Mark Baker not only knows how to entertain, but is able to transport the audience back in time. Who knew the story of service stations, is so engaging?
Snapshots of Mark’s presentation.
Businesses in ‘Servicing’ horses and buggies shifted to servicing this new transport technology that saw blacksmiths become mechanics and cans of petrol replace chaff.
Changing technology
It’s a story that’s interesting to reflect on as we transition from petrol driven engines to EVs and other alternatives.
Mark focuses his talk on the section of Ipswich Road from Annerley Road through to Moorooka.
As the ‘Bowser’ branded pump technology took off so too did service stations, and awkward filling of vehicles from the footpath.
Truck filling up on Ipswich Rd and new Bowser pumps
Eventually service stations with forecourts became the norm, enabling cars to pull in off the road.
Changing styles in vehicle access to pumps
For a time, Annerley boasted the only female service station proprietor in the state :- Peg Corbett (nee Conroy) owned the Mobil Service Station (cnr Ekibin Road & Ipswich Road) from 1944-1958. Her daughter, Michelle Hiller kindly share some photos of her mum, Peg.
Peg Corbett, nee Conroy, Queenslands first female service station proprietor
Mark stirred memories of petrol station rosters as these small family businesses managed which ones would open of a Sunday.
Changing service
Some will remember always keeping a stock of 20c pieces in the car, to shove in coin operated pumps for after hours petrol.
Driveway service became self-serve, and boom became bust, as the market and its players changed.
I grew up on Marshall Road and I have clear recollections of the three service stations at the Toohey Road intersection: a Shell, an Amoco, and BP.
None of these service stations exist today, but some of the driveway infrastructure is still discernable.
Mark covered much more than this brief post. Notes of Mark’s engaging talk can be found below.
Beryl Roberts and Simon Cole of Coopers Plains History Group led a walk around part of Salisbury’s industrial area as part of the Chrome St Fiesta.
It was a small group as the drizzle seemed to keep many away, but it actually made it really interesting.
I’ll let the pictures do the talking, but much of the story is documented in “A Closer Look at Salisbury” by Beryl.
Many thanks to Beryl and Simon for braving the inclement weather. Here are few snaps of some of the sights…
Beryl Roberts, Simon Cole, and willing assistant with speaker.
Example of war-time camouflage to disguise factories as a street. From “A Closer Look at Salisbury” by Beryl Roberts.
Reload Cafe – one of the few brick buildings, originally was an oil store.
The only private park in Brisbane – owned by the RSL.
Dust extractors – not mentioned but look impressive!
Site of a WWII munitions factory. Granite runs underneath and each section was a solid cement bunker in case of explosion, to isolate damage. Women were the labour force.
Workers cottages surrounding the industrial area.
Sawtooth roof to let the light in.
Sawtooth rooves from a distance.
Looking through a factory window at the light coming in from the sawtooth roof.
The yellow armlike structure is a gantry crane from 1965. See details below.
One of the original factory buildings modified with verandahs built in and now home to multiple businesses including dance and art studios.
Beryl’s book – looks like a good read!
PostUpdate 2.6.2024
One of our readers, Craig Justo corrected the gantry information – that it was constructed in1965.
Here’s what he added:
“The Truss styled gantry that supported a sliding Chain Block was fabricated by the owner of “Skeltcon Engineering” in late 1965 to assist with the lifting and moving of the large steel fabrications that were being constructed on that site. The building that the gantry is attached to is located at No.571, Tarragindi Road, Salisbury North with the building itself being constructed in 1962. I commenced work with “A.J. Parkes & Co” at No.575 Tarragindi Road in February, 1965 and as this was next door to “Skeltcon”, I saw that Truss styled Gantry being fabricated, erected and then used regularly.”
Craig labeled and shared aerial images from Q-imagery of the area for years 1946,1956 and 1964 to show development of the area and Skelton Engineering.
1946 Aerial image North Salisbury1956 Aerial image North Salisbury1964 Aerial image North SalisburyStreet view of Parkes and Skelton sites.
National reconciliation week starts today 27 May and runs until 3rd of June.
ASHG wishes to acknowledge the Yuggera people who inhabited the local lands and give thanks to the First Nations people for their care of this special place over many generations.
The theme for 2024, Now More Than Ever, brings home the sharing and retelling important of stories from the past, that highlight ongoing the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The ASHG display team have updated the History room’s window in honour of reconciliation week.
A number of chapters in ASHG’s Stephens books published feature stories of local First Nations People. Chapter previews can be downloaded below.
The project also shows the huge advantage that having a history room has been to ASHG – a place for people to drop by and share memories, stories, photos and things.
A number of Villa Street artefacts were on display
The project is entering its final stage of research gathering. If you have information or photos about Villa Street, past or present, let us know. You can drop by any Wednesday between 9.00 am -12.00 pm. Or drop us a line on our email: [email protected].
We are very happy to make a time to meet with you.
We’ll be ruling a line on this research stage of the project by end June 2024.
What sort of lives do old scout dens lead ? What do these community buildings become when there’s no longer a scout or guide group?
Last week on our morning walk, my husband, Paul, and I dropped in on the Qld Wood Turners situated on the Norman Creek park near Juliette Street. It’s at the bottom of Dunnellan Street where it turns into Pine.
The building was absolutely bursting with people working lathes, saws, and planers, creating all manner of objects from all sorts of timber.
Downstairs were the toy makers, experts in tiny.
If you have an interest in wood turning, this is the place to be – check it out here.
Our guide on the day was Brian Dodson, member since 2002. Brian proudly explained the building was a former scout den. He wasn’t sure of the company.
The wood turners had added a large meeting room, almost doubling it in size, but at its core was a den.
I looked back across the creek to the former Stephen’s guide hut in Baron Street — now home to the Norman Creek Catchment committee.
I emailed a girl friend who used to be a Stephen’s Girl Guide. Yes, she did remember a scout den ‘across the ditch’, the ditch being Norman Creek. She couldn’t remember if the scout group was Stephens though.
There had been a Stephens Scout den in Annerley – in Waldheim Street. Could this Pine Street den have been a second one?
I followed up the Scout Archive – the Queensland Scouts Heritage Centre situated at Samford. They kindly tracked the den down to being part of the Buranda Scout group.
Qld Wood Turners: side of original scout den. Window shades are recent.Qld Wood Turners: former scout den end.Inside QLD Wood Turners – hive of activity.Former Stephens Guide hut, Baron Street. Now Norman Creek Catchment Committee.Looking across from former scout den to former Stephen’s guide hut.Looking ‘across the ditch’, Normal creek to the former scout denRear of former Stephens Guide Hut.Rear of former scout den. Far end is a recent extension. Front door of former scout den.
