tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64023631956409051842024-03-13T02:05:07.475-07:00North Queensland History an adventureNorth Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.comBlogger208125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-30192493175945851782020-08-23T21:17:00.000-07:002020-08-23T22:03:55.117-07:00Cape York CastawayThe astonishing and little known story of Narcisse Pelletier, a French cabin boy cast away in 1858 on the Daintree coast of North Queensland has in recent years come to the notice of historians and history buffs. Now ten years after historian Stephanie Anderson published her amazing book on Pelletier, a new book by journalist Robert Macklin has recently been published on the story of this castaway. The new book tells the story of the 14-year-old Narcisse Pelletier who sailed from Marseilles in the French trader ‘Saint-Paul’. With a cargo of Bordeaux wine, they stopped in Bombay, then to Hong Kong from there they sailed with more than three hundred Chinese prospectors bound for the goldfields of Ballarat and Bendigo. However, around the eastern tip of New Guinea, the ship became engulfed in fog, struck reefs and ran aground. After a perilous voyage in a longboat, crossing almost an thousand kilometres of the Coral Sea, young Narcisse was abandoned on the north Queensland coast by his shipmates and left for dead. He was rescued by the local Aboriginal people and for seventeen years he lived with them and learnt much of their culture until in 1875 he was discovered by the crew of a pearling lugger and wrenched from his Aboriginal family and taken back to his 'real' life in France. An amazing story from a time before the north was changed forever by the coming of the white man in search for gold. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF9hlXxpzVxtpPU2kyEK-rjfZLgg7mxQ7wAekYyH1TpUqc4ei_UHHtFy0DHjTWnn19fyJYS8nufH-mNdDXaoUpPHSNej2IoS9as3R1WTAFMwFyydIravHO2aRjXAUoH8hdb7hTgDQ5Nw/s1600/blog+book+castaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF9hlXxpzVxtpPU2kyEK-rjfZLgg7mxQ7wAekYyH1TpUqc4ei_UHHtFy0DHjTWnn19fyJYS8nufH-mNdDXaoUpPHSNej2IoS9as3R1WTAFMwFyydIravHO2aRjXAUoH8hdb7hTgDQ5Nw/s200/blog+book+castaway.jpg" width="128" height="200" data-original-width="273" data-original-height="428" /></a></div>North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-84417455416013396742020-06-02T19:41:00.001-07:002020-06-02T19:41:58.754-07:00Midwife history<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Qet3qKSPN8RitzEl3yzbRlOr-_QLK3Gi9gsP3HMtJ5WwklCkbvmLu0-2SBqzuPWm3FRpHctxQTb_yMNWrY6eiFbA3itiWWtFvyJRf3pkljHz_1nz_CpFzI2CFONiSZc8YTjatZ8raPE/s1600/trisha+fielding+book.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="426" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Qet3qKSPN8RitzEl3yzbRlOr-_QLK3Gi9gsP3HMtJ5WwklCkbvmLu0-2SBqzuPWm3FRpHctxQTb_yMNWrY6eiFbA3itiWWtFvyJRf3pkljHz_1nz_CpFzI2CFONiSZc8YTjatZ8raPE/s200/trisha+fielding+book.JPG" width="139" /></a>A recently published history that might interest those with a medical background is<i> 'Neither Mischievous nor Meddlesome: the remarkable lives of North Queensland’s independent midwives 1890-1940’</i>. This fascinating new book by Townsville historian, Trisha Fielding tells the story of the North Queensland women who tirelessly devoted their lives to the service of others as midwifes. Today they are largely forgotten by the communities in which they lived and worked. Even though doctors at that time thought many of these midwives were mischievous and meddlesome, it was these women who dominated in the provision of midwifery services in the North. It was also these women who built and operated many of the private general hospitals and conducted lying-in hospitals from their own homes, all before the advent of government-funded maternity hospitals. This book examines the courageous lives of these women who quietly went about their duties with dignity and grace, though they were often faced with the same pioneering challenges as their patients – the perils of childbirth, loneliness and isolation, and frequent tragedy. Congratulations to Trisha Fielding, this is another great achievement.North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-70653058493852211172020-05-31T20:07:00.000-07:002020-05-31T20:07:44.385-07:00Blackbirding tale<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCAXLpBsGygo8qxbD9lzwqgTsDJyGXvoYmz6PQKYQc7_xIySEd3f9HMXtTMdRs_U27j1VKg3kpGO3czJTica10Ooo-x67ljUawpy0ju8B1yUsHHJPUrSj631HcSkengOvdoq7qAU0t1g/s1600/john+singe+blackbird+story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="364" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCAXLpBsGygo8qxbD9lzwqgTsDJyGXvoYmz6PQKYQc7_xIySEd3f9HMXtTMdRs_U27j1VKg3kpGO3czJTica10Ooo-x67ljUawpy0ju8B1yUsHHJPUrSj631HcSkengOvdoq7qAU0t1g/s200/john+singe+blackbird+story.jpg" width="130" /></a>For those seeking some historic fiction to escape these difficult times, then John Singe new book may interest you. John has written a number of books on the history of the Torres Strait along with a couple of stories using his adventurer 'Duncan Ross' to tell a rollicking saga of adventure and intrigue set against the colonial rivalry of the great powers in the South Pacific. This story starts with his Duncan Ross, a placid clerk, receiving a letter from Queensland which plucks him from his humdrum life on the Sydney wharves and is dispatched on a secret mission to the South Seas where he encounters brutal blackbirders, fierce cannibals and a resurgent Ku Klux Klan fixed on recreating the cotton plantations of the Old South in the far reaches of the Pacific. From the crystalline lagoons of the Coral Sea to the pearling grounds of the Torres Strait the story's hero charts an erratic course between duty and self-preservation. Kidnapped and castaway the desperate Duncan finally pitches up on the coast of the unknown New Guinea where he is plunged headlong into the midst of savagery and danger. A rollicking read to while away a few hours while stuck at home. North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-53768013498194990142020-05-08T19:37:00.003-07:002020-05-08T19:37:42.281-07:00New Port Douglas History<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnMEmFiqC18C_3seGp3xvt6EmY-kpNy1QDNwLTkBoKDDCRk0-w-KV52ntGgHOsJh-DN5LZ0XQgTEGJSIEGQ3F5fBh1W8c9qdMLfrHeJfwLoJnz0-6LGIhfmf7swYLvOygiGC8i4dnd3Q/s1600/port+douglas+book+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="387" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnMEmFiqC18C_3seGp3xvt6EmY-kpNy1QDNwLTkBoKDDCRk0-w-KV52ntGgHOsJh-DN5LZ0XQgTEGJSIEGQ3F5fBh1W8c9qdMLfrHeJfwLoJnz0-6LGIhfmf7swYLvOygiGC8i4dnd3Q/s200/port+douglas+book+%25282%2529.jpg" width="141" /></a>Mr Noel Weare of the Douglas Shire Historical Society, recently presented his latest book at the Mossman Library where it was launched by the shire Mayor Julia Leu. Entitled <i>'This Upstart Port Douglas - A different view of Port Douglas, as reported by newspapers between 1873 and 1911.'</i> This new book contains some 95 actual newspaper reports from the days of the old cedar-getters of 1873 to reports from the disastrous 1911 cyclone which destroyed some fifty houses out of the 57 which made up the town at that time. While researching the district's local history over many years, Noel found one of the most useful internet resources to be the National Library of Australia's Trove digitized newspapers website. Certain caveats apply of course, and like the press of today, all their reported information has to be viewed in a discretionary manner, but from another point of view maybe these newspaper editions give rise to accurate time stamps. It seems to Noel then that the time-line of events can be read by using the actual text of theses digitized images, sometimes partial fragments, together with his own historical comments and attached notes. An interesting new way to view a history and a good read to save you from Netflix in this time of corona-virus lock-down. North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-43318203771146482982020-04-04T22:30:00.000-07:002020-04-04T22:30:29.159-07:00Douglas Shire Historical SocietyThe Douglas Shire Historical Society announced that their Court House Museum in Port Douglas is temporarily closed in response to the current pandemic as Museums and Galleries QLD is encouraging all volunteer-run museums to colse to the public. These recommendations recognise that volunteer groups are largely comprised of an older demographic and refer to the risk to which older people are exposed to if they contract the coronavirus. They are sorry to inconvenience their visitors. The meeting scheduled for Monday 6 April has also been cancelled due to current health advisories. Hopefully in this year, the group will try to achieve a Queensland Heritage Register listing for the 'Dixie's Shed' (the former Customs Boat House for which Dixie May was Port Douglas' last employee there) which, together with the Douglas Shire Council, the Society were able to save from demolition by the then owner Queensland Fisheries in 2015. For any queries, please e-mail the Society. North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-24932566520666281832020-04-04T22:09:00.000-07:002020-04-04T22:09:26.942-07:00Cairns Historical SocietyThe Cairns Historical Society's Research Centre and Museum is closed to the public from 24 March 2020. Rest assured they are still working. If you have a history research or photographic request, please e-mail and they will follow it up. The next set of local history lectures which was to be held on the 18 April has had to be cancelled because of the Covid19. These lectures will still be presented when it is appropriate for the Local History lecture series to resume. Nominations are still being called for this year's SE Stephens History Award with the closing date being the end of June. The Museum will be working to shift their child-friendly activities online. So please keep an eye on their social feeds and on the website for updates. They will keep you informed but due to the rapidly changing nature of the situation, they are not announcing a re-opening date at this time and will provide update on a week-to-week basis on their website and social media channels. Keep an eye on these pages as they are exploring a range of ways to stay in contact and to save you all from Netflix. North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-62595019856936348302020-04-02T19:29:00.000-07:002020-04-02T19:29:28.009-07:00Cooktown Historical SocietyThe Cooktown History Centre will close their doors to the public for the foreseeable future. This does not mean that they won't be manning their e-mails or taking research requests or book orders. Those volunteers who wish to and feel well, will continue to work behind the close doors. The Cooktown Historical Society apologises in advance for the inconvenience but are sure you all will understand. It has also been announced that the big Cooktown Exop 2020 will be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Plans are under way for the rescheduled of the event which was to be held in July to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the landing of Captain James Cook and the first recorded act of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-7414855305511151002020-01-31T18:05:00.000-08:002020-01-31T18:05:34.536-08:00Eacham Historical SocietyA quick review of the year 2019 showed that the Eacham Historical Society had another busy year and has again well fulfilled the aims and objects for which the Society was formed way back in 1976. The Society was sadden by the news of the passing during the year of several of its very earliest members who had help to shape the group over the years, founding member Henry Tranter and Judy Fitzsimon.<br />
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Their museum at Millaa Millaa ran well over the year with their Curator reporting that they had seen some good visitor numbers to the museum over the years's tourist season with between 500 and 600 monthly visitors viewing the collection. It's lovely to see so many people coming through the doors of the museum although the never-ending problem of staffing the museum continues to plague the group. The Society continued their proud tradition of publishing local history with the launch of a new booklet on the early years of Peeramon. This new publication began with the research done for the Peeramon Honour Board project which grew into a full study of the township. This is their twenty-second publication and now gives those interested in local history a booklet on all the towns of the old Eacham district. <br />
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The Society also maintained their tradition of supporting annual public heritage events with the Rocky Creek Memorial Day stall again been set up in their little shelter shed at the park. The stall was quite successful with many people viewing the display and good book sales making the effort well worth while. They have been attending this event for about fifteen years now but it has been winding down over recent years so it is not sure how much longer the Society will continue to attend. The group's volunteers were also happy to report a great Malanda Show stall again for the year. Book sales were good, especially with the new Peeramon book and the railway display very much a talking point for the show-goers as was the mystery item.<br />
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Three field trips were held over the year with the first been to view the buildings and businesses of Atherton which was enjoyed by members and their guests; the Northern Motoring Club. Several Atherton historians were also able to attend and share their knowledge. This was part of a project to document the buildings and various businesses of the town over the years. The next field trip was to the Mount Garnet district and was enjoyed by all. What a great day; from a Innot Hot Springs morning stop to a drive and walk around the Mt Garnet township visiting the heritage sites to a drive into Battle Camp to view old building from the Tin dredging days to finish the trip off. The last field trip for the year was to explore the Carrington and Herberton area. First stop was the Robson Track junction and Hastie Swamp along with various sites of Carrington before they travelled up the Herberton Range to have a stroll around the town visiting the many heritage sites with a visit to the Herberton Mining Centre to finish the day.<br />
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Other projects over the year included an event which the Society was very happy to be part of was the Peeramon Honour Board (found, restored and re-hung) being viewed once again at the Peeramon Hotel. The Society also started a project to collect information on the early houses and buildings of Malanda. They are often asked by the new owners for some history for their properties. Again over the year it was Family History research that filled much of their research time. It is interesting to note that family history is now recognized as the biggest hobby in the world. The 2019 year ended with their traditional Xmas dinner party held once again at the Malanda RSL Club. Plans are now been made to make the new year just as successful. North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-67136038221417291242019-11-29T20:19:00.000-08:002019-11-29T20:19:18.303-08:00A Herberton Mystery SolvedOften we would talk around the campfire about a little local history puzzle. Way back in 2002, I was part of a group of history buffs who were researching and restoring an old bush cemetery near the site of a long vanished mining town not realizing that the answer to a local mystery was literately at my feet but we didn't make the connection. The answer to this story unfolded recently when Herberton historian, Mary Searston was looking so chuffed because an elderly lady name Mrs Lee had come into the Herberton Mining Centre and stated that she was long lost John Brown's grand-daughter. This now answers one of Herberton's longest standing mysteries - whatever happened to the Mr John Brown who was one of the team of prospectors who found the tin in Prospector's Gully at Herberton. The story of the other three men of this team is quite well known to history but what of John Brown. Well, Mrs Lee had the answer and I can now tell you that after he sold his share in the Great Northern Tin Mine and disappeared into the mists of history, in fact he had gone on mining and later owned two more local tin mines and is buried at the Stannary Hills cemetery. Yes that very cemetery that I was working on. Mrs Lee looked too young to be the grand-daughter of one of the original four men who found the tin in Prospector's Gully and so started the town of Herberton off way back in 1880. But John married and had his last children late in life after he returned from nearly a decade of mining when he followed his old colleagues, William Jack and Christie Palmerston to south-east Asia. So thanks to Mrs Lee's generosity with her family history research, the Mining Centre will now be able to finish the last panel of the town's founders board - an important museum item that the folk at the Centre have been waiting more than fifteen years to finish. North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-22299144426036560152019-11-05T17:45:00.000-08:002019-11-05T17:45:30.057-08:00Peeramon History Book<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2saBoOzckRPRLJbVK_fdZelRNbY2w8DB82W5jJGFSCNKgIXAvVrHQNhNcw7-6NqwGLBzvZodo_1HKC043IlcyqLnAb15H_C54jbg68jkhk1gkRvGpEQLR7O1ZMf24bPMMbt6Bx704o_0/s1600/peeramon+book+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="497" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2saBoOzckRPRLJbVK_fdZelRNbY2w8DB82W5jJGFSCNKgIXAvVrHQNhNcw7-6NqwGLBzvZodo_1HKC043IlcyqLnAb15H_C54jbg68jkhk1gkRvGpEQLR7O1ZMf24bPMMbt6Bx704o_0/s200/peeramon+book+photo.jpg" width="141" /></a>The Eacham Historical Society launched a new booklet about the early years of Peeramon at this years Malanda Show. This publication began with the research done by Petrina Callaghan for the recent Peeramon Honour Board project but then grew into a full study of the township history. It includes information on the Railway Station and Belsen's wooden timber tramway, businesses of the village such as the Hotel, Hall, Post Office, Bank, Williams store, AL&S store, Butchers, Bakers and Blacksmith. There is also the story of the School and Church and sporting groups. It covers the story of the ANZAC tree plantings and has a list of the early settlers. The booklet includes a photograph gallery of early and not so early photos. There is the story of the murder-suicide tragedy at the hotel which gave rise to the story of the ghost. The 1935 wheelbarrow race and mining at Peeramon at the small nearby wolfram and gold mines is looked at as well as the story of the first climbing of Mount Bartle Frere in 1919 by local residents. There is also a list of the men whose names are on the Peeramon Roll of Honour Board with a short profile about each of them. This booklet is a great addition to the Society's list of publications.<br />
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<br />North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-10097831663774064842018-07-01T02:24:00.000-07:002019-11-05T17:48:32.420-08:00Story of Minnie Kemp<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZo-TVfUnEd0BnqGmhaNvyjkd9Jksx1bMmZgaGeuWVF-2tyUZHTWKQtIb66IOjFU0bT3fO1G92JA7_C29iGQHrWvCmpqkGjv-VfFCdATxtNKCaEJ1a4RHeY3kYSTHIZMJj_ELPAyCUrE/s1600/kemp%2527s+story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="574" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZo-TVfUnEd0BnqGmhaNvyjkd9Jksx1bMmZgaGeuWVF-2tyUZHTWKQtIb66IOjFU0bT3fO1G92JA7_C29iGQHrWvCmpqkGjv-VfFCdATxtNKCaEJ1a4RHeY3kYSTHIZMJj_ELPAyCUrE/s200/kemp%2527s+story.jpg" width="143" /></a>The second small booklet that the Watsonville folk published for this year's annual Pioneer Women's Day event is another great addition to their collection and is worth the effort to obtain. Entitled '<i>The Story of Minnie Kemp nee Roos</i>' it was also compiled by Watsonville historian, Jane Chapman. This little book tells the tale of a local lady who was left with seven young children to rear on her own after the death of her husband in 1928 and how she soldiered-on during those hard old days. The booklet includes a number of short memories of life with Minnie which was shared by her descendants. Another great addition to anyone's collection of short stories of life in early North Queensland produced by the Western Progress Association.North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-90433271469786822662018-07-01T02:06:00.000-07:002018-07-01T02:06:38.754-07:00Heather Joan Howe's Story<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUevkATLSPdTNegrBwsrrwz59_g7mfOXItMm3cbsNlpWKdSsWUNgZsQ_tPaCFdU22j7lu6tmAP70x6VmaYqHJsViF2IWqm0FKmguy1kquakC9QwYmyIX_TkmEocPhJFOKXq6fc5dZOB6k/s1600/howe%2527s+story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="591" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUevkATLSPdTNegrBwsrrwz59_g7mfOXItMm3cbsNlpWKdSsWUNgZsQ_tPaCFdU22j7lu6tmAP70x6VmaYqHJsViF2IWqm0FKmguy1kquakC9QwYmyIX_TkmEocPhJFOKXq6fc5dZOB6k/s200/howe%2527s+story.jpg" width="147" /></a>The family of Mrs Heather Howe was pleased to be able to present a snapshot of Heather's life in this small booklet which was featured at the recent Watonville Pioneer Women's Day event. Entitled <i>'Heather Joan Howe's Story'</i>, this story was compiled by Jane Chapman from an eulogy written by Heather's daughter, the Cairns historian, Kay Earl. Heather spent much of her life on the coast particularly about the Gordonvale-Aloomba area before she and her husband moved out west to manage cattle properties including their own small station 'Red Bend' on the Herbert River. The Western Progress Association was pleased to produce this booklet to pay tribute to Heather who, until her passing in 2016, was a regular at their Pioneer Women's Day where she was well known for her enthusiasm for bush poetry.North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-13408005534689220012018-06-30T21:42:00.000-07:002018-06-30T21:42:44.174-07:00Kuranda Historical SocietyA new group is welcomed to the local heritage movement. The new Kuranda Historical Society is now officially constituted and incorporated and proudly proclaiming their objective <i>'to receive and preserve historical items from or relevant to, the Kuranda region and display them appropriately to as wide an audience as possible.'</i> The committee is in place with Dugg Stratford as President and Anne Clarke as the Secretary and the position of Treasurer filled by Gayle Hannah. Now that the Society is legally up and running, they will begin to seek a 'home' for the group and start pursuing funding. They are also to organize their first public meeting and be able to open up a membership drive in the near future. The committee wish to thank everyone who has expressed interest in being involved and with the administrative tasks finished, they hope soon to be in a position to begin receiving donations of historical materials. Anyone with queries can contact the Society via email on kurandahhistory@gmail.com or c/- P.O.Box 66 Kuranda 4881. North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-37278216040106399332018-06-30T21:25:00.000-07:002018-06-30T21:25:56.588-07:00Cooktown Historical SocietyThe Cooktown Historical Society is trialing a series of history nights this year and May saw the inaugural 'History Evening' at the History Centre in Charlotte Street. The twenty people attending made a full house in the available space. The presentation by Bev Shay was enthusiastically received and led the way to several lines of discussion. This month saw the second evening, presented by Marge Scully and entitled '<i>Tommy Ah Kum, His Legacy</i>'. It looked at the life of one of Cooktown's Chinese merchants from the 1880's. One of the visitors said they, "found it fascinating in the amount of 'detective archaeological' efforts to acquire the presented information and the discussions on the types of opium medications we used to take was very humourous." Disappointingly, attendance numbers were down but perhaps they should check as to when the football is on when planning these event! Next public event will be the opening of the Sam Elliot/John Hay display. There was a busy Monday recently at the History Centre. It started with a visit by sixteen pensioners from Brisbane and finished with a VIP visit. The French Consul-General Mr Crozier, the German Consul-General Mr Freischlader, the Honoray Consul from Cairns Mrs Indorato accompanied by Marie-Claude Nicot from the French Benevolent Society of North Queensland. They had requested a meeting with the historical society. The purpose of the visit was to lay wreaths on the memorials to the French sailors who died of disease here in Cooktown in 1879 and on the grave of Dr Korteum, Cooktown's resident doctor for many years and the German Vice-Consul from 1886 to 1914. The Society would also like to make contact with anyone associated with the old Palmer River Preservation Society which was operating in the 1980's. If they could make contact it would be much appreciated. North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-48252907336792965192018-05-27T00:35:00.000-07:002018-05-27T00:35:34.467-07:00Innisfail & District Historical SocietyThe Innisfail & District Historical Society recently held their Cyclone Centenary event in the Shire Hall and it was a major success. The storytellers all did a wonderful job telling the tale of the great 1918 cyclone and the compere for the evening saw that everything ran smoothly. Special thanks go to Les Cavanagh, Barbara Smith, Jeff Baines, Sheryl Cavanagh, Paul Hynes and Pam Egan along with Kirsty Densmore who also told a story or two while handling the compere's job. A very special thanks you to the CCRC Council staff that did so much to help with the success of the evening. And thanks to the members of the Society, it has taken many months to get this event together and it all came together beautifully. The 1918 Cyclone booklet will be on sale in the museum as soon as the printer in Townsville is able to get the rest of the order to the Society. The forty books they had at the launch night were all sold out very quickly. Thank you too, to everyone who came to support the event. With the weather over that week or two, the group didn't really expect so many to turn up but a fabulous bunch of history buffs came out in support and the Society was so pleased. Another book from the group, <i>'Memories of old Geraldton/Innisfail Volume 3'</i> is also now on sale for $18.00. Brilliant photos of old Innisfail and a great companion book to volumes 1 and 2. North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-91672658340567813672018-05-10T03:56:00.000-07:002018-05-10T03:56:50.417-07:00Douglas Shire Historical SocietyAt the Douglas Shire Historical Society's April meeting at the Mossman Community Centre, Gail Coburn spoke about the history of the Mossman Support Services group which recently celebrated their 25th anniversary. The Anzac exhibition on display at the Douglas Shire Council's Mossman Foyer commemorating this Anzac Day and the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One has been successful. This computer presentation of the Diggers who had connections with the Douglas Shire and filmed remembrances of their descendants closed on Thursday 3rd May. The Society's AGM will be held on Monday 14th May at 2pm at the CWA Hall in Port Douglas. The talk for this meeting will be on Port Douglas and the flagstaff on Flagstaff Hill. The group has an interesting year ahead with the lease of the old SES shed going ahead. It appears the Society will finally have a resource centre for office space and for the safe storage of heritage documentation and artifacts. So please come along and volunteer your time to learn how to help with the digitizing and cataloguing of the collection.North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-77798551879460917572018-04-30T18:47:00.000-07:002018-04-30T18:51:56.326-07:00Harry Dalziel Commemoration<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphFfMSivtocv57Nlmqadr3oO3XtjP76MV5sYNbKQSSgqwtxsCtdqZjutL-yungRdPw7AKhF92kjtNzL7vLQoA2xMYUYiDG09PiPhscXovqM-vHMJMJ3uRvIdibebBd4Q-5lh2dtTh33U/s1600/Dalziel+book1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="800" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphFfMSivtocv57Nlmqadr3oO3XtjP76MV5sYNbKQSSgqwtxsCtdqZjutL-yungRdPw7AKhF92kjtNzL7vLQoA2xMYUYiDG09PiPhscXovqM-vHMJMJ3uRvIdibebBd4Q-5lh2dtTh33U/s200/Dalziel+book1.jpg" width="200" /></a>When David Dalziel and his son John planned their journey to the North to speak to a couple of school class about his famous war-hero father Harry Dalziel, he had no idea the trip would turn into a full week of lectures and civic functions. To celebrate the centenary of the Battle of Hamel and the action that won Harry Dalziel his Victoria Cross, a glossy twenty-page booklet was printed telling the story of Harry's life and of the battle that became a turning point of the First World War. Harry, who was born at Irvinebank and spent much of his life in Atherton, has the distinction of been the only soldier from the Far North of Queensland to have won the V.C. This little pictorial booklet was compiled by David Dalziel mostly from family records and makes a great souvenir for those interested in Australian military history. Copies can still be obtained by contacting the Eacham Historical Society.North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-19921047606129983212018-04-29T03:16:00.000-07:002018-04-29T03:16:13.246-07:00Cairns Historical SocietyThe Society's Volunteering Open Day was held in March with more than forty people coming in to see whether they might be interested in joining the staff. Mel has been busy following up with prospective volunteers and will be monitoring the results and the retention to see whether it has been a useful strategy. Thanks to everyone who made the first trivia night fundraiser a great success. The event was sold out a week early with eleven tables of contestants on the night. Ben Woodward did a sterling job as MC on the evening and the Society is thinking of having another trivia night later in the year. The last set of local history lectures were well attended. David Phoenix's presentation on the mystery of Kuranda's 2,225 year old Ptolemaic coin led to much interest and discussion. Carol West spoke of the days when the Central Hotel was one of the major social meeting places in Cairns and Angela Meyer introduced the group to Anna Eglitis who was a promoter of the arts and culture in the Far North. The next lectures will be held at the museum on 26 May at 1.30pm. Subjects will include the early history of the Waugh Pocket area and the story of Bill Horsfall's memoirs of 1950's Cairns. On a sadder note, three of the Society's long-term volunteers, Bill, Val and John have decided it is time to move on. Their long years of effort have left the Society a huge legacy of which they should be justifiably proud and they will be missed. The Society is now on the hunt for information about a benevolent society which once operated in the city. The museum manager Suzanne Gibson is seeking to learn more about the Loyal Trinity Lodge of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows (MUIOOF) after a donation of formal Lodge regalia from the Uyterwijk family. This year's annual tour, which is held in conjunction with the local branch of the National Trust will be held on Sunday 20 May. This will be to the Herberton and Watsonville areas and for further details, contact Dawn May on 40578100. North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-9933084566835478372018-04-28T03:46:00.001-07:002018-04-28T03:46:57.013-07:00Herberton Mining MuseumVolunteers from the Herberton Mining Museum were thrilled recently to be invited by the Atherton Visitors Centre on a familiarization trip to Ravenshoe. The weather was beautiful and the Millstream Falls were spectacular. The day started with devonshire tea provided by the ladies from the Ravenshoe Heritage Railway followed by a visit to the Ravenshoe Visitor Centre where their displays were viewed. The museum volunteers are currently developing an 'app' that is based on the 'Heritage Walk' brochure. Visitors to Herberton will be able to download the app and then as they walk about the streets of town it will tell them stories about each building and shows photos of it at different times. They are looking for people who have links to particular buildings who would like to be the voice for that building's story on the app. Hopefully it will be finished in time for Pioneer's Weekend in May. The museum was recently visited by a VIP; Mr Paul Turpin. A photo of Paul features in one of the displays at the museum and the volunteers were enthralled by his stories of his life as a local tin miner. There is continuous progress at the Herberton Mining Museum! Thanks to Mr Smiley Wharton, the water turbine that once drove a stamper mill on Wondecla Creek has been recovered. This 1880's Laffel water turbine is another valuable part of our history saved and is now on display for all to see. North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-60713996469151371642018-04-16T22:22:00.001-07:002018-04-16T22:22:54.742-07:00Cairns & District Family History SocietyThe Cairns & District Family History Society is looking for actors for their 2018 production of <i>'Shadows from the Past.'</i> No experience is necessary but you must be over the age of 15 years. Get a team together for the Trivia Night and come along to a fun night to help raise valuable funds to support your local family history society! When; Saturday, 12 May Time; 6.30pm Tickets; $10 for members and $15 for non-members Theme; General knowledge and family history. There will be a Cash bar and light nibbles provided with a complimentary tea and coffee. Book a table or team for six or eight people. <i>'Stories from the Shadows - Mary Anne Lovelock'</i> is the latest blog post by member Joan Taylor. It summarizes the life of Mary Anne Lovelock of North Queensland and includes some beautiful family photos. The Society is also delighted to announce that the Cairns Family History Centre is now a FamilySearch Affiliate Library. With Affiliate Library status you will be able to access nearly all the restricted digitized images available from FamilySearch. Many of the restricted digitized images are highly desirable sets not freely available elsewhere, including the Scottish parish records and a lot more worldwide. Then come in and learn some terrific and easy search tips for finding family history information using Google at the <i>'Googling for Genealogy'</i> lecture with presenter, Melanie Dunstan on Saturday, 21 April 2018 at 2pm.North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-43608978105569163672018-04-09T19:30:00.004-07:002018-04-09T19:30:56.009-07:00Douglas Shire Farming History<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpdkjZNwHfg23g5MZUldhCXvrlxy9FFP89aX3PZiqJuvAyDSTsYKtm8UPB-SRU8-rIIcWWfROllToPUP8x0mCMil3Wh6b-uWqNnHcE3esuMFtoGXcWPJUfDDZ2I_yk4XPiDDQ1GSXovc/s1600/cattle+cane+book.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="252" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpdkjZNwHfg23g5MZUldhCXvrlxy9FFP89aX3PZiqJuvAyDSTsYKtm8UPB-SRU8-rIIcWWfROllToPUP8x0mCMil3Wh6b-uWqNnHcE3esuMFtoGXcWPJUfDDZ2I_yk4XPiDDQ1GSXovc/s200/cattle+cane+book.JPG" width="153" /></a>In 2009, Mr Ken Keith moved to the Douglas district and quickly became fascinated with the local history. This led to a project with two fellow Douglas Shire Historical Society members, John Anich and Belinda Peters, to document the old farming equipment that still exist on local farms. The trio soon had so much information that they decided to put it into print. Now after years of research, Ken has released his book,<i>'Cattle, Cane and Cedar; Early farming in the Douglas Shire.'</i> This story follows the progression of local farming from horse-drawn implements to the increasing powerful tractors and agricultural machinery of more modem times. The new book also tells the story of the pioneers who struggled or thrived from the 1870's to the 1960's and highlights the farming families who are still on the land in the district. These rural industries are a part of the cultural heritage of the Shire and the authors tried to cover the whole region from Wangetti in the south up to the Bloomfield River in the north. It also touch on the attempts to produce crops like cereals, coffee, coconuts and even rubber in this district. Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu recently officiated at the launch of the book at a small event at the Mossman Library. It can be purchased through the Douglas Shire Historical Society and local booksellers. North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-167715221760620552018-03-23T18:49:00.001-07:002018-03-23T18:49:29.070-07:00Kuranda History GroupLast year, following the opening of the newly refurbished and expanded Cairns Museum, a group of interested Kuranda residents were encouraged to explore the idea of establishing a Kuranda 'historical society' with the aim of finding a home for items of historical interest pertaining to the Kuranda district. Photos, letters, documents and other items are being lost each year and with them the details of daily life. Ultimately it is hoped that one day Kuranda will have a museum or keeping place for residents old and new and of course visitors to explore. An interim working group consisting of a dozen or so local residents, with Interim President Garth Owen and Interim Secretary Gayle Hannah, was established to approach Council to see if a space could be found to store items the public might donate or loan, as well as a space where small displays, exhibitions or events might be held. Council has responded positively and now the working group is wanting to invite the general public to get involved. The process of incorporating the Kuranda Historical Society has just begun. It is hoped that a public meeting will be held in April. For more information see next month's Kuranda Paper, check them on Facebook or send them an email on kurandahistory@gmail.com North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-11154530908948570922018-03-22T04:10:00.000-07:002018-03-22T04:10:38.286-07:00Cooktown Historical SocietyThe Cooktown Historical Society is wanting to start a self interest Family History Group. This is for anyone researching their family history, not necessarily just the Cooktown area. This group will be under the umbrella of the historical society so there will be no separate committee etc. They envisage this will be an ideal forum to discuss those 'brick wall' that all genealogists encounter and to be able to talk with others of a like mind. If you are interested, please contact the Society to give an ideal time to suit and when number are ready, the group will let you know the date of the first gathering. The historical society is also to trial a series of free public History Nights this year. The first evening will be presented by Bev Shay and will be entitled '<i>A Productive Community</i>'. It will look at the production and exporting that was being conducted in Cooktown in the early 1900's. The most exciting news of all is that the Society was advised by Council that it had been awarded a RADF grant. This fund is to be used towards the '<i>Preserving the Palmer</i>' project and cataloguing of the Wild Irish Girl collection. This Community Engagement project aims to train volunteers on how to catalogue and manage objects from the collection of the late John Hay. The workshop will be open to other participants if they wish to learn more about collection management. North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-81061272338664138062018-03-20T18:33:00.000-07:002018-03-20T18:33:17.784-07:00Irvinebank museumVolunteers Brian Perkes, Bob Barnes and Bill Moulang have been hard at work with their shovels installing the new interpretative signage at Irvinebank's heritage and historic buildings. Visitors to Irvinebank can now enjoy a heritage walk around the town to view the historic buildings built during the Moffat era from 1884 - 1912 and read the stories that provides a glimpse into the past and the people who were connected to these buildings. This project has seen interpretative signage erected at the following sites; School of Arts Hall,Queensland National Bank, Loudoun Mill, Police Station & Courthouse Buildings, Tramway Station and the Loudoun House Museum. Heritage walk maps are available from the museum which is open 10an to 4pm daily. This <i>'Sharing Our Heritage Stories' </i>project was supported by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) Small Grants. The talented local, Mr Harry Knowles has very skillful constructed in paper a model of the small Borsig locomotive that used to run on the 2 ft gauge tramway from Irvinebank to Boonmoo. It will form part of a new display for the Tramway and State Treatment Works. The group is so lucky to have a talented artisan such as Harry working on the displays. The Association is now holding a fundraising event at the School of Arts Hall every second Friday evening from 5.30pm till about 7.30pm with a barbecue and drinks. All the proceeds to go towards maintaining the lovely old heritage buildings. The group is also seeking a new Volunteer Caretaker to assist in the museum and help with the ongoing conservation work of the town's heritage buildings. For a information package, email the Secretary. North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6402363195640905184.post-90487149388877868822018-03-18T22:14:00.001-07:002018-03-18T22:14:47.163-07:00Tableland Heritage NetworkSome twenty volunteers from many different museums and heritage groups recently travelled from across the tablelands to attend the first Tableland Heritage Network (THeN) meeting for the year. This gathering was held in the Old Post Office Gallery at Atherton Chinatown where the <i>'Railways 1914 - 1919'</i> display was recently opened to honor the work of the railways during the First World War years. Many of the organizations attending the meeting helped with this display and expressed satisfaction with the result. After morning tea, the meeting opened with a report from a delegate from each of the groups in attendance telling of their efforts since last year and of their hopes and projects for this new year. This was followed by the region's Museum Development Officer, Dr Jo Wills presentation concerning the Railways display and a discussion on ideas for future displays. The next THeN meeting will be held in June at Mareeba with the Mareeba Historical Society as host. North Queensland History an adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964050744456199989noreply@blogger.com0