lived and loved in the town without giving a hoot what Canberra thought of them.”

Ms Patel asked and answered: “Is Queanbeyan no longer the poor cousin but the independent and flourishing sibling to Canberra?”

It sure is. And more.

So locals like Scott Jeffery won’t be rushing to have his now-famous tattoo of QUEANBEYAN across his back changed any time soon. And if you hear he is, they must be dreamin’.

Join the conversation

44
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest
Karin Gustavsson7:51 am 28 Jun 21

Q-town!

I’ve always considered Queanbeyan – Best kept secret in ACT. So stop talking about it, we already have too many ACT number plates on our streets.

East Berlin 🙂

Quangers has it all over Canberra these days.
No graffiti , grass mowed and no rubbish floating about.
The other article on this post about Civic sums the poor state here rather well.

And also their courts bring down results that aren’t seen as just a mild irritant.

And don’t forget the Blackberry bushes, ACT is no longer the bush capital! It is now the Blackberry capital of Australia full of feral weeds.

Lived here on and off throughout my Navy career for the past 20 years. Ended up now in Jerra. The place has certainly changed over those years and I think I can safely say the horrible old stigma attached to the living in this town has gone. It is certainly a very diverse and multicultural town (wouldn’t call it a city) which has, like a good solid red wine, aged well over the years and will continue to do so. Dreambeyan….not so sure. Quangers… yes

Looked at a 3 bedroom, ex govvie house in the ACT in the mid 2000s. Looked in QBN and bought a 5 bedroom house that was only 10 years old at the time and was bigger and cheaper. Been there ever since. It takes maybe 15 minutes to get into the city on a weekend, about the same to get to Woden and Tuggers, so pretty central

Jeremy Lepisto2:22 pm 12 Jun 21

I have been referring to Queanbeyan as ‘Dreambeyan’ since I moved to town in 2009. I don’t know that anyone used the term prior?

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.