1924 Ocean Beach Open

Many Watering Places within easy reach provide rest and recreation. An appreciation by Phoebe Kirwan

Beautiful Bribie - Ocean Beach Open

1924

"Bribie Island is historic as the place where the Southern Queensland aborigines found their last refuge from the ever-encroaching white man on the mainland to the southward of the Wide Bay district.  They were a wild tribe, living chiefly on fish and oysters, which then, as now, swarmed in the surrounding waters. Its southern extremity (Skirmish Point) obtained its name from a stubborn resistance put up by the locals, to the landing of a number of white men, and there are still a number of aboriginal kippar rings, clearly and unmistakably defined, to be found on the island.

To-day Bribie is one of the favourite seaside resorts of the Brisbane residents, and during the summer months, its boarding house and furnished residence accommodations taxed to the utmost. Surrounded as it is by seawater, the climate is healthy and bracing to the invalids, 10 degrees cooler in the summer and 10 degrees warmer in the winter than the mainland. The fishing and bathing facilities – including surfing on its Ocean Beach – are second to nothing in the State, whilst the botanical and shell curio collectors can indulge in their special hobbies to their hearts content.

The Simple Life on Bribie Island
The Telegraph 27.10.1924 p.3

Bribie Island is divided from the mainland by Pumicestone Passage, open to the ocean at both ends and navigable by boats of light draught throughout.  It is some 30 miles in length and from one to three miles in width, with a number of small and picturesque islands in its course.  The trip through in a well-equipped motor boat from Bongaree to Caloundra in smooth and land-locked waters, is picturesque and enjoyable to a degree.  Mr Harry Wright, a well-known Brisbane man, was the first to take up land on the island, some six to seven hundred acres in extent, under the Dutton Act in 1907, and for some time afterwards he, with his family, where (excepting the lighthouse keepers at the Caloundra end) the only permanent residents.  He named his selection Mountain View, from the fact that 13 out of the 18 peaks of the Glasshouse Mountains were visible in clear weather from the veranda of his residence.

Steamer Koopa at the Pier Head, Bribie Island.
The Telegraph 27.10.1924 p.3

This has all changed of late years.  The township of Bongaree, in the centre of which is situated the Tug Company’s wharf, has sprung into existence, and is now a rapidly rising and flourishing place, with a post and telegraph office, a special telephone service, a State school, a State farm, five boarding houses, a dozen or more unfurnished shacks, and innumerable furnished flats and houses for the accommodation of visitors. There are three general stores and a butchering business. On the esplanade frontage there are ladies and gentlemens bathing sheds, a kiosk, restaurant, dancing and concert pavilion, tennis court, etc., for the use and convenience of residents and visitors.

A two-chain wide roadway, cleared from end to end, with a macadamized motor track in the centre, has recently been completed right across the island from the township jetty to the Ocean Beach.  

The new [private] road constructed by the Brisbane Tug and Steamship Co., Ltd.,
from Bribie Passage to the Main Ocean Beach.
Brisbane Courier 5.12.1924 p.20

Upon this [private] road the Tug Company are now running motor ‘buses at frequent intervals at a moderate charge for the return journey, which enable day excursionists to leave Brisbane at 9.30 a.m., have a pleasure trip down the River and across the Bay, enjoy a six-mile (there and back) motor drive across the Island, an hour’s surf fishing or bathing, and return to town for their 6 o’clock tea – a programme which probably cannot be equaled on the whole Australian coast line."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Phoebe Kirwan, b. 1896, Queensland. Phoebe was a journalist in the 1920s/1930s in Brisbane. Phoebe was married to cinema photographer Bert Kirwan from 1917 to 1933.

REFERENCES

Beautiful Bribie. Ocean Beach open.
The Daily Mail 12.10.1924 p. 14 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article219015825

Bribie Island.  ILLUSTRATIONS. Picture 4: Steamer Koopa at the Pier Head, Bribie Island.  Picture 5: The Simple Life.
The Telegraph 27.10.1924 p. 3 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article179598892

Happy Island. Bribie’s Lure.  ILLUSTRATION - The new road constructed by the Brisbane Tug and Steamship Co., Ltd., from Bribie Passage to the Main Ocean Beach.
The Brisbane Courier 5.12.1924 p. 20. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22877599  

FURTHER READING

Brisbane Tug & Steamship Company (1912-1952)
https://www.bribiehistoricalsociety.org.au/records/brisbane-tug-%26-steamship-company-inc

1925 Holiday Time

 Visitors have enjoyed the summer holidays on Bribie for over 100 years. Here is a glimpse of the sporting and entertainment activities offered by the local Committee in 1925, all proceeds going towards the Ambulance Fund.

Christmas at Bribie

1925

Campers and residents at popular Bribie Island were well catered for in the way of amusement during the holiday. There were dances afternoon and night. 

Humping camp kit on Bribie Island
Photo: J.P. Millar
The Queenslander 31.1.1925 p. 25

On Boxing Day a big sports programme was carried out, and on New Year's Day the sport committee ran an excursion to the ocean beach in aid of Q.A.T.B. There were 545 people taken across to the main beach. 

The committee worked hard to beat last year's record for the ambulance. They had a fancy dress ball, the prize-winners being W. Tiles and Mrs Wright. The second prizes went to Mr Bert McLean and Miss D Bestmann. 

The old bush store on Bribie Island.
Photo: J.P. Millar
The Queenslander 31.1.1925 p. 25

The committee put on a sand garden competition for the children. Messrs McSweeney and Holmes carried out the judging. Mr McSweeney said it was regrettable to see numerous other pleasure resorts being boomed to a great extent and Bribie being overlooked. 

The ambulance reported no serious accidents, but the bearers were kept busy with minor cases. 

As a result of the activities of the committee Bribie collected the splendid sum of £34 15s for the ambulance during the holidays.

REFERENCES

Christmas at Bribie.
Daily Mail 13.1.1925 p. 5 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article218329852

Holiday Time - two photos.
The Queenslander 31.1.1925 p. 25 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article25098951

1970s First beach ranger on Bribie

In the late 1980s a stone cairn was erected at Woorim with a plaque commemorating the first beach ranger on Bribie Island, Bill Scarth (1915-1986). The following information is from entry 90636 recorded by Monument Australia.

We are seeking any photos of the monument. If you have a photo of the monument please contact us on bribiehistoricalsociety@gmail.com 

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Monument Australia - entry 90636

Bill Scarth 

Monument address: Ocean Beach, Bribie Island, 4km N of Woorim

Approximate GPS co-ordinates: Latitude: -27 01 21; Longitude: +153 10 39

Monument Type: Monument

Description:

The monument commemorates Bill Scarth, who was the first Beach ranger on Bribie Island.

In the late 1970s Caboolture Shire Council was concerned about the damage caused to Ocean Beach by four wheel drive vehicles, motor bikes and campers. Bill Scarth was employed by the Council to clean up the beach. The problems he encountered were sometimes hazardous but he stuck to his task earning the reputation of a just and fair man in the difficult balance of preserving the beach and the needs of its users.

In 1980 Peter Scott took over Bill's duties and, both in response to requests from the fishermen and four wheel drive owners who used the beach, and Peter's own appreciation of the man himself, Peter Scott erected a memorial to Bill Scarth. The rock and seashell cairn, approximately 1.25 metres high and .7 metre square is built on a concrete base.

Monument Designer: Peter Scott

Front inscription: 

In Memory of 

WILLIAM (BILL) SCARTH 

13.6.1915 to 12.2.86 

First Beach Ranger Bribie Island

Banner of Monument Australia website
accessed 28.6.2012

Monument Australia Source: NRUM

Memorial cairn for Bill Scarth, Woorim Beach, circa 1989.
Photo: With permission of Loretta Street.

REFERENCES

The Monument Australia website is no longer live in November 2025. The information above was excerpted on 28.6.2012 from http://monumentaustralia.org.au/australian_monument/display/90636

A 2025 screenshot of that page has been archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20250725165645/https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/government---local/display/90636-bill-scarth/

Photo: Displayed with permission of Loretta Street, posted on Bribie Island History Facebook page, 8.2.2021. Loretta recalls "we used to rent off Bill in Nulu Street, Bongaree. He was an awesome man". Thank you Loretta.

We are SEEKING any photos of the monument. If you have a photo of the monument please contact us on bribiehistoricalsociety@gmail.com

1923 Racehorse named Bribie

One hundred years ago, there was a racehorse named Bribie, owned by James Clark. James Clark and his family owned the Toorbul Point property for most of the twentieth century, the land now being the location of the suburb of Sandstone Point. 

A Racehorse named Bribie

Photo: Berry and Whalley.
The Telegraph 1.6.1923 p.4

This is Bribie, who, like Lady Aura, will represent Sydney in the Stradbroke Handicap [in 1923]...  Bribie, however, is owned by a Queenslander in Mr James Clark, but has done all his racing in Sydney.  He also is engaged in the Sires' Produce Stakes.  

Bribie is a nice-looking colt out of Kummulla, and was bought by his present owner, Mr J. Clarke, for 800 guineas. Mr Clark named him after an island in Moreton Bay, Queensland.

Bribie has only started twice, but it would be strange if he could not gallop for he is a brother to that brilliant sprinter, Glenacre. His dam, Kummulla, . . . This family has been a very successful one, having produced countless good performers. Bribie finished in impressive style, and in this colt there is every probability of Mr Clarke having another Tangalooma. 

J. Clark’s Bribie winning the Claret Stakes from Ardglen and Belle of Crecy.

Photo: King Arnold
The Telegraph 11.6.1923 p.4

Mr J. Clark's Bay Colt Bribie, winner of the Claret Stakes at Ascot on Saturday last, about to be swung aboard the Kanowna yesterday on his way to Sydney.  

Photo: Berry and Whalley
The Brisbane Courier 12.6.1923 p.16

Mr James Clark (1858-1933) "nothing but the best"

From his obituary 10.7.1933: "In his day Mr. Clark was a famous yachtsman, and right up to the close of last season’s sailing calendar he could be found regularly every Saturday following with the closest interest the sailing races on the Brisbane River, sometimes in his own launch, but more often on the flagship of one of the clubs.  He was a sound cricketer, one of the best rifle shots in Australia, and did not neglect the turf, for he owned many good racehorses.  It was characteristic of Mr. Clark that he had but one standard for his varying diversions, and that was “nothing but the best”."

REFERENCES

Bribie. [Photo] This is Bribie, who, like Lady Aura, will represent Sydney in the Stradbroke Handicap on Saturday.  Photo: Berry and Whalley.
The Telegraph, Fri 1 Jun 1923, p. 4 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article177041048  

J. Clark’s Bribie winning the Claret Stakes. [Photo] Photo: King Arnold
The Telegraph, Mon 11 Jun 1923 p. 3 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article177042928 

Shipping a racehorse. [Photo] Photo: Berry and Whalley.
The Brisbane Courier, Tue Jun 12, 1923, p. 16 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20627185 

Racehorse Bribie owned by James Clark.
Referee (Sydney) Wed 13 Dec 1922, p. 7 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127923486

Obituary. Mr James Clark (1858-1933)
The Brisbane Courier, Mon 10 Jul 1933, p. 10 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22193812 

1978 Solander Lake

 The following article outlined the land development plans for Dux Creek and an estate on the northern side of the creek. The photo shows how the area looked almost 50 years ago.

1978 advertorial article:

Solander is Progressing

The new Solander Lake development on Bribie Island, is rapidly taking shape.

Two Gold Coast enterprises, who between them have helped put the city on the map as the "Venice of Australia," with waterway developments, have combined to bring a distinctive style of waterfront living to Banksia Beach on Bribie. Dredges, scrapers and teams of men from Blondells Pty. Ltd. have moved in and the first stage of the major Solander lake development is well underway.

The first section of filling, to provide choice lakeside allotments, is nearing completion. About eight hectares (20 acres) of the lake will be dredged in the first stage, but eventually it will cover 24 hectares (60 acres).

Solander Lake will pave the way for Brisbane commuters, apart from the obvious attraction as a holiday centre. The estate, being prepared jointly by McIlwain Enterprises and the Custom Credit Corporation, will consume up to $20 mil. in a 10-year span. The result will be a combination of waterfront and other home sites, recreation and foreshore areas and shopping centres.

The Caboolture Shire Council lost no time in getting the water main through to Banksia Beach and the Solander Lake estate. The council received a cheque for $60,000 from the developers, to be used on the water supply extension, during a ceremony to mark the beginning of the estate in August, last year. Within months, the main had been planned and work was under way. The main has been extended from Verdoni Street to Banksia Beach. 

Caption: The first aerial picture [1978] of the birth of Solander Lake centre, on Bribie Island. The estate is in the foreground, with the major road system clearly shown. In the centre is the first stage of the huge lake development. The relationship of Solander lake to the rest of the development on Bribie Island is also visible, with the bridge connecting the island to the mainland in the top right of the picture.

REFERENCE
Solander is progressing. Article from unknown publication, 1978. 
Holthouse family collection scrapbook, BIHS historical collection HH99.

1947 Koopa trips resume

 In 1947 the Koopa resumed carrying passengers on pleasure trips from Brisbane to Bribie Island much to the delight of many. The following are a sample of the happy holiday makers making the trip during this latter era of the Koopa which ended in 1953.

1947 - KOOPA CHEERED AT BRIBIE

BY A STAFF WRITER.

Residents of Bribie gathered on the jetty today and gave three cheers for the Koopa when she arrived on her first trip since her return from war service.

The entire population of the island — men, women, children and dogs — was there to turn on a welcome. For them it meant again a regular and comfortable connection with Brisbane.

As she moved down the river this morning on her first pleasure trip in five years office staffs and dock workers came out to wave a welcome.

The Koopa has had a complete "face lift" to prepare her for her peacetime activities. She has been refitted, freshly painted inside and out, seats, cabins and saloons have been done over, and her engines and boilers overhauled.

The Koopa, popular excursion steamer of pre-war days, leaving the city on the resumption of her regular schedule of trips to Bribie Island today.
The Telegraph 4.2.1947 p. 6

Many of the people who travelled on her today did so for purely sentimental reasons, because it was her first trip since the war. Some were old Bribie residents who used to travel backwards and' forwards to their home. One woman made the trip up from Bribie specially to travel back by the Koopa today.

Off to Bribie - 1947

Miss Mona Neven hurried up the gangplank of the Koopa this morning in the rain. 
She was off to Bribie Island to relieve as post mistress there.
The Telegraph 20.2.1947 p. 3

"Once we leave you can't come up here," said Captain J. Davis of the Koopa to
little Eunice Moyle when she boarded the Koopa for Bribie today. So he showed her all the gadgets before the ship left the wharf.
The Telegraph 28.6.1947 p. 7

Kay Chapman (left) and Shirley Clayton aboard the Koopa
as they left today for a week-end at Bribie.
The Telegraph 28.6.1947 p. 7

Off for a holiday at Bribie, Mrs J.F. Gilroy and her three children
Michael, Margaret and Peter, about to take their luggage aboard the Koopa.
The Telegraph 28.6.1947 p. 7

Holiday Smiles - 1948

It was an occasion for smiles today after the wretched week-end weather. The happy picnickers depicted here went down the bay on the Koopa.

Miss Pat Hambleton was ready for the day's sunshine with a shady straw hat.
Brisbane Telegraph 3.5.1948 p. 3

Misses Beth Dooley, Val Snow, Shirley Gorring, Beth Gentner and
Alisa Groth happily make their way to the ship.
Brisbane Telegraph 3.5.1948 p. 3

REFERENCES

Koopa cheered at Bribie. Telegraph 4.2.1947 p.3 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article186699546

PHOTO - The Koopa resumes. Telegraph 4.2.1947 p. 6 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article186699548

PHOTO - Miss Mona Neve. Telegraph 20.2.1947 p. 3 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article186692756 

3 PHOTOS - Off to Bribie. Telegraph 28.6.1947 p. 7 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article186718941 

2 PHOTOS - Holiday smiles. Brisbane Telegraph 3.5.1948 p.3 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article212178620 

1900 Cruising yachts

 The following article describes a cruising yacht race from Brisbane to Toorbul Point and back, over the weekend of 8-9 December 1900. Between the two legs of the race, an afternoon and evening were spent at Toorbul Point, where the team-members participated in a cricket match and later an impromptu concert.

Aquatics. Queensland Yacht Club. Cruising Races

Weekend at Toorbul Point

8-9 December 1900

. . . . After finishing the race the boats proceeded across to the residence of the club's commodore, Mr. James Clark, at Toorbul Point, Bribie Passage, where they joined a number of other club boats, which had preceded them. Most of the boats sailed across to Bribie Passage by moonlight, and the sail was described as being a beautiful one. 

Next day the Q.G.S. Albatross, with the Hon. E.B. Forrest and a party on board, arrived about 1.30. In the afternoon an interesting and highly-amusing cricket match took place between teams captained by the commodore, Mr. James Clark, and the vice-commodore, Mr. W.A. Douglas. 

The vice-commodore’s team batted first, and scored 63, the principal scores being : Fox 17, Douglas 12, Hunt 7, Harvey 7, and Warry 1. The other side only compiled 29, of which 11 were made by Gray, Westaway compiling 6, and O’Beirne 2. 

After tea a very pleasant evening was spent on board the Albatross, when an impromptu concert was organised, some very good items being rendered by the following gentlemen : Messrs. D.B. McSwaine, G. Barnett, Gray, Arthur, F.J. Macgillycuddy, G. Warry, and others, while Mr. G.C. O’Beirne accompanied a number of the songs, and gave selections on the banjo. 

Clianthus cruising yacht

The following boats anchored at Toorbul Point on Sunday night: Harriette Ann, Viking, Ida, Vixen, Clyanthus, Maroma, Gondolier, and Balmoral. 

Gondolier cruising yacht

The second of the cruising races was run, the course being from Toorbul Point to the Pile Light. The wind was very light, from east-north-east, at the start, which took place at about 11 o’clock. The give-flag system was again used for starting, and the start was a perfect one, the boats getting away well … . The wind was very variable, but the boats were enabled to lay the course with eased sheets. … . At the finish the times were : Gondolier, 1h. 34min. 40sec. ; Viking, 1h. 37min. 44sec.; Ida, 1h. 39min. 47sec.; Harriette Ann, 1h. 44min. 2sec. ; Clyanthus, 1h. 47min. After the handicaps had been adjusted, the corrected times order was : Viking ; Gondolier ; Ida ; Clyanthus, Harriette Ann.

All the boats returned to their moorings early, after having spent a most enjoyable outing.

REFERENCES

Aquatics. Queensland Yacht Club. Cruising Races.
Brisbane Courier Tue 11 Dec 1900, p. 7. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/19082818

Sailing as a Pastime in Brisbane.
Sydney Mail and New south Wales Advertiser 28 Jan 1903 p. 217, photos 9. Clianthus 10. Gondolier https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/163777544

FURTHER READING

Government Steamer Albatross
Brisbane Courier 16 Sep 1903 p. 7 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19241952

Obituary for Edward Barrow Forrest (1838-1914)
E.B. Forrest "assisted in the formation of the Royal Queensland Yacht Club, on which he was president for many years."
Telegraph (Brisbane) Tue 31 Mar 1914, p. 8 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article174274105