The initial data on the arrival of Basques in Australia dates from 1907. However it was during the years 1958 to 1960 when the highest number of Basques were migrating to Australia. The Government sponsored operations titled “Kangaroo”, “Eucalyptus” and “Emu” resulted in the emigration of Basques, who along with the Italians, settled in the northern state of Queensland to cut sugar cane. A prime destination was the town of Ingham.
The Mendiolea family farm was a vital cog in the reception of immigrants from the Basque country. Amongst the many traditions that were maintained by Basques who migrated to Australia, handball was a particular favourite. It was there at the Mendiolea family farm, on a back wall, that this most favoured of pastimes began its life in North Queensland. Eventually a more substantial court and venue was established at the Trebonne Hotel. This favoured meeting place for Basques in the Ingham region was where they used to dance, sing and play mus (traditional Basque card game). The inception and construction of the fronton (court) began with the Jayo brothers (Felix and Jose Maria), along with Alberto Urberuaga proposing the fronton be constructed on land adjacent to the Trebonne Hotel to the owner, Joe Sartoresi.
It was not until one afternoon when Joe Sartoresi was visiting the Mendiolea family farm and witnessing a game of pelota and associated frivolity in full swing, that he realized the investment could pay back in spades with the amount of beer consumed and the great atmosphere that this group generated. Once Joe was on board, a more formal process began. Initially this hit some hurdles with the first two applications for permits denied. Finally, after sustained effort, Albert Urberuaga and Agustin Adarraga succeeded in getting approval and work began.
Because the land available was shorter than needed for a full size court, plans had to be changed slightly. After 6 weeks of construction and 80 tonnes of cement, the court was officially blessed & inaugurated by Father Tomas Ormazabal and Attorney Mr. “Jack” Williams on the 28th of November 1959. The opening doubles match, accompanied by a barbecue, was played by Felix and Jose Maria Jayo against Juan Cruz Arriaga and Tomas Monasterio. The Jayo brothers being the first winners on the new court.
On the 24th of June 1960, the Basque Handball Club was formed with Pascual Badiola as president, Vicente Goitiandia and Juan Mendiolea as vice presidents, Alberto Urberuaga as treasurer and Bingen Balanzategui as secretary. The main objective was to host barbecues to raise money for the maintenance of the fronton, construct seating, lighting equipment and buy quality pelota balls from Euskadi.
Championships were held annually until 1967 where Felix Jayo was the habitual champion. A cherished memory was the match between the professional Salvador Ruiz (otherwise known as Txo de Bermeo) and Pedro Ardaiz (otherwise known as Gachote). The prize of $100 ensured there was a full house watching the game. Due to the fact that “Gachote” was an amateur he was allowed to grab and throw the ball during this game, while the professional ‘Ruiz’ was obliged to play fully within the rules. “Gachote” was the eventual winner of the game and shared his prize with everyone by inviting them for a beer. There was a second game with the same prize, but this time “Gachote” played with a bat in his right hand, while his left hand was tied to that of his friend Felix Rivero. The match ended when “Gachote” hit Rivero in the head with the bat and was unable to drag his comrade around the court.
During this time, the fronton was used as a place for various events organized by both the Club and by other charities. These included school activities, dances, barbecues and Basque festivals. The Basque festivals included traditional events such as stone lifting championships (harrijasotzailes), chingas races (txinga), Tug-O-War (sokatira), mus and handball.
The fronton in Trebonne is currently declared as a Cultural Heritage site by the Queensland government and serves as a training facility for a new generation of handball players.