Guest blogger: Toni Risson, 2016 Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame Fellow From the 1930s to the 1950s Greek cafés did their best to fulfill the dream of elegance and glamour that drifted down from the silver screen. Among these, Christie’s became a mythic place that Brisbane residents speak of with a reverence normally reserved for … Read more
Sir Arnold Lucas Bennett was born in Toowoomba in 1908 and educated at Toowoomba and Brisbane Grammar schools. He graduated from the University of Queensland in 1931, completed his Barrister’s Board examinations in 1932 and soon after was admitted to the bar and commenced practice. Sir Arnold went on to have a distinguished career as … Read more
On November 23, 1951, Santa officially arrived at Brisbane’s McWhirters department store to mark the opening of the Christmas retail season. McWhirters had proclaimed itself “the home of Santa Claus” with the man in red occupying the third floor along with his pixies Smiley, Nosey, Grampy and Tubby. Other attractions for children included a merry-go-round … Read more
State Library of Queensland has an extensive collection of historical maps of Queensland, some of which have been digitised and can be viewed online. This real estate map from 1882 advertises over 350 allotments of land for sale at the Nashville Estate in the Brisbane suburb of Sandgate. The allotments were situated along Nash Street, Wolsley … Read more
The sinking of the SS Quetta on the night of February 28, 1890 remains one of Queensland’s most tragic events, but what happened in the period after the sinking and loss of life? Public feeling over the loss of the ship was very strong with various rumours and stories circulating throughout Queensland and beyond. Some … Read more
10 December 2016 is the 157th anniversary of Sir George Ferguson Bowen, first Governor of Queensland, proclaiming the State of Queensland. Governor Bowen arrived in Brisbane, with his wife Lady Diamantina Bowen, on 9 December 1859. He disembarked at the (City) Botanic Gardens and with his party travelled along George St and Queen St to … Read more
State Library of Queensland recently received a small donation of ephemeral material from Stanton Library in North Sydney. This donation includes several leaflets from Brick Supplies Pty. Ltd., an enterprise described in The Truth on 11 February, 1940. To supply homebuilders with information, suggestions and advice on all matters pertaining to the economical and effective … Read more
On November 21, 1888, Duncan Forbes was crossing Turbot Street in Brisbane’s CBD when he witnessed a shocking spectacle. According to the Telegraph newspaper, Forbes heard shrieking coming from Charles Higgins’ Great Menagerie of Wild Performing Animals, situated on the corner of George and Turbot streets. As he turned, he beheld a man running through … Read more
Recently Queensland Library Foundation donor Ben Kehoe kindly donated a number of Her Majesty’s Theatre programs to SLQ, where they have enriched our extensive theatre program collection. Ben tells the story behind his gift. “These programs were originally the collection of Minnie White (nee Walsh) (1882-1943) and Ted White. It appears Minnie was a collector … Read more
State Library of Queensland has an extensive collection of historical maps of Queensland, some of which have been digitised and can be viewed online. This real estate map from 1923 advertises 100 allotments of land for sale at the Mt Coolum Beach Estate (2nd section) on the Sunshine Coast. The allotments were situated along Coolum Terrace, Scrub … Read more