Recognizing Queensland’s Bicentenary
Origins Project
Events

History groups around Brisbane (including ours) are marking the very beginnings of our state with events and conferences. We are building up our ability to hold information stalls at events. Our efforts to engage local and state government is bearing some fruit.

Recognizing Queensland’s Bicentenary

The CPHG-led letter to the Premier and Opposition Leader calling for action to commemorate the founding of the Moreton Bay Penal Colony in 1824 got no reply – until this week. Just as I was beginning to draft and submit the petition to parliament, I was invited to speak with the opposition spokesperson for heritage, Mr Sam O’Connor. The Shadow Minister for the Environment is a member of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland. I will report back on our meeting in the next newsletter. So far, no word from the Premier, so the petition will go ahead.

I attended a Wednesday lunchtime presentation at the RHSQ’s home, the Commissariat Store on William Street by Professor John Pearn. “The Moreton Bay Settlement 1824 Bicentenary”. Last week at the New Farm Historical Society, Tamsin O’Connor gave a very eloquent presentation describing how the Brisbane (Moreton Bay Settlement) centenary was celebrated in 1924.

Origins Project

The Origins Project is now on our website. It will also be in print form at our information stalls.

I spoke to Cr Griffiths (Moorooka Ward) about marking significant sites with informative plaques and he is supportive. We have his office to thank for printing some of the material for our event on Saturday 11th. Cr Marx (Runcorn Ward) is also receptive to the idea of placing plaques in front of two of the best examples of the Dutch Houses. We missed the deadline for the Lord Mayor’s history grant so we’ll now have to wait until July. Annerley Stephens History Group has offered to auspice our application. In the spirit of Reconciliation Week (May 27 – June 3), I will visit kuril dahgun, the Aboriginal meeting place at the State Library Queensland, to connect with any knowledge-bearers of the Coopers Plains area.

Events

Bicentenary Events happening around Brisbane:

Saturday 7th September – Wunya Ngulum Welcome Everyone: The Moreton Bay Bicentennial Commemoration. History Redcliffe is working with the Royal Historical Society of Queensland and Bribie Island Historical Society to present a one day conference. The cost is $65 and includes lunch and loads of wonderful presentations and loads of inclusions in the conference satchel. PO Box 370 Redcliffe Qld 4020

Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th September – Representations of Meanjin and Moreton Bay 1824-2024: A Bicentennial Symposium. Griffith University and the Harry Gentle Resource Centre will be hosting a two-day symposium at the Ship Inn, South Bank. See harrygentle.griffith.edu.au

State Library Queensland blog series commemorating the 200th anniversary of John Oxley first entering Maiwar, the Brisbane River.

Commonwealth Day in the Park

Our biggest event to date – coinciding with the first opening of Federal Parliament – an opportunity to introduce our group to the community and provide fun, educational material for all ages. Saturday 11^th of May 12 – 3pm, Beryl Roberts Park. We’ll also have an information stall at St David’s Autumn Festival from 8:30 – 11:45. Volunteers needed. Thank you to Peter Russo MP and Graham Perrett MP for assistance.

Coopers Plains History Group Monthly Meeting

Saturday 18^th of May at 4pm
Coopers Plains Library Meeting Room (at the back)

All welcome. Please RSVP by commenting below. Thanks to the friendly and helpful staff of the Coopers Plains Library for printing out these newsletters and offering them to anyone who wants to keep in touch without going online. The Coopers Plains Library Meeting Room is booked every 3^rd Saturday at 4pm for us to meet.