Newsletter. Wynnum Manly Historical Society Inc. Thursday 17 July at 7.30pm JULY MEETING DETAILS IN THIS ISSUE. No 4 ISSN July 2008

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1 Wynnum Manly Historical Society Inc. ABN Newsletter No 4 ISSN July 2008 FROM THE EDITOR Well the month of June was certainly a busy one for the Wynnum Manly Historical Society with two major events taking place the Society's 2nd annual Bookfest and the Caloundra Heritage Tour. As this newsletter goes to print, we will see the long awaited official opening of the Wynnum Wading Pool taking place. It will be great to see the area opened up once again for public use. As usual, we are asking for information or memories. This month:- Do you recall any other vets who serviced the Wynnum Manly area? Does anyone have any further information regarding the two contestants referred to in the "Where was I standing" quiz? Jill Greenhill is also requesting some information on various topics in her Resource Centre News column. Any help or information you can provide is always gratefully received. Don't forget all your contributions, no matter how small or large, are most welcome. My plea for this month The Spring Parade is once again approaching. My late stepsister, Karen Cook nee Davis, was a previous Spring Parade Queen, who represented the Wynnum Manly Marching Girls' Association? Were any of our members or their daughters previous Spring Parade Queens or Charity Queens? If so, what are your memories of the event and of your/their reign? Can you remember assisting with fundraising to help any of the Spring Parade Queen entrants? If so, what fundraising activities were you involved in and for what group or association? Sandy Liddle Newsletter Editor Thursday 17 July at 7.30pm Speaker: Topic: JULY MEETING DETAILS Ambulance Museum Auditorium (Cnr Cedar Street & Tingal Road, Wynnum) Jack Sands In the depression years Speaker: Brian Brandenburg Topic: Growing up in Wynnum in the 1950s. Gold coin entry covers hire of Hall and Supper. Bring and buy stall - Please bring your unwanted gifts, cakes, fruit, vegetables to support the Resource Centre. Appreciation to Ian Wheeler, Daphne Liddle and Myrtle Beitz who will be providing your supper. IN THIS ISSUE From the Editor 1 July meeting details 1 Committee contact details 2 President's Report 2 News from the Resource Centre 3 Where was I? 4 Where am I? 4 Supper roster to end of News about WMHS tours 5 Spotlight on... Ian Wheeler 5 Last month's WMHS activities 6-7 Minutes from last meeting 8 Upcoming WMHS events 9 Upcoming other events of interest The deadline for submissions for the next newsletter is Sunday, 3rd August No 4 July 2008 WMHS Newsletter Page 1

2 2008 COMMITTEE MEMBERS President: Brian Brandenburg Vice President: Ian Kennedy Immediate Past President: Heather Smith Secretary: Lena McCreadie Treasurer: Jan Parnell Librarian: Jill Greenhill Events Coordinator: Myrtle Beitz Membership Secretary: Noela Stratton Publicity & Fundraising Officer: Ian Wheeler Newsletter Editor: Sandy Liddle Life Members: Myrtle Beitz Late life members: Merv Beitz John Davies Jill Greenhill Jack Sands Patrons: Peter Cumming Paul Lucas FROM THE PRESIDENT It was good to see so many of you on the Caloundra field trip. We had morning tea at the Matthew Flinders Park on the Steve Irwin Way. Unfortunately the park site is to be redeveloped as part of a project to straighten the railway line which passes close by. A plaque commemorating the spot where Matthew Flinders stopped has gone missing. Let's hope someone finds it and more importantly the heritage site remains. In Caloundra we were joined by Roger Todd, an architect, who told about some of the shipping disasters around Caloundra. These included the S.S. Dicky and the Centaur. Roger also told us about the architecture of Caloundra, which is fast disappearing. His inclusion of the "fibro beach shacks" reminded me of Lota where some still remain. Roger took us to the two heritage lighthouses of Caloundra and told us of their history. A few of us even managed to climb to the top of the wood and timber structure. I think Jill was the first to the top while the rest of us watched from below. I admire her courage. After lunch we cruised the Pumistone Passage and had a first hand look at the Pelican Waters canal estate which contains many luxury houses. However, Caloundra boasts a caravan park at Golden Beach where an affordable holiday can still be enjoyed. We also cruised close to the northern end of Bribie Isand which is a National Park and learnt something of its wartime history. Our next trip is to Toogoolawah and Kilcoy which I will tell you more about in the next newsletter. By the time you read this newsletter, the Wading Pool will have officially opened. It is good to see local landmarks being restored though some of you may not recognise it from the old Wading Pool. It is important to maintain a balance of old and new. The heritage sites of Wynnum, Manly and Lota must be preserved. The Brisbane City Council's Building Plan for Wynnum, which is about to be approved by State Government, will be a test of this. At our next meeting, I will give a talk on growing up in Wynnum in the 1950's. While I will recount some childhood memories, I would like to focus on our history, much of which remains. This includes buildings such as the Municipal Hall, Manly RSL, Wynnum Central State School, the old Post Office and the Baptist Church, just to name a few. The early homes of the district are also an important part of our heritage. Jill Greenhill and others have compiled valuable information on this subject that can be found in the Resource Centre. If you haven't added your house to the list, now is the time to do so. Also the parks and trees of the area have their story to tell. In Bandstand Park, in the 1950's, campers came in large numbers every Christmas holidays. Usually they were the same people. As I grew up, I became friends with some of them and they became part of my childhood memories. The trees of the area, the great gum trees at Wynnum North and Lota, probably go back to Aboriginal times. The "cotton wood" trees on the beachfront have long been part of the foreshore landscape. It is important that the heritage of this area remains intact and every effort must be made to preserve it. Local, State and Federal Government and the residents must be part of this process. To help us keep our history, if you know of a site that has been forgotten or is under threat let us know and we will do our best to preserve it. I look forward to seeing you at the next meeting. Brian Brandenburg President No 4 July 2008 WMHS Newsletter Page 2

3 NEWS FROM THE RESOURCE CENTRE Book Fest Saturday 21 June 2008 Very many thanks to all members who have provided us with their unwanted books over the last six months. Thanks to members who assisted in the setting-up of the Book fest on Friday and those that came to help with the sale early on Saturday morning. We took over $700 and the books were sold at very cheap prices!! Resource Centre address Civic Centre Shop 7, 66 Bay Tce Wynnum (outside entrance to Wynnum Public LIbrary) Special thanks to Ian Wheeler who worked on the project for six months. Also to Brian Brandenburg, Colin Brown, John McIntyre, Jan Parnell, John Pillis, Sandy Liddle, Heather Smith, Thelma Crouch, Ian Kennedy, Noela Stratton, Sherley Williams, and Myrtle Beitz who kept us provided with refreshments. I hope nobody is forgotten. Society Shirts We would like to order some more shirts, but need several requests before the order can be processed. Shirts are only $20. Please contact Jill to organise your size. Vigoro Players Does anyone know the whereabouts of Eunice Seaton (Holmes) and Eunice Koch (Schmidt)? If so please contact Thelma Crouch ( ) or Jill in the Resource Centre. Honeymoon Cottage From the query in the last newsletter the address of the cottage was found to be 16 Wellington Street, Manly. A Mr Findlayson built five houses for investment, using materials form the 1893 flood. There were two in Jane (Benalla) Street, Waterloo and Alma and three in Wellington Street, Honeymoon Cottage, Sea View and Annie Cottage. Resource Centre opening hours Jack Burge bought Honeymoon Cottage for 1,200 in We have pictures of the Honeymoon Cottage in the resource Room. Monday Friday (except Public Holidays) 10am 12 noon Olympic Games How many former contestants live or have lived in the local district? Colin Brown has provided us with the following:- WARNER (Ginger) BATCHELOR Whilst I was working in Melbourne I saw Ginger who was competing in the Boxing Section of the 1956 Olympic Games. Until recently Ginger was coaching boxing at the Police Youth Citizens Club at Lota. The Batchelor family lived at Wynnum North and his mother, Marj Batchelor died about six months ago. Do you know of a former Olympian? Query from Mount Gravatt History Fair In a divorce settlement in 1995 a house was physically cut in half at Manly. Any comment? Jill Greenhill Librarian No 4 July 2008 WMHS Newsletter Page 3

4 WHERE AM I? July 2008 WHERE WAS I STANDING AND WHEN? June 2008 This is the corner of Bay Terrace and Charlotte Street, the former site of Ingleston Boarding House. The Civic centre was built on the site in 1958 and the Library was opened in Notice boards show the names of William Morrison Gunn (Labour) and Charles Frederick Mengel (Liberal) contesting the General State Elections (Either 1953 or 1956). AUDIO TAPES OF MEETINGS Reminder and volunteers needed Just a reminder that the Resource Centre has available for free loan to members the audio tapes of past speakers at the Society's meetings. If you have missed any speakers that you really wanted to hear, why not go and see Jill at the Resource Centre and borrow that tape out to listen to at your leisure. Are there any ex-typists / secretaries out there? We are looking for volunteers to transcribe these audio tapes so that a print copy can be held at the Resource Centre. A transcription machine is available for loan to anyone who can help out. No 4 July 2008 WMHS Newsletter Page 4

5 SPOTLIGHT ON... Ian Wheeler, Publicity Officer I was born in England in The war had been going on for 6 years and by 1950, my mother had enough of the rationing and cold weather. In 1951, my mum, dad and I sailed on the "Orcadies", a P&O ship, from Southampton. We arrived in Australia in February and were houses in "Yungabar" migrant hostel at Kangaroo Point. My father had a job with the Brisbane City Council as a draughtsman. For some reason, my parents bouth a house at 43 Wassell Street, Wynnum North, just up the road from Lloyd and Mona Kelk. I was enrolled at the Wynnum North State School and was amazed that the other children went to school with no shoes on! I soon learned to adapt and by the time I left in grade 6 my feel were as tough as leather. I went to the Wynnum High and Intermediate School and left school at Grade 10. Jobs were easy to get then and I was employed by the Eagle Star Insurance Company as an Office Boy. In 1965, I got a job with Tip Top Bakery as a bread van salesman (which was a rather fancy name for a delivery baker) in the Wynnum area. It was a great job. I then had a job with an insurance broker but only last 18 months when I was hired by Provincial Traders at Murarrie as a Clerk (another good job). My next job was with Cooperative Insurance Co in Brisbane as a Clerk (this job was not so good). In the meantime, I married Sandra Allon and we built a house at 8 Garvoy Street, Wynnum North. This remained our residence for 30 years before we moved to Niebling Place, Manly West in In 1980, I joined the Brisbane City Council and retired in My retirement has allowed me to have more time to do the things that I could previously only do on the weekends. Ian Wheeler NEWS about the HERITAGE BUS TOURS The next heritage bus tour will be taking place on Saturday, 4 October 2008 when we will be visiting the lovely Esk/Toogoolawah/Kilcoy area. Planning is underway and further details will be provided in the near future. WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS This month we would like to welcome two new members to the Wynnum Manly Historical Society. Daphne Liddle of Manly West Evelyn Shanks of Manly West SUPPER ROSTER TO END OF 2008 Below is the supper roster up to the end of If you are unable to oblige on your assigned date of roster, if possible please find a replacement or contact Myrtle on Lena McCreadie Aug 21 Jan Bird Aug 21 Jan Aplin Sept 18 Betty Powell Sept 18 Myrtle Beitz Sept 18 Betty Mottram Oct 17 Dawn Wilkins Oct 17 Beryl Kennedy Oct 17 Myrtle Beitz Nov 20 Margaret O Neil Nov 20 Jan Bird Nov 20 If you would like to volunteer to help out on supper roster, please contact Myrtle on Your assistance would be greatly appreciated. MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK No 4 July 2008 WMHS Newsletter Page 5

6 LAST MONTH'S WMHS ACTIVITIES - 21 June BOOKFEST Saturday, 21 June 2008 was the 2nd annual Wynnum Manly Historical Society Bookfest held at the Ambulance Centre Auditorium. Happy Bookfest customers Jan Parnell & Jill Greenhill serving a customer Col Brown hard at work Ian Wheeler amongst some of the books Band of WMHS volunteers busy setting up Myrtle Beitz and Ian Kennedy Jill Greenhill, Sandy Liddle & Col Brown No 4 July 2008 WMHS Newsletter Page 6

7 LAST MONTH'S WMHS ACTIVITIES - 28 June CALOUNDRA TOUR Saturday, 29 June 2008 saw the Wynnum Manly Historical Society head off to Caloundra for its heritage tour. Jill Greenhill atop the lighthouse Some of the Society's members at the Caloundra Lighthouse No 4 July 2008 WMHS Newsletter Page 7

8 Wynnum Manly Historical Society Inc. MINUTES OF GENERAL MEETING of 19 June 2008 (held in the Ambulance Museum Auditorium, Corner Cedar Street and Tingal Road) Meeting opened at 7..30pm. 44 members and 4 visitors, Daphne and Gary Liddle, Margaret Collins and ( Roffe) were present. 17 apologies were received. (Attendance sheets are held by the Membership Secretary, Noela Stratton.) Minutes of Previous Meeting held on 15 May 2008 were moved by Nena Robertson, seconded by Noela Stratton.. Correspondence, inwards and outwards, accepted and endorsed at the committee meeting on Thursday 5 June 2008, was presented for Lena McCreadie by Ian Wheeler. Financial Report, at 31 May 2008, presented by Jan Parnell. General Account: Opening Balance: $4, Receipts: $3, Expenses: $ 3, Closing Balance: $3, Investment Account of $25,000 Report was accepted and endorsed at the committee meeting on Thursday 5 June Resource Centre. Members were thanked for their assistance at the unveiling of the plaque on the Cannon(17/5), at the Mt Gravatt fair (1/6) and at History Alive at Fort Lytton (7-8/6). Jill asked for volunteers to assist with the setting-up pf the bookfest on the following day. The Mystery photograph was taken at the corner of Charlotte Street and Bay Terrace in the mid-1950 s showing the empty site where Ingleston once stood. The whereabouts of Eunice Seaton(Holmes) and Eunice Koch (Schmidt), previous Vigoro players, was sought. Heritage Tours.. There are four seats left for the next tour (28/6) to Caloundra.. General Business Members were reminded that volunteers are always very welcome to assist in the resource Centre. President Brian encouraged members to consider attending some of the lectures advertised in the newsletter. Speaker, James Murray gave an illustrated account of his career, especially his time as a Vet in Wynnum. Speaker, Ian Kennedy had interviewed late member Jim Meehan and gave an interesting account of Jim s early days to his final achievement in setting up the signal s museum at Fort Lytton.. The Lucky Door Prize was won by Neville Watson, the Raffle by Anne Wenzel and the Membership Draw by Thelma Crouch.. The formal meeting closed at 8.50pm and members and guests were provided with a delicious supper donated by Irene Morgun, Nena Robertson and Shirley Jeffries. No 4 July 2008 WMHS Newsletter Page 8

9 Calendar of WYNNUM MANLY HISTORICAL SOCIETY events July August September Thursday, 17th 7.30 pm Thursday, 21st 7.30pm Thursday, 18th 7.30pm JULY GENERAL MEETING AUGUST GENERAL MEETING SEPTEMBER GENERAL MEETING Ambulance Museum Auditorium Cnr Cedar St & Tingal Rd Ambulance Museum Auditorium Cnr Cedar St & Tingal Rd Ambulance Museum Auditorium Cnr Cedar St & Tingal Rd My time as a vet in Wynnum Manly James Murray will be taking us through his time as a vet in Wynnum Manly. The life of Jim Meehan Ian Kennedy will be providing us with a brief history on the life of Jim Meehan. Speakers to be advised. Gold coin donation Speakers to be advised. Gold coin donation Gold coin donation Thursday, 31st 10am Thursday, 31st 10 am Thursday, 25th 10am MORNING TEA AT WYNNUM LIBRARY MORNING TEA AT WYNNUM LIBRARY MORNING TEA AT WYNNUM LIBRARY Wynnum Library 66 Bay Terrace Wynnum Library 66 Bay Terrace Wynnum Library 66 Bay Terrace The Wynnum Sparks Thelma Crouch will be talking about the Wynnum Sparks. Impressions of Wynnum Lena McCreadie will be relating her impressions of Wynnum. To be advised Free Free Sponsorship and support of the WMHS Thank you to Cartridge World Wynnum Did you know that Cartridge World Wynnum very generously sponsors and supports the Wynnum Manly Historical Society? The Society would like to thank Cartridge World Wynnum for its ongoing support and sponsorship. Don't forget - for all your toner and cartridge needs, please visit or contact Chris at Cartridge World Wynnum. No 4 July 2008 WMHS Newsletter Page 9

10 Calendar of other events of interest July August September Wednesday, 9th 12.30pm Tuesday, 5th 10am 11am Wednesday, 17th 10am 11am Speaker: SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION: A RESEARCH JOURNEY Royal Historical Society of Qld Commissariat Store 115 William Street Brisbane Chrissy Fletcher. FAMILY HISTORY WEEK: ARCHIVES SEARCH SEMINAR Qld State Archives 435 Compton Road Runcorn Discover how to get the best out of Archives Search, Queensland State Archives database. This seminar will teach you how to use Archives Search to locate records of interest and will give useful tips for finding what you want. BUILDING RECORDS Qld State Archives 435 Compton Road Runcorn What records does QSA hold relating to buildings? Come and find out at this seminar presented by one of our experienced Reference Archivists. Bookings essential telephone Gold coin donation. Bookings essential: telephone Free Free Tuesday, 22nd 10am 11am Saturday, 9th 9am 3.30pm Thursday, 18th 6pm WATER SEMINAR Qld State Archives 435 Compton Road Runcorn This seminar will provide attendees with a snapshot of the variety of records relating to water held at Queensland State Archives. We will look at records about floods, beaches, dams, bores, bridges, charting the coast, water use, etc. The seminar will also touch on the problems that occur when water and records mix! Bookings essential on Free PRE-SEPARATION QUEENSLAND SEMINAR The processes, policies and personalities involved Royal Historical Society of Qld Commissariat Store 115 William Street Brisbane Topics: The Imperial Process, NSW opposition, Separation and Statehood in one, J D Lang, Arthur Hodgson, John Richardson, Donaldson first Premier of NSW, A constitution for Queensland, Mackenzie of Kilcoy, Aboriginal aspects, Rockhampton and Port Curtis, Preparations from newspaper sources. Presenters: Bruce Knox, Keith Moore, Colin Sheehan, Libby Connors, Jennifer Harrison, John MacKenzie Smith, Stephen Sheaffe, Lorna McDonald, Val Donovan, Angus Edmonds, and Jean Stewart. DR BROCKWAY HIS LIFE AND TIMES Speaker: Royal Historical Society of Qld Commissariat Store 115 William Street Brisbane Jean Stewart Gold coin donation Bookings to be made by 1 August For more information contact Alan Bell on telephone $25.00 Lunch: Additional $20.00 DO YOU HAVE AN ADDRESS? If you have a current address, could you please contact our Membership Secretary, Noela Stratton, to confirm that we have your correct address. If any items or events of interest crop up or come to our attention between newsletters, we would like to be able to you with details. If you have access and would like to receive your newsletter electronically, please let us know. We are happy to still provide you with a printed copy as well should you so desire. No 4 July 2008 WMHS Newsletter Page 10

11 Calendar of other events of interest (continued) July August September Thursday, 31st ANNIVERSARY STEAM TRAIN For anyone interested in steam trains, this is a must for you. The Workshops Rail Museum will commemorate a significant milestone in Queensland's rail history with a special steam train event on Thursday 31 July. On this date in 1865, four A Class locomotives steamed from the Ipswich Railway Workshops out to Bigges Camp, now Grandchester, marking the start of the railway in Queensland. Saturday, 9th FROM BUSH TO BARRACKS: 100 YEARS OF THE ARMY AT ENOGGERA Gaythorne RSL Note: This is a Brisbane History Group event incorporating a seminar and tour. Further details can be obtained from the Brisbane History Group. Governor Sir George Bowen officially opened the Queensland railway system, during which Lady Bowen used a special silver spade to symbolise the turning of the first sod for construction of the rail line that would continue on from that point. To celebrate the opening, a public holiday was declared and the official ceremony was held with speeches and a banquet under a marquee at Bigges Camp. In celebration of this historic event, passengers will board one of QR's restored heritage trains, departing from The Workshops Rail Museum's own platform for a one and a half hour round trip to Grandchester, retracing the same route taken in The trip will be followed by a traditional roast lunch and dessert in the Museum's Trackside Café, and an opportunity to explore the Museum's exhibits, including the A10, No.6, the oldest operational steam train in Australia. This special event is unique way to experience the excitement and sense of occasion that passengers would have felt on the same day 143 years ago, and is a wonderful opportunity to relive the romance and grandeur of steam train travel and appreciate the craftsmanship and engineering feats of the early rail workers. Bookings essential. Contact Qld Museum. Adults $54.50, Concession $51.50, Child $ Thursday, 21st 6pm SIR THOMAS McILLWRAITH Speaker: Royal Historical Society of Qld Commissariat Store 115 William Street Brisbane Denver Beanland. Gold coin donation. No 4 July 2008 WMHS Newsletter Page 11

12 Wynnum Manly Historical Society Inc. PO Box 318, Wynnum. Q ABN Postage stamp required Wynnum Manly Historical Society Inc. Pvs!bjn!jt!up!hbuifs!boe!sfdpse! Membership application forms are available from the Resource Centre, Civic Centre, 7/66 Bay Tce, Wynnum. Membership costs per year (1 January to 31 December):- Single $15.00 Family $25.00 High School student $5.00 PLEASE NOTE: There is a joining fee of $10.00 which covers the cost of a membership name badge. Deadline for newsletter submissions: By Sunday, 3 August 2008 for August 2008 issue. No 4 July 2008 WMHS Newsletter Page 12