Bathing on Bribie during the 1920s

Bathing on Bribie during the 1920s

The following collection of photos show the type of swimming costumes people wore during the 1920s on Bribie Island.

 An Early Morning Dip. 

Sunrise at Bribie finds the holiday-makers astir and eager to begin the day with a constitutional dip. 

The Daily Mail, Mon 1 Jan 1923, p. 7 

There’s no worry at the Seaside.  

The blue waters of the sea at Bribie drive away dull care.

The Daily Mail, Wed 3 Jan 1923 p. 7  

Happy holidaymakers on Bribie Island.

The Daily Mail, Sat 19 Jan 1924, p. 13  

On the Sands at Bribie. 

The lady in the "ring" may claim a prize at The Daily Mail office.

The Daily Mail, Wed 13 Jan 1926, p. 13 

A Bathing Trio - caught by the camera at Bribie. 

The Daily Mail, Wed 13 Jan 1926, p. 13 

Sea Horses - The holiday spirit is nowhere more in evidence that at Ocean Beach, Bribie.

The Daily Mail, Wed 13 Jan 1926, p. 13 

Mr. M.J. Kirwan, M.L.A. officially opening the new bathing shed at Bribie, yesterday.

The Brisbane Courier, Mon 12 Dec 1927 p. 16 

Alexandra Headlands, winners of the life-saving competition at Bribie yesterday.

The Brisbane Courier, Mon 12 Dec 1927 p. 16 

A line up for the photographer at Bribie.

The Brisbane Courier Thu 5 Jan 1928, p. 7 

Scenes of revelry in the surf at Bribie

The Brisbane Courier Mon 9 Jan 1928 p. 16 

REFERENCES:
The following articles available on the National Library of Australia's wonderful newspaper database Trove:

An Early Morning Dip. 
The Daily Mail, Mon 1 Jan 1923, p. 7 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article218983441 

There’s no worry at the Seaside.  The blue waters of the sea at Bribie drive away dull care. 
The Daily Mail, Wed 3 Jan 1923 p. 7 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article218979606 

Happy holidaymakers on Bribie Island. 
The Daily Mail, Sat 19 Jan 1924, p. 13 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article217625870 

Bathers at Bribie. 
The Daily Mail, Wed 13 Jan 1926, p. 13 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article220614564 

Mr. M.J. Kirwan, M.L.A. officially opening the new bathing shed at Bribie, yesterday. 
The Brisbane Courier, Mon 12 Dec 1927 p. 16 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article21203222

Alexandra Headlands, winners of the life-saving competition at Bribie yesterday.
The Brisbane Courier, Mon 12 Dec 1927 p. 16 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page1648091

A line up for the photographer at Bribie. 
The Brisbane Courier Thu 5 Jan 1928, p. 7 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article21211215 

Scenes of revelry in the surf at Bribie. 
The Brisbane Courier Mon 9 Jan 1928 p. 16 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article21212187

1916 Scenes on Bribie by N Langdon

1916 Scenes on Bribie

Photos by N Langdon

The following ten photos appeared in a pictorial supplement of The Queenslander newspaper on 1st January 1916.

General view of the landing place at the
entrance to Pumicestone Passage
Photo: N. Langdon

Looking North up the Passage from the Pier
Photo: N. Langdon

Looking South
Photo: N. Langdon

The Koopa at the Pier
Photo: N. Langdon

The Dining Hall, Store and Caretaker's cottage
Photo: N. Langdon

The Pavilion
Photo: N. Langdon

View inland from the Pavilion
Photo: N. Langdon

Ladies' Bathing house
Photo: N. Langdon

Waves of the Pacific breaking on
the outer beach of Bribie
Photos: N. Langdon









REFERENCE:
Scenes on Bribie. The Queenslander 1 January 1916, page 22.

To access a high resolution copy of page 22, go to State Library of Queensland's online catalogue at:  Queensland Pictorial, Supplement to The Queenslander 1 Jan 1916 

R G Wilson Q153131

The following entry is from They Answered The Call.  Click here for the contents page.

Robert George WILSON

Service number: Q153131.  Age: 42 years 7 months.  Enlisted: 20 Apr 1942.

Occupation: Motor truck driver.  Next of kin: (sister) Mrs Frances Steinbeck.

Address on enlistment:  Bribie Island.

19 Dec 1944, Toorbul Point. Works Company members participating 

in the march past. The salute was taken by Brigadier H. Wrigley,
Commander 1 Base Sub area. [1]

Service Summary:

20 Apr 1942: 9 Aust Works Company.

Did not proceed overseas. The 9 Aust Works Coy was employed along the Lines of Communication area of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland.

21 Feb 1946: Discharged.

Life Summary:

Robert Wilson (1899-1971) was born 16 Sep 1899 in Brisbane, the only son of George Wilson (1860-1904) and Frances Williamson Johnstone (1872-1928). By 1926, Robert Wilson was living in the Bribie Island area and took up employment with local fishermen Cec Campbell and Reg Campbell. After Reg Campbell opened his store on South Esplanade in 1932, Robert Wilson (as he had his own truck) made deliveries for Campbell’s store.[2]

After his military service, Robert Wilson returned to Bribie Island and was employed by the Council. Robert Wilson married Bridget Catherine Ryan and by 1968 the couple were living at the Pensioner’s Reserve on Bribie Island. 

Robert Wilson had been associated with Bribie Island for over 50 years when he died 22 Jul 1971, aged 71. He was buried at Toowong Cemetery.

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[1] Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial 084373 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C82930

[2] Link with Past – obituary for Robert Wilson. The Star (Bribie) v.10(8) 20 Aug 1971, p. 1.

G B Wellauer QX30244

The following entry is from They Answered The Call.  Click here for the contents page.

George Benjamin WELLAUER

Service number: QX30244.  Age: 33 years 9 months.  Enlisted: 27 Feb 1942.

Occupation: Carpenter and Fisherman.  Next of kin: (wife) Mrs Amy Lena Wellauer.

Address on enlistment: Toorbul.

 Photo from George Wellauer’s Service record.

Service Summary:

11 Mar 1942: 2 reinforcement 6 Aust Field Company RAE, 7 Division.

22 Jul 1943: Embarked on Tarooma from Cairns for Port Moresby.

“After the victory in Syria, where they remained until early 1942, the Company returned to Australia for training, before service in New Guinea in 1943.”[1]

12 Dec 1943, Bebei, New Guinea: Engineers of the 2/6^th Australian
Field Company using a tractor to haul sheer logs into position during
the initial stages of building a bridge over the Faria River.[2]

12 Feb 1944: Returned to Australia from Port Moresby on Orizaba for Brisbane.

11 May 1945: Discharged.

Life Summary:

George Wellauer (1908-1986) was born 15 May 1908 in Brisbane, a son of Benjamin Wellauer (1877-1942) and Florence Lee (1877-1925). In 1931 he married Amy Lena Turner (1908-1995) at Bulimba (Amy was a granddaughter of Fred Turner and Alma Turner (Kalmakuta) of Toorbul Point).  

After his military service, George Wellauer and his family settled in the Toorbul / Bribie Island area where he worked as an oysterman. He died 13 Jan 1986, aged 77.

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[1] Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1281706

[2] Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial 062673 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C281978 

G H Shields 78860

The following entry is from They Answered The Call.  Click here for the contents page.

Gordon Henderson SHIELDS

Service number: 78860.  Age: 35 years 9 months.  Enlisted: 5 Oct 1942.

Occupation: Launch proprietor.  Next of kin: (wife) Mrs May Shields.

Address on enlistment: Bribie Island.

 1945, Rathmines, N.S.W. An aerial view of RAAF Rathmines showing 

the hangars on shore with Catalina aircraft moored in the lake.[1]

Service Summary:

5 Oct 1942: Motor Boat Crew, No. 11 Squadron, R.A.A.F. Served at Evans Head, Rathmines and Sandgate. Gordon Shields was restricted to these areas as he was unfit for tropical service.

“No. 11 Squadron was formed as a general reconnaissance squadron at Richmond in New South Wales on 21 Sep 1939.[2]  In February 1942 No. 11 Squadron was withdrawn to RAAF Base Rathmines following the Japanese air attacks on Port Moresby. Due to the Catalina’s ability to travel large distances it continued to carry out patrols in the waters around New Guinea.[3]  Towards the end of 1942 the unit relocated to Cairns and commenced night raids against enemy shipping and submarines attempting to land supplies around Lae, Salamaua, and Finschafen. Unit Catalinas mined enemy harbours and dropped supplies to coastwatchers in the Solomons, New Britain, and New Ireland between April and July 1943.”[4]

4 Dec 1945: Discharged.

Life Summary:

Gordon Henderson Shields (1907-1972) born 28 Jan 1907 in Brisbane was the youngest son of Alfred Henderson Shields (1862-1953) and Harriet Dunn (1866-1934). He attended Bribie Island school in 1925. At age 18, he was a seaman with the Royal Australian Navy Reserve. Gordon Shields married May Weise in Sydney in 1943 (May Shields service number 94009) and their daughter Roslyn May Shields was born 17 Nov 1944.

After his military service, he started a barge service between Toorbul Point and Bribie Island, was a foundation member of the Bongaree Bowls Club and managed the Greenwood Tree Flats for two years. His boat shed at Bongaree was a landmark for many years.

Gordon Shields’ boat shed at Bongaree, 1946.[5]

Gordon Shields had been associated with Bribie Island for almost three decades when he moved to Victoria in the mid-1950s. He died in Melbourne on 25 May 1972, aged 65.

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[1] Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial P0092.008 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C70364

[2] Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U59376

[3] History of the Rathmines RAAF Flying Boat Base http://www.friendsofrathmines.com.au/no-11-squadron

[4] Australian War Memorial https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U59376

[5] Photo: Bribie Island Historical Society BBLM01_00 Betty LaMacchia photo collection

T Shaw QX45157

The following entry is from They Answered The Call.  Click here for the contents page.

Thomas SHAW 

Service number: QX45157.  Age: 35 years 2 months.  Enlisted: 7 Jul 1941.

Occupation: Carpenter.  Next of kin: (wife) Mrs Elsie Rose Shaw.

Address on enlistment:  Bribie Island.

 Photo from Thomas Shaw’s service record.

Service Summary:

7 Jul 1941: 12 Army Troops Company, Royal Australian Engineers.

Served at Brisbane, Grovely, Townsville, Sellheim, Charters Towers, Chermside and Cairns.

29 Jan 1944: Embarked on LM Garrison for Lae, New Guinea.

Served at Rabaul and New Britain.

“The Royal Australian Engineers provides combat engineering, construction and other technical support to the Australian Defence Force. One of the main roles of the Corps is to provide mobility and counter mobility capabilities to the Australian Army and its allies. The Corps also performs the majority of the Australian Army's demolition tasks and is trained to fight as infantry if needed.”[1]

30 Nov 1943, Atherton. Mess parade at the 12 Australian Army Troop
Company, Royal Australian Engineers.[2]

8 Dec 1945: Returned to Australia on Westralia from Rabaul for Brisbane.

20 Dec 1945: Discharged.

Life Summary:

Thomas Shaw (1906-1987) was born 22 Apr 1906 in Toowoomba and died 9 Sep 1987, aged 81, his next of kin was his niece, Mrs. I. Harris of Park Ridge, Brisbane.

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[1] https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/ww2/display/92358-12th-army-troops-company

[2] Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial 061340 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C85036

A ONeill QX27819

The following entry is from They Answered The Call.  Click here for the contents page.

Arthur O’NEILL

Service number: QX27819.  Age: 27 years 10 months.  Enlisted: 24 Feb 1942.

Occupation: Fisherman.  Next of kin: (mother) Mrs Mary O’Neill.

Address on enlistment:  Bribie Island.

26 Nov 1944, Jacquinot Bay, New Britain. The Dutch troopship 

Van Heutz at anchor after bringing troops into the area.[1]

Service Summary:

23 Aug 19442: Embarked on US 16 HT P3 for Middle East.

2 Jan 1943: 2/15 Infantry Battalion.

27 Feb 1943: Unit returned from Middle East to Sydney for training in Queensland.

28 Jul 1943: Embarked on Van Heutz for Milne Bay where he was wounded.

6 Jul 1945: Returned to Australia.

20 Jun 1946: Discharged.

Life Summary:

Arthur O’Neill (1914-1987) was born 6 May 1914 in Brisbane, the only son of William O’Neill (1860-1938) and Mary Jane Hazeldine (1871-1942).

When he enlisted he was carrying his shoes because, as he explained to a journalist, working as a fisherman on Bribie Island for 11 years he had not worn shoes.[2]

After his service, Arthur O’Neill returned to fishing and lived at Toorbul Point until the early 1960s when he moved to Woorim. He had been associated with Bribie Island for over 50 years when he died 18 Apr 1987, aged 73.

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[1] Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial 0771990 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C77542

[2] Ready to try army boots. The Sun (Sydney) Sat 28 Feb 1942 p. 2 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231766410

W J Lindsay QX13785

The following entry is from They Answered The Call.  Click here for the contents page.

William John LINDSAY 

Service number: QX13785.  Age: 32 years 5 months.  Enlisted: 2 Jul 1940.

Occupation: Carpenter.  Next of kin: (wife) Mrs Muriel Lindsay.

Address on enlistment:  Bribie Island.

 13 Oct 1945, Sydney. Aircraft carrier HMS Formidable transporting 

members of 1 Coy AASC from POW camps.[1]

Service Summary:

 2 Jul 1940: 1 Company Australian Army Service Corps. [2]

2 Feb 1941: Embarked on HMT QX1 for Singapore.

27 Feb 1941: Disembarked for Naval Barracks, Singapore. Served in Malacca and Malaya.

15 Feb 1942: Prisoner of War, held at Changi Prison following the Fall of Singapore.

18 Mar 1943: Entrained Singapore D Force.

18 Jun 1944: Prisoner of War #7519, Omuta – Fukuoka 17, Japan.[3]

6 and 9 Aug 1945: Atomic bombs devastate Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

13 Sep 1945: Recovered from Japanese at Omuta by American Recovery Team.

Sep 1945, Omuta, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan: Allied prisoners-of-war (POWs) at
Fukuoka Camp 17 at Omuta, lining up to collect their tickets home, after being
liberated by an American Recovery Team at the end of the Second World War.[4]

14 Oct 1945: Returned to Australia on HMS Formidable from Malaya to Sydney.

25 Jan 1946: Discharged.

Life Summary:

William John Lindsay (1908-1972) was born 29 Jan 1908 at Pomona, the eldest son of David Reed Lindsay (1874-1946) and Lavinia Howell (1881-1961). On 16 Nov 1935 William Lindsay married Muriel Cotterill at the Methodist Church on Bribie Island. The Lindsay family had purchased the Mountain View property on Bribie Island from the Landell family in 1933.

William Lindsay returned to Australia from a prisoner of war camp in Malaya on the aircraft carrier HMS Formidable which arrived in Sydney on 14 Oct 1945. Photos of his welcome home from his wife and family were published in the local Brisbane paper.

14 Oct 1945: The man to whom the greetings on the banners were directed was
Cpl. Lindsay, with his wife and family, of Bribie Island.[5]

                                          

14 Oct 1945: Bill, Muriel, 

Graham (9) and Owen (6).

After his military service, William Lindsay returned to Bribie Island and his family. Later moving to Morningside and Camp Hill where he worked as an assessor.

William Lindsay died 2 Oct 1972 aged 64 and is remembered on the Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial[6] at Ballarat, Victoria and with a memorial plaque at Mt Thompson Memorial Gardens. [7]

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[1] Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial 122108 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C47542

[2] 1 Transport Company https://www.raasc.org.au/content/1%20COY.html

[3] Australian POWs http://www.mansell.com/pow_resources/camplists/fukuoka/fuku_17/fuku_17_aussie_roster.html

[4] Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial P01662.010 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C252442

[5] Brisbane welcomes large number of returnees. The Telegraph, Mon 15 Oct 1945, p. 1 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article188755953

[6] Listed at http://www.powmemorialballarat.com.au/world-war-2-j-l.php

[7] https://www.heavenaddress.com/restingplace/mtthompsonmemorialgardens/w-j-lindsay/429724