Postcard Joseph Lebovic collection, National Museum of Australia In December 1914 our nation was very new to the notion of being at war. Many of those men who enlisted had not yet seen conflict, and they celebrated Christmas in training camps in Australia, on board transport ships, or in desert camps in the shadows of … Read more
On this day in 1914, in the Brisbane Courier – http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20003019 In September 1914, the Defence Minister revealed that extra kit bags were required for the troops, for use during the voyage overseas. The regulation bag, with which they were issued, containing the items required for service in the field, would be stored in the … Read more
One of the interesting topics raised at the Serving Country Forum was the impact of the Spanish Flu on Aboriginal communities at the end of WW1. In my response to Jackie’s keynote, I highlighted how 54 Aboriginal men, women and children died at Euraba Mission from the Spanish Flu in the nine months prior to … Read more
Guest Blogger: Gwen Price, Atherton Library, Tablelands Regional Council Robert Hill Jr. was the son of Scottish farmers Robert and Grace Hill who arrived in Port Douglas, North Queensland in 1889 aboard the ‘Dacca’. Robert, his five brothers and three sisters were all born in North Queensland. The family property called “Dundas Farm” was located … Read more
On 12 December, State Librarian & CEO Janette Wright announced the inaugural Q ANZAC 100 Fellows. Congratulations to: Elaine Acworth, multi-award winning playwright; Dr Neville Buch, historical consultant and author; Robert Hogg, published researcher and writer; and local Brisbane performer and composer, John Joseph Thompson. This first round of Fellowships attracted over 50 applications from … Read more
Not to be confused with ‘Chocolate soldiers’ a slang word for soldiers who were believed to be unwilling to fight, The Australian War Contingent Association distributed gifts to Australian soldiers overseas during the First World War. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20001125 “The Australian War contingent Association is sending every soldier a box of chocolates with greetings for the New … Read more
On July 23, 1918, a charity gala night was held at His Majesty’s Theatre in Brisbane. The Red Cross “Carry On” Night was in aid of the Queensland Special Red Cross Appeal. The program was described as a “Grand Orchestral Recital and Grand Pageant Play: Advance Australia”. Months of preparations were rewarded as a large … Read more
In a corner of the Martin Street Cemetery in Cairns lies the grave of Trooper Harry Doyle (Service No. 2426). Harry Doyle passed away in 1967, but it was not until 2008 when friends in the Cairns Community raised funds to replace the unmarked grave site, that Harry and his service in WW1 were honoured. … Read more
Hundreds of willing workers put in hours of effort to prepare for Brisbane’s Patriotic Carnival on St. Andrews Day, Monday 30th November 1914. The day began with a patriotic procession, naval, military, and athletic sports, and assault at arms, and young and old lent their efforts to make the whole day a great success. Morning showers gave … Read more
Guest blogger: Sandy Bickerton, University of Queensland Honesty is the best policy, but sometimes honesty is also brutal. Only One of the Toys by Mark Erickson and P. Clay-Bealer is an example of how war caused people to be brutally honest when they might otherwise be playfully fictitious. Another one of Dinsdale’s productions, the song … Read more