Proserpine Museum in Proserpine, Queensland | Museum

Proserpine Museum

Locality: Proserpine, Queensland

Phone: +61 7 4945 3969

Address: 198 Main Street 4800 Proserpine, QLD, Australia

Website: http://www.proserpinehistoricalmuseum.com

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25.01.2022 Today Proserpine RSL

25.01.2022 Very busy day at the Book bonanza today. Come on in tomorrow. All tables have been restocked and waiting 9am to 4pmVery busy day at the Book bonanza today. Come on in tomorrow. All tables have been restocked and waiting 9am to 4pm

24.01.2022 August 6 75th anniversary

24.01.2022 40 YEAR FLASHBACK Proserpine Guardian, 25 July 1980 Two items today! ... Mr Les Stagg (on behalf of Whitsunday League) receiving a cheque for $500 from Mrs Lois McNeill and Mr Ron McNeill of Whitsunday Crushers Russells Variety Store - Main Street Business Change (The current business at that site is Graze Cafe & Sushi) See more

23.01.2022 Peace celebrations in 1945- Proserpine The news of peace was received in Proserpine about 9:30 am on Wednesday, 15 August 1945. This meant the end of hostilities of the past six years and the return of loved ones who were serving their country. The Proserpine sugar mill whistle blew, church bells rang, car horns and anything else that would make a noise was sounded. There were frying pans, dinner gongs, auctioneers bells and other rigged up noise producing items like Jack D...aniels who towed two kerosene tins behind his bicycle. The normally quiet Main Street in Proserpine erupted. Hundreds took over the streets and danced the hokey pokey and the crocodile being popular for weaving through the crowds. Cars drove backwards and forwards and confetti type paper was thrown to the wind, flags were everywhere. The festive mood continued into the night. A thanksgiving service was held at the intersection of Main and Chapman Street and the crowd moved onto the Proserpine mill grounds where a large bonfire was lit with an effigy of Tojo (the Emperor of Japan).This was a fitting celebration for the Victory in the Pacific. The next day, a procession followed further Church services. Floats, cars and groups from various organisations including diggers of WW1 and ex- servicemen joined in the festivities. The parade was headed by MJ Johnson, an original Digger and the first man to enlist from Proserpine district in WW1. A picnic and sports day at the Showgrounds was held followed with an estimated 2000 adults and 600 children attending. Each baby received a victory 3 pence. Dances were held that night at the Grand Theatre and in the Diggers Hut. Peace had finally come, the war was over. Proserpine Guardian August 17 1945 Proserpine Remembers- 50 years -Peace in the Pacific Photos from Proserpine Museum

23.01.2022 Meteorology Plays an Important Role in War - Peep into the Museum While wandering through the Museum Military Room, you will notice a map on the wall. This framed map was donated to the museum by Rita Boast, the wife of Rodger Boast. The map is significant as it depicts the importance the weather played in D Day invasion at end of WW2- June 6 1944. The map was produced by the British Meteorological Office predicting conditions likely to prevail in Europe in June 1944 during D... Day operations. The map is a hand-proofed reproduction of the official Met. Office chart dated June 6 1944 and a copy of the accompanying letter, giving a summary of the events, is initialled by the Commander of D Day operations, General Dwight D Eisenhower. Initially D Day was planned for June 5 but predicting the weather as we do today was uncertain. Weather predictions were dependent on pure weather observations and reports from flight squadrons. Early morning June 4 the weather was reported as: Low cloud base of 500 to 1000ft Winds from force 5 to 7 almost continually too strong for beach landings. Cloud unsuitable for visual bombing Cloud bad for airborne landings after June 6 Aircraft spotting and reconnaissance almost continually impossible Therefore due to this weather report it was decided to postpone the offensives, ‘Neptune Assault’, for just one day from June 5 to June 6 1944. The next possible dates would have been 17 to 21 June. The framed map was presented to Roger Boast OBE on his retirement in 1997 from position of Chief of Forecasting Military Operations for British Met. Office( during the Gulf War). This map was one of 5000 officially approved limited edition prints. As Roger and Rita were coming to Australia, Roger was also presented a hat with corks around the brim. ( Full story Museum Magazine Issue 120 Photo from Military Room. Please excuse the light reflections)

23.01.2022 Setting up for BOOK BONANZA TODAY 23rd October The museum is closed from 12 noon The preloved book sale starts tomorrow for the week in the foyer and on the veranda.... The museum display will be open for viewing at the usual admission fee over the weekend Covid safe measures will be in place. Photos from 2019

22.01.2022 Are you looking for a unique gift for that special person? Perhaps a birthday gift, a thank you, a friendship or just for fun gift? The Proserpine Museum has locally handcrafted gifts, cards, jewellery and novelty items in their shop in the foyer.... Come and see. Plus the best supply of souvenirs in town.

22.01.2022 Do you know any WW2 veterans, still living ,who deserve this beautiful commemorative medallion. 75th anniversary of the end of the war. The link is below in the story.

22.01.2022 Happy 100th Birthday QANTAS! 16 NovemberHappy 100th Birthday QANTAS! 16 November

21.01.2022 Peep into the Museum- Gunyarra Experimental Station 1944-1945 When Japan captured Singapore in February 1942, Britian requested that Australia carry out experiments in chemical warfare to ascertain the effects and aftermath of various poisonous gases, especially mustard gas, on personnel, equipment and surroundings. Scientists from Britain, America, the Phillipines and South Africa participated in the trials. A unit was initially established in Innisfail in Nth Queensland wi...th testing being carried out in tropical jungle and on Brook Island off Cardwell which represented similar conditions to those of jungle warfare in the South West Pacific theatre. The results in 1943 were startling. Mustard gas was 4 times more harmful in tropical conditions and therefore present uniform and equipment was not suitable. The Innisfail unit was closed and further testing in temperate conditions was necessary. The Gunyarra Experimental Station was set up on Jacksons property south of Proserpine, chosen for its type of terrain, the vegetation being open and drier than the humid rainforests in the north. November 1944 saw the first contingent of over 300 to 400 scientists and volunteers, made up of men and women of all services and representing all countries involved, arrive to continue with testing. The scientists also included Melbourne University science students. The aim was to develop protective materials and respirators as well as ointments. Trials were conducted in the fields and gas chambers to establish what happened to volunteers after being exposed to mustard and other gases. Some suffered from large blisters to the skin which took years to heal and disappear. After the Atomic Bomb was dropped at Hiroshima, surrender soon followed and the need for the experiment station was closed. Peace was declared, the camp disbanded with many not being able to say goodbye to friends. A few of the dormitories were relocated within the district. Today the site of the camp bears little resemblance to what it once was and has now reverted back to scrub. The Proserpine Historical Museum in conjunction with the Proserpine RSL Ex-service Club erected a plaque to remember the important work undertaken. Photos from Proserpine Museum. A movie is available for viewing at the museum and so much more information on the display. This a a bit of our local history that many are unaware of today. At the time it was top secret. Research is available on this topic @ $11.00/ hr. Contact the museum via email [email protected]

21.01.2022 A Peep into the Museum Looking at the Artwork. Whilst strolling past the displays in the museum you will not miss the beautiful artwork on the walls that enhances and adds authenticity to the displays.... The artwork was a labour of love for past museum volunteers, Pat Kurkowski, Toni Gillen (Hurran), Dawn Rossetti and Verla Dries. Pat created the rugged background for the Cedar Ck Falls, the sugar mill, cane fields and cane fire. Toni was responsible for the interesting black and white pictures that are part of the Gunyarra Chemical Experiment Station display and the portrait of Ron Steel behind the harvester. The backdrop for the orchestra in the foyer was also painted by Toni. Dawn depicted the mountains and plains as a backdrop for the farmyard with assistance from Verla. The present volunteers are ever so thankful to those past volunteers who spent hours of their own time to beautify the displays and make them ever so much more interesting. Thank you.

21.01.2022 LAST DAYS a reminder that our Book Bonanza finishes at 12 noon Saturday 31st We are open until 4pm today Grab a bargain before you miss out.

20.01.2022 To the gentleman who would like to buy "the Last Plane out of Berlin," it is now at the museum ready for you to pick up(your phone number was accidently misplaced)

19.01.2022 August 18 is Vietnam Veterans Day. Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. 60,000 fought in this war over a period of 10 yrs. We must take some time today to remember the sacrifices of those who died during and after any conflict in the defence of our country and freedom. A commemoration service was held at the Proserpine RSL Club last Saturday (August 15) for VP day Peace in the Pacific. This service marked 75 years since Japan surrendered to the Allies after ...three years of fighting in the Pacific Arena. In a very moving service club President Jason Raiteri read out the names of 54 Proserpine servicemen who died during WW2. Defence personnel from conflicts from WWII and since attended the service which was especially good to see since Covid 19 restrictions prevented the public commemoration service, for Anzac Day, in April. To all past and present Defence Service personnel and families- Thank you. Lest we Forget.

19.01.2022 FLASHBACK Proserpine Guardian, 3 October 1985 THE LONG JOURNEY TO FREEDOM (1/3) ... When Kiem Vu met TAA Flight 460 at Proserpine Airport on the morning of Friday 27 September, he saw his family for the first time in five long years - his wife, Tram, and daughters Khanh (13), Thuong (8) and Yen (6). Their arrival marked the end of Kiem's many attempts to have his family released from Vietnam and have them settle in Australia. Kiem was a member of a group of 40 Vietnamese men, women and children who boarded a small weatherbeaten fishing boat in 1980 to seek peace and freedom from his politically troubled homeland. Kiem grew up in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), studied and graduated from University in 1969. He became principal of a Saigon Senior School, and was in that position at the time of the Vietnam War ceasefire in January 1973. In April and May 1975, pro-communist forces swept the Saigon Government from power, establishing communist rule over the whole of Vietnam. For Kiem and many others in professional occupations, life under this rule was intolerable. Kiem was stripped of his qualifications, separated from his family and forced to work in 'Re-education Camps’ which were little more than forced labour camps. (One of Kiem's daughters, Quyen, became seriously ill, was unable to receive medical treatment and died.) Kiem's existence in the camps lasted four years, until one day, he was approached by a close family relative. A fishing vessel had been obtained. One compass was procured. A group planned to escape by sailing stealthily down South Vietnam’s Mekong River and across the South China Sea to Malaysia. During one infrequent meeting with his wife, Kiem discussed the proposal. He did not want to leave his family. He admitted there was little future for his family in communist Vietnam and was finally persuaded to seek refuge in a safe country and have his family follow at a later date....

18.01.2022 Keens Curry is always in my pantry.

18.01.2022 Commemoration Service for VP Day & Vietnam Veterans Day... This Saturday, 15th of August 2020, is the 75th anniversary of Japans unconditional surrender to the... Allies after more then 3 years of War in the Pacific. On Victory Day in the Pacific, we commemorate those who served in World War II and remember the 40,000 Australians that did not return home. Tuesday 18th of August 2020 is Vietnam Veterans Day. We remember the sacrifices of those who died in Vietnam and say thank you to the 60,000 Australians who served during the 10 years of our involvement in the Vietnam War. A commemoration service will be held at the RSL to commemorate these two important events. Venue: Proserpine RSL - Upstairs Time/Date: 1100h Saturday 15th August The Proserpine RSL sub-branch appreciates the support of the community for this significant event. The commemoration service will be followed by refreshments at the RSL bar. Jason Raiteri President Proserpine RSL Sub-branch Inc.

17.01.2022 St Catherine's Catholic College Yr 1 students came to the museum last week. Th Such a pleasure to have the students visit. They were so interested in the displays. The volunteers were asked to specifically talk to the students about the two kitchen displays we have at the museum ie 1950’s and the late 1890’s kitchen.... I asked them to close their eyes and think about their own kitchen at home and then to compare with the 1950’s kitchen. The question to them was ‘What is missing’ hands up and the answer, from the students, was a microwave oven and a dishwasher.

17.01.2022 Proserpine Motors- Bert Stevenson and ‘The Fergy’ The Museum magazine (Issue 83 and 84) tells the story of Bert and Nance Stevenson. Bert set up a flourishing business in Chapman St, namely Proserpine Motors. Supplied to the museum by his son Robert Stevenson in 2011, the story is written in great detail describing Bert's ‘forward thinking’ in helping the farming community to progress. ...Continue reading

17.01.2022 1919 Spanish Flu 2020 COVID-19 2121 ?? What will your descendants be reading in 2121 regarding Corona virus?... The museum wants your story and recollections. We want to keep a collection of stories at the museum for future generations. During both pandemics Australians had to drastically change their lifestyles to enable control of the viruses. No vaccine, no cure. Quarantine, trust of the community and medical care. Home lives, jobs, entertainment and sport were affected. Self isolation, social-distancing, closing of non essential businesses were measures instigated for our protection. So what did you do during the lock down? Some suggestions are reading, jigsaw puzzles, movies, gardening, home renovations, new skills learnt, craft, family, on line shopping, new recipes, exercise, on line school and Uni studies. Did you make your own sanitiser and face masks? Did you stockpile? Tell us your story! Email the museum [email protected] Photos below are some memories for me.

17.01.2022 Today is Vietnam Veterans Day. Each year, on 18 August, we commemorate the men of D Company, 6RAR who fought in the battle of Long Tan in 1966. On that day, 10...8 Australian and New Zealand soldiers fought a pitched battle against over 2,000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops in a rubber plantation not far from the small village of Long Tan. The Australians prevailed, but only after fighting in torrential rain for four hours. Eighteen Australians lost their lives and 24 were wounded, the largest number of casualties in one operation since the Australian task force had arrived a few months earlier. After the battle the bodies of 245 enemy soldiers were found, but there was evidence that many more bodies had been carried away. #VietnamVeteransDay Read more about the battle of Long Tan: http://ow.ly/A1k550AT7He Image: After the battle of Long Tan weary men of Delta Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiments, gather on a landing zone for a quick meal before returning to the battlefield. FOR/66/0675/VN L-R: Private (Pte) Peter Doyle; Pte Harry Esler; unknown; Pte Ian Campbell; next four unknown; Pte Neil Bextram; next two unknown.

17.01.2022 40 YEAR FLASHBACK Proserpine Guardian, August 8 and 15, 2020 Triple Treat! Junior League, Rodeo Time and Squash... (Names in captions below photos - tap to open) See more

16.01.2022 40 YEAR FLASHBACK Proserpine Guardian, 22 August 1980 Dinner function following Australian Stock Horse Campdraft and Horse Sports weekend (Tap photo to view the caption.) South Molle ad for a $12 three-course Dinner Feast and Cabaret

16.01.2022 2020 Book Bonanza over for the year. Thank you to all those who walked through the door and bought books. We really do appreciate your continued support. We made quite a few visitors very happy, leaving with an armful of reading material to last the year.... A big thankyou to our wonderful volunteers and friends of the Museum who keep giving their spare time. If you are wanting to volunteer at the museum please make contact.

15.01.2022 FLASHBACK Proserpine Guardian, 24 October 1985 Some very happy faces here! But who’s the young man kneeling in the front???... (Names and information below the photo.)

15.01.2022 1985 FLASHBACK Proserpine Guardian, 14 March 1985 ...and the winners were the Proserpine Baton Twirlers!!!... Mr Tom Faust, proprietor of Faust’s Department Store, offered a $100 cheque to any Proserpine based sporting body or community organisation whose members formed the longest queue outside the store. The Baton Twirlers formed a 60 person queue to win the cheque (Names and further information with the photos.)

15.01.2022 Friends. The ‘new look’ Main Street Proserpine. For those of you who haven’t been able to make it back to Proserpine for a while.

15.01.2022 THE LONG JOURNEY TO FREEDOM (3/3) 'Flight to Freedom' Tram and her three children had a very long three-day flight, first to Bangkok, then to Singapore, arriving in Brisbane before boarding the TAA flight to Proserpine. Kiem was waiting with a bouquet of roses. A celebration feast followed at Kiem's home in Faust Street. (Six year old Yen was weak after being unable to digest food on the three day plane journey and spent time under observation in the Proserpine Hospital.)... For the Vu family, the emotional reunion signalled the start of a life together again - something which for them, had vanished during the months of April and May 1975.

15.01.2022 I have just read a book about this Brisbane bred war dog and its a fascinating story. There is a statue at the Royal Brisbane Hospital in her honour. Smoky (c.... 1943 21 February 1957), a Yorkshire Terrier was a famous war dog who served in World War II. She weighed only 4 pounds (1.8 kg) and stood 7 inches (180 mm) tall. In February 1944, Smoky was found by an American soldier in an abandoned foxhole in the New Guinea jungle. She was already a young adult Yorkie (fully grown). The soldiers initially thought the small dog belonged to the Japanese, but after taking her to a nearby prisoner-of-war camp they realized she did not understand commands in Japanese or English. Another GI then sold Smoky to Corporal William A. Wynne of Cleveland, Ohio, for two Australian pounds (equal to $6.44 at that time)the price paid to the seller so he could return to his poker game. She "served in the South Pacific with the 5th Air Force, 26th Photo Recon Squadron [and] flew 12 air/sea rescue and photo reconnaissance missions," according to Wynne. Along the way, Smoky once saved Wynne by guiding him to safety on a ship that was under projectile fire. Perhaps her bravest effort came in 1945, when she pulled a communication wire on her collar through an eight-inch pipeline at a Luzon airbase in the Philippines, saving over 250 crewmen from a three-day digging task that would have left them exposed to enemy fire. When Smoky returned from her tour of duty that same year, she became a celebrity television personality in her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, and a favorite therapy dog at veterans hospitalsone of the first of her kind. Smokys role in supporting the troops was honored on Veterans Day in 2005, when a bronze statue of her was unveiled at her final resting place in Lakewood, Ohio. This is the story of how Smoky was identified as Australian, as explained in the book I just read which was written by Damien Lewis - Smoky The Brave. "Smoky had been purchased in Brisbane as a Christmas gift for a nurse who was later assigned to a field hospital in New Guinea in early 1944. She had named the dog Christmas. She went missing a while later and Corporal Wynne remembers how Smoky had reacted with great excitement when she heard the word Christmas. The dog went missing at Dobodora army base at the time a touring entertainment show with the famous Bob Hope was performing, and turned up at Nadzab base, where it is believed the Bob Hope show also visited. She must have gone with the touring group or on some other flight that shuttled between the various bases." Keep reading Smokys wonderful story here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoky_(dog) See more

15.01.2022 100 yrs ago today. Heard a rumour that some aeroplane was coming here.... Alex Comptons diary entry for Sunday 5th September 1920.... First plane landed in Proserpine 100 years ago today, September 16, 1920. The aeroplane landed in Phaffs paddock which was the local football field (located across the river at the present site of the Coffee farm). It was the Peace Loan Aeroplane. 17 aeroplanes were sent all over Australia illustrating the great job the aeroplane did during the war. Four were sent around Queensland. This plane toured Winton, Cloncurry, Hughenden and Townsville and then asked to tour this area. There was a shortage of 2 million in the loan and it was hoped that by extending the tour North Qld would achieve the full amount. Peace Bonds on sale, interest 6%, terms 1 down and four monthly instalments for a 10 bond. The money will be used to repatriate the boys who fought for us Okay and roll up and support the peace loans The aviators gave a couple of turns in the air prior to landing which showed the control the men had over the machine and were worth seeing. The aeroplane landed at the football grounds, but unfortunately, hit the post and damaged one of the wings and slightly split the propellor. The propellor was given to Mr JP Muller to repair that required further work at the mill so the departure was to be on Friday afternoon. The schools took advantage and marched the schoolchildren to the grounds with the rest of the day off. A further 2030 was raised, oversubscribing by 30. The flight to Mackay was one hour 10 minutes. The trip was 45 min from Bowen. Many of the local women helped mend the wing as it was made of canvas and Mr Cecil Herron, a Sugar Mill electrician, also helped with the repairs. The First Air Mail ever sent from Proserpine to Mackay was on this plane. A message was sent to Mackay Chamber of Commerce wishing the people of Mackay prosperity and success in their district and ours. ( Article Proserpine Guardian nov 1990, written and researched by Ailsa Reinke- Proserpine Museum)

14.01.2022 Proserpine Cemetery The Proserpine Cemetery was established in the late 1880’s and placed under control of the then Proserpine Shire Council c1912. In the earlier days of burials, there was practically no order used apart from segregation of Catholic and Protestants. ... The weather dictated the location of many burials. If burials occurred during the wet season, they took place in the northern section of the cemetery while during dry season it was the southern end. Babies were often buried where there was a space between adults. Later a section was allocated for babies. Evidence of colour and racial prejudice showed in early days when people of certain minority were buried (against the fence). Unfortunately this fence was removed In 1962 when an extension to the cemetery was necessary and a road was constructed. Sadly suicides were looked on as shameful and one was buried ‘outside the fence‘. Many families have been buried together in the same plot or in reserved plots beside their loved ones. Prior to 1880’s many burials were in isolated locations, ‘lone graves’. Or many locals would be buried in the Bowen cemetery where the hospital and a doctor was located. The earliest marked grave at the cemetery was that of Lewis Nicol, 15 Nov 1897, who suffered fatal injuries following a loco accident. The first grave site was that of Myra Madeline Townsheard (or Townsend) at the age of 14, Sept 1897. When Ken McPherson took over as Parks and Gardens curator he noticed that the cemetery was sorely neglected. Ken recognised that the cemetery and subsequent burials should be done in an orderly fashion. Mr McPherson made his office at the cemetery, directing workers to help him maintain and map the cemetery. His local knowledge was invaluable. This task was taken on by the Proserpine Genealogical Society (Whitsunday Family History Group Inc) when Ken retired and the Cemetery Register for Proserpine was developed with input from both the Proserpine Historical and Genealogical Societies. Hector Phillipson was the next curator and was a great help. Metal markers of graves are now cemented into their correct locations. The Proserpine Lawn Cemetery was opened in 1982, due to lack of space, particularly in the Protestant section with no segregation of religion or race. A columbarium has been erected, providing a permanent resting place for ashes of those who have been cremated. Presently the council looks after the cemetery gardens but relatives of the deceased are expected to care for the grave sites. The Whitsunday Regional Council has recently collated a website with a centralised electronic register of the region’s cemeteries with access to just over 12,500 records. This will enable the community to do their own research. Also a dedicated personnel from the Whitsunday Regional Council has been busy locating and recording ‘lone graves‘ in the Shire. PG April 4 1962

14.01.2022 The RSL VP75 Brisbane City Hall projection is live! If you arent in Brisbane you can watch the story of WWII and Victory in the Pacific told in historic images on the facade of City Hall on our website at bit.ly/VPprojection

13.01.2022 1970! Are you in these photos? Proserpine State High School teachers, yrs 10 and 12 for 1970. Photos taken from the High School Arrow magazine 1970.... The Museum has a copy of each Arrow magazine from 1964.

13.01.2022 Theres Gold In Them Thar Hills - Peep into the Museum Visitors to Proserpine Museum are able to walk through a modelled goldmine; a reminder of the gold rush days centred around the Normanby Range to the west and south west of Proserpine. Reputed to be the third largest site of gold production in Qld, the mines economic activity kept Proserpine viable through tough times, according to the Faust Brothers The Dittmer Mines, at Kelsey Ck, was the richest and most recent of man...y local gold mines. It was started in 1935 by four Thorogood and two Sinclair brothers, and purchased by a company partly funded by local Dr. Felix Dittmer. Through the next fifty yrs production ebbed and flowed, often governed by exterior factors such as cost of production and the price of gold. It is estimated to have yielded 1560kg of gold, 650kg of silver and 300 tonnes of copper from 17,000 tonnes of ore. In contrast to todays prosperous fly in fly out miners, conditions in the 1930s were tough. A 10cm to 30cm reef at Duffer Mine, Dittmer, was located down a nine metre shaft 200 metres above the creek in a steep rock covered range. The hard manual labour required getting the ore out and down to the creek can only be imagined. A community grew around the site which included an ambulance, a store, a butchers shop, a pub, a community hall for dances and concerts and in 1938 a school was built which lasted nine years. Accommodation consisted of hessian walls reinforced by cement coating, painted inside and out, beneath an iron roof, not really the height of luxury. Dances and concerts were organised in the hall with carbide or kerosene lamps to light the way. Electricity served the mines and management houses only. By 1950 conditions had improved. The mines were then able to enjoy barrack accommodation, a club room, tennis courts and even hot showers. For the five months ending in January 1951 it was noted that 432 ounces of gold had been mined to the value of 6,739 or $17,458. Dittmer Mines opened and closed several times up to 1993. At one time the leases were sold to Mr and Mrs Gary Radley. Without a doubt it has played a significant role in the development of the area. Rush oh! booklet Written by Jan Maltby (past volunteer) $7.00 Abridged version by volunteer Peter. Photos from Proserpine Museum Collection

13.01.2022 I would love to see some of the old TV shows again.

13.01.2022 Only 20 days to go! Tick off everyone on your Christmas list Check out our handcrafted selection for the very best in unique styles of pieces of jewellery made locally.... Discover our selection of one off tote bags and Christmas decorations. That unique gift for a special friend. Come and see our books, stocking stuffers and Ashdene cups and plates. So much more to see!!

12.01.2022 40 YEAR FLASHBACK Proserpine Guardian, 19 September 1980 The removal of the last of the tramway lines that once ran through Proserpine, crossing Blair, Herbert, Chapman and Mill Streets. The first picture shows the section in Chapman Street on its way out, under the hands of the Mill tramway gang. The line was taken away following the construction of the loop line around the town, to the new marshalling yards, closer to the river, after the 1978 season.... The second picture shows where the tramline crossed Mill Street near Hotel Proserpine, now the site of IGA. The marshalling yards were then in the area alongside the Mill Street Park.

12.01.2022 On To Bigger Things William Harold Ryan was Proserpines second Police Officer, in 1898. The first police officer in Proserpine was Constable Tasker and Billy, an indigenous tracker, in 1897. The police station at the time consisted of 3 tents which blew to ribbons in the February 1898 cyclone. Requests for a building were ignored and the tents were replaced. Tasker was transferred and later in his career (1925) was to become the Sub-Inspector stationed in Mackay.... Constable William Ryan was appointed to Proserpine. The lock up at this stage was a structure of tea tree bark, grass and rough bush stakes with a large heavy log on the site near tents where prisoners, on occasion were chained. The horse paddock was to the back of the paddock. Complaints of inhuman treatment of prisoners fell on deaf ears. The situation was a disgrace. With a growing population of over 400 inhabitants, the residents felt a building was appropriate. In 1900 a police station and barracks were erected and Ryan was transferred to Plane Ck later to return in 1903 with his wife, Margaret Inglis Beagrie, as 1st Class Constable. With the districts advancement, the status of the station was raised which meant a married police officer was necessary to take charge. In 1906 Acting Sergeant Ryan was transferred to Cairns. There was such an uproar and opposition to his transfer from the community. In his term here Ryan was concerned for the education of the children and the amount of children wagging school so he awarded a prize for the best attendee at school. Ryan was well liked and held in high regard, as an efficient officer who performed his duties without fear or favour. Ryan left Proserpine and later became Chief Inspector of Police in November 1923 and in June 1925 was appointed Commissioner of Police in Queensland. His tenure included a push for pay increase for all police officers. He established night duty bicycle patrols in Metropolitan Districts and bought 2 motorised prison vans to replace the horse drawn Black Maria. In 1931 he sanctioned the recruitment of the first two police women. He embraced motorisation of the force and at the end of his service there were 13 motorcycles and 3 vehicles available for use across the State. He often returned to Proserpine to renew old friendships and enjoy fishing expeditions with locals. William Ryan retired in 1934 after 41yrs of service and sadly died in 1954 at the age of 81. Trove August 7 1925 Daily Mercury Queensland Police Museum, Brisbane. Slice of History: William Ryan. Researcher Delys Jeppesen (2005)

12.01.2022 40 YEAR FLASHBACK Proserpine Guardian, 5 & 12 September, 1980 Who remembers... the Railway Refreshment Rooms?... Tug-o-War teams using cleats? just two TV stations - ABC and MVQ6? The Patullo Tug-o-War team and Friday night viewing

10.01.2022 This Grade 1 class in 1953 was taken behind the Proserpine Rural State School in Main Street. ( present site of the Library and Entertainment Centre). There is a tennis court in the background. The tree behind the group is probably the one still standing outside the Library building. Did you notice that there are 46 children in this class? What a challenge for their teacher.... Some of the childrens names are missing. Do you recognise any students? Tap on the photo to enlarge. Photo belongs to Max Wright

10.01.2022 A long journey home for the Unknown Australian Soldier Remembrance Day at the Australian War Memorial in 1993 was a particularly significant occasion; that year... an unknown Australian soldier was entombed in the Memorial grounds. The idea of reburying the remains of an Australian who lost his life in the horrific trench warfare of the Western Front had existed since the 1920s. In 1992, a decision was taken to reinter a digger in a tomb in the Hall of Memory as an appropriate way of marking the 75th anniversary of the 1918 Armistice. In late 1993, Memorial Director Brendan Kelson travelled with a small team to Adelaide Cemetery, near Villers-Brettoneaux in France, where the Commonwealth Graves Commission had identified four resting places that might yield a suitable candidate for repatriation. These men had been reburied from various battlefields after the war; their identities were lost to time. The first grave that was exhumed held the remains that would travel to Australia and be laid to rest at the Memorial. The remains were handed to the delegation which would accompany them on their five day journey to Canberra. Continue Reading: http://ow.ly/jJnJ50Cd4Et Visit our Remembrance Day hub to explore our range of digital experiences including our webinar series, veteran interviews, podcasts, virtual poppy wall, videos and more. Explore: www.awm.gov.au/werememberthem #WeRememberThem #RemembranceDay Image: The bearer party conveys the coffin up the steps to the front of the Australian War Memorial. PAIU1993/268.07 Photographer: Hans Reppin.

10.01.2022 During the Second World War the Australian Womens Land Army (AWLA) helped fill the shortage of labour in the rural sector created by men involved in essential ...war service. At its peak, 1135 women were members of the AWLA Queensland branch. From 1942-1945 members of this voluntary group worked in a variety of agricultural jobs across Queensland, such as vegetable and fruit growing, pig and poultry raising, and sheep and wool work. Do you know any women that were in the Queensland branch of the AWLA? Do they have some memories to share? State Library is embarking on a project to tell the story of the Womens Land Army and if you have a connection, wed love to hear from you. Send us an email at qldmemory[at]slq.qld.gov.au with AWLA in the subject. : Florence Hirchcock of the Australian Womens Land Army and visitor Mrs Walter Elliot, Redland Bay, 1944. State Library of Queensland, neg no: 98345 RSL & Services Clubs Association Queensland Vintage Queensland

08.01.2022 Final Museum magazine out for the year 2020. And what a year we have had. Credit must go to the Magazine Committee and especially to our amazing editor for her enthusiasm and motivation in keeping some normality in our livesTo all the writers who spend so much time researching and writing, thank you! Magazine and membership subscription now due for 2021.... Magazine $18.00 for 4 issues and Membership $7.00 (adult) and Membership students (primary to Yr 12) $3.50 per person which allows free access to the museum display for the year. A great Christmas gift

08.01.2022 THE LONG JOURNEY TO FREEDOM (2/3) Kiem was accompanied by his sister, Bich, and brother-in-law, Hieu, and their two children. Hieu was one of the main organisers of the attempt. During the journey, the boat was attacked by Thai pirates. On reaching Malaysia, Kiem, Bich, Hieu and others were sent to the refugee Bibong Islands off the Malaysian Coast. After four months, during which time, Kiem taught at a temporary school on the islands, they were sent to Australia by a United ...Nations refugee committee. Bich, Hieu and their two children were resettled in Proserpine in January 1981, under a scheme to locate refugees in rural centres. Kiem followed later. Kiem immediately began attempts through the Federal Government to have his family brought to Australia. Through representations by the Federal Member for Dawson, Mr Ray Braithwaite, the government consented in 1982 to accept Kiem's family; however, the Vietnamese government refused leave for the Vu family. Kiem's naturalisation as an Australian citizen in 1984 gave further weight to his submission to relocate his family, and consent was finally obtained from the Vietnamese government five years after initial negotiations.

07.01.2022 Such a wonderful gesture. The final stage of such a busy year for the Cyclone Ada 50th Anniversary Committee occurred last night at the Proserpine Museum. The Cyclone Ada Memorial Committee presented a cheque to the Proserpine Museum for an incredible $9782.23 as a result of proceeds from the sale of the book A Community Remembers. ... Other acknowledgement awards were given to organisations and businesses that assisted over the last 12 months. The unveiling of a monument, a memorial to those lost at sea following the devastation of Cyclone Ada from 1970, 50th year anniversary, and the launching of the book A Community Remembers was a day to remember for all those involved- 18January 2020. The committee felt that as such an important event in our history, the Cyclone Ada story needed to be made available for our future generations and therefore felt it was only fitting that the balance of funds, from the sale of the book, go to the custodian of local history, the Proserpine Museum. The total amount of the cheque will go towards the Proserpine Museum Building Fund. The museum committee are presently working towards a proposed extension to the present building. Thank you so much for this donation. I would like to personally thank Gloria DeMartini, Kaye Cronan, Jeannie Grosskruetz and Barbara Southwood for giving me the opportunity to be on the committee. Such a dynamic determined team, that had a story to tell, started with no money in the kitty. At the end of the first meeting they pooled their loose change to buy stamps. Thank you to museum volunteers who assisted throughout the evening. A Community Remembers is for sale at the museum $25.00

07.01.2022 Looking for something to do this week with the kids? Come and take a stroll through the museum and find out something new and ‘old’.... Ask for an activity sheet and have fun trying to find the answers REMEMBER WE CLOSE FOR CHRISTMAS BREAK THIS FRIDAY 18/12/2020 4pm till 11/1/2021.

07.01.2022 Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor. Peep into the Museum Mr Tom Byers was both a tailor and a soldier. Born in Charters Towers, Tom Byers at the age of 16, left school and followed his Dad’s trade as a tailor in Ayr. Tom finished his trade as a tailor and cutter with David Jones, in Sydney. With the outbreak of WW1, Tom served in a military capacity (story in Issue 82).... In April 1921, Tom opened his tailoring business in Main Street, Proserpine, close to the present site of Deicke’s Arcade. A few months later,Tom married Isabella Mary Brook (Bella) and over time reared a family of five sons and a daughter - Jack, Ray, Athol, Glen, Ken and Rosemary. (Issue 82 has a list of staff members who worked at his business.) Tom’s business prospered and at one stage, in the 1940’s, he had 12 employees. One such staff member gave an idea of the day’s activity. ‘Our working hours were from 8am to 5pm with an hour for lunch, 5 days/wk. Those days most men wore suits ...... We worked in a big room sitting around a very large table. There were three big machines in this room. In the next room Mr Byers stood for hours at his high table cutting out coats, pants and vests. The ironing was usually attended to by the men, as the iron weighed in at 14lb (approx 6kg). The cloths had to be dampened to iron the finished articles and the front room had shelves of suiting material. Many returning soldiers post WW1 had a suit tailored by Mr Byers and most girls who left to be married, worked on their future husband’s suits. My Byers was a fair and honest man. Those who worked there were often known as ‘trouser hand’ and:or ‘coat hand’. The apprentices swept the floor after sprinkling water to help collect threads which were hard to move because the floor was splintery.’ What a wonderful contribution to the lives of many in Proserpine. Mr Byers left his staff with many memories and his customers well satisfied. Mr Byers retired in 1963 and had an active interest in civic affairs such as the Masonic Lodge and RSL. He died on 10/9/1971 and Bella 28/9/1989 in Townsville. Mr Byers, the tailor. (Full story can be found in Proserpine Magazine Issue 82 Corporal Tom Leslie Byers - Lewis Gunner AIF Military Service No 2127 Also in Issue 82)

06.01.2022 40 YEAR FLASHBACK Proserpine Guardian, 29 August 1980 Oops, a week late! These photo memories are from the Whitsunday Coast supplement. ... Airlie swimming enclosure with some great information, including the original owners of the beachfront blocks. Airlie Beach flea market in aid of the Bush Childrens Health Scheme Porters Travel Centre at Shute Harbour See more

05.01.2022 Keen to do a Whitsunday Cemetery Search? The link below will take you straight to the Whitsunday Regional Council's 'Deceased Search' page. (Photo in Comments of the type of information you will find.)... https://mapping.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au/tru/cemeteries/main

05.01.2022 FLASHBACK (Proserpine Guardian, 7 & 21 November, 1985) FESTIVAL WINNERS Recognise any of these happy faces?... Proserpine Harvest Fair - 'Sports Youth of the Year' Bowen Festival - Bora's Hopes Tug-o-War Champions

05.01.2022 Look at all those baton twirlers leading the Harvest Festival down Main Street, Proserpine , November 1985

04.01.2022 ATTENTION EDUCATORS The museum is a Loan Depot for Queensland Museum. Kits we have for loan this semester Eggs, Farming, Nocturnal, Notable Queenslanders, Science Toys, Solomon Islands, We Remember Anzac day... Contact museum if you would like to loan any of the kits See more

04.01.2022 The Proserpine Branch of the Country Womens Association (CWA) was formed in 1923. The State President, Mrs Fairfax, presided at a meeting with 51 local ladies. Those elected were Mrs Blair, President, Mrs Michael and Mrs C Faust, Vice Presidents and Miss Ames as Secretary/ Treasurer. At this time WW1 had recently ended. The sugar industry was in its infancy. Wives and children helped plant cane, milk cows and mothers often supervised correspondence for home schooling. All ...to help establish a life on the land. Transport was mainly horse and buggy over bad roads and the railway between Proserpine and Mackay was soon to open. The group worked hard to raise funds to furnish a room in the Diggers Hall where women coming to town could rest and change baby etc. The branch purchased land in Faust Street for a Rest Room which was erected in 1935. This building was used for meetings, socials and the Clinic Sister from Bowen made it her headquarters. Other family names are Mazlin, Davy, Perske, Horsford, Ruge, Finch, Quod, Grey, Walker, Hinschen, Evans and Rogers. Such a busy group of ladies with hospital visits and provision of furniture to the maternity and womens ward, provided an annual luncheon booth at the show and had a tent for tired mothers and babies and in 1963 accepted a beach cottage at Airlie Beach from Rotary. Since 1923, on Anzac Day, the ladies provided the annual lunch for ex-servicemen and women after the march. A younger set was formed in 1931 which assisted the parent group with donations, they helped at social functions and also presented a gift of a piano for the Rest Room in Faust Street. This group has since ceased to exist. The national membership reached its popularity in the decades following WW2 and is probably the largest womens organisation in Australia. Others branches were opened up at Lethebrook, Kelsey Ck and Cannon Vale. Those early members have left behind them a fine heritage of community service which present members are carrying on, and in a special way contributing to the peace and prosperity of country people. Proserpine Museum magazine Issue 32 Photo from Greg Vickers via Museum Facebook. We are thinking the photo is from the 1950s. Unfortunately we are having problems identifying the ladies in the photos. If you can help, please write in the comments.

04.01.2022 Remembrance Day

03.01.2022 Qantas- Queensland And Northern Territory Air Service. From an outback airstrip an idea becomes a well respected, efficient, satisfying, safe international airline. What are your memories of your Qantas flight? ... https://www.qantas.com//about/our-company/our-history.html

02.01.2022 FLASHBACK Proserpine Guardian, 14 Nov 1980 Happy Retirement Party... Mrs Eileen 'Stevie' Stevenson, left, with Mrs Marion Chandler, at a function in the Proserpine Motor Lodge, held to mark the retirement of Mrs Stevenson from Chandler's Pharmacy, where she had been a familiar face for 23 years. Mrs Stevenson was a Senior on the pharmacy staff when Mr Graham Chandler took over in 1962.

02.01.2022 SALE! SALE! SALE! PRE-LOVED BOOKS Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Museum was unable to hold its annual Book Bonanza, which is our major fundraiser. Instead, a small selection of secondhand books will be on sale in the foyer, Monday to Friday, 9am-4 pm. The genres will be changed every two weeks. Currently on display are: Children, Westerns, Travel, Murder/Mystery, Travel, Fiction and Cooking books. ... There is also a large variety of author collections available, including Lee Childs, James Patterson, Clive Cussler, Cathy Reichs, Nora Roberts and Danielle Steel. Please ask the volunteers about various authors.

01.01.2022 FLASHBACK Proserpine Guardian, October, 1985 Proserpine Lions Club - a long time service club in the local community... President Peter Bartlett visited and made contributions to the local Meals on Wheels organisation, the town's Aged Peoples and Pensioners Homes, and to patients at the Proserpine Hospital. (Names of Meals on Wheels Proserpine ladies below photo.)

01.01.2022 Wowww! 52 yrs ago. Proserpine State High School Tennis Team 1968 Yvonne Raiteri, Karen Heywood, Jean Hartwig, Cheryl Pepper, Dianne Roberts, David Cook, Don Ward, Alan Beck, Bruce Muller and Trevor Biggs.... Photo from Bruce Muller