The Bongaree Heritage Trail signs record those few residents who, in 2005, were still living on Bribie Island after 50 years or more continuous residence. Each, in their own way, has made a lasting contribution to the island's community. Sally Brennan nee Herbert, Ted and Patricia Clayton, The Kling Family, Frank Lee, Betty Lougheed, Stella Ray, Ivan and Clare Tesch and Margo Whitney.
The following excerpt is from the Program for the Official unveiling "50 years on Bribie" Heritage Trail Sign, Wednesday 7 November 2007, Brennan Park, Bongaree.
Stella
Ray
 |
| 50 years on Bribie - 2005 - Stella Ray Photo: Barry Clark |
Stella Ray (nee Aroney) was born in
Brisbane in 1919 and came to Bribie Island when she married her ex-soldier
husband Percival after the War in 1946. They brought two small second hand
ex-army huts by ship to the Island and erected them on land purchased at Spowers Street for £25. Stella and
Percival were among only a few hundred permanent Island residents at that time
and lived in these huts without electricity, water or sewerage for 33 years
until they built a modest new home on the same block in 1980. The army huts
were only demolished in 2004.
They caught yabbies and ran a boat hire
business for the tourists as their daughter Glenda grew up. Stella worked over the next 40 years in the
boarding houses, cafés and take-away shops, which opened for the growing
tourist trade. The Rays never owned a
motor car, but Stella was a familiar sight riding her bicycle around the Island
for over 30 years before she was badly injured when hit by a car at age 75. Percival Ray died in 2004. Stella Ray recovered from her accident and
still lives an active life after more than 59 years continuous residence on
Bribie Island.
Stella Ray was my father's half sister whom we never met. My father was adopted in 2018 before Stella was born. I would like to know more about her and her descendants if possible.
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