As always, life has a way of keeping us on our toes! This month’s proposed speaker has been rescheduled to early in the new year, but don’t worry—we’ve got something equally captivating lined up for you.

I’m excited to announce our completely new guests: Dr Glenn Davies and Matthew Wengert, who will guide us through an important yet largely forgotten chapter of Queensland’s history.

Imagine this: it’s 1919. Against the backdrop of war and a convergence of political and historical events, the meatworkers’ strike in Townsville escalated into a dramatic confrontation—culminating in gunfire between civilians and police, and a forceful response from the Queensland Government.

Glenn and Matthew will bring this gripping story to life, shining a spotlight on a pivotal yet often overlooked moment in Queensland’s history and the role of the police.

This event is held at 11am in the Police Headquarters building in the ground floor conference room. This is a free, ticketed event so please book in on Eventbrite. 

Don't miss out!

And also at 12:30pm join us in the Museum itself (Seminar Room) when Collections Manager, Kat Figueiredo, will invite you to take a look at objects in the collection that point to some of the stories of policing public protest. You can also find Eventbrite tickets for that here or just turn up on the day

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/.

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/.

Brisbane Living Heritage launches new Backstage Pass series at the Masonic Memorial Centre

Brisbane Living Heritage (BLH) is proud to launch its new Backstage Pass event series with an exclusive BLH MEMBERS guided visit to the Masonic Memorial Centre on Ann Street.

On Sunday 26 October, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, BLH Members are invited to step inside one of Brisbane’s most striking heritage landmarks and discover spaces rarely open to the public. Guests will be guided through the Temple, including the Grand Ballroom, Library, and other significant rooms, while learning about the history, traditions, and architecture of the building.

The morning will begin with a welcoming cup of tea and the chance to connect with fellow BLH Members, before setting out on the guided walk.

“Backstage Pass is about giving our Members access to the hidden stories and places that make up Brisbane’s rich cultural heritage. We are delighted to begin this series at such an iconic venue.”

The Backstage Pass series is designed to showcase the unique stories of Brisbane’s heritage sites, offering Members intimate and memorable experiences across the city.

Following on from the Brisbane History Group Icons of Brisbane event that was held in 2023, at our October seminar we are investigating another six people who have made significant contributions to the life and landscape of Brisbane, some of whom may be better known than others. Our subjects are:

Irish-born Thomas Charles Beirne (1860 - 1949) was a giant of Brisbane’s mercantile history. TCB, as he was known to many, was an influential figure during the first half of the twentieth century. A shrewd businessman, friend of politicians and confidante to Archbishops, he was also a generous benefactor and a long-term Legislative Councillor.

While he was born and educated in Melbourne, Sir Zelman Cowen played a significant role in the life of Brisbane as Vice Chancellor of The University of Queensland from 1970 to 1977, during the challenging years of the Vietnam War and the controversial Springbok Rugby tour student protests. In 1977, he left Brisbane to take up another challenging role, having been appointed by Malcom Turnbull as Governor-General of Australia following Sir John Kerr’s resignation that year. Acknowledged as an expert in constitutional law, he was a distinguished Australian with a significant international reputation.

Upon arrival in Australia in 1947, Sister Angela Mary Doyle taught for a short while before being sent to the Mater Misericordia Hospital in South Brisbane. In 1966 she took up the position of Administrator of that hospital and since that time, Sister Angela Mary has adopted a leadership role in healthcare and advocacy for various social and welfare issues, including women’s health, patient support and the treatment of communicable diseases. She recently celebrated her 100th birthday.

Robin Gibson has made a significant contribution to the public face of Brisbane with many landmark buildings that are immediately recognisable locally, nationally and internationally: The Queensland Cultural complex, including the Art Gallery, the Performing Arts Centre, Queensland Museum and State Library. Perhaps less well-known are Mayne Hall and the Central Library at The University of Queensland and Queen Street Mall, among many others.

After graduating from the Brisbane Central Technical College with a diploma in art craftsmanship, Daphne Mayo was awarded Queensland’s first publicly funded travelling art scholarship and studied in England before returning to Australia. In the 1920s and 30s, she undertook several public commissions, many of which she carved in situ. With her friend Vida Lahey, she founded the Queensland Art Fund in 1929 and they oversaw the establishment of the state’s first art reference library in 1936. She was appointed a Member of the British Empire (MBE) in 1959 and became Queensland Art Gallery’s first woman trustee in 1960.

Cecilia McNally, nicknamed The Duchess of Spring Hill, may be forgotten by many since her death in 1996 but she was widely known and respected for her enthusiasm for, and expertise in antiques, and her tireless support of charities and those in need. The annual Spring Hill Fair, which she organised for twenty-two years was perhaps Queensland’s most successful charity event, with the Mater Children’s Hospital being a major beneficiary of her generosity.

Our presenters are Jacqui Donegan, Lisa Jones, Robert Allen, Deborah van der Plaat, Richard Blundell and Paul Sayer

Registration for the seminar and the bookshop opens at 12.30pm and the event will commence at 1.00pm. There will be a mid-session break for a cuppa.

The entrance to the GT125 Theatre is to the right of the chapel when viewed from Gregory Terrace

Organisation Name: Brisbane History Group

Organisation Website: https://www.brisbanehistorygroup.org.au/

Organiser email: bhg4000@brisbanehistorygroup.org.au