On October 1 1925, the Shire of Stephens was abolished. Stephens Shire along with other Brisbane shires and towns became part of the newly unified Brisbane City Council.
As we celebrate a centenary of a unified Brisbane City Council it is fitting to reflect on the former Stephens Shire Council and the creation of Greater Brisbane in 1925. What were the local and even global conditions at the time of the amalgamation? What were the passions and perspectives of the local community? Who was living in Stephens Shire?
Meet the panel: Mark Baker, Jeff Brunne, Pauline Peel and Janis Hanley.
Details: Tuesday 6 May, 7.00 pm, Yeronga Community Centre, 62 Park Rd., Yeronga.
Great turnout for History Alive, our first event of the year. It was a fun night of engaging with local history and each other. It was all of that plus some. We covered world events, local events and people and had a singing substitute round with our songsters, Denis and Leah. Everybody was a winner on the night!!!
Here’s a few ‘did you know’ questions from History Alive.
Did you pick the location of the photo (below) on the poster? Answer: Cnr Fairfield Rd and Cowper St.
Are you confused about the boundaries of the former Stephens Shire (amalgamated into Brisbane City Council in 1925)? As the Annerley-Stephens history group this is the question we get asked most frequently. If you’ve been wondering, wonder no more. Our guests at the ASHG trivia night were organised into the main boundaries as per the image below:
Did you know that the Entrance Gates to Yeronga Memorial Park off Ipswich Rd have two (WW1) Dedication plaques which read on one side of the gates: ‘This tablet is Dedicated to the Women Workers of the Stephens Shire’ (see below) and on the other:’These gates were erected by the Women of Stephens Shire in Honour of the men who fought for them.’
Thank you for coming!!
Guess the song and the book chapter (Memories of Stephens and Women of Stephens).
Start off 2025 with a fun night of fun and games with local history as ASHG kicks off 2025 with some active history. Find out some fun historical facts about the local area, meet other members, find out what’s coming up in 2025. Have a cuppa and a light supper.
Below: Where is this? Who remembers the Yeronga Service Store? Come along on February 3rd and find the answer or share your story about the shop!
From all of us at Annerley-Stephens History Group Inc have a wonderful festive season with your family and friends. Thanks for all you support in 2024 and we’ll see you in 2025.
ASHG has had a wonderful year settling into our new permanent premises at History Room in Yeronga Community Centre. We had our last drop in day for 2024 on Wednesday 11 December!!
History room drop in days kick off on Wednesday 22 January!
Join us for History Alive on Monday February 3 2025 at 7.00 after the first Business meeting for 2025.
Join us on Saturday 16 November at 2.00 pm at the Yeronga Community Centre, 62 Park Rd., Yeronga for our last and very special Talking History for 2024.
Dr Kevin Rains, Senior Heritage Consultant, Niche Environment and Heritage Pty Ltd., will present a fascinating and little documented story of the ordinary life of the residents of early Brisbane through key findings from the Cross River Rail archaeological works.
From 2018 to 2021, Niche worked on the archaeological investigation into the sites where the four underground stations (Dutton Park, Woolloongabba, Albert Street and Roma Street), are being constructed as part of the Cross River Rail project.
The talk focuses primarily on the Albert Street Chinatown area where a row of Chinese shops dating from the 1880s was uncovered, and the South Brisbane Railway depot (old Sunmap/Go-Print site), which was an early rubbish dump for the South Brisbane community.
Below: Ceramic shards found below Albert Street in Brisbane.
Below: Decorated opium picks
Kevin is an historical archaeologist and heritage manager with experience coordinating and delivering a wide range of projects including heritage planning, conservation and archaeological management plans, historical heritage assessments, and community engagement programs. He holds a PhD in archaeology from the University of Queensland and his specialist skills include the assessment of places of local and state significance, and developing and implementing key heritage policies and guidelines including local government heritage registers. In particular Kevin’s expertise extends to researching, publishing on, and managing local and State heritage places, early mining and agricultural landscapes, cemeteries and the built environment of the late nineteenth century to post-war period. He is also a leading Australian researcher of Overseas Chinese settlement of colonial Queensland. He currently works as Senior Heritage Consultant for Niche Environment and Heritage Pty Ltd.
Come along to Fairfield Library on Saturday 26 October at 2.00 pm to hear Jeff Brunne consider the topic: Why is Fairfield so Different?
Jeff Brunne is the President of the Annerley-Stephens History Group. His talks discuss broad historical and cultural trends, from the perspective of ordinary people.
The talk is at the Fairfield Library. Spaces are limited. Bookings are essential: Phone Fairfield Library 3403 8615.
Below is Fairfield of the early 1900s. Do you recognise any landmarks? Perhaps landscape is one of the reasons Fairfield is different.
Join our panel: Mark Baker, Jeff Brunne, Pauline Peel and Janis Hanley as they consider questions about the amalgamation of Brisbane’s shires and towns, with a focus on the former Stephens Shire. The event is[...]
