Monday, 25 November 2024

1925 Social outing to Bribie

The following description of a social outing for members of two Brisbane timber associations is illustrated with the programme from the day which was printed on "Stanply" wooden tablets. This memento of the day, kept by Mr James Schroder Campbell, was recently donated to BIHS. 

Timber Trade. Annual outing to Bribie. 1925  

The annual outing of the members of the Brisbane Timber Merchants' Association and Brisbane and District Joinery Association and their wives and guests took place to Bribie Island on Wednesday.  

Doomba at the Bongaree Jetty (1924)
Photo: Caboolture Shire Council
Repository: Moreton Bay Libraries 
Luncheon was served on the Doomba, presided over by the respective presidents of the Brisbane Timber Merchants' Association (Mr. Wm. Patterson), and the Brisbane and District Joinery Association (Mr. W. Blackband). 

Programme of Social Outing to Bribie Island 25 November 1925
printed on "Stanply"wooden tablets 
Courtesy James Schroder Campbell collection
In proposing the toast of “The Day We Celebrate,” Mr Patterson said that they would like to see the association taking a more practical interest, in matters pertaining to afforestation, by an effort to promote a scheme for growing softwoods within a reasonable distance of the cities, so that future generations would be able to draw their supplied from areas handy to railways, in proximity to good roads. They had come through a strenuous and eventful period. During the early part of the year trade was slack, causing very keen competition, and on the other hand, they had increased costs to contend with, which made it very difficult to carry on their business successfully. As the year advanced there was a slight improvement in the volume of business but the extra overhead costs and shortage of pine supplies had added to their difficulties. 

The question of pine supplies was a very urgent one, as the industry was dependent upon the Forestry Department to a great extent. The shortage might be relieved by opening up more timber areas either by tramlines, or by making good, serviceable roads. ... During the year they were faced with the proposed Child Endowment Scheme, which would not have come into force before the middle of next year. Members were favourably inclined towards the principle of this form of assistance to workers, provided that the added cost could be recovered. Unfortunately, owing to force of circumstances, the Government had to abandon this Bill, and, instead, granted an increase of the basic wage at a moment’s notice, which did not give members any chance of providing against the added burden. 

Menu and Toast List
printed on "Stanply"wooden tablets 

Courtesy James Schroder Campbell collection

Responses made by Mr George Brown and Mr C.H. Bromily (country sawmillers), Mr W. Blackband, the vice-chairman, proposed the toast of "Our Guests," coupling with his toast the names of Mr F.J. Morrgan (National Bank of Australia, Ltd.), F.H.F. Swain (chairman, Provision Forestry Board), J.V.D. Coutts (Queensland Institute of Architects), M. Doggett (Queensland Master Builders’ Association), and Mr J. Hood (Suburban Master Builders’ Association), Mr F.J. Morgan, of the National Banks of Australasia, Ltd., responded.  

Mr E.H.F. Swain responded on behalf of the Provisional Forestry Board. The representatives of the Queensland Master Builders’ Association (Mr Doggett) and Suburban Master Builders’ (Mr Hood)... .

The toast of the ladies, proposed by Mr J.F. Brett, was acknowledged by Mrs J. Henry Hancock, on behalf of the ladies present.

In proposing the toast of the "newly-elected presidents of the respective associations," Mr. C.W. Campbell paid a tribute to Mr. Wm. Patterson and Mr. W. Blackband, two gentlemen who were held in very high esteem, both for their personal worth and for their devotion to the welfare of the timber industry in general, and the members of the association in particular.  

The toast of the Press was proposed by Mr F.O. Nixon, and acknowledged by Mr J.V.D. Coutts and Mr McCorquodale, on behalf of their respective journals.

On the return of the Doomba to Circular Quay, about 8 p.m., expressions on all sides testified to a very pleasant day's outing having been spent. 

REFERENCES

Timber Trade. Annual outing to Bribie.
The Brisbane Courier 28.11.1925 p. 9  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20981480

Photo - Doomba at the Bongaree Jetty (1924) 
Moreton Bay Our Story, accessed 20/10/2024, https://ourstory.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/30551

Programme of Social Outing to Bribie Island 25 November 1925.
four leaves printed on "Stanply" wooden tablets.
Courtesy of James Schroder Campbell collection, BIHS. 

Saturday, 26 October 2024

1942 Troops train on Island

The following article, written in 1942, has a description of the military activities at Toorbul Point and Bribie Island, though neither place is mentioned as was the practice during wartime to keep information, about military training operations, restricted. 

Troops Train for Offensive Landings (1942)
by M.C. Warren, "Telegraph" War Correspondent. 
The Telegraph 2.12.1942 p. 4

An island off the Australian coast a popular holiday resort in peacetime - now is the centre of the most intensive amphibious training ever given to troops in this country.

Thousands of Australian and American soldiers have learnt there a new technique - seamanship - at an Australian Army Combined Operations School. There is a very good reason why our military leaders want to make troops amphibious-minded. 

War in the Pacific made many of our earlier training methods obsolete overnight. It meant a substitution of jungle methods of combat in place of open fighting in which 'block' formations and weight of armour counted. Our troops mastered jungle tactics and beat the Japs back in New Guinea. 

Now our military strategy is no longer defensive, it is offensive. It is not a case of 'hold what we have', but 'take back from the Jap'. This means carrying the war over the sea to the islands of the Pacific. Troops must be trained to lose any fear of moving over water, to handle small boats and to embark and debark swiftly and efficiently. They must learn about tides, currents, and winds. They are shown how the tide can be used to reduce the fatigue of paddling. They must become 'mud minded' - a tactical surprise can be achieved by a landing in swampy mangroves. Defence of small watercraft from hostile aircraft also is a phase of training. 

Already large numbers of troops have mastered these and other lessons at the island close to the coast.

Troops train on island
photo source: BI Surf Club book, 1988, p. 95

The Navy and the Air Force combine with the Army in making the course as tough and as thorough as training could be. All three services have a part in the operations, just as they would have in actual battle. All of the Army instructional staff are AIF personnel with practical experience in this war. Three American officers are attached to the school. Naval officers give lectures on seamanship and kindred subjects and the Navy also provides and runs the watercraft. 

An Army Co-operation Squadron joins in the exercises, either as friendly or hostile aircraft as required by the situation. Both Navy and Army officers make air flights as part of their training.

Embarkation

A first-hand picture of the wide scope of the school's activities was given to visiting war correspondents. They saw an American combat unit in action. Their mission was to land and attack a hostile beach position on the island off the coast. Primarily, they were required to take an airfield from the 'enemy.' Live ammunition and bombs are used in the exercise. The presence of aircraft gives realism to the task. Shortly before zero hour for the beach landing, Allied aircraft raided the 'enemy' airfield on the island, diving in concentric attack upon dummy planes, installations and troops. They dropped live bombs ranging from 112 lbs to 250 lbs. A smoke screen was laid down by fast motor boats for the landing. The assault troops fixed bayonets. Towing ropes were cast off and the first wave of infantry was paddling vigorously towards shore through the smoke.

Realism

Mines blew up in the water around them showering the troops with gushers of water. Hostile aircraft dive bombed the landing boats, simulating machine gun fire. The troops responded with fierce ack-ack bursts from Tommy guns and rifles. Friendly aircraft beat off the air attackers and formed a protective umbrella. The boats grounded on the sand. With a quick rush, the troops were across the beach, engaging the defenders. More mines blew up around them, giving the impression of heavy 'enemy' shelling. 

By infiltration, the first wave of troops ashore routed the shore defenders and pushed inland. Second, third, and fourth waves of infantry went ashore in quick succession and consolidated the beachhead. Parties were sent out to protect the flanks. A motor propelled barge came in sight, bringing jeeps and mobile anti-tank guns. The barge stood in close to the beach, a ramp was lowered and the jeeps splashed through the shallow water on to dry sand, hauling the anti-tank guns. The 'enemy' had blocked the only cleared ground leading from the beach with huge fallen trees. Engineers tackled the problem and within a few minutes a track was ready for the jeeps to bring the anti-tank guns up the rise.

Encirclement

They enveloped the airfield so successfully that a wallaby, caught on the landing strip was unable to escape through the ring of attackers. The word 'withdrawal' is not in the vocabulary of our military training school nowadays. When this unit had to return to their camp they did not merely withdraw, but performed another training operation. Main training at the school is in movement by night. Beach landings in hours of darkness are considered essential for surprise tactics.

Dispersement

The school does not put troops immediately into water manoeuvres. They practice beach assault first from dummy boats at the waters edge. Special tactics taught at this stage are dispersement, speed, silence and method of moving the craft.

Despite the element of risk associated with the rigorous training methods at the school and the many thousands of soldiers who have passed through it, not one serious accident has occurred.

REFERENCE
Troops Train for Offensive Landings by M.C. Warren, "Telegraph" War Correspondent. The Telegraph 2.12.1942 p. 4 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article172598227

Photo source: Bribie Island Surf Club Book, 1988, page 95.

FURTHER READING
Merv Warren (1914-2013) War Correspondent: As I saw World War II. 1993. 106p. ISBN 0646149652 

Friday, 27 September 2024

1961 Water Supply Switching On ceremony

 On 4 November 1961, a "Switching On" ceremony for Bribie Island's water supply was held at Bongaree. The following article describes the day's events.

Switching on Ceremony [water supply] 
Vice-Regal Triumph at Bribie

In clear ringing tones came the final words of His Excellency Sir Henry Abel Smith K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., D.S.O., as he concluded his speech at the opening of the Bribie Island water scheme on Saturday: “It is now my privilege to switch on the fresh water supply to Bribie Island”.  And then the irrepressible, effervescent humanity of the Vice-Regal visitor broke through. Sir Henry, with a twinkling smile, a mercurial flick of the hands, and a whimsical chuckle, turned and said: “I don’t know where the switch is – someone will have to show me!”

The crowd loved it. It cheered and then it chuckled too, as the chairman of the Caboolture Shire (Cr. S.A. Clayton), piloted His Excellency down the gentle incline to where the switch stood.  A pause, a twitch to the switch, and then another chuckle came as three jets of water sprayed dramatically to a height of thirty feet to proclaim the official reticulation of water to Bribie Island. Again the crowd roared but it had eyes only for the Governor. He had won their hearts as he has wherever he has “performed” in any part of the State.

"Three jets of water sprayed dramatically to a height of thirty feet
to proclaim the official reticulation of water to Bribie Island"
Photo: Caboolture Shire Council
Repository: QSA id 305320

Sir Henry’s humanity had asserted itself early in the piece when he chatted informally with the Guard of Honour provided by the Bribie Island Surf Life-saving Club headed by President Les Boyland, and again when he stepped away from the official party to congratulate Kathie Eliasson, drum-major of the Caboolture State School’s Drum and Fife Band on their playing. 

BRIBIE CELEBRATES ITS GREATEST DAY
And so the day wore on – with the Governor winning more and more hearts, stopping to chat with old Bribie identifies on his way to the Bongaree Bowling Club pavilion; and again, while there, mixing informally with as many persons as he could and making himself completely at home.  It was a great day for Bribie – and the Shire of Caboolture – for it was the first occasion on which His Excellency had paid an official visit to the Shire and it was the first occasion on which a Governor of Queensland had officiated at any ceremony on historic Bribie Island.

The island did itself proud for the day – and so did the weather despite a threat of rain earlier in the morning.  The day was radiant, the waters of the Passage sparkled in the sunshine; the spectacular plum-shaded masses of the Glasshouse Mountains beckoned to the north; the ladies wore their gayest frocks and the Marching Girls and the school-children from both Bribie Island and Caboolture in their colourful attire bedecked the sylvan scenes with freshness and warmth.

DISPLAYS
Mr. D. McNaught, head-teacher of the Bribie Island School, had charge of the pre-ceremony programme and his pupils gave a note-worthy display of folk-dancing in between programmes of recorded music which kept the crowd in good humour.  The Caboolture Marching Girls, marshalled by Mr. H. Shew and Mr. C.Duffy, instructor of the senior team, gave several displays of marching which amply demonstrated the excellent progress the girls are making.  Their eye-catching uniforms of blue and vieux rose, and lemon and green, gave added zest to their demonstrations.  The Caboolture Drum and Fife Band, in white uniforms with olive-green forage caps and green sashes, marched seventy strong prior to the official ceremony giving a number of tuneful selections which were true crowd-pleasers, too.  With the arrival of His Excellency, they “piped him in” with “Advance Australia Fair”.

To all these people a vote of thanks was carried by acclamation at the conclusion of the ceremony on the call of Cr. E. Bateman, (deputy chairman of the Shire of Caboolture). Apologies for non-attendance were announced from the Premier (Hon. G.F.R. Nicklin), Mr. D. Low, M.H.R. (Maroochy) and Mr. Sewell (Director of Local Government). The Shire chairman (Cr. S.A. Clayton) was ably assisted by Mrs. Clayton with the reception of the guests both at the official enclosure and at the Bongaree Bowling Clubhouse.

Governor Sir Henry Abel Smith chatting informally with the
Guard of Honour provided by the Bribie Island Surf Life-saving
Club headed by President Les Boyland.
Photo: Caboolture Shire Council
Repository: QSA id 305320
CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME
The chairman of the Shire of Caboolture, Cr. S.A. Clayton, extended a very hearty welcome to His Excellency and expressed their pleasure at having him with them that day to turn on the water supply to Bribie Island. “It is, I believe”, said Cr. Clayton, “the first time that a Governor of Queensland has been the guest of the Caboolture Shire Council and the number of people assembled here today shows how much your visit is appreciated.

The turning on of the water supply to the island, said Cr. Clayton, marked the completion of another stage in his Council’s progressive water supply policy.  It meant that the towns of Caboolture, Bongaree, and Woorim now had treated water supplies reticulated to each house. Construction work was in progress for supplying treated water to Woodford and plans had also been completed and approved by the council for a similar supply to Deception Bay.

GREAT PROGRESS
With the completion of the bridge across Pumicestone Passage both Bongaree and Woorim would grow rapidly, added Cr. Clayton, and he knew of one development company that would have 200 blocks for sale when the bridge went across.  There were others, too, no doubt, that would also have large quantities of land for sale.  This would inevitably mean that the size of the water treatment plant would have to be increased and more bores connected to the system. “To this end”, said Cr. Clayton, “the council is having comprehensive records kept which will show the drawn down and recovery rates of each bore which will give the necessary information for the extension of the scheme.

COUNCIL’S THANKS
The extensive works that were required to provide the water supply for Bribie Island were carried out for the council by various contractors supervised by Messrs. John Wilson and Partners to whom his fellow councilors and he were very grateful.  While he was diffident about singling out anyone for special thanks, he felt that he had to voice the council’s appreciation of the yeoman work done by Mr. Derek Stringfellow during the period that the works were in progress.

UNIQUE SCHEME
Some added information on the unique nature of the Bribie Island water scheme were given in a short address by Mr. R.D. King-Scott, Chief Engineer to the Local Government Department, who said that 650 acres of land had actually been resumed for water supply purposes but to date only 135 acres had been utilised.  The bores which provided the supply were each 8-inch tubes surrounded by 15-inches of gravel and spaced 700-ft. apart. The system of collection of water was in use nowhere else in Queensland. Bundaberg and Mackay, although they too drew their supply from underground, actually tapped river sources, where Bribie Island’s scheme derived from a great saucer or sponge which retained the great mass of rainfall which accrued on the island.  This rainwater, despite losses from evaporation and from other causes, was retained in the sand to the extent of between 20 and 30 percent of the yearly fall (which, in the case of Bribie was about 45 inches) and thus provided the bores with an adequacy of water for all the needs of the island.

BIG RETENTION
Pointing out that one inch of rain on one acre yielded 22,000 gallons of water, Mr. King-Scott said that the figures for complete yield very quickly went into more than the million-gallon mark on the resumed area.  The accumulated water was pumped from the six bores 30-ft. below ground level to the treatment works at Woorim and from there, after treatment, it was pumped into the two towers at Woorim and Bongaree and then into the reticulation system.  Mr. King-Scott congratulated the council on their enterprise in undertaking the scheme to supply the island and on their successful achievement in bringing it to the stage where the water could be turned on that day.

SIR HENRY SPOKE OF ISLAND PRIDE AND THE QUAINT HISTORY OF BRIBIE
The peculiar pride that resides in the hearts of Island people and a colourful resume of the quaint history of Bribie Island were features of the official speech by His Excellency at the opening of the Water Scheme.  “It is indeed a pleasant task which you have given me to perform this afternoon”, said Sir Henry in opening his address.  “What is there about an island which makes its inhabitants regard it with a peculiar pride?  “It has always been so in history from the time of the ancient Greeks, who placed their earthly paradise not on any mainland but in what they called the Fortunate Islands – somewhere out in the western ocean. “What is it that gives an island the special charm? I think the main reason is that an island has its clear physical limits and the mind is able to grasp it and make a picture of the whole.  Our imagination may be kindled by big things – the vastness of Australia – but it is on little things that our affections lay hold.

“Your island is historic in the annals of Australian history.  Only eleven years had elapsed after Governor Philip landed at Botany Bay, when Flinders set foot on these shores whilst he was looking for the entrance to the Brisbane River. An affray took place with the local aborigines, Flinders named the location Skirmish Point.  “Accompanying Flinders on this voyage of discovery was his devoted and loyal servant Bongaree – King and Supreme Chief of the Sydney Tribe.  Such was Flinders’ regard for Bongaree that he took him on all his navigating and exploring voyages.

“I pray that the historic island of Bribie will bring health, happiness, and recreation to many thousands of our people in Queensland and that when its noble forests have grown up they, too, will bring work to many thousands of other people”.

REFERENCES

Governor Wins All Bribie Hearts. Switching on Ceremony [water supply]. Vice-Regal Triumph.
North Coast & Stanley District News, Thur 9 Nov 1961, p. 1 & p. 4.

Photos. Caboolture Shire Council Scrapbook 1924-1965.
Queensland State Archives ID 305320

Saturday, 24 August 2024

Toorbul Days 3 : Early Events

Roy Bliss (1922-2015) was a boat builder of Moreton Bay and owned the bay cruiser Ardarth. In the following poem, Roy mentions his grandmother's brother Charlie Brown (1874-1953) who was a jeweller in Brisbane before moving to Toorbul in 1919 to work as an oysterman. Roy writes Charlie "engraved pictures on pearl shell, mainly depicting a yacht". Later in the late 1940s and early 1950s Charlie Brown lived on Bribie Island.
If you have one of Charlie Brown's engraved pearl shells or any other information about Charlie's life at Toorbul or Bribie Island, please send BIHS an email so we can record the details.

 Toorbul Days 3 : Early Events

By Roy W. Bliss

(Reproduced with the kind permission of the family)

I arrived at Toorbul when only three weeks old,
I was a cranky little B-aby, so I've been told.
We rented Bill Freeman's house up towards Elimbah Creek,
About half a mile north from Dad's parents, so meek.


Toorbul Days Sketch by Roy W. Bliss (c)

In a hut near the beach lived Grandma's brother Charlie Brown,
A talented person who just could not live in town,
He engraved pictures on pearl shells, mainly depicting a yacht.
Made a one-string fiddle, which he played quite a lot.
Charlie helped farm the oysters and on us kids he would dote.
A few years later on, he built his own boat.

Grandpa nurtured his oysters, he worked really hard,
Grew passionfruit, grapes and vegies in his half acre backyard.
His work boat was flat-bottomed and eighteen feet long,
He rowed standing up as he sang his best song.

Grandma was so gentle, us kids she would mind,
Hard times she was having, she was a saint and so kind,
Mum had her hands full with my brother and me,
Dad ran his launch to Bribie, to take fishing parties to sea.

There's no future in oysters, my Dad came to see,
So we moved back to Brisbane, Mum, Dad, Ossie and me.
Dad sold the boat's engine and pushed the hull up the creek,
So that she wouldn't sink far because of her leak.
It was about 1925 that decision was made,
And Dad got the chance to go back to his trade.

Back at old Toorbul, Grandpa looked ahead,
Whilst rowing his boat to his old oyster bed.
With his snake stick in hand along the foreshore he hiked,
Not much money in oysters but it's the lifestyle he liked.

Ned Bishop, two miles south, jovial and rash,
He was plump and pleasant and wore a walrus moustache.
We took the train to Caboolture, to co-ordinate with Old Ned.
He loaded groceries for Toorbul and charged us two bob a head.

He drove his old Essex, knew every bump on the track,
And if he missed one, he would sometimes go back.
His lovely daughter Adie, a real farm girl of course.
Would deliver the milk, riding bareback on her horse.

The bird life at Toorbul, spoonbills, osprey, cormorants and swans,
Cranes, seagulls, butcherbirds, parrots and wild ducks in their ponds.
Dark green foliage, white beaches, blue waters and sky.
Magnificent Glasshouse Mountains, to the northwest they lie.
I have crammed in these things as they came to my mind,
I would never have wanted to leave them behind.

I could appreciate the beauty in this place by the sea.
The view from our Brisbane home was the Toowong Cemetery.
In July 1929 when I was aged seven,
My sister Dorothy arrived directly from heaven.

My grandparents stayed on at Toorbul until the war years,
A bit late in their lives to start new careers.
It's now many years since they both passed away,
One fails to think properly until one's old and grey
I hope I said, "Thankyou," for all they had done,
It helped me through life, and I had so much fun.

(c) Roy W. Bliss

Poem is accompanied by sketches of a house with stairs and tank on the side of the house (copy above), a man named Ned and a car, a man standing up rowing a small dinghy with four of the Glasshouse Mountains in the background.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We acknowledge the kind permission of the Bliss family allowing BIHS to reproduce Roy Bliss' poem and one of his sketches on this blog. 

Further reading

Poem: Glimpses of the sea by Roy W. Bliss
https://woodenboat.org.au/wp-content/uploads/file_uploads/The-Log/2018/18-02_The_Log_February_2018.pdf

Vale - Roy Bliss
The Log (Wooden Boat Association of Queensland Inc) Feb 2015, p. 4-5.
https://woodenboat.org.au/wp-content/uploads/file_uploads/The-Log/2015/15-02-The-Log-FEBRUARY-2015.pdf

Saturday, 27 July 2024

1947 Road to Toorbul Point jetty

An article about the road to Toorbul Point covered with felled trees and beehives in February 1947.

Bees and Trees Bar Toorbul Point Road

Courier Mail 21.2.1947 page 5

These felled trees completely blocked a road leading from Caboolture to Toorbul Point, 40 miles north of Brisbane.

Trees bar Toorbul Point Road - February 1947
Photo: Courier Mail 21.2.1947 p. 5

The road, which was constructed by the army during the war, runs partly through private property and partly through council land at this point.

Leading through to a jetty from which mail is shipped over to Bribie Island, this section of the road is at present by-passed by a rough track twisting through trees.

The Caboolture Shire Council has plans before the Lands Department for the resumption of the land which includes the road.

Beehives On Way

On the approach to the road from the jetty these bee hives (below) owned by Mr. O. Bestman, through whose property the road passes at this point, bar the way.

Beehives bar Toorbul Point road - Feburary 1947.
Photo: Courier Mail 21.2.1947 p. 5

Mr. J. C. Clark, through whose property the road also passes near this point, said last night that he could not comment on either the block or the proposed resumption at this stage.

The Caboolture Shire Clerk (Mr. S. Lang) said yesterday that a survey of the road from Caboolture to Toorbul Point had been made. It had been found that the military road was the most suitable and most practical route to the point.

A great deal of the council's money would also be saved.

REFERENCE

Bees and Trees Bar Toorbul Pt Road. Courier Mail 21.2.1947 p. 5
[Via Trove]: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49362320

Saturday, 29 June 2024

Road to Toorbul Point

 The following letter to the editor dated Sep 1926 was sent by James Clark (1857-1933) regarding the question of a road to run through his property at Toorbul Point thus allowing public access to the Bribie Passage and at the same time not interfere with his business at Toorbul Point.
In his letter to the editor James Clark refers to a sketch of the road on a map of the district which accompanied his letter dated 28 July 1926 to the Caboolture Shire Council.

Road to Bribie.

Letter dated Sep 1926 by James Clark
to the editor of the Daily Mail (Brisbane)

Sir, - For some time past the question of a road to Toorbul Point to give access to Bribie Island has been under consideration by the Caboolture Shire Council. For the information of those interested I may state that the following letter offering a road was sent by me to the Caboolture Shire Council on July 28:

“Re Toorbul Point road: Some time ago a deputation waited on the council and petitioned that a road be opened through my property at Toorbul Point. After various visits to the Point by the council and inspections by the council engineer, it was decided by the council to let the matter rest in abeyance.

Building on James Clark's property, Toorbul Point.
Daily Mail 16.12.1924 p.16
“Since then I have been approached by several residents and people interested in Bribie Island, and have promised to write to the council with the object of having a road made available that would give access to Bribie Passage and at the same time not interfere with my business at Toorbul Point. With the object, therefore, of obtaining the council’s assistance in the matter, I enclose portion of a map of the district under discussion with a proposed road sketched on it that I think would be satisfactory to all concerned. I would erect at my own cost the fence shown on the map. I would lease the land on the northern side of the fence to the council for road purposes for say 29 years, at a nominal rental. I would donate £100 towards the expense of making the road. I retain all rights of the land, with the exception of the easement for road purposes granted to your council.

“No buildings, with the exception of a shed at or near the proposed jetty to be erected without my permission.

“The public telephone at present at my cottage at Toorbul Point to be removed and placed in the shed at the proposed jetty. The council to clearly mark the new road to Bribie Passage with suitable signposts so as to avoid any mistake being made and also to assist me in closing the present private track.

“I would also ask your council to definitely accept or refuse this offer within three months from the present date, and, should the council accept, to be prepared to start the work on the road immediately. Should the council wish to discuss the matter with me, I would be pleased to attend a council meeting.”

No doubt those interested will perceive that I do not wish to prevent the public from getting access to Bribie Passage provided my business and valuable oyster leases at Toorbul Point are not interfered with. The road proposed by me leads to the passage at Ninghi Creek Point, where there is the deepest water to be obtained anywhere around the property, and where the expense of erecting a suitable jetty would be very little. I may say that up to the present no reply has been received by me from the Caboolture Shire Council,
Yours, etc., JAMES CLARK (per J.C. Clark).

Source: Letter to the editor "Road to Bribie" by James Clark (per J.C. Clark). The Daily Mail (Brisbane) Wed 22 Sep 1926 p. 3 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article218338906 

Further Reading

Patricia Mercer, 'Clark, James (1857–1933)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/clark-james-5664 published first in hardcopy 1981, accessed online 30 June 2024.

Friday, 14 June 2024

Bongaree Heritage Trail 2022

Bongaree Heritage Trail - 2022 

12 signs along the Pumicestone Passage that tell Bribie's unique history

In June 2022 the Moreton Bay Regional Council in collaboration with the Bribie Island Historical Society installed twelve 2m high free-standing signs for a Bongaree Trail showcasing Bribie's history and natural environment.

The signs commence near the IGA store at Kangaroo Avenue and are installed along the Pumicestone Passage, ending at the end of South Esplanade.


1. Bribie in a can - the history of fish canning on Bribie Island.

Bribie was home to several fish canneries in the early 1900s – when fish were plentiful and people were few. ‘Anchor’ and ‘Lighthouse’ brands were produced at the northern (lighthouse) end of the island, opposite Golden Beach, and ‘Diver’ at this site here at Bongaree.

The Diver brand and cannery were built by savvy Brisbane businesswoman Sarah Balls, known as ‘Mum’ for her hands-on approach to business. At its peak, the Diver cannery employed 20 people and was capable of processing two tons of fish and around 10,000 cans per day.

The factory comprised a state-of-the-art refrigeration room and four pressure cookers. The fresh water needed for the canning process was drawn from springs once used by the local Indigenous people. Fishermen delivered catches of mullet, whiting, snapper, bream, flathead, tailor, kingfish and jewfish to an adjoining jetty here.

The long-term viability of the Bribie canneries was compromised by the fact that our warm water fish are not ideally suited to canning – and dwindling fish stocks.

The environmental impact of large commercial operations like the canneries led to the establishment of the Amateur Fishermen’s Association of Queensland and the regulation of fishing practices. The original clubhouse still stands on the waterfront at the end of South Esplanade – about 1.5 kilometres south of here.

Although nothing remains of Bribie’s fish canneries today, there are plenty of places along the foreshore here where you can enjoy the local catch of the day.

“The popularity of the Diver brand is increasing every day. The public welcome the advent of mullet, bream and schnapper caught and canned in Moreton Bay.” Brisbane Truth 1908.

2. Every street tells a story - Bestman and Cotterill Avenue are named for two friends who were behind Bongaree's first general store and Dairy.

The nearby Hall, Bestman and Cotterill Avenues take their names from the friends and families behind Bribie’s first general store and dairy farm.

Arthur Bestmann was born at Toorbul Point in 1887 and lived on Bribie from the early 1900s. Alfred Hall was a Toowong merchant and regular visitor to Bribie.

Artie and Alf became mates and business partners, establishing Hall and Bestmann Bribie Store in 1914. An early advertisement declared “We stock the best brands of goods procurable … at Brisbane prices.”

The store was located near the corner of today’s Toorbul Street and First Avenue.

(Bestmann subsequently came to favour the spelling ‘Bestman’ – which is why the street and store are spelt differently.)

In the 1920s, Artie and Alf developed a dairy farm on several hundred acres here. Alf’s niece Emma and her husband Wilf Cotterill migrated from England to work on the farm. The Cotterills ultimately took over the operation, which came to be known as Cotterill Farm.

As Bribie at the time was home to just a handful of residents, the many campers and day trippers were valued customers of Cotterill Farm. And of course Hall and Bestmann Store was their main outlet. In the early 1940s, Cotterill Farm also supplied fresh milk to the military forces located on Bribie and at Toorbul Point (now Sandstone Point).

Cotterill Dairy continued to operate until 1960, as the farmlands were gradually subdivided for housing. The original Cotterill farmhouse remained on Hall Avenue until 2008.

3. A creek called Shirley - named for Bill Shirley an early enterprising resident of Bribie.

Shirley Creek is named for Bill Shirley – an early trailblazer and enterprising resident of Bribie.

After serving with the Australian Army Engineers in the First World War, Bill established a contracting business in Brisbane. In 1923, he was contracted by the Brisbane Tug and Steamship Company to clear a path across the island.

This would pave the way for the construction of a road from the Steamship Company Jetty to Ocean Beach – today’s ‘Woorim’. Bill was subsequently appointed construction supervisor and then tollkeeper of the new road. This ‘Ocean Beach Road’ is today known as ‘First Avenue’.

In 1927, the Shirley family relocated to Bribie. The enterprising Bill established a bus service, became a land agent, and developed and operated the Ocean Beach Guesthouse – near where the surf club now stands at Woorim. The two-storey guesthouse comprised comfortably appointed guestrooms, sundeck, dining room, dance hall, post office and shop.

By 1933, Bill – the unofficial ‘Bribie Mayor’ – was appointed the first Honorary Councillor representing Bribie Island. To attend monthly meetings at Caboolture Shire Council, he would travel by steamship to Brisbane, stay overnight, then continue by train to Caboolture. He eventually swapped the three days of return travel for a motorboat, running across Deception Bay and up the Caboolture River.

Bill’s first major achievement as Bribie Councillor was to replace a plank walkway across the creek here – pictured above – with a substantial bridge in 1935. This opened up vehicular access for the burgeoning settlement of Bongaree.

4. The legend behind Welsby Parade - is Thomas Welsby - historian, businessman, sportsman, politician and novelist.

Welsby Parade, which runs along the foreshore here, is named for one of the great characters shaping Moreton Bay and Bribie – the landscape and legend.

Thomas Welsby (1858 – 1941) was a popular and respected businessman, sportsman, politician, historian and novelist. Above all, he was a seafarer, spending a lifetime exploring Moreton Bay. He was the author of numerous books of local history, as well as personal accounts of the region’s waters and islands, their sailing, fishing and shipwrecks.

Welsby was a founding member and early president of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland. He bequeathed his 2000 volume library to the society, whose collection today is known as the Welsby Library.

Welsby was a founding member of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, publishing a history of the club in 1918. He was an early president of the Amateur Fishermen’s Association of Queensland, whose clubhouse is on Bribie.

Spending his later years here, Welsby’s final book was ‘Bribie the Basket Maker’. It tells the story of a basket-weaving, fish-hawking convict named James Bribie. This likeable larrikin allegedly gave Bribie Island its name.

Despite a fondness for the story among locals, there are no records of a convict named ‘Bribie’ or similar. It’s probably a romantic retelling of another yarn – perhaps to further the Bribie Island legend!

5. Paving the way to Brisbane's closest surf beach - tells the story of how the road to Woorim was paved in 1924 and the commencement of the Surf Club.

At this site in 1924, with the opening of the Ocean Beach Road, Brisbane’s closest surf beach became that much closer and more accessible.

The Brisbane Tug and Steamship Company, which provided passenger services to Bribie, consulted the Royal Lifesaving Society about forming a club to patrol Ocean Beach (today’s ‘Woorim Beach’) over the summer holidays.

It was soon discovered that two Steamship Company contractors – Bert and Harold Blake – held lifesaving certificates. A lifesaving reel was procured, and Bert and Harold conducted the first patrols of Bribie’s Ocean Beach.

The Steamship Company eagerly promoted surfing at Bribie and offered free passage for members of Brisbane’s Metropolitan Life Saving Club in return for patrolling the surf beach.

In 1927, the Steamship Company donated a prefabricated house to serve as a clubhouse. Donations were collected on the trip to Bribie to fund fitout and equipment.

In 1933, the Bribie Island Surf Lifesaving Club was officially founded. The clubhouse was destroyed by fire in 1964, but with fundraising a new clubhouse was ready for the summer holiday season.

‘First Avenue’ as it’s known today (opposite here) remains the main route connecting Bongaree with the oceanside and Woorim – and connecting Brisbane with its closest surf beach.

6. A legendary retriever named Ranger - Bribie's own "red" dog who was the surf lifesavers pal in the 1930s.

Arguably Bribie’s most famous dog, Ranger had no one owner, but he had many friends and carers. A black retriever, Ranger was an honorary member of the Surf Life Saving Club and an important part of their team.

Legend has it, when the steamships from Brisbane would dock here at Bongaree, Ranger would be there to greet the new arrivals. He would then race off down Ocean Beach Road, covering the five kilometres to the surf club in ample time to be ready and waiting when the bus arrived.

When the lifesavers were on patrol, so was Ranger. He was first in and last out. He would swim out beyond the farthest swimmer, staying in the water for hours. The legend of Ranger even made the pages of the Sydney Morning Herald.

When Ranger the legendary retriever died in 1936, the flag at the surf club was flown at half-mast. The lifesavers buried Ranger beside the clubhouse, overlooking the sea. For decades, a small wooden memorial stood among the sand dunes. The epitaph is reproduced above.

Bribie is the perfect place to walk, run and swim your own legendary companion. But we no longer let our dogs free-range like Ranger. Much of Bribie is a wildlife sanctuary and national park.

So while many areas are dog friendly – and some off-leash – others are strictly off limits

7. Bribie's indigenous people - describes their rich culture and traditions.

Like all of Australia, Bribie had a rich Indigenous culture prior to European occupation. Information gleaned from early colonial accounts and today’s archaeological research portray a thriving society with complex social structures.

The bountiful landscape supported a largely sedentary society. The Indigenous people of Bribie lived in small communities, in semi-permanent dwellings. They lived in balance with the natural environment, with the seasons, custom and lore governing their way of life.

Being saltwater people, their diet was largely marine based, including fish, shellfish, crustaceans, dugong and turtle. ‘Tow row’ fishing nets were woven from plant fibres. Fish traps were assembled with stones – remnants of these can still be seen today.

Plants and fruits were also an important part of the diet. The rhizome of the Bungwall fern, for instance, was pounded with stones, then roasted to make a ‘damper’. As there is no naturally-occurring stone on the sandy Bribie, all stone was introduced.

Early descriptions of the local Indigenous people note their tall stature, robust health, friendliness and generosity. This warm welcome turned to hostility as Bribie’s first people were driven from their country and their livelihoods were taken away.

Archaeological research reveals the once-thriving first people of Bribie. By studying the bora rings, scarred trees, stone tools and shell middens they left behind – some dated at around 3500 years – we can see how the local Indigenous people once lived. And how their descendants – today’s traditional custodians – maintain their connection with this wonderful place.

8. Bribie's first European guests - three men, in 1823, lived for over three months with Bribie's indigenous people.

The first Europeans to live on Bribie were three convicts who were marooned in Moreton Bay in 1823.

Ticket-of-leave convicts Thomas Pamphlett and Richard Parsons, along with convict John Finnegan, had been assigned to work on a timber-getting expedition. They had set out from Sydney in March in a 10-metre open boat heading south for the Illawarra. Caught in a violent storm, they were blown far off-course to the north.

After 25 days lost at sea and disoriented, they became wrecked on Moreton Island in April. A fourth member of their party, John Thompson, died at sea.

Aided by the local Indigenous people, the trio travelled to the mainland and up the elusive and yet to be surveyed and named ‘Brisbane River’. Returning to the river mouth, they headed north, thinking they were south of Sydney. They reached Bribie in September.

Welcomed by the local Indigenous people, the trio remained in the area for several weeks. It was only when they were stumbled upon by Surveyor General John Oxley in November that the castaways came to realise how far off-course they truly were.

The castaways returned the favour by leading the surveyor to the large river that had thus far eluded him and those who came before him.

9. Bribie's oldest house and Australia's first opera - Emily and Norman Coungeau bought land on Bribie in 1912 .

For more than 30 years in the late 19th and early 20th century, Emily and Naoum (Norman) Coungeau ran a hugely popular café and wine bar in Brisbane’s Queen Street. The ‘Olympian Café’, as it came to be known, grew to occupy two city buildings. The Coungeaus lived in an apartment above the café. That is, until they retired to their favourite holiday spot – Bribie.

The Coungeaus purchased land in Bongaree and commissioned Brisbane architects Hall and Dods to design their home in the Queensland style. Their Bribie retirement retreat was built in 1915–16.

Norman was a keen surfer, and regularly hiked the five kilometres across the island to the surf beach. Emily was a widely published and highly regarded poet. With much of her work penned while living on Bribie, she is an early exponent of a uniquely Queensland verse. Her work ‘Princess Mona’ – a fantastic interpretation of the ANZAC legend – provided the libretto for Australia’s first professionally staged opera ‘Auster’.

The Coungeaus’ commercial success saw them become generous philanthropists and patrons of the arts. Emily was a passionate supporter of women’s causes. The Coungeaus bequeathed their beloved Bribie home to the Anglican Church.

‘Coungeau House’, as it’s known today, is now owned and operated by the Toc H organisation, providing holiday accommodation for people in need. Located about 500 metres from here at 36 Banya Street, Coungeau House is the oldest home built on Bribie that is still standing today.

10. Campbell's Boat Shed and Cash Store - the story of a family who played a key role in Bribie's early history.

This creek was originally known as Campbell Creek. It was named for a family that played a key role in servicing Bribie’s early visitors and the growing settlement of Bongaree.

In 1905, Joe and Clara Campbell managed an extensive oyster farming operation on the Pumicestone Passage. After World War I, Joe and son Reg opened a boat shed on the creek near here, hiring out boats to campers. The creek was much larger at the time, providing a natural harbour.

In 1933, Reg married Vera Huet and they established Campbell’s Cash Store. Reg and Vera’s local knowledge of the best fishing spots, bait and tackle was much in demand and freely shared with their customers. Campbell’s Cash Store remained the heart and hub of South Esplanade and the Bongaree community until the mid 1960s.

The Campbells also operated a popular oyster kiosk near the Steamship Company Jetty – so visitors could fill up or stock up for the trip back to Brisbane. Today, there are lots of places along the esplanade here where you can enjoy the local catch of the day.

Coincidentally, it was another Campbell – George P Campbell – who played a major part in developing the early steamship services and accommodation that would see Bribie become one of the most popular destinations in Australia, receiving up to 5000 visitors each week. Campbell Street here in Bongaree is named for George.

11. A birdwatcher's paradise - Bribie Island is world-renowned for its wonderful natural environment.

Bribie is world-renowned for its wonderful natural environment. In 1921, the island was declared a wildlife sanctuary. Today, much of the coastal fringe and all of the surrounding waters are protected under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.

From September each year, thousands of migratory shorebirds arrive in the region from as far afield as Siberia and Alaska. Species such as Bar-tailed Godwits, Eastern Curlews and Red-necked Stints come to escape the northern winter, setting off again for the northern summer breeding season from March.

Resident waders – such as Australian Pied Oystercatchers and Red-capped Plovers – can be seen on local beaches throughout the year. Native ducks – including Chestnut Teals and the occasional Shoveler – can be seen at wetlands. If you have a keen eye, you may even spy a Black-necked Stork or Glossy Ibis.

One of the best places to experience Bribie birdlife is Buckley’s Hole Conservation Park – about 650 metres further along from here. This 88-hectare site comprises a freshwater lagoon, bird hide, forest and beach. Some 290 bird species have been recorded here, rivalling Kakadu.

According to local legend, a fisherman named Sam Buckley favoured a pocket of deep water offshore from here. This area, along with the lagoon, came to be collectively known as ‘Buckley’s Hole’.

12. Amateur Fishermen's Association of Queensland - is one of the longest running organisations of its kind in Australia.

The Amateur Fishermen’s Association of Queensland is one of the longest running organisations of its kind in Australia. It was established in 1904, when around 100 concerned local anglers lobbied the Queensland Government to regulate fishing practices due to widely reported declines in fish numbers.

This led to the establishment of rules and regulations around fish species size, catch limits, seasons and equipment used for both recreational and commercial fishing – to protect fish stocks, prevent overfishing and safeguard the fishing tradition. AFAQ members reported the catching of undersized fish and inappropriate netting practices to the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Stock.

The members collected, identified and preserved specimens of fish from Moreton Bay to document and monitor fish stocks. The collection today comprises more than 300 specimens, a selection of which is often on display at the Bribie Island Seaside Museum.

If you walk a further 100 metres from here past the end of the esplanade, you can see the original clubhouse and museum – J Douglas Ogilby Cottage, built in 1925, which remains the AFAQ headquarters. A prime, absolute waterfront location and a top fishing spot!

The clubhouse was named in memory of ichthyologist James Douglas Ogilby who worked at the Queensland Museum and curated the AFAQ’s early collections of specimens, books and memorabilia.

REFERENCE
Bribie Island Historical Society webpage
https://www.bribiehistoricalsociety.org.au/records/bongaree's-heritage-trail-signs