Jessie's Cottage Local History Museum in Murphys Creek, Queensland, Australia | Community museum

Jessie's Cottage Local History Museum

Locality: Murphys Creek, Queensland, Australia

Address: 18 Jessie Lane 4352 Murphys Creek, QLD, Australia

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• Arts and entertainment
• History Museum
• Museum
• Community museum

25.01.2022 There are 5 species of Psephotus parrots in Australia; only two of which could be seen in and around the Murphys Creek and Lockyer area. The Red-rumped Parrot and the Paradise Parrot. Unfortunately, since the 1920's only one species can still be spotted in our area. The Red-rumped Parrot; which ranges from S.E. Queensland through to Victoria. The Paradise Parrot, much prized and hunted by early aviarists, had a far smaller range - S.E. Queensland and a smidge in northern NS...W, and like the parrot in that great Monty Python sketch - it is no more - it is believed to be extinct! Interestingly, in the 50's a difference of opinion was expressed in various naturalist and nature journals and newspapers on the naming of the Paradise Parrot - was the parrot named after Paradise Creek (which is in Murphys Creek) or was the creek named after the parrot? As all involved in naming the parrot and the creek are long since departed - we will never know! Thanks to Jan Veacock we have great information on the birds of the Murphys Creek area in a folder at the cottage and more stories will appear from time to time on our posts. The first two photos are the Red-rumped Parrot and the 3rd and 4th photos are of the Paradise Parrot (probably stuffed). See more

24.01.2022 Stories from the Archives, (Queensland State Archives) Murphys Creek Railway Accident On the morning of January 29, 1913 a livestock train departed from Toowoomba and derailed near the Murphy’s Creek railway station, about one mile from the station yard limits. No members of the crew were injured, but many hundreds of cattle were killed and a considerable amount of damage was caused to the vehicles and the track.... In response a breakdown train was sent to the scene of the disaster to clear the line for traffic. The area where the derailment had taken place was relatively inaccessible and workers had to prise the wreckage apart. Tragically, the next day a relief train from Toowoomba ran into the men working on the breakdown, with the result that six men were killed and several were seriously injured. (More photos and information is available at the Railway Museum in Murphys Creek, open by appointment only.)

24.01.2022 We are continuing with our bowls and other activities on Monday afternoons from 1.00 pm to 3.30 pm - anyone around the MC area who is free on Monday afternoons is welcome - $3.00 per person with all proceeds going to help maintain Jessie's Cottage Local History Museum. Hope to see you there!

24.01.2022 Some photos to let you see what a bit of attention to your trees will accomplish. 2 weeks ago I posted Doug and Bernard pressure washing the peach tree. Now 2 weeks later see the blossoms out already! The native bees were at the tree early this morning but I just snapped one honey bee visiting the blossoms. Enjoy!

24.01.2022 For all you locals (of Murphys Creek) - if Jo hasn't contacted you or you haven't seen this information before - it is left to you to you to follow this post up with the appropriate persons.

23.01.2022 We are opening the cottage on Saturday for the Murphys Creek Markets. Hope to see you there.

22.01.2022 Murphys Creek Railway Station Steam operations on the Main Range had ceased by the mid-1960s. In 1963 the raised timber platform at Murphys Creek station (similar to that at Grandchester) was removed and replaced by a ground level gravel platform and a new 14-lever interlocked signal cabin was provided with the rearrangement of signalling of the Murphys Creek shunting yard. The railway station was closed in 1992, with the introduction of Centralised Traffic Control (CTC) alon...g the Main Range line. This form of computerised and radio safeworking rendered the former mechanical form of signalling, interlocking and staff working obsolete. In order to safeguard this important piece of history, the Murphys Creek Progress Association purchased the buildings in 1993, and the land they stand on leased by Queensland Rail to the Association. The building is now a railway museum, housing historical data and artefacts. Murphys Creek Railway Complex was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 24 September 1999 having satisfied the following criteria: The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland’s history. The Murphys Creek Railway Complex is important in demonstrating the evolution of transport patterns in Queensland, in particular the establishment and development of Queensland’s Railways during the steam locomotive era 1865-1969.

21.01.2022 From the archives The Queenslander, Saturday 1 August 1891 MURPHY'S CREEK, July 24 1891 A very pretty Jewish wedding took place here on Wednesday afternoon, that of Mr. Joseph Rosenberg, of Brisbane, and Miss Florence Bloom, of Murphy's Creek. The ceremony was performed at the Railway Hotel by the Rev. the Rabbi. The bride wore a white merveilleux gown trimmed with lace, a beautiful veil, and, in her hair, sprays of orange blossom. The dresses worn by the bridesmaids, Miss Ev...e Bloom and Miss E. Chapman, were of gray cloth, with sleeves of heliotrope velvet. Each carried a horseshoe of white flowers suspended by a loop of ribbon. The breakfast was served in a prettily decorated marquee. After the departure of the bride and bridegroom by rail for Brisbane an evening party was given by the bride's parents. The wedding presents were numerous and handsome. (Note: Although we don't have this dress, we have a couple of examples of wedding dresses of days gone by at the cottage.) See more

20.01.2022 This came through to my personal page - just thought it might make you all laugh!

20.01.2022 At our Monday afternoon activities last week we welcomed some new players from Toowoomba Senior Citizens Club. We all enjoyed ourselves and the Murphys Creek members are looking forward to more visits from our new friends.

19.01.2022 The Bottle-brush trees in the memorial garden are in full flow at present. The native bees absolutely love them! Unfortunately the native bees are so small they are hard to actually capture in photos!

19.01.2022 We are all looking to our gardens to cheer us up these days. Here are some photos of Vi Hanlon's hard work - she loves her flowers and always shares her hard work with the garden at Jessies Cottage. Thanks Vi.

19.01.2022 Ted was a member of our organisation for years too great to count. He and Vi were always willing to lend a hand when we needed it, be it some volunteer work in the cottage, or donating the proceeds of a concert to cottage funds. Ted will be sorely missed by us all. Our condolences to the family at this sad time.

18.01.2022 It is always a pleasure to open the back gate when coming to the cottage - especially when you are greeted by such a lovely bunch of flowers at the foot of the stairs!

18.01.2022 Even in Lockdown the gardens surrounding the cottage have needed attention. Betty, Doug, Bernard and I have been responsibly social distancing while tending the gardens. Here are our gardeners at work this last weekend. (With captions!)

17.01.2022 A few days ago we posted an article that described a rail accident near Murphys Creek in January 1913. The inquest that followed that accident resulted in changes being made to the way trains operated on the single line sections of the railway up and down the range. (You can learn more about this at the railway museum in Murphys Creek.) Those who died were: J. Little (41), Laidley, lengthsman, four children; Fred Freese (37), Rosewood, lengthsman, seven children; Pat. McCarth...y, Rosewood, laborer, married; Charles McGregor, Toowoomba, laborer, two children; W. Clayton, Toowoomba, laborer; A. Matthews, Toowoomba, ganger. Just over a year after the accident, the following appeared in the Townsville Daily Bulletin, Wednesday 21 January 1914 The claims In connection with the deaths of the six victims at Murphy's Creek railway accident, have now been finally settled. In all cases the sum paid was 1250, except in the case or Mrs McGregor, in which the amount was 1500. The total cost, therefore, was 7700.

16.01.2022 Our volunteers had a busy weekend - opening for the Savage Family re-union at Murphys Creek School. We had a good number of the family come through the cottage over the Saturday and Sunday. I was able to get a few photos of their huge family tree spanning at least 5 large tables at the school, which included some of the families who had settled in Murphys Creek. Thanks to Bronwyn and her sister for allowing us to include their photo in our facebook post. This weekend has peaked our interest in finding the original homestead sites of all early settlers to the Murphys Creek area. Not an easy task as many of the early sites have long since gone!

14.01.2022 Call into the cottage while you are at the markets. Our volunteers will be happy to share some of Murphy’s Creek history with you. Entry (limited due to COVID restrictions) is by gold coin donation.

12.01.2022 Well, we have had visitors from out west (Queensland)! Four corellas - last year one used to visit our garden often - this year it is four - so last year's visitor brought some friends to enjoy Murphys Creek hospitality. Hope to see you at the Chilli, Chocolate and Cheese festival tomorrow at Jessie's Cottage - open from 9.30 a.m. Covid regulations apply - hand sanitiser and sign in forms at the door etc. Donations welcome too!

10.01.2022 On Sunday we opened for a special visitor to Murphys Creek! A long time resident, Avis Storey, (nee Robbins) who visited and lived in, Murphys Creek from her childhood. We thank Ti (her grandson) now managing the M.C. Tavern for contacting us - we were able to record video of some of her reminiscences of life in Murphys Creek from the 1930's on. The video will be edited and a DVD will be made for her family to keep.

08.01.2022 We had a good re-opening with the Murphys Creek markets on Saturday 18th July. Thanks to all those who visited us - we are grateful for your support and donations! All our volunteers hope you will return when you will be able to access all the new information we have been working on during this "Covid time"! The photos show what we now have to do to keep our volunteers and visitors safe.

06.01.2022 Recently two of our volunteers Betty and Doug, accompanied Jeanette Zeller (nee Harvey) when she secured a plaque for Archibald McDonald in front of the headstone for Mary McDonald (his wife) which is in the Murphys Creek Cemetery. The McDonalds are Jeanette's distant relatives. Jeanette also left us the story of Archibald's passing and funeral which is quite an epic. Thank you to Jeanette for allowing us to record this for facebook.

06.01.2022 Social distancing at our Monday afternoon bowls (starts at 1.00 p.m cost $3.00) We welcome children during school holidays (with an adult for supervision of course). Hazel's grandchildren enjoying an afternoon learning to indoor bowl. We also have table tennis and darts.

06.01.2022 First of all - a BIG thank you to Trudy Graham for posting all the really interesting information on Murphys Creek - I know how much time it takes to go through the Trove collection and weed out specific news - then condense it into readable stories for facebook. Although, I must say that the original articles are quite fascinating and beautifully written in most cases - A lot of the articles Trudy has found have been transferred to a folder in the cottage, for those who would like to read the whole story.

05.01.2022 Jessie's Cottage will be open for the Murphys Creek Markets on the 21st November. We will be selling cards this month - including many handmade Christmas cards! (We have to try to make up our deficit for this year somehow!) Our volunteers will be there to greet you and tell you some of the stories of the cottage and the local area. These are just two of the cards on offer - plenty more to see. Hope to see you at the markets.

04.01.2022 Here is a photo of one of the Toowoomba Regions oldest police stations, the Murphy's Creek Police Station in 1872. Pictured are Constable Hugh O'Loan with his wife Mary (nee McCauley) and 5 of their 11 children - Sarah Elizabeth, Edmund James, Alfred Hugh, Mary Maude, Ada Catherine, Albert Edward, Francis Harriet and Mary (died at 12 days). The second photo is of the former station as it is today - a private residence.

02.01.2022 Classic Cars at the Chilli Chocolate Festival in Murphys Creek September 2020

01.01.2022 The Neighbourhood Centre has started Monday Afternoon indoor bowls, darts and Table tennis again in the Community Hall starting at 1.00 pm to 3.30 pm - with permission from the LVRC. ($3.00) All proceeds go towards Jessies Cottage. We need the money to keep the cottage going as we have been closed so long. Hope to see our locals turn up - the hall is large - so we have plenty of room to socially distance!

01.01.2022 First story this week is about the Chilli Chocolate & Cheese festival in Murphys Creek last Sunday - Congrats to organisers - it was a huge success! More cars than I have ever seen parked in Murphys Creek! The photos show only a small sample of the stalls - and I must say I wish we could also post the aromas of the yummy food on offer!

01.01.2022 The following information was under the door of the Community hall when we opened up for our regular Monday afternoon bowls, darts activities. I wouldn't normally post leaflets etc but this is important all of us. I know not all our friends/followers are 'local' but wherever you are in Australia please keep Lifeline in mind if you would like to help others.