Queensland's 'Seats of Knowledge' Keep Mates Laughing Daily

Every morning just after sunrise, 85-year-old Donald Steele settles onto a weathered bench outside a Tully supermarket for his daily dose of laughter and friendship. The bench, carved with the words "Seat of Knowledge," has been a gathering spot for retired locals for over two decades.

"We solve all the problems of the world, and we create a few ourselves," Steele says with a grin. The informal morning club has one main requirement: a thick skin and a healthy sense of humor.

Raymond Downing, nearly 80, found the bench after losing his wife to cancer a decade ago. He walks his dog down each morning, often arriving feeling down but leaving with a smile.

"Within 10 minutes you're laughing," Downing says. "You have to chuck a lot, but you cop a lot back, too."

The tradition isn't unique to Tully. Similar gathering spots dot North Queensland, including the "Table of Knowledge" at nearby Kurrimine Beach, where locals meet from 6:30 am to 8 am, often returning again at sunset.

John Parisi visits the waterfront table most days when he's not traveling for work. He says he'd rather chat with friends about farming techniques and shared memories than watch breakfast television alone.

The Ripple Effect

Historian Dr. Bianka Vidonja Balanzategui traces these gathering places back to Italian migrants who settled in the region as farmers and cane cutters. The tradition mirrors the ancient Roman forum and the piazzas that remain central to Italian village life today.

"These are gathering places for elderly gentlemen to meet, talk about their ailments, the world, argue about the state of the world," she explains. When Italian farmers retired and moved into townships, they brought this communal tradition with them.

While some original gathering spots have faded as participants passed away, Vidonja Balanzategui sees a resurgence. A new generation of retirees is picking up versions of the tradition, gathering outside cafes for hours of conversation and connection.

Back at Tully's bench, a small placard marks one end as the "departure lounge." Steele jokes it's where the oldest members sit, though he tries to avoid getting pushed that far down.

These simple benches offer something money can't buy: daily connection, shared laughter, and a reason to get out of bed each morning.