On Saturday 29 November 1823, John Oxley was taking soundings off what is now called Bribie Island. He was on a surveying journey to this this little-known part of the colony with a view to the suitability of the area for yet another penal establishment. (Nice to know that we owe our city to theContinue reading “John Oxley meets Thomas Pamphlet, November 1823.”
Category Archives: Exploration
The Magisterial Fracas at Rockhampton
Rowdyism in Rockhampton On 12 November 1863, a scandal that had been hinted at over the dinner tables of Rockhampton broke out in the most sensational fashion. Two prominent men of the town, who also held the Commission of the Peace as Magistrates were charged with committing assault in the public streets. At 10 inContinue reading “The Magisterial Fracas at Rockhampton”
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”
The Meaning of a Name
A pensive-looking young man sits for the photographer at Brisbane Gaol. It’s the 28th of October 1890, and the man, listed as W.T. Boyce, born 1867, has been convicted of horse stealing at Charters Towers. He will spend a year at Saint Helena Island. That’s enough to make anyone melancholy. The report of his convictionContinue reading “The Meaning of a Name”
New Countries, New World
Convict Snapshot: John McDowall New York, 1771 John McDowall was born in New York in North America in 1771, a subject of the English Crown, like all New Yorkers at the time. As a little boy, he could explore the countryside and farmland of Manhattan, at least until the Revolutionary War and pre-war skirmishes madeContinue reading “New Countries, New World”
February 14, 1848 – Ludwig Leichhardt’s final visit to Brisbane.
He’d been away, presumed missing before. This was going to be the big one – Dr Leichhardt would cross the continent, to arrive in Western Australia in early 1850. As that year dawned, people began to prepare for his arrival in Western Australia. And waited, hopefully. Perhaps he had been delayed. Months became years. Expeditions set outContinue reading “February 14, 1848 – Ludwig Leichhardt’s final visit to Brisbane.”
The Captain would sail no further.
A tale of migration, intransigence and a further Separation – September 09, 1871 The year was 1871, and the Colony of Queensland was eleven years old. Brisbane, in the south-east corner, was the capital of the sprawling concern. All 1.73 million square kilometres of it. The City of Rockhampton nestled on the Tropic of Capricorn,Continue reading “The Captain would sail no further.”
“Eels very large.” Major Lockyer arrives in Moreton Bay – 06 September 1825
THE BRISBANE RIVER. Major Lockyer returned to Headquarters, on the Mermaid cutter, on Sunday last, from his arduous survey of the above valuable River at Moreton bay. This Gentleman very kindly put into our hands an Extract of his Official Report that evening, after our Paper was completed, but a detention of course took place,Continue reading ““Eels very large.” Major Lockyer arrives in Moreton Bay – 06 September 1825″
Oxley returns to the Bay- 02 September 1824
1824: Oxley establishes a settlement at Redcliffe MORETON BAY. It will be remembered that the brig Amity left this port on the 2d September for the purpose of forming an establishment, under the command of Lieutenant Miller, 40th Regt. in Moreton Bay, at which place she arrived on the 12th. It is intended to haveContinue reading “Oxley returns to the Bay- 02 September 1824”
Lockyer’s expedition – 01 September 1825
1825: Major Lockyer leaves Sydney in the Mermaid for Moreton Bay. 1873: Importation of first hares into the Colony (well, that went well) 1885: Formation of the Trades and Labour Council, Brisbane 1887: Heads of Government departments, under pain of suspension, instructed to keep expenditure within estimates (the more things change….) 1825: Major EdmundContinue reading “Lockyer’s expedition – 01 September 1825”
Moreton Bay and More 