On 18 October 1846, a settler named Andrew Gregor and his servant Mary Shannon were murdered by a group of indigenous men at Pine River. If the mass poisoning by the whites at Kilcoy in 1842 was the defining white outrage in the eyes of indigenous people, the Gregor-Shannon murders were the turning point forContinue reading “February 8, 1849 – The Death of Dick Ben.”
February 7, 1849 – the first Fortitude immigrants arrive.
The Fortitude was the first of Dr John Dunmore Lang’s immigrant ships to Moreton Bay, departing Gravesend on 14 September 1848 with 253 on board. After dropping anchor on January 21, the immigrants spent time in quarantine, getting some fresh air and testing out their land legs. The Schooner Susan brought the first group inContinue reading “February 7, 1849 – the first Fortitude immigrants arrive.”
February 6, 1872 – the Peri tragedy.
On February 6 1872, a schooner was noticed lying waterlogged off Rockingham Bay near Cardwell in North Queensland. Crew from the H.M.S. Basilisk boarded her and found a terrible scene. Three dead bodies, and fourteen starving Pacific Islanders with no food or fresh water. The Police Magistrate from Cardwell, alerted to the horror found inContinue reading “February 6, 1872 – the Peri tragedy.”
February 5, 1867 – the hold up of the Banana Mail.
Was he a desperado who terrorised the country town of Gayndah with his mad highwayman antics, or just a nervous, hungry German chap who couldn’t get a job? And how did you spell his name? How desperate would you have to be to rob the mail at Banana? IT appears that another knight of the roadsContinue reading “February 5, 1867 – the hold up of the Banana Mail.”
February 4, 1862: Kipper Billy and Billy Horton sentenced to death
In January 1862, near Ipswich, a woman named Mrs Jane Rae was assaulted, probably sexually, on the banks of the river, as she did the family wash. When her grown son came to her aid, she stated that a number of indigenous men had been responsible, although none were about when he found her. SheContinue reading “February 4, 1862: Kipper Billy and Billy Horton sentenced to death”
February 3, 1849 – Brisbane prison completed.
Well, that’s accurate in a way. Work was completed on the renovations to the old Female Factory in Queen Street on February 3, 1849. The authorities in Sydney Town felt that an inexpensive repair to an existing building would be better than a fancy new gaol for Moreton Bay. The Female Factory had been largelyContinue reading “February 3, 1849 – Brisbane prison completed.”
February 2, 1891 – the Brisbane Exhibition Buildings approved.
Ah, the Exhibition. Originally the Intercolonial Exhibition, it began in 1876, and showed off produce, industry and crafts to a fascinated public. Every August, the Country comes to the City and there is much rejoicing (especially since the advent of Sideshow Alley and the addition of the Stockman’s Bar and Grill). The original building was charmingContinue reading “February 2, 1891 – the Brisbane Exhibition Buildings approved.”
February 1, 1869: Governor Blackall opens the Brisbane Grammar School
The school of schools – if your parents can afford it, and your marks are decent – is the Brisbane Grammar School. Students in smart navy blue blazers piped in pale blue move with seemingly effortless grace through their beautifully appointed campus. Past pupils have had stellar careers in business, the arts and public life. It allContinue reading “February 1, 1869: Governor Blackall opens the Brisbane Grammar School”
Oddities from January 1860
Sometimes, research into other subjects sends you down a rabbit hole. My rabbit hole was January 1860 – every newspaper story from that month seemed to be trying to outdo the previous one for sheer absurdity. Good luck finding a sober copper in Ipswich: Tuesday, January 24.Before the Police Magistrate, Messrs Broughton, Lucas, H. Challinor,Continue reading “Oddities from January 1860”
The Sporting Life 1870-1890
Football Australian Rules The more things change… The great difference between these teams over the years is professionalism. The early teams played in their spare time for the sheer fun of it. Their uniforms lacked coherence and they weren’t as fit as the teams today, but the people and their relaxed attitude are pretty much theContinue reading “The Sporting Life 1870-1890”
Moreton Bay and More 