A devastating fire swept through Emerald in February 1941, destroying five shops and a residence in the town’s main street. Thanks to the quick actions of railway workers, local firefighters, and townspeople, a much larger disaster was narrowly avoided as crews battled to save surrounding buildings from the flames.
A respected Toowoomba businessman, former mayor, and public servant, Mr. Robert Aland left a lasting mark on the district through decades of civic leadership and community service.
Deeply admired for his integrity and dedication, his life and legacy continue to reflect the values that helped shape early Queensland.
Mary was born on 6 April 1869 just over 3 years after her parents Robert WATKINS and Ellen BURNS were married in Clifton. She had an older sister Ellen, and her parents went on to have more children.
Patrick Stephen Bishop, the oldest child of John and Hanora Bishop of ‘Deep Creek’ Maidenwell Queensland, was born on 26 December 1902. His brother George was born in 1906 and his sister Mary in 1911.
Stuart Raymond John Bishop, known throughout his life as Ray, was born on the family property around midnight on 1 August 1920.
We (“Toowoomba Chronicle”) regret to record the death of another Queensland pioneer, Mr. Robert Watkins, having passed away on the 23rd of March, after a lingering illness, at the ripe age of 77 years.
A very widely known and highly-respected lady, Mrs Ellen WATKINS, passed away in Toowoomba, on March 24, in a private hospital.
The death occurred at Beaudesert Hospital on Monday of Mr. Charles Crum Fenton, only four hours after he had been admitted. Mr. Fenton had that morning been proceeding to his work at the railway pumping station on a rail trolley, when the rail motor, bound from Beaudesert to Brisbane, struck the machine on which Mr. Fenton was riding.
Frank was born in 1869 to Archibald and Agnes Fraser, part of a large coal mining family in New Monkland, Lanarkshire, Scotland.
One of the best buildings in Mosman-street is undoubtedly that of Messrs. E. D. Miles and Co. which has recently been enlarged and improved to meet the growing requirements of the firm’s ever-expanding business.
In August 1939, the 30-room homestead at Mundoolun Station near Beaudesert was destroyed by fire in a matter of minutes. Owner Douglas Fraser and the occupants escaped unharmed, but the blaze consumed the historic homestead along with many irreplaceable family relics and collections.
On 7 February 1927, James Liddle (aged 31) and his children Edna (10), Ronald (8) and Colin (3) were boating on the Condamine River with Annie ‘Nance’ Kocho (40, wife of Fred Kocho), Susanah Kocho (35, wife of Wilfred Kocho) and her children Vernon (12), Evelyn (10), William (9), and Robert (2) and her niece Patsy O’Shea (13). They were all Condamine locals except for Patsy who was from Sandgate.
In February 1942, the Burnett River burst its banks and devastated the town of Mundubbera. Homes, businesses, and the railway station were inundated, leaving hundreds homeless and causing widespread destruction across the region.
An illustration of wrought iron wheels from the *Silent Salesman General Catalogue* (August 1939) by Queensland Pastoral Supplies Pty Ltd, highlighting agricultural and cart equipment used in Australia’s rural industries.
An illustration of a washing machine from the Silent Salesman General Catalogue (August 1939) by Queensland Pastoral Supplies Pty Ltd, offering a glimpse into domestic laundry equipment used in rural Australia before World War II.
An illustration of Triumph Top Fire stoves from the *Silent Salesman General Catalogue* (August 1939) by Queensland Pastoral Supplies Pty Ltd, showcasing domestic cooking appliances used in Australian homes during the early twentieth century.
An illustration of Hibiscus stock whips from the Silent Salesman General Catalogue (1939) by Queensland Pastoral Supplies Pty Ltd, highlighting equipment used by Australian stockmen and pastoral workers in the early twentieth century.
A catalogue illustration of Ruston diesel engines from the Silent Salesman General Catalogue (August 1939) produced by Queensland Pastoral Supplies Pty Ltd, showcasing machinery used in Australia’s rural and agricultural industries.
An illustration of the Hibiscus wool bale fastener from the Silent Salesman General Catalogue (August 1939) by Queensland Pastoral Supplies Pty Ltd, highlighting equipment used in Australia’s historic wool industry.
A catalogue illustration of bathroom equipment from the Silent Salesman General Catalogue (August 1939) produced by Queensland Pastoral Supplies Pty Ltd, offering a glimpse into bathroom fittings available in rural Australia before World War II.
A historic wedding between Miss Elsie Logan of Cryna and Mr. Spark of Southport, celebrated in the Methodist Church in 1909. The well-attended ceremony and reception reflected the strong community ties of the Logan and Spark families.
A historic wedding notice from The North Queensland Register (1902) describing the marriage of George Owen Martin Smith and Tillie Robins, including ceremony details, attire, and wedding gifts.
A charming wedding ceremony took place at the Presbyterian Church on 29 May when Heather May Dunwoodie married Geoffrey Smale of London. This historical newspaper account from the Torres News captures the elegant details of the bride, attendants, reception, and the couple’s honeymoon plans in 1957.
The marriage of Mr. Alfred Albert Rath, eldest son of Mr. Rath, Curtis Street, Bundaberg, and Miss Maggie Salome Kendall, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Kendall, ‘Eden,’ Branyan Road, Bundaberg, was celebrated at the residence of the bride’s parents, on Wednesday, 20th inst., by Rev. H. H. Nolan.
In February 1944, still at age 16, Clarrie Diefenbach was appointed as head teacher of Yaparaba State School –
a school 7 miles beyond the Callide Valley rail terminus.
Nita Hughes’s life in a builder’s family in wartime Queensland from country towns to Brisbane provides glimpses of the hardships experienced and the resilience needed
Memories of Hivesville School, school reserve, no electricity or telephone (local farmer had the only one); up early, feed chooks, fight white rooster on way to backyard toilet.
In this video interview excerpt, Gerry Bell describes his occupation as a Chainman and Cadet Surveyor.
