On Tuesday evening, our April Talking History was on Dickebusch Street, Clifton Hill Moorooka.
An entire street without front doors? How can that be?
There are ten houses on Dickiebusch Street, and all are accessed from other streets: no actual houses with street addresses on Dickebusch St (Flemish for thick bush).
Kate Dyson, ASHG Vice president, took us through the brief history of the land on which Clifton Hill War Services Homes Estate in Moorooka was built.
She looked at the naming of some of the streets and their connection to European First World War sites, with a focus on Dickebusch St, the street that connects Longueval St, Waterlot St and Delville Avenue.
It was then on to a brief look at the lives and stories of some of the residents: owners and tenants who lived out what might have been ordinary lives but had experienced extraordinary times.
Speaking to Kate afterwards, she expressed how finding these exceptional stories of people living in ordinary suburban streets is what makes researching local history is so important. History lurks in the seemingly every-day.
Forty-four attended Kate’s talk on Tuesday evening. If you were unable to make it and are interested in hearing more or sharing information, email us – [email protected]
ASHG explores many facets of local history, a history firmly rooted in lands of the Yuggera people. Our work embodies our respect for Elders, past, present and emerging, and their ongoing care for this country and the community.
In traversing these pasts, ASHG aims to learn from First Nations perspectives and knowledges, with their rich storytelling traditions, and strong awareness of the interconnections of people, land, and natural environments.
ASHG captures and relates stories of the everyday – and the extraordinary – embracing the stories of those on the margins to grow our awareness of the diversity of our community, and the changing cultural and global influences across time.
We focus on the area defined by the former shire of Stephens, with Logan Road and Cornwall Street forming distinct boundaries the north and east respectively.
In current terms, Stephens was centered in Annerley, and included Fairfield, Yeronga, Yeerongpilly, Tennyson, Tarragindi, Holland Park West, and parts of surrounding suburbs of Greenslopes, Moorooka and Mount Gravatt. See more information on the Stephens Shire here.
Our work weaves together stories told, memories shared, archival records, family histories, physical and social landscapes, and various forms of creative expression.
ASHG is an active vibrant group. We share these local stories and learnings through coming together, ‘talking history’, conferences, books, blogs, image, social media, connecting with other community groups, and participating in community events.
Come see for yourself, through one of our ‘Drop in‘ days or through one of our ‘Talking History’ events. See our Calendar of Events for times and dates.
‘What matters is not the past, but our relationship with it.’
The short answer is talks, walks, opportunities to participate in history projects, and good online resources.
ASHG recently conducted a small survey on what history and heritage activities and topics members and locals were interested in. Surveys were handed out at an ASHG monthly meeting, at the Annerley Festival, and at the Memories of Stephen’s conference.
Survey placesBreak up between members and non-members
The results of the survey will help us hone our aims with the history room, plan our programs and understand how best to engage people in local history and heritage.
This survey is just a starting point – a guide and point for discussion. From time to time we will check in on how we are doing, or conduct quick online polls.
Activities of interest
People rated their interest in each activity as high, medium and low. Responses were scored 3 for high, 3 for medium, 1 for low and zero if not checked.
Scores were averaged, making ‘3’ the highest possible score. Here are the things you are saying to us:
Tell us about the history – Guest speakers at the monthly meetings, and history talks scored the highest for everyone, members and non-members.
Walk us through the streets – Heritage walks rated next. ASHG’s first self-guided walk is being published next week.
Let us help tell the stories – people are keen to participate in heritage projects. There are many ways people can participate, through activities like:
researching on Trove, and other online archives
visiting archives – city, state and national archives, state library and specialty archives
taking oral histories, telling oral histories,
exploring family histories
writing about our heritage
digital story-telling -sharing stories through video clips, podcasts and posts
creating tiny exhibitions in our history room’s storefront ‘curiosity cabinet’.
Make our history easily accessible to us through online publications and websites
Teach us skills to uncover our history through skills focused workshops
Keep up conferences and books
Full survey results for activities – highest possible score is 3.
Topics of interest
The second part of the survey was topics of interest. These were grouped into categories of history approaches, history areas, periods, places and things and social history.
Topics of high ranking are early 20th century, women, oral history, heritage places and First Nations heritage.
Below the topics are ranked in order based on percentages of those taking the survey. Some of the rankings changed to the above as a few topics were introduced after the test survey.
That’s a quick snapshot of what people want. Our new history room at Yeronga will help us to deliver these things – ASHG just received the key!
ASHG were delighted to be invited to the 50th birthday celebration of the All Gauge Model Railway Club.
It’s quite a story of a tenacious group of people keeping the club together through many changes of clubhouse. Their history dates back to 1973. The club are publishing their history in instalments – see Part 1 AGMRC.
From the left: Cr. Johnston (Tennyson Ward), Dennis Remmer (All Gauge),Denis Peel (Secretary, ASHG), Bec Langdon (President Community Plus+), Janis Hanley (ASHG), Jeff Brunne (President, ASHG), Kragg Dixon, President All Gauge
The evening of course was a Christmas celebration as well, and was generously catered for with roast dinner – and of course the delicious birthday cake after. The champagne flowed.
A lovely connection has developed between All Gauge, ASHC and Community Plus over the years. It seems an odd coupling, but the three are about to share the new premises at the Yeronga Community Centre.
ASHG, Community Plus and All Gauge Model Railway together were the Colocators group, providing input to the needs of the three groups which will inhabit the centre.
Community Plus is the primary tenant.
The Yeronga Community Centre will be handed over to these very happy new tenants in the following week.
Very exciting times, May these connections continue to deepen and new ones be forged.
All aboard every one (I know – corny – I want to say ‘Mind the gap’ but it would be odd). All the best!
The lighting of the sparkler on the birthday cake – love the little face intently watching.
Last week Jeff, Anitra and I visited our new history room in Villa Street Yeronga. Not many sleeps now until we are in! Here are images of some of the room’s features:
The whole building is bright and airy – a feel good place. Check out the spaces …
Stairs or lift take us to the first floor
In the midlle of the centre is a welcome area.
Our history room is directly across from the stairs and lift.
Standing inside our room looking our through our ‘shop-front’.
Our shop-front has a large area above for posters and artefacts, and a shelf below for things like books.
There is a built-in high quality projector with hearing loop for sound directly to hearingaids.
Looking at the wall across from the projector.
In the centre of the room are powerpoints and ports to add to those around the walls.
The back of the room leads out on to a verandah.
The verandah!
The welcome area has tea/coffee making facilities …
And seating spaces in the welcome area.
Lovely toilets and showers.
Our history room with one of the 1500 x 800 folding tables on wheels.
Again the welcome area showing its high ceilings – a lovely light-filled space.
Pointing to the space where our sign will go.
And the design for our sign
It still looks like a building site on the outside … but it wont be long!
Downstairs are customer and locked car-parking areas – and our storage room.
Customer parking area …
The locked parking area.
ASHG’s storage room – plenty of space!
The centre also features a large meeting area that seats around 100, and a roomy balcony space.
The large meeting room.
Looking out from the meeting room to the balcony space.
The balcony space with servery from the commercial kitchen.
Food pantry on the balcony.
Really looking forward to ASHG’s move to our history room. Hope to see you there soon!
