Karen B

The British Military Presence in Brisbane

The Commandants, Soldiers, and their Families. In 1824, Moreton Bay was designated by the British Government as a place of secondary punishment. It was not quite as isolated as the Norfolk Island Penal Colony, but seemed that way, because there were no roads open from Sydney. It may as well have been a remote island.Continue reading “The British Military Presence in Brisbane”

Movember – some 19th Century Queensland Inspiration

Movember is the fundraising and awareness-raising campaign for men’s health and wellness initiatives. The name comes from the campaign for men to grow some facial hair and get some sponsorship in the month of November. For those seeking inspiration, or inspo or whatever the youngs call it, the 19th century provides some truly astonishing tonsorialContinue reading “Movember – some 19th Century Queensland Inspiration”

A Tragic Mystery

In early September 1889, wealthy publican and landowner William Goodwin Geddes discovered that his son, who had disappeared (presumed drowned) at Toorbul near Caboolture in 1877, was still alive. That was the good news. The bad news was that his son resided in a Lunatic Asylum in Adelaide. The worse news was that the AMPContinue reading “A Tragic Mystery”

“Old Trafalgar” Dies at Dunwich.

On June 4, 1878, a very old man passed away at Dunwich Benevolent Asylum at Stradbroke Island. He’d been there since 1869, when, aged 91, he could no longer take care of himself. That was a hard blow for a very independent man. Abraham Brown had been a mariner since the turn of the 19thContinue reading ““Old Trafalgar” Dies at Dunwich.”

Stories Behind the Corner

Memorable Characters from Old Tom’s Story of the Old Times Some of Old Tom’s friends and acquaintances – Tom O’Neil and Johnny Hamilton – passed through the Colony without making much impact on the news of the day. No doubt they were great friends and unique characters, but their activities did not incur much publicContinue reading “Stories Behind the Corner”

Old Tom’s Reminiscences – The Corner

First published in the Brisbane Courier, Saturday 21 August 1869. As I have before remarked, the settlement, as regards house accommodation, consisted entirely of the various buildings erected under the authority and inspection of the Government officials during the penal times. But it was naturally anticipated that the purchasers of the land sold at theContinue reading “Old Tom’s Reminiscences – The Corner”

Mapping Out Our Past

From Convict Settlement to Separation Map of the World (published 1500s, New Guinea 1600s, and globe 1720s. We’re in there somewhere. Beyond Here Be Dragons For centuries, New Holland existed as only a vague concept. The Dutch had been to the west and south, leaving – for reasons best known to themselves – plates nailedContinue reading “Mapping Out Our Past”

Old Tom’s Reminiscences

Part 1 of Tom Dowse’s Memories of Old Brisbane (Originally published in the Queenslander on 24 July 1869. IN those days—happily long since passed away—when the parent colony of the Australian group enjoyed the unenviable distinction of being the only penal settlement on the shores of New Holland, it was found from time to timeContinue reading “Old Tom’s Reminiscences”

Ordinary Lives

Brisbane on camera 1870-1900 A Draper’s Business in Queen Street A moment in Queen Street, captured by photographer Richard Daintree, presumably from a window across the street. The building at the far left is a “commerce court”, and C W Fegan & Co are open for business in a building proudly established in 1861. TheContinue reading “Ordinary Lives”

George de Winton’s Memories of Moreton Bay

George Jean de Winton had a long and distinguished career in Her Majesty’s 99th Regiment, and many years of it were spent in Australia and New Zealand. He was stationed in Van Diemen’s Land, Sydney, Port Macquarie, Norfolk Island and Moreton Bay. His memoirs (out of copyright and now online), show a man of goodContinue reading “George de Winton’s Memories of Moreton Bay”