Parks on Bribie

What's in a name

Parks on Bribie

by Barry Clark

Bribie Island Historical Society

Have you ever wondered why the park you walk through or exercise your dog in has that funny name? I think it is important to recognise and remember those who have contributed to the islands history, so this month I have written about just four public parks in different suburbs to explain how they were named.

A few recently erected park signs do have informative words on them that help residents and visitors appreciate why they are so named, but why not all of them? They provide background information for residents and visitors to appreciate those who made valuable contributions to the island over the years, and were recognised by having a park named in their honour. In most cases they were named some years ago to honour people who now seem to be forgotten. It seems to me that they may just as well be called Park A, B or C if the names no longer have any meaning. 

There are parks in all Bribie suburbs that have the name of an organisation, group or event, but many have been named for specific people. Here is just a bit of information about some Park names that may add value and interest for you. If you would like to know more about the name of a Park or Street please contact us on bribiehistoricalsociety@gmail.com

CLAYTON PARK - BELLARA 

SIDNEY CLAYTON worked in the Caboolture Dairy industry until he retired and in 1952 and was then elected Chairman of the Caboolture Shire Council. He served as Shire Chairman for 12 years during which time both the Bribie Water Supply and the Bribie Bridge were constructed. When the Bribie Island Bridge opened on 19th October 1963 the Government imposed a substantial Toll which lasted for 12 years until the bridge was paid for.
Following the opening of the Bridge the new suburb of Bellara developed and this park recognises Sidney Clayton being the Shire Chairman at that time. This park became the roost for millions of bats a few years ago causing problems for residents.

EDWIN SCHRAG PARK - WOORIM  

EDWIN SCHRAG represented Bribie on the Caboolture Shire Council for 8 years from 1971 to 1979. He lived at Woorim and ran his Real Estate business at Bongaree. Over many years he served the Bribie community in the Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce, and from 1976 to 1982 was founding President of the Golden Age Centre. In 1976 the Bribie community staged a major fundraising stunt to secede from Queensland and become our own “Republic of Bribie Island”, with Edwin Schrag as President, and his wife Phyllis as First Lady. This park recognises the significant contribution he made to the island.

BRENNAN PARK - BONGAREE  

BERNIE & SALLY BRENNAN came to Bribie Island in 1941, and after the War opened a General Store in the front of a wooden cottage at No 7 Toorbul Street. Brennan’s Store provided the basic needs of the few residents and the thousands of holiday visitors who camped in canvas tents in this park and all along the Bongaree Foreshore. In 1958 the shop became the islands first Golden Casket ticket agency, and sold the winning First Prize ticket to a local resident in 1965. Brennan’s Store served the community for 33 years until 1978, and over all those years Sally washed the kit for the Surf Club volunteers until her death in 2011. This park sign was recently damaged in an accident. Council have now installed a new one with appropriate wording added. Thank you. 

COL FISCHER PARK - BANKSIA BEACH 

Colin and Bry Fischer were early residents of the new Solander Lake development at Banksia beach from 1979. Their agricultural background resulted in their home garden on Solander Esplanade becoming a colourful showpiece of flowers and shrubs, winning many garden competitions, and being awarded “Best Garden in Caboolture Shire” on several occasions. Over their 22 years living here they witnessed the initial development of Solander Lake, which eventually grew to become the extensive canal developments of Pacific Harbour. They contributed thousands of volunteer hours to planting and beautifying the Foreshore area of Banksia Beach, and installing the Glasshouse mountain models in the Park named in his honour. I assisted Col to document his history of Banksia beach, but he died in June 2011 just before his book was published and launched by Bry at the Historical Society.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: 
This article was published in The Bribie Islander, issue 48, July 2018, page 36.  thebribieislander.com.au 

Q150 2009 Camping Grounds

Q150 Heritage Plaque - 4 of 16 - Camping Grounds

The Bribie Island Heritage Plaques Waterfront Walk Bongaree consists of 16 bronze plaques located on the "Heritage Walk" along the walking path beside the Bongaree beach from the southern point of South Esplanade and finishes just north of Kangaroo Avenue.

These 16 bronze plaques set on a white concrete square record various aspects of the history of Bribie Island: Record Rainfall, South Esplanade, Campbell's Store, Camping Grounds, Bribie Island heritage quote from A. Meston, Ian Fairweather, First Shop, Bribie Island Heritage quote from Stan Tutt, First Avenue, Fishing Records, Welsby Parade, Bribie Island Wartime, First Car, Shirley Creek, Castaway Convicts and Fish Cannery.

The following excerpt is from the 2009 booklet produced prior to the plaques placement.  The Heritage Plaques Waterfront Walk Bongaree project was a Q150 Community Funded Program, initiated by the Rotary Club of Bribie Island and supported by Moreton Bay Regional Council in conjunction with Bribie Island U3A and Bribie Island Historical Society.

A copy of the map for the Bongaree Waterfront Walk can be found at

http://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/bribie-heritage-plaques-walk.html

CAMPING GROUNDS In the 1920’s there were few shops, no services, and less than 100 permanent residents.  Many thousands came every week by Ship from Brisbane and pitched their tents here to enjoy cheap and healthy holidays.

The Development of  Tourism on Bribie Island

¨ In 1903 The Brisbane Tug and Steamship Co. was formed, planning to run boat trips from Brisbane to Bribie, and develop tourism interests on the Island.

Tents pitched along the Bongaree foreshore in the 1920s.
"The 12 Apostles" holiday huts can be seen in the background.

¨ In 1911 the company’s ship SS Koopa, which had been  purpose built in Scotland,  began regular trips to the newly built jetty at Bongaree.

¨ The holiday and weekend excursions from Brisbane to Bribie often brought more people to camp on Bribie than lived in the entire Caboolture Shire. This was  the forerunner of mass tourism as we know it today.  Some came for a day trip, others came for long camping and fishing holidays.

Foreshore at Bongaree, 1921.

      

      ¨ The SS Koopa was capable of carrying over 1200 people and many of these camped  along the foreshore  in todays Brennan Park area.  


           A dozen waterfront holiday huts were built for hire, and became known as “The 12 Apostles”  and  were located  in front of  the present day Library and Bribie Island Bowling Club.

Camping 1925.

BRENNAN PARK AND SHOPS

¨ Brennan Park was a popular tent campsite for sixty years until 1974.

¨ A variety of small shops in Toorbul Street provided campers, tourists and the few residents with their basic needs.  “Hall & Bestmann” had a General Store on the northern corner and “Ormiston” at the southern end.

¨ Sally and Bernie Brennan, after whom this park is named, had a shop in this row for over 30 years.

¨ Tent poles could be hired from the local shops and drinking water had to be brought by ship from Brisbane for the thousands of campers.

  

Camping in Brennan Park.