Author Archives: Janette Garrad Back

Glenn Cooke Collection of Souvenir Queensland Tea Towels

Posted on 18 Feb 2013| by Janette Garrad |

A collection of tea towels may not seem very exciting, but to a collector it can be very meaningful. Some travelers like to keep a detailed diary or journal of the places they visit, while others purchase souvenirs such as a tea towels to remind them where they have been. It can also become an obsession; hunting down these beautifully designed textiles that paint a vivid picture of tourism over many years. The State Library of Queensland has recently acquired a wonderful collection of vintage Queensland souvenir tea towels, tablecloths and other miscellaneous items that are available as part of the original materials collection, on level 4 of the State Library.

The collection comprises 800 tea towels, depicting various places throughout Queensland, including Cairns, Charters Towers, the Gold Coast, Far North Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, to name just a few. The beauty and colour of the graphics – from stunning floral designs to kitsch animal ones and everything in between – makes this a truly unique and fascinating collection that should be seen.

Janette Garrad – Library Technician, State Library of Queensland

New acquisition: James Birrell Papers

Posted on 11 Feb 2013| by Janette Garrad |

The State Library of Queensland recently acquired the James Peter Birrell Papers.

Birrell was an influential force in Queensland architecture. He was born in Victoria and attended Essendon High School. He graduated from Melbourne University with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1951. He was appointed Brisbane City Council Architect in 1955. During this time he designed and oversaw many projects, including the:

Toowong Library
The Centenary Pool and car park on Wickham Terrace
The J.D. Story Administration Building and the Union College Building at Queensland University
The campus plan at James Cook University in Townsville

He later went into private practice in Queensland and New Guinea and became a planning consultant to the Indonesian Government.

Other projects included:

Papua New Guinea Banking Corporation (PNGBC) (now Bank South Pacific), headquarters –
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Agriculture Bank – Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

This material now held at the John Oxley Library, represents not only the projects that this firm was involved with when Birrell was in private practice, but also personal records relating to the life and career of this noted architect. Further information on the James Peter Birrell Papers and the James Peter Birrell Photographs 1957-1961 can be found via SLQ’s One Search.

James Birrell, Mack & Partners

Janette Garrad – Library Technician, State Library of Queensland

Peranga – a short history

Posted on 24 Jan 2013| by Janette Garrad |

From the collections of the State Library of Queensland an exciting new publication, Peranga : 100 years which traces the history of this small town located on the Darling Downs, 70 kilometres north-west of Toowoomba and 55 km north-east of Dalby in Queensland.

This little town was once a prosperous hub a rich dairy-producing area, Peranga went into sharp decline after the closure of the Oakey-Cooyar railway line in the mid -1960s. The hotel burnt down in 1967, followed by the school in 1973. Today the township population numbers approximately fifty. This publication offers a plotted history, a timeline of events, early photographs and biographical information about some of the early settlers. The area was settled by immigrant farmers from Germany, England, Scotland and Ireland. Local heritage enthusiasts and family historians will enjoy discovering the contents of this well written work.

A copy of Peranga : 100 years, is available for viewing in the reading room on level 4 at the State Library, link to the bibliographic details here

Janette Garrad – Original Content Technician, State Library of Queensland

Local History Collections at the Redcliffe Library

Posted on 18 Dec 2012| by Janette Garrad |

Local History Room

Redcliffe Library is located near the Redcliffe Jetty and Central Business District. The library is co-located with the Redcliffe Art Gallery and Special Needs Toy Library. I recently spent a very informative day with Pat Gee, the local history librarian at Redcliffe Library. It was a wonderful opportunity to expand my knowledge of local heritage resources outside of State Library.

Redcliffe Remembers

Throughout the day Pat discussed the many projects that she and her volunteers are involved with, as well as showing me their online resource “Redcliffe Remembers”. This web site is a companion to the book of the same title. The book and the web site reflect the unique social and cultural history of Redcliffe during the decade 1939 -1949 covering the war years and the first few years following the war. Redcliffe Library holds a broad collection of documentary material recording the social and cultural history of the Redcliffe community. Local heritage enthusiasts will enjoy discovering the Library’s many resources.

Links to other sites of interest:

Redcliffe district history
Redcliffe underwent a significant land boom in the 1880s and was quickly gaining a reputation as a seaside resort – offering a seaside experience similar to many of the holiday destinations in England.

Redcliffe remembers
Presents the unique social and cultural history of Redcliffe during the decade 1939-1949 covering the war years and the first few years after the war.

Redcliffe snapshots
Redcliffe City Library – Historical Photos

Redcliffe Museum
The Museum and its Collections will offer an intriguing insight into a unique region, its European history since 1799, its heritage as Queensland’s first European Settlement in 1824-25.

For further information about these collections contact:
Pat Gee
Librarian – Local History
Moreton Bay Region Libraries
Community and Enviromental Services
Moreton BayRegional Council/Redcliffe District
PO Box159, Caboolture Qld 4510
P: (07) 3283 0320
E: Pat.Gee@moretonbay.qld.gov.au

Janette Garrad – Library Technician, State Library of Queensland

Hall and Dods Architectural Drawings: conservation and digitization

Posted on 01 Jul 2012| by Janette Garrad |

Robert Smith Dods (Robin) was born on 9th June 1868 in Dunedin, New Zealand. His family later returned to England and then migrated to Brisbane where Dod’s mother married Dr Charles Marks. Robin studied architecture in Edinburgh and later practiced in London before returning to Brisbane in 1896 where he set up in partnership with Francis Hall. His domestic work adopted many local techniques in wood but had a sophisticated discipline and a common-sense response to climate which were radically new.

In early 2010 the State Library of Queensland acquired 297 architectural drawings as part of the Hall and Dods Collection. The architectural drawings are dated from 1898 to 1984 and are a mixture of building projects, competition designs and tenders prepared by the company for commercial buildings, hospitals, public building, churches and private residences. Many of the plans were very fragile and required specialist treatment to conserve them which included digitization. The conservation team at State Library has recently completed conservation work on this valuable collection ensuring its preservation for future generations. These plans are now accessible to all via the State Library’s website , with a small amount approximately fifty, still in the process of being digitized. Alternatively you can visit the State Library of Queensland and request these items at the reference desk on level 4 in the John Oxley Library reading room.

Janette Garrad – Library Technician, State Library of Queensland

“Eva”: Miss Mary Eva Kelly (and later Mrs. Kevin Izod O’Doherty)

Posted on 07 Jun 2012| by Janette Garrad |

We recently had an enquiry for information about letters that are contained in the Kevin Izod O’Doherty Collection, 1849 – 1927. The letters are written by the Rev. William Hickey of St Mary’s Catholic Church, Settle, Yorkshire, to Eva O’ Doherty and also from the publisher to the Rev. William Hickey regarding her work. MARY EVA KELLY was born in Headford, County Galway c.1828 and was little more than a child when she began to write verse. She was educated at home by her mother and a governess. Eva was to become known as ‘Eva of the Nation’ after many of her poems were published in the ‘Nation’, a newspaper published by the Young Ireland movement. She married Kevin Izod O’ Doherty and they briefly resided in Geelong and Sydney, before settling in Queensland, first in Ipswich, then, permanently, in Brisbane. Her poems were published by Messrs. Gill and Son in 1909, a year before her death. They were edited by Seamus MacManus with a preface by the Rev. William Hickey. Father Hickey wrote, “that the book will find its way into the hands of many a Celt at home and in exile, embracing as it does the deep thoughts and feelings of a patriotic poetess, and now the sole survivor of that brilliant band of writers who in other days brought a new soul into Ireland“. Further biographical information on Mary Eva O’Doherty can be found on From Ireland – Irish Ancestry, Genealogy & Family History website.

Dr Kevin Izod O’Doherty was a Brisbane physician and Irish patriot. He was transported to Van Dieman’s Land for his involvement in the Irish uprising in 1848. He was a member of both the Queensland Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. While serving in Legislative Assembly he introduced and passed the first Health Act of Queensland in 1872.

The John Oxley Library’s collections include several items relating to the work of Eva O’ Doherty and can be viewed at the State Library of Queensland on level 4.

Papers relating to publication of poems held at OM71-6.

Janette Garrad – Library Technician, State Library of Queensland

A New Life in Australia for the family of John Whereat

Posted on 31 May 2012| by Janette Garrad |

The diary of Mr. John Whereat (senior) and his family tells the story of his decision to emigrate to Australia. On the 26th May 1873 the Whereat family left their home in the town of Frome, Somerset and travelled by train to London. On arrival they were faced with the prospect of navigating the streets of London and the river Thames by steamboat, before arriving at the East India docks to board “The Great Queensland” for the adventures that lay ahead in the new land.

The diary describes not only the daily routine during the voyage but the family’s first few weeks in the immigration depot and John’s triumphs and tribulations in trying to secure accommodation for his family. John is disappointed by many set backs and on the 8th September 1873, decides to leave the immigration depot because of the arrival of more immigrants from Germany. This diary gives an insight into the family’s daily activities and events during their journey from ship to shore.

The Queensland Post Office Directories in 1878 – 79, list a John Whereat and his family residing in the High Street at Milton. John Hawkins Whereat married Kate Frances Bowman in April 1883 but later that same year John senior passed away. In 1889 John Whereat had moved to Ferry Street Kangaroo Point and his eldest brother George, a labourer was living at, Elisabeth Street, Rosalie. He married later in life and made many extended trips home to England. Their other brother William, eventually moved to Bald Hills and became a market gardener.

John Hawkins Whereat, established a boat-building firm at Bulimba and his son, who later became a very well known yachtsman in the late 1890’s early 1900’s. John and his son Alf built a 16ft sailing boat which they raced in Brisbane and Sydney. Some of this information about other members of this family was found by searching the National Library of Australia’s historical newspapers online which includes the obituary below. The diary of John Whereat (senior) OM80-07/10 John Whereat Diary 1873 can be viewed at The State Library of Queensland in the John Oxley Library reading room.

Death of Mr. J. H. Whereat – article published in Courier Mail Friday 25 February 1938 p 16

Mr. John H. Whereat, of McConnell Street, Bulimba, one of the State’s best-known boat-builders, died last night. Mr. Whereat was always a keen yachtsman, and was the owner of several famous boats in the eighties and nineties of the last century, including the Vendetta and the Bulletin. With the progress of the 16-foot open skiff Mr. Whereat was a prominent contestant and winner. He was the builder and his son, the late Mr. Alf Whereat, the skipper of the ‘boat which gained for Queensland the inter-State 16ft. skiff championship.

Join us on Saturday 2 June for the John Oxley Library Discovery Day, as we explore the diversity of migration to Queensland with personal stories from our migrant communities and the discovery of photos, documents and oral histories in the John Oxley Library collection.

Janette Garrad – Library Technician, State Library of Queensland