Launch of Memories of Stephens

Launch of Memories of Stephens

ASHG is excited to be launching a new publication, Memories of Stephens, compiled by Stephen Sheaffe AM. This is the latest publication produced by ASHG that tells the stories of the Annerley-Stephens area. It brings together the papers from the Memories of Stephens conference held in October 2023 at Our Lady’s College, Annerley. Several extra articles about the area are included.

Memories of Stephens has been edited by Stephen Sheaffe AM in conjunction with Associate Professor Gary Osmond.

The book was launched with guest speaker Dr Denver Beanland AM on Monday 2nd September 7.00 pm at Yeronga Community Centre, 62 Park Rd., Yeronga (enter via Villa Street).

PCopies of the books are on sale at the launch for $25.00.

There are 21 chapters in the fascinating new publication that features stories about the rich history of Yeronga, Annerley, Fairfield and surrounding suburbs. The beautiful cover gives a hint of the richness and diversity of the stories inside.

Expect to find a treasure trove of topics including the early history of Yeronga; the Chinese of Ekibin and Moorooka; local scouts and railways; Churches, families, landmarks and; stories of WW11 and heritage-listed properties.

The book includes wonderful images. Here is a glimpse of just some of the papers and related images. .

The photo below is a section from the Greenslopes State School mural and relates to the Chinese of Stephens written by Dr Janis Hanley and Jan Richardson. The photo is on the front cover.

Jeanette Wiley looks at Tennyson in her paper From Softstone to Tennyson. Below is an early image of the Brisbane River taken from Jeanette’s paper. The image is on the back cover of the book.

Two of the papers consider rail history: Along the South Coast Railway Line (Greg Hallam and Dr Ruth Kerr) and Railway Lines and Stations in Stephens (Railway Lines and Stations in Stephens). The image below is of the 1936 train derailment at Fairfield Station.

Bill Metcalfe takes us through the Toohey Forest Land-Use History. Below is a photo of the beautiful Frog Rock in Toohey Forest.

The launch follows the ASHG monthly meeting which commences at 6.00 pm.

Talking History – Dickebusch St, the street with no front doors

Talking History – Dickebusch St, the street with no front doors

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]