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

1928 Motorcycle race on Bribie Island

Sporting Events held on Bribie Island

1928 - Motorcycle racing

In 1928, the sandy Ocean Beach at Bribie Island was the scene of a novel race, a unique one-off event that generated a lot of interest at the time. Sensational speeds of over 70 m.p.h. were reached by Eddie Smythe on his "Ariel" motorcycle at the Brisbane Motor Cycle Club's racing carnival.

Below is an article on the race as well as two photos from The Brisbane Courier Monday 19 March 1928 p. 7 and 16.

Racing on Bribie Beach. 

Eddie Smythe Excels. 

By “Wayfarer”

The Brisbane Motor Cycle Club’s racing carnival held on the ocean beach at Bribie Island yesterday was a very successful fixture.  The racing was witnessed by a huge crowd, and it was noticeable that, despite their enthusiasm, the spectators were at no time a source of trouble.  They kept clear of the course and observed the barriers erected in the interests of their safety.

   The racing was staged on the tide-washed section of the beach at low water, which was beautifully hard and level.  As the day wore on the sharp turns at either end were torn up by skidding wheels, and as the rising tide encroached on the course the men had to race on the softer sand of the upper beach, and the spills were more numerous.  The course was a mile in length, comprising two straight runs each of half a mile, with hairpin turns at each extremity.  

Sensational speeds were made in the straights that attained by Eddie Smythe’s Ariel, which proved itself the fastest machine of the day, being calculated at well over 70 m.p.h.  In one race this rider came off twice, and then registered an average of 46 ½ m.p.h., which was wonderful speed, considering that the race included ten extremely sharp turns.  

Besides moving fast in the straights, Smythe showed a mastery of the art of broadsiding around the turns in little more than a machine’s length.  He was easily the best rider of the day in every department, and particularly in negotiating the turns.  Smythe won the two-mile B.M.C.C. handicap, and was just beaten by A.R. Walton in the five-mile open handicap, in which, however, he registered fastest time.  

The rapidity with which the tide rose caused the cancellation of one event, a three-mile club handicap.  Details:- [of the results – name of the rider and type of cycle] . . .

Reference:

Racing on Bribie Beach. Eddie Smythe Excels. By "Wayfarer". The Brisbane Courier, Mon 19 Mar 1928, p. 7 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article21234347