History behind Fernvale Bakery

IF THE timber roof bearers of the Old Fernvale Bakery cafe today could talk, what a story they would tell.

One of the many ex-servicemen who battled the hardships of post-war Queensland and yet managed to build one of Fernvale's most respected and successful businesses in the town's main street.

Harold Norman Prain, known as Curl Prain, was a young man of 27 when he was demobbed from the 2nd/34th Australian Corps Troops Supply Column, in 1946 after having serviced in two theatres of war - the Middle East and New Guinea.

He returned to the Glamorganvale Hotel where his young bride Lorraine lived with her parents, Walter and Annie Spreadborough who were then the licensees of the hotel.

"Curl immediately started to make plans for our future," the now 89-year-old Mrs Prain recalled of her late husband.

"He had noted that there was no mechanical workshop or service station between Ipswich and Esk and decided that Fernvale was an ideal spot for such a business."

Curl sought property in Fernvale and paid 600 pounds in cash for a corner block of land which sat at the corner of the Brisbane Valley Hwy and Simpson Rd, as it is known now.

It was owned by the Ehrich family late of Fairney View.

"There were also two blocks of land in separate deeds at the back adjacent the local hall," Mrs Prain said.

"The house wasn't in good state - most of the windows were broken.

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History behind Fernvale Bakery