Brisbane 100: One City Together (Free Public Event)

This free, all-ages event will be held at Brisbane City Hall on Wednesday, 1 October 2025, from 10am to 4pm. It commemorates the monumental 1925 amalgamation when the Brisbane City Council replaced 20 local authorities, including the cities of Brisbane and South Brisbane, and various towns and shires. It's designed to be a fun and informative day out for families, history enthusiasts, and anyone curious about Brisbane's past and present.
This day presents an invaluable educational opportunity, directly aligning with historical studies and offering rich engagement with primary and secondary source material.
Key educational highlights include:
• Explore Historic Displays: The Sherwood Room will feature display boards, video footage, photographs, historical maps, posters, and ephemera tracing Brisbane's evolution from scattered townships to the unified city. Volunteers from local history groups will be present to answer questions and share insights into early history, including details about past local authorities.
• "Step Back to 1925": Knowledgeable experts from public transport history groups, RACQ, utility companies, Queensland Police, the Town Crier, and the House Detective will present fascinating information on everyday life in Brisbane a century ago, covering transport, housing, amenities, and shopping.
• Engage with Community History & Storytelling: Learn about Brisbane's vibrant multiculturalism through representatives from various ethnic communities, many in national dress, sharing their lived experiences of arriving and living in Brisbane over the last 100 years. Interactive activities like "Borrow A Brissy: Stories Across Cultures" will offer unique opportunities to learn about diverse cultures.
• "Journey From the Past to the Future": Discover the thousands of years of stories of First Nations peoples through digital presentations and original art. Oral History Queensland will invite visitors to share their treasured experiences growing up in Brisbane, contributing to a collective oral history.
• Guided Tours: Brisbane Greeters will offer one-hour walking tours of the CBD, departing from King George Square, with special "I Spy" tours designed for family groups with children aged 5-13, encouraging discovery of historical clues in the urban landscape. The Museum of Brisbane will also offer scheduled tours of interesting parts of City Hall, including the clock tower (bookings essential).
For more details, please visit: https://www.greaterbrisbanecentenary.com.au/.

"GREATER BRISBANE CENTENARY" History Conference (Academic Event)

For those seeking a deeper academic dive into the amalgamation, The Royal Historical Society of Queensland (RHSQ) is hosting a landmark "GREATER BRISBANE CENTENARY" History Conference.
• When: Saturday, 11th October 2025, from 9am to 4:30pm (Registration from 8:30am).
• Where: Ithaca Room, Brisbane City Hall.

• Purpose: This conference will gather leading historians, researchers, and writers specialising in Brisbane's rich past. They will present papers exploring the social, political, economic, and cultural impact of the pivotal 1925 amalgamation, which saw the new Brisbane City Council replace 20 local authorities. Attendees will gain deep insights into the achievements of this amalgamation, the attitudes of local people, and the key issues of the time.
• Key Presentations: The comprehensive programme features compelling presentations, including:
◦ "The Coming of the Greater Brisbane Council (GBC)" by Dr Denver Beanland, AM.
◦ "Charles Chuter: Architect of Greater Brisbane" by Dr Ruth Kerr OAM (Charles Chuter redrafted the bill establishing the Greater City Council).
◦ "The William Jolly Story - from Family Records" by Mr Rob Price and Mr Matthew Cook.
◦ "A Superfluity of Town Hall: The Halls of Greater Brisbane’s Councils" by Dr Carmel Black.
◦ "Vale, City of South Brisbane" by Dr Bill Metcalf.
◦ "Planning the New City: A Plan Too Far" by Prof. Darryl Low Choy.
◦ "Tides of Change - The Transformation of Sandgate to Greater Brisbane" by Ms Pam Verney.
• Publications: In total, twelve papers will be delivered at the conference, with an additional ten delivered by title only. All 22 thoroughly researched and written papers will be published in a significant commemorative book, designed to be the most important memorial of this centenary event.
• Registration: Registration is essential and can be made via The Royal Historical Society of Queensland’s event portal: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-greater-brisbane-centenary-conference-tickets-1514390204869.
• Organiser: The conference is organised by The Royal Historical Society of Queensland (RHSQ), dedicated to preserving and promoting Queensland's rich history.
This conference offers an unparalleled opportunity for academics, researchers, and history enthusiasts to engage with the narratives that shaped our vibrant metropolis. For more information about RHSQ, visit: https://www.queenslandhistory.org/.

Should you have any queries about "Brisbane 100: One City Together", please feel free to contact us via email at 100yearsofgreaterbrisbane@gmail.com. For inquiries specifically about the conference, you may contact Stephen Sheaffe, RHSQ Councillor and former President, at ssheaffe@qldbar.asn.au.

Our next Twilight promises to be something special. In August, we’ll be stepping behind the scenes at the recently reopened Princess Theatre. Led by Events and Venue Manager Harry Upton, members and guests will get an exclusive look at the historic theatre’s spaces and stories.

If you’ve been curious about joining Brisbane Living Heritage or simply love exploring the city’s hidden heritage, the Twilight series is the perfect way to get involved. These evenings offer rare access, great company, and a chance to celebrate the places and people keeping our history alive.

Stay tuned for details on the upcoming Princess Theatre Twilight, and we look forward to sharing another memorable evening with our members and friends.