Townsville Heritage Centre in Townsville, Queensland | Arts and entertainment

Townsville Heritage Centre

Locality: Townsville, Queensland

Phone: +61 7 4771 5873

Address: 5 Castling Street 4810 Townsville, QLD, Australia

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.au/qld/TownsvilleHeritageCentre

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23.01.2022 #FlashbackFriday Today we go back to June of 1926 and catch a glimpse of the ceremony to formally decommission our first fire station in Flinders Street. The ...firemen and their fire-engines were photographed as they began the move to their new premises on the corner of Walker and Stokes Street. This station was designed in 1887 by W.M. Eyre. Builder Thomas Page won the tender to construct the brick fire station for 1720 on the Town Hall precinct. It was demolished in 1926 allowing for construction of the City Building to provide more shopping outlets and the expansion of the Town Hall offices and facilities.

23.01.2022 Townsville Heritage Centre's very own stalwarts and senior volunteers, Bruce and Dorothy Gibson-Wilde have a long and wonderful history with James Cook University. Bruce as one of the first Senior Lecturers in Physics in 1961 and Dorothy as a renowned historian with many years' association with the History Department. Dr. Dorothy's publications still grace the JCU Library shelves today. JCU is celebrating a milestone this year. Take a wander through the interactive timelin...e below, to trace the growth of the university from it's humble beginnings to a now internationally-acclaimed centre of academia, right on our very doorstep. The Heritage Centre is currently closed for annual maintenance but will be opening again soon. Bruce and Dorothy are often on-site giving tours and offering fascinating recollections of times past. We think they are as much a Townsville treasure as our beautiful historic buildings. Thank you Bruce and Dorothy, for your contributions to Townsville and your dedication to the preservation of its history.

23.01.2022 The Development of Basic Services on Magnetic Island Sanitation on Magnetic Island In August 1921 areas at Picnic Bay and Nelly Bay were proclaimed as Sanitary ...Reserves. Adopting a sanitary service on Magnetic Island was investigated after the city Inspector noted weekenders were fouling the forest with kerosene tins filled with excreta. A service to remove nightsoil from all premises at Picnic Bay, Nelly Bay and Arcadia began 23 September 1930 when it was recorded cess pits are being filled in and cabinets improved. Three horses and two carts were originally used for operating the Sanitary Service, being replaced by a Ford truck in March 1953. People began to replace the pan service with septic systems after reticulated water came to the Island in 1970 and outhouses were destroyed by cyclone Althea in late 1971. Elinor Fitzgerald tells of her father emptying toilet pans in the 1970s. Driving the hill in a moke with trailer and full pans the trailer unhitched itself and started rolling backwards. He managed to kick at the tow ball to change the direction of the trailer so that it settled against the hill narrowly avoiding a nasty incident!

22.01.2022 Three heritage chimneys in Ravenswood are being restored by a Brisbane-based team of specialists, more than 100 years after they were constructed. The chimneys... were attached to the dozens of mines in the area at the turn of the century, where steam power drove the excavation and processing of thousands of tonnes of gold ore. "They were all probably used for a different purpose, I believe this one, Sunset Number Two, was used for steam so it was more or less a chimney for steam to escape," restorer Alek Potrzeba said. Mabel Mill will also be restored: Mr Potrzeba says the strength of the lime mortar and the skill of the 1800s bricklayers has ensured the structures are still in great condition. "Occasionally you'll find a brick that has a thumb print in it from when they pulled it out of the mould, which is really cool."

22.01.2022 It's time for the V8s again in Townsville, but 65 years ago, cars in the Redex Trial were tearing through Townsville streets - and the cars were a far cry from ...the sleek machines we see today. Here's a story I wrote a few years back about the endurance rally that captured the hearts of Australians - a race where "the reliability of each competitor’s car is the only consideration". https://bit.ly/3jme9ER Photo: Christensen Collection, CityLibraries. See more

22.01.2022 Theres a great write up today in the Townsville Bulletin on page 16, by our very own Dorothy Gibson-Wilde. She posts some war time recollections to commemorate recently observed Anzac Day. Did you know our very own Currajong house was a war time hospital during WW2? When the restrictions ease and we are able to open the Heritage Centre again, make sure you pay us a visit and we can tell you all about it!

22.01.2022 Throwback Thursday Lets take a look back to the 20th April 1970, and Queen Elizabeths second visit to Townsville. In our Alex Trotter photograph, we see Mayor... Harold Phillips sweltering in his Mayoral robes while accompanying Her Majesty on her visit at the Townsville Sports Reserve. Do you remember lining up in the sun for hours and waiting to catch a glimpse of the Royal family as the motorcade travelled past? Does anyone recognise themselves, or anyone else in this photo? Let us know. See more

21.01.2022 #Flashback Friday Oops! An accident during the construction of the Coral Sea Memorial Rockpool was photographed by Alex Trotter on the 12th August 1968. Infor...mation on the back of the photograph reveals: Mr. T.E. Jones, owner and driver of the truck, was in the vehicle when it went over the side of the retaining wall of the rock pool. He smashed his way through the windscreen and scrambled to safety on the wall. See more

21.01.2022 #FlashbackFriday Following on from last week’s photograph commemorating the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, this photograph supplied to the coll...ection from the Australian War Memorial features soldiers passing through Townsville on the 28th January 1944. Private M. Herbert (left) and Corporal A.W. Galloway of the 2/28th Infantry Battalion, who have just returned home from New Guinea are talking to an unidentified U.S. soldier at the Townsville Railway Station.

20.01.2022 Horseshoe Bay accommodation 1930s In the Townsville Daily Bulletin of 18 June 1931 Mrs Keeler advertised the availability of a delightful furnished cottage at... The Retreat, Magnetic Island. Her accommodation place was situated beyond the footbridge over the tidal creek that separated it from the Horseshoe Bay foreshore. Photo: - Unknown persons at the footbridge entrance to The Retreat Horseshoe Bay Postcard Gift of J Porter

20.01.2022 Throwback Thursday. Todays local history photograph from the Leong collection shows residents in a dinghy under the awning of Philip Leongs shop in Hermit Par...k as the 1946 floodwaters receded. On the 3rd March 1946 Townsville experienced its most devastating flooding in recorded history with over 14 inches of rain being recorded in 24 hours with floodwater rising 2 foot 6 inches over the bar of the Causeway Hotel . The Townsville Daily Bulletin reported that floodwaters came within a few inches of the roof of Mr. W. Connollys house in Townsend Street, Mysterton and at least two houses in Rosslea had been washed away. Poultrymen also suffered severe losses with Mr DeCourcey of West End losing approximately 1000 chickens. Vince Carlyle, 21 years old, lost his life when he was washed away with two racehorses on Bowen Road and an elderly Mrs Jones was rescued from floodwaters up to her neck in Castling Street. Two Weeks later, acting Premier Mr. Hanlon announced 50 relief to affected households to replace lost possessions.

20.01.2022 #FlashbackFriday Our local history post today takes us back to war-time Townsville. It was taken on the 9th August 1943 and shows Miss Mavis OFarrell sitting ...in the open air Olympia Theatre on the corner of Sturt and Stokes Street, Townsville. The Olympia, built in 1910 was a multipurpose theatre hosting movies at night, vaudeville and other live performances, speech nights and a variety of community events and entertainments. It had a major upgrade in the mid 1930s and continued to serve the Townsville community until it closed in 1962.

20.01.2022 'Route One: Highway to the Sun' - it's a long film, but it's worth the watch. Awesome colour footage of just about every coastal town from Coolangatta to Port Douglas in the 1960s. Can you spot your hometown? IID: 1763237

19.01.2022 #FlashbackFriday In our look at Townsville’s buses, we’ll skip forward to WWII. This photo was taken in 1943 by Lt. Walter Teague, an officer of the United Sta...tes 44th Army Hospital based at Black River. The writing on the bus (apart from Kev's graffiti) reveals that it was a Dodge licensed to carry 36 passengers and was owned by F.C. & H.J. Morris. The sign on the front indicates that it was headed for the Rising Sun. The bus appears to be a 1930's design and by this time had evolved to feature an enclosed body with windows. Businesses visible in the background are Stan Short, Mens outfitters and Richardson & Timmins, grocers.

18.01.2022 #FlashbackFriday October 1964 saw descendants of Captain James Cook meet in Townsville for the first time. According to the information on the photograph, tak...en by Alex Trotter, they are (from left) Ian Smith, keeping the sailing tradition alive as second mate of the SS Boonaroo, Doug Batts of Townsville and Ken Fulks from Canada. While Captain Cook had 6 children, none survived to have a family of their own. All family descendants of the famous explorer descend from his sister, Margaret and her husband James Fleet. Would anyone remember Doug Batts who apparently lived in Townsville?

17.01.2022 #FlashbackFriday Today in our Local History post we take a look back at an older version of Flinders Street, where we can still see The Queensland Hotel and Car...rolls store. There is no date on this photo, so whats your best guess, and what do you base it on? The mixture of transport ? We have motorbikes, cars, bicycles and horse & buggy. Or are you looking at the pubs proprietor, or the clothing being worn? Or could it be the absence of a particular landmark? Let us know what you think.

17.01.2022 JCU: James Cook University, Australia is celebrating its 50th birthday by putting 50 of the North's finest historical artefacts on show. Inviting the public to take a glimpse into Townsville history, with never-before-seen manuscripts and artwork. #WINNews6pm

16.01.2022 Today marks the 75th anniversary of the end of the World War II. Spontaneous celebrations erupted in Flinders Street on the 15th August 1945 as the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. Ben Chifley announced : Fellow citizens - the war is over.

16.01.2022 #FlashbackFriday Another great photograph from our Philip Leong Collection. On the 15th November 1962, Philip Leong hosted the grand opening of his Flinders Str...eet Foodland store with Radio Station 4AY in attendance. I wonder if anyone recognises either of the two young ladies looking at the camera?

16.01.2022 #FlashbackFriday One more photo from our Philip Leong collection because theyre just such great photos! The opening day of the Garbutt store on Ingham Road. ... Do you remember shopping here? The photo is believed to have been taken in 1960. Do you also remember the milkbar that you can see just to the left of the supermarket?

16.01.2022 How has everyone been? Weve been busy starting to prepare for our historic houses and grounds to reopen! Our wonderful volunteers were on site today planting new roses for you to enjoy. ... Watch this space for news on when we will be reopening, we will update you as soon as we can! Stay safe and healthy

16.01.2022 #FlashbackFriday Another of the fantastic photographs from the Moffett album. This photo from the 1950s concentrates on the Flinders and Stanley Street inters...ection, featuring the former State Government Offices constructed in 1928 and the electric street lights installed in 1922 with Castle Hill in the background. But take a closer look behind the State Government Building. How many of you remember the old CIB building that we can see here? Imagine the stories that played out in that little building. Does anyone have any personal memories to share?

16.01.2022 250 years ago today The 250th anniversary of the naming of Magnetic Island by Lieutenant James Cook, 6 June 1770 The first European accounts of Magnetic Island ...come from Lieutenant James Cook, navigating the Australian eastern coast in 1770 on his ship Endeavour. Cook observed from a distance offshore that the whole appeard to have the most ruged [sic], rocky and barrenest surface. This place he named Magnetical head or Isle noting in his journal of 6 June 1770 that it had the appearance of an island and the Compass would not travis well when near it. The name given to this island by its first inhabitants would not be recorded until Charles Prices handwritten manuscript dated 31 August 1885. Price claimed I can safely say that my collection is the only written collection of the native dialect of Coonambella and probably the only written record of the language used by the natives of Northern Queensland. He listed Yoonbanoon ban for Magnetic Island. Today that is written Yunbenun.

16.01.2022 #FlashbackFriday The Show has been a feature of the Townsville social scene since 1882 providing the opportunity for residents to get dressed up and meet friend...s and browse the exhibits of our agricultural producers, school students and domestic arts and crafts. Who remembers the magnificent Prison Displays at the Show featuring the agricultural produce and handicrafts produced by Her Majestys guests? Todays photo by Alex Trotter was taken on the 7th July 1970 and showcases the prisoners skills in wood turning and art as well as the fruit and vegetable crops and preserves produced on the prison farm.

15.01.2022 Magnetic by Name: - the 250th anniversary of the naming of Magnetic Island by Lieutenant James Cook, June 1770 # 3 Hayles launch Magnetic On This Day 7 Apr...il 1951 Townsville Daily Bulletin of 7 April 1951 reported on the launch of a new Hayles ferry. ... She will be in the harbour today, the new Launch for the Townsville Magnetic Island service. Fresh as her paint, nice lines, comfortably cushioned on the water. Named Magnetic, she is a tribute to the growing popularity of the norths island playground and a credit to the firm of Hayles Bros. Magnetic was built by Norman Wright in Brisbane to ER (Bob) Hayles specifications; eighty-feet long fitted with a 160-horsepower diesel, having capacity for 250 passengers. Photo: - Magnetic approaching Picnic Bay jetty MIHCC Magnetic Museum

14.01.2022 Route One: Highway to the Sun - its a long film, but its worth the watch. Awesome colour footage of just about every coastal town from Coolangatta to Port Douglas in the 1960s. Can you spot your hometown? IID: 1763237

14.01.2022 The National Archives of Australia has signed contracts totalling $4.4 million for the bulk digitisation of more than 650,000 Second World War service records. ...Minister for Veterans' Affairs Darren Chester visited the Second World War Project Digitisation Centre at the National Archives Preservation Facility to see the important work being carried out by staff. Read more: https://bit.ly/36jIdw2 Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs

14.01.2022 Bee-Ran caf A refreshment room with the name Bee-Ran was situated on the foreshore of Horseshoe Bay for many years. It took its name from the Aboriginal name o...f the township there which was officially changed to Horseshoe Bay as late as 1962. Known as Bee-Ran Kiosk then Bee-Ran Caf and Kiosk the establishment seems to have specialised over the years in freshly baked scones for morning teas, fresh fish luncheons and local pineapple juice. At one time it sold souvenirs and at other times acted as a general store for the area. By the 1980s it was operating mostly as a caf.

13.01.2022 Townsville Heritage Centres very own stalwarts and senior volunteers, Bruce and Dorothy Gibson-Wilde have a long and wonderful history with James Cook University. Bruce as one of the first Senior Lecturers in Physics in 1961 and Dorothy as a renowned historian with many years association with the History Department. Dr. Dorothys publications still grace the JCU Library shelves today. JCU is celebrating a milestone this year. Take a wander through the interactive timelin...e below, to trace the growth of the university from its humble beginnings to a now internationally-acclaimed centre of academia, right on our very doorstep. The Heritage Centre is currently closed for annual maintenance but will be opening again soon. Bruce and Dorothy are often on-site giving tours and offering fascinating recollections of times past. We think they are as much a Townsville treasure as our beautiful historic buildings. Thank you Bruce and Dorothy, for your contributions to Townsville and your dedication to the preservation of its history.

13.01.2022 There's a great write up today in the Townsville Bulletin on page 16, by our very own Dorothy Gibson-Wilde. She posts some war time recollections to commemorate recently observed Anzac Day. Did you know our very own Currajong house was a war time hospital during WW2? When the restrictions ease and we are able to open the Heritage Centre again, make sure you pay us a visit and we can tell you all about it!

13.01.2022 With recent developments surrounding the COVID-19 (coronavirus) issue, Townsville Heritage Centre will remain closed until the situation becomes clearer. We hope that this will only be a short-term measure, so please keep an eye on our page for updates on our re-opening plans. The rain has freshened up our gardens and lawns, and we are looking forward to sharing our lovely Heritage Centre with everyone once again in 2020.... Have a great day, Sonia

13.01.2022 How has everyone been? We've been busy starting to prepare for our historic houses and grounds to reopen! Our wonderful volunteers were on site today planting new roses for you to enjoy. ... Watch this space for news on when we will be reopening, we will update you as soon as we can! Stay safe and healthy

12.01.2022 Submitted by Diann Trikilis. "There were requests for photo of Victoria bridge with bridge open. This was in Townsville bulletin 21.7.20"

10.01.2022 Are you interested in Family History? Come and check out the Family History Association’s display "Roses from the Heart" at CityLibraries Thuringowa Central dur...ing August. "Roses from the Heart" is a concept by Tasmanian artist, Christina Henri. It is the first memorial to the 25,566 women sentenced for transportation to Australia as convicts (1788 to 1853). The project involves making a bonnet, similar to those worn at the time to commemorate the life and contribution each of the women made towards the founding of a new nation. See more

10.01.2022 Throwback Thursday. Over the next few weeks lets escape from all the seriousness and take a look back at some of the more fun aspects of Townsvilles history.... Todays photograph from our Picture Townsville collection shows Car no.42 in the Redex trial of 1955 making its way to the Townsville check-in point at the Showgrounds. The car was photographed on Ingham Road in front of the West End State School. Does anyone remember the name of the caf beside the school? The trials were basically a mad dash around Australias roughest roads to test the reliability of vehicles. The bonnets were sealed and contestants would lose points if the seal had to be broken to undertake repairs. The contestants were renowned for the pranks they would get up to. One of the drivers earned the nickname of Gelignite Jack for his unique method of clearing any blockages on the road! Do you remember hearing any stories of the Redex contestants in Townsville?

08.01.2022 #FlashbackFriday Following on from last weeks photograph commemorating the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, this photograph supplied to the coll...ection from the Australian War Memorial features soldiers passing through Townsville on the 28th January 1944. Private M. Herbert (left) and Corporal A.W. Galloway of the 2/28th Infantry Battalion, who have just returned home from New Guinea are talking to an unidentified U.S. soldier at the Townsville Railway Station.

08.01.2022 #FlashbackFriday Another photo from our Moffett Collection. Does this one take you down memory lane? Our photo features a display of Mettoy and Ace toys on di...splay in one of Willmetts stores. There is no date on the photo, but can safely assume pre 1966 with the price tags showing Imperial currency. The big car (middle left) was 7, while the doll was just over 6 (cant quite read the ticket). The crane in the front was 3/19/4. There is also an automatic pistol, a variety of vehicles, humming tops, table and floor quoits, and even a tin rooster Do you remember having any of these toys?

07.01.2022 THROWBACK THURSDAY Happy Boxing Day! Townsvilles Winter Garden Theatre was demolished 29 years ago on the 8th March 1991. Our Local History photograph today sh...ows the theatre in 1957 when it was the centre of entertainment in Townsville, presenting both films and live shows. Of all the movie posters on the front of the theatre, we can only identify one of them, The Wild North starring Stewart Granger, produced in 1952. Did it take five years for a film to make it from Hollywood to North Queensland? Thanks for the post CityLibraries Townsville!

07.01.2022 Are you interested in Family History? Come and check out the Family History Associations display "Roses from the Heart" at CityLibraries Thuringowa Central dur...ing August. "Roses from the Heart" is a concept by Tasmanian artist, Christina Henri. It is the first memorial to the 25,566 women sentenced for transportation to Australia as convicts (1788 to 1853). The project involves making a bonnet, similar to those worn at the time to commemorate the life and contribution each of the women made towards the founding of a new nation. See more

07.01.2022 #FlashbackFriday So, our Central Fire Station, which featured in our post last week, didnt quite make the two centuries of service predicted by the Townsville... Daily Bulletin reporter upon its opening in 1926. 46 year later, the new complex was under construction. Our local history photograph today, taken by Alex Trotter in 1972 shows the new South Townsville Fire Station under construction. The new headquarters in Morey Street would cost $600,000 to build and was opened by the Minister for Development and Industrial Affairs, Mr. F.A. Campbell in January 1973. The old Central Fire Station was demolished soon after. If you take a look at the left of the photograph, you can also see the caravan park which served as emergency accommodation for some of the residents who lost their home to Cyclone Althea in December 1971.

06.01.2022 #FlashbackFriday This sensational image of Flinders Street is part of a recently acquired local history collection relating to the Willmett Family. There are ...some real treasures in this collection, and we will bring you a few over the next few weeks. There is just so much to see in this photo! First of all, just look at that crowd of shoppers. From the left of the photo you can see the premises of Alfred Shaw, the National Mutual Building, The Peoples Draper, Inglis Smith & Co., L.S.D. Mercers, the Grand Hotel, Woolworths & the Oyster Saloon. The awning you can see on the right of the Oyster Saloon, I believe belongs to the Blue Bird Caf. You can just see the Bank of New South Wales on the corner, and McKimmins Department Store across the road, with the veranda of the Queensland Hotel just visible. There is no date on the photo, but I was thinking sometime in the 1950s? What do you think? Does anyone know when the Grand Hotel was demolished?

06.01.2022 Todays photograph from our Local History Collection goes back to the 12th March 1954, and shows the Commonwealth Bank in Flinders Street decorated in anticipat...ion of the arrival of the newly crowned Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II on her first tour of Australia. Her Majesty arrived at Garbutt airport at 2.10 pm and in a visit scheduled down to the last minute, was greeted by hundreds of Townsville school children at a reception at the Sports Reserve. At 4.10 pm she boarded the HMAS ANZAC and was farewelled from the city. But lets take a closer look at this amazing photograph which provides a wonderful snapshot of Townsville in the 1950s. If you look at the bank and the City Building to the right, you will see all doors and windows open. No airconditioning back then! Also, take a look at the driver of the ute as he is pulling out on to the road. He is indicating with his arm out the window! Does anyone remember doing that?

05.01.2022 #FlashbackFriday Ok, put your hand up if you remember these! This photograph was taken by Alex Trotter in 1969 and features the red and yellow West End bus and... the blue and grey Hermit Park bus. The Hermit Park buses always seemed to be newer and more comfortable. The Hermit Park Bus Company was purchased by Sunbus in 2010, but can anyone remember what happened to the West End Bus Company?

05.01.2022 THROWBACK THURSDAY thanks to CityLibraries Townsville Todays local history photograph from the Leong collection shows residents in a dinghy under the awning ...of Philip Leongs shop in Hermit Park as the 1946 floodwaters receded. On the 3rd March 1946 Townsville experienced its most devastating flooding in recorded history with over 14 inches of rain being recorded in 24 hours with floodwater rising 2 foot 6 inches over the bar of the Causeway Hotel . The Townsville Daily Bulletin reported that floodwaters came within a few inches of the roof of Mr. W. Connollys house in Townsend Street, Mysterton and at least two houses in Rosslea had been washed away. Poultrymen also suffered severe losses with Mr DeCourcey of West End losing approximately 1000 chickens. Vince Carlyle, 21 years old, lost his life when he was washed away with two racehorses on Bowen Road and an elderly Mrs Jones was rescued from floodwaters up to her neck in Castling Street. Two Weeks later, acting Premier Mr. Hanlon announced 50 relief to affected households to replace lost possessions. Want to see more pictures? Visit our catalogue - https://bitly.com/2XiVDE3

04.01.2022 While conducting research, our museums curator stumbled on a Queensland town originally known as Cloudy Clearing. She really loved the name and wondered how it... was chosen. When they were establishing the town in 1933, was there an existing clearing and was the sky covered in cloud? Sadly, this town name did not last long before it was replaced. Any thoughts on the new name for this town? See more

04.01.2022 Flashback Friday As promised, in our local history post today, we will revisit the Philip Leong collection. This photo was taken in the bustling Hermit Park st...ore in the 1950s. Philip Leong can be seen at the right of the photo chatting with the customers. There is so much to take in here - the fashions, the old registers, the empty packing boxes Notice that there are two employees to each checkout, a woman checking out the groceries and a boy packing for the customer. What captures your attention?

04.01.2022 Throwback Thursday Our photograph this week is shows Nurse (later Matron) Billie Jolly, centre, with two other nurses on the veranda of the Townsville Hospital.... As the Spanish influenza made its way to Townsville in May 1919, medical staff at the Townsville hospital were at the forefront of the battle. In a special Council meeting on Monday 24th May, the Mayor Mr. T.G. Melrose lamented the state of communications from the Brisbane Health Department, with no clear information forthcoming. However, by May of 1919 schools had been closed, and at least two, the Belgian Gardens School and St. Annes Church of England school were requisitioned as isolation hospitals, while a temporary tent hospital was established at the Showgrounds. Dr. Nisbet reported in June that five nurses had contracted the disease and the first of the eighteen deaths recorded in the city was Mrs H. Dirnston of South Townsville.

04.01.2022 #FlashbackFriday Our photograph today takes us back to October 1972 and the modest beginnings of the Good Shepherd Home in Douglas. The home was built on a sma...ll portion of the land that had once been a potato farm owned by the Verhoeven family and was subsequently sold to the Townsville City Council in the 1960s. Construction of the home had just commenced when Cyclone Althea struck on Christmas Eve 1971. As a result, amendments to the design were made to strengthen the building in line with revised building codes. In the top right of the photo you can see the recently completed first stage of the Charles Barton Bridge. Its hard to believe now, but in 1969 if you wanted to travel to this area, you had to go via Rooney’s Bridge and Wulguru (or across the riverbed!). Completion of the bridge allowed for easier access to and development of the University and CSIRO sites and the new suburbs of Douglas and Annandale on the former potato farm.

03.01.2022 VP Day Victory in the Pacific Day - end of World War II 15 August 2020 15 August 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific and the end of Wo...rld War ll. Magnetic Island was an important defensive position, information being communicated from the Magnetic Battery (now known as The Forts) built there in 1942-43. In 1940 two radio telephone transmitters and receivers had been installed near the Arcadia Post Office, for transmitting telegrams between Magnetic Island and Townsville. In early 1942 State Military authorities requested use of this wireless link for communication between the Combined District Headquarters in Townsville and a Military Observation Post being established on the Island. Later that year American servicemen laid a submarine cable from Kissing Point to Picnic Bay, under the direction of Post Master General (PMG) staff. This cable provided communications for the wartime defence network. The American-laid submarine cable was purchased by the PMG in 1947 and served well until development required another cable in 1960. In May 1969 the latter cable failed irreparably, a relief cable was ordered then successfully laid directly to Nelly Bay on 26 November 1969. Photo: - Radio telephone transmitter and receiver, Arcadia c1942 National Archives of Australia

02.01.2022 Bee-Ran café A refreshment room with the name Bee-Ran was situated on the foreshore of Horseshoe Bay for many years. It took its name from the Aboriginal name o...f the township there which was officially changed to Horseshoe Bay as late as 1962. Known as Bee-Ran Kiosk then Bee-Ran Café and Kiosk the establishment seems to have specialised over the years in freshly baked scones for morning teas, fresh fish luncheons and local pineapple juice. At one time it sold souvenirs and at other times acted as a general store for the area. By the 1980s it was operating mostly as a café.

02.01.2022 #FlashbackFriday Last week we saw our firefighters moving out of the Flinders Street fire station to the new Central Fire Station on the corner of Walker and St...anley Streets in 1926. Our photo today shows a glimpse of the official opening ceremony for the new station conducted by the Governor General Lord Stonehaven on the 20th May 1928. This fire station was built by C. Hanson & Sons and cost approximately 11,000. The Townsville Daily Bulletin reported that it was one of the most well equipped in the state, offering accommodations for single men, a dining room, bathrooms and a gymnasium. The Bulletins reporter also predicted that the new building would suffice for this century and the next. Check back with us next week, and well see how accurate that prediction was.