ASHG is excited to share its program of events for June – November.
The Wednesday morning drop in days will continue providing a relaxed opportunity each week to talk history.
We’re doing things a little differently in the second part of the year with a walk, events at two of our local libraries, the first Saturday afternoon Talking History events and a book launch. Watch out for more information about each event.
On the 10th August ASHG is excited to be back at Annerley library for a morning talk at 10.30 am. Dr Janis Hanley will discuss Ekibin’s Chinese past and explore the extent of Chinese market gardens from the late 1880s to post WW2.
The Memories of Stephens, the compilation of articles from the 2023 conference will be launched by Dr Denver Beanland at the Yeronga Community Centre at 7.00 pm.
On Saturday morning 28th September Lyn Burnett, John Horder and Denis Peel consider Lost Houses and the stories that they tell.
On the afternoon of 26th October Jeff Brunne will be at the Fairfield Library looking at the question Why is Fairfield so Different.
For our last event of the year ASHG is very pleased to host Dr Kevin Rains discussing Cross River Rail Archeology on Saturday 16th November at 2.00 pm.
Monthly meetings are held at 6.00 pm on the first Monday of the month unless it is a public holiday when the meeting is held on a Tuesday.
Join Pauline, Jeanette and Wendie to Walk in the Warm Zone starting outside 48 Villa Street at 9.45 am on Friday 21 June and Saturday 22 June.
Walk in the Warm Zone celebrates the Australian author Jessica Anderson (1916-2010), who grew up at 56 Villa Street in the 1920s and early 1930s. Her family were Charles and Alice Queale and she had three siblings.
Jessica Anderson drew on her memories of her Brisbane childhood in her writing including Tirra Lirra by the River which won the Miles Franklin Award, Stories from the Warm Zone and Sydney Stories and her short memoir Starting too Late. Jessica Anderson referred to Stories from the Warm Zone and Sydney Stories as autobiographical fiction.
Walk in the Warm Zone combines local history with the richness of Jessica Anderson’s writing. At the end of the walk we hope you can join us in the ASHG History Room, Yeronga Community Centre to continue to talk history and have a cup of tea.
In January Annerley-Stephen’s History Group (ASHG) moved into their new home at the brand new Community Plus+ Yeronga Community Centre.
The YCC had its official opening on Thursday 31 May at a packed event that started with a traditional smoking ceremony, followed by Welcome to Country, the ribbon cutting ceremony and a morning tea. Congratulations to Community Plus+ YCC and all who contributed to making this brilliant new centre possible.
ASHG are proud to be located in the YCC and were pleased to greet visitors in our room. The All Gauge Model Rail Group (AGMRG) also had their room open to visitors.
The outcomes of having a permanent home were apparent. On show were the current maps and documents display (thanks Mark Baker) and the Villa Street community project (thanks to the Villa Street project team and past and current residents). Visitors were introduced to our upcoming talks and walks, our publications and the opportunity to become a member. . Visitors were inspired and excited by the history room.
Thanks to the members who set up the history room and multi purpose room displays and all the members who were at the launch and who shared their knowledge and passion for local history with the visitors. Thank you Kate, Pauline and Kerry (and Brisbane Living Heritage) for the photos.
Aunty Debby Sandy gave the Welcome to Country. Mark Bailey conducted the Official Opening and the President of Community Plus+ was the MC.
The Smoking Ceremony was an invitation to all who came into the centre.
Guests listened intently at the launch held in the multi purpose room. The ASHG display is in the background.
A display of maps and documents available to local history researchers are on the display in the history room.
Proud ASHG members.
Villa Street community project …. the people, the stories.
Jim, Robin and Jeff. Enjoying the history on display. The painting on display is of 85 Villa Street. It was painted by Robin and Jeff’s daughter Sonia 35 years ago as a student at Yeronga High School.
The ASHG display window currently features a display recognising Reconciliation Week. We were pleased to be able to take Aunty Debby Sandy through the history room. Aunty Debby gave the Welcome to Country and began with Wai Bulka (welcome). She was delighted to see Wai Bulka in our displaying welcoming all to the history room.
More happy people talking history.
Talking publications – having at chat about the Women of Stephens.
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.
Ever wondered about the changing Service Stations of Annerley. Find out more on Monday 3rd June at 7.00 pm when Mark Baker will presents The Rise and Fall of Service Stations in Annerley.
Mark Baker has worked in the heritage sector since the 1970s.
The event is free. Donations are welcome.
See you there for what promises to be another fascinating insight into our local history.
The talk will be preceded by the (optional) monthly meeting at 6.00 pm.
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.
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On 2nd September ASHG’s newest publication, Memories of Stephens compiled by Stephen Sheaffe AM will be launched by Dr Denver Beanland AM at the Yeronga Community Centre. Memories of Stephens brings together the presentations from the 2023 Memories[...]
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