Representatives from the Southern Downs Regional Council, Tenterfield Shire Council, Destination Southern Downs and local tourist information centres were treated to a tour of the iconic Killarney Sawmill. Source: Warwick Daily News
President of the Killarney and District Historical Society, Tony Pearson, said that since the story of 85-year-old Ralph Affleck and his one-man sawmill featured on Landline in October last year, 30 tours had seen well over 1000 people visit the unique attraction.
The tour begins at the Killarney Heritage Centre, where visitors have one hour to take in the local photographs, articles and artefacts.
Mr Pearson said visitors then get to view exclusive footage of Ralph and his sawmill before enjoying lunch at Queen Mary Falls.
The tour then heads to the sawmill about 1pm for two and a half hours with Ralph.
“We’ve never had anyone walk away that wasn’t stunned with what they saw,” he said.
“It’s not just the sawmill, but Ralph’s character. He is an iconic Australian.”
Mr Pearson said that the Landline story aired six times, including in the Best of Landline for the year.
RM Williams Outback magazine and Weekend Sunrise have also run stories on the one-man sawmill.
