Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Appendix 1 Pictorial Memories of Bald Hills and Bracken Ridge


A bit older but an Anzac Day March in Bald Hills c1959 taken by my mother in law
outside their shop.  Note the state of the kerb and channelling.
The Bracken Ridge Kindy Kids we had a visit from some very clever dogs
Joanne's year c 1983


St Joseph's Fete, with the dancers from Trish Murphy Studio c 1986
A Library - August 1987

The kids had to come in book costume, this is the Norris Road kids probably Grade 3
The opening of the Library August 1987

Ald. Keith Murray first bike path in Norris Road 1987

Norris Road State School and the Oval

St Paul's School Auditorium

The lands behind St Pauls, previously would have been the dairy farms, but home to our cow Jersey Maid.
When St Paul's Rural Youth folded, we had to buy an acreage property to keep her in.

One great thing about keeping a web journal or blog, is the ability to keep it up to date with new material!

Some people would not recognise the area as it was 30 years ago!

This is the view from Phillips Street towards the City, before Enbrook Heights was even thought about.

The farm on top of Phillips Street and Warrimoo Street junction

The lands of Enbrook Estate 



From the Reservoir towards Moreton Bay   We had this view also from our Wilpie Street house.


From Telegraph Road

From Pellinore Road towards the Pine River

Our property at Norris Road, at the bus stop opposite the TAFE

After doing the research, I realise that these trees have been there forever.  Some were massive Ironbarks.

The top of our land, plus a couple of free range chooks!  We had a view to the Pine River from here, and had cleared




My longest employee, Emilie.


 No one in Bracken Ridge who rented from either of my offices, would ever forget Emilie.


She loved to natter with the tenants, and she used to have a toothbrush on hand to show them how to clean the grout.

Her claim to fame was opening the door of the Westpac Bank in Barrett Street, to allow a robber to escape.

She had gone into the bank to do some banking for us, and we wondered why she was taking so long.  Having a chat with the girls we agreed.  Well that changed when the sirens came from everywhere.  The bank had been robbed, and was in shut-down!  I don't think we ever let her forget that day.  

And cook, any wonder we put on weight as we got older.  

So very sad, that her wonderful daughter, Deanne, a fantastic chef, working in the top restaurants is no longer with us.

Emilie used to live in Walu Street, and never forgot all her wonderful neighbours.  She was a member of St Joseph's, and new everyone in the suburb.  Later she moved to Boondall, then she moved into a new home built by Jim Heit at Taigum.

Working in the real estate industry is a real eye opener.  Working in it for more than 20 years more so.  Probably the best industry to prepare anyone for whatever life throws up as challenges.

Emilie and I were also "one-toks" she from Rabaul, and me from "Bougainville".


Emilie used to often say to me "Krissie, you have to right a story"  My answer was "no-one would believe it"

Little did I realise that there was a story in those experiences, not focused on the day to day unbelievable events that we encountered, but in the beginnings of the suburb.


Thanks Emilie, and to all the others who were part of either L.J. Hooker Bracken Ridge, L.J. Hooker Boondall, or Raine and Horne Carseldine - Bracken Ridge.


















Thursday, July 28, 2016

b.2 Some maps of the farms lands 1946 in Bracken Ridge




These maps are from the Brisbane City Council, and identify the different streets of today with the area as it was in 1946.

So many of us lived on the old farms.  Pineapples, potatoes and pigs!!!!!





Bracken Ridge is 150 years old, and thanks to the efforts of Hon Luke Howarth in recognising the milestone.  

In the words of  former Alderman Keith Murray, "I never knew all this at all.  My family were Scottish and I wonder if they ever lived in the area."

Keith was responsible for reshaping so much of the suburb's development.





There are of course others who prefer that this geni was not let out of the bottle!







b.1 From the Private Collection of Ethel Herron The Bracken Ridge Progress Association Journal July 1968

The Bracken Ridge Progress Association was instrumental in different activities and the development of the suburb in its early days.  This booklet was an unexpected find, located in some of our mother's papers.  She, like many of her era, kept all sorts of interesting bits and pieces.  To us, they were unimportant, that is until we came to realise that others would find them quite valuable.  


This is a transcription of the July 1969 edition.  It highlights a visit by Lord Mayor Clem Jones, who planted trees near the school.  A plaque was embedded in the footpath, it appears to not have survived the 50 years since the event.  More history removed, forgotten, and all only distant memories of those of us who are now the "old timers".

Reflections by Reg. Slaughter brought a smile to my face, as his vivid word picture of the views to the Glasshouse Mountains, and the Sunshine Coast Railway, from the higher blocks around the suburb, is exactly what we saw from the top of our acreage!







Reflections by Reg. Slaughter                  written for the Bracken Ridge Journal  July 1968 Page 2


It is with fond memories that I direct my thoughts to the very early days of Bracken Ridge in the year 1896.  As local lads of Sandgate, Edwin Neckenberg, Jack Bevington (son of a Sandgate school teacher) and myself with a pea rifle, a cage to trap birds and enough energy stored up to cope with a long busk walk; used to make our way out to the Ridge.

After leaving the Deagon Racecourse we soon found ourselves in thick timbered country.  We followed cattle tracks until eventually we reached Mr and Mrs Macpherson's homestead.  The view from their front verandah presented a perfect rural scene of green pastures and grazing cattle.  We appreciated the warm Scotch welcome which was always extended to us and even when a casual visitor happened to "pop in", a cup of tea and something tasty was always at hand.

We often decided to explore further a-field after reaching the summit of Bracken Ridge.  We were amazed at the panorama which presented itself - a wonderful skyline with mountains studded here and there.  The old steam train could be seen puffing its way up an incline on its way to the North Coast.  Looking towards Sandgate, Moreton Bay appeared only a short distance away.

In the years following our early visits the Ridge became well known to me.  My father resigned in 1911 from the position of Postmaster with the P.M.G. Department to take up farming at Bracken Ridge and our family has resided in the district since that year.  In 1931 my parents (Mr and Mrs Charles Thomas Slaughter) celebrated their golden wedding at our farm residence.

During my sojourn on the Ridge which commenced in 1920 I have enjoyed the wsrm fellowship of the old residents such as Colonel Flewell-Smith and his son Bernard (now General Manager C.O.D.) and Geoff; Andrew and William Muller, Frant Southers, George Phillips, Charles Fruitier, Mr and Mrs Bahke Snr, Thomas Carr, Miss Nellie and Joe Brown, Fred Francis Snr.. and Mrs Broders.  A.H.C. (Fred) Slaughter farmed for a short period on the Ridge.  He was very proud of his pair of beautifully kept ponies.  His four-wheeled dog-cart drawn by his pair of ponies was something to be admired.

The children living on the Ridge had no means of transport to the Sandgate school.  They knew all the short-cuts to make their walk a little less tedious.  Macpherson's paddock was their first cross country route, but there was one big hazard - a large dairy bull.  On all occasions it appeared, they managed to scramble under the barbed wire fence along the road with little damage in the form of torn clothes and a few abrasions.

In earlier days the hilly area was known as Bracken Ridge.  Now it has mushroomed into a very large district, mainly due to the efforts of its Progress Association.  Its officers and members are to be highly commended on their efforts and their achievement to put Bracken Ridge so vividly on the map of progress.

As cars were scarce the youths rode their bikes to Sandgate in the evening.  The only hazard was a culvert which was considered to be haunted.  After a late night out, I told the story of being frightened by seeing an old woman with hair blowing over her eyes sitting behind me on my bike carriers, as I passed over the culvert.  After that evening the lads removed the carriers from their bikes for some times.

(Editor's Note: Mr Reg Slaughter now resides at Clontarf Beach)




July 1968  Page 5  Bracken Ridge Journal
Lord Mayor's Visit to Bracken Ridge


On Saturday 11th May 1968 the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Ald. Clem Jones visited Bracken Ridge to plant a tree and unveil a plaque.  This ceremony marked the end of the first stage of the "Plant a Tree Project".

The successful completion of the scheme to date is due almost entirely to the hard working Ladies' Committee comprising Mesdames Both, Deans, Friend, Livsey, Morris and Taylor.  The Committee was responsible for obtaining from almost 100 per cent of the residents their written co-operation which enabled the Brisbane City Council to plant over four hundred trees on the footpaths of Bracken Ridge.  It is believed that Bracken Ridge is the first district where the Brisbane City Council has undertaken suburban beautification on such a large scale.

The Official Guests included the Lord Mayor, Al Clem Jones and the Lady Mayoress, Alderman A. Davis representing the Sandgate Ward, Mr John Black Patron of Bracken Ridge Progress Association, Mr. R. Henderson Secretary of Sandgate  Chamber of Commerce, Mr. G. Willmore Managing Director of Willmore & Randell Pty Ltd., and his Queensland Manager Mr. Greenway and Mrs Greenway.

At 2.30pm the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress were escorted to the site in Tomah Street through a guard of honour of marching girls, boy scouts, cubs and residents by the President of the Association, Mr E Coates.

After an address of welcome by the President, Ald Jones spoke on suburban development and congratulated the Progress Association on a very fine community effort.  He stated that in years to come Bracken Ridge would be a beautiful suburb and both he and his council were happy indeed to be associated with the project.

Ald. Jones then removed his coat and with the efficient handling of the special spade provided, he ably demonstrated to the large crowd present that his knowledge of tree planting was by no means small.  In a very short time the tree was correctly planted in place.  He then unveiled the plaque.

Votes of thanks were given by Association Vice President, Mr C.H. Clark, Ald A Davis and Mr G Willmore following which sheafs of gladioli were presented to the Lady Mayoress and to Mrs. E. Coates wife of Association President.

The official party then moved to the school house where afternoon tea had been prepared by the Ladies' Committee.  Entertainment on the school grounds was provided by groups of marching girls and a display was given by a pony club.  The scouts constructed a bridge and the sea scouts demonstrated the proper rigging of a sabot.

Despite overcast skies a large crowd attended and enjoyed the day.  The plaque has now been set in place in the footpath of Tomah Street outside number 69.

The second stage of the project will be commenced at a later date and will involve the planting of trees for new residents of the area and the replacing of those trees which did not survive the transplant.






The Association Sponsors a Scout Group       By  Mrs P. Turner                    Page 6


Early this year Association member Mr. N. Stewart suggested that a cub pack or scout group be formed in the district.  He was supported by Mr. D. Lawrie.

After discussion at a general meeting it was resolved that the Association should sponsor the idea.  Subsequently contacts were made and requirements obtained from local Scouts.  A preliminary meeting was then arranged.

The meeting to explore possibilities of starting Scout and Cub Packs was held in the Bracken Ridge State School on Tuesday 30th April.  It was attended by Mr. Atkins, District Commissioner, Chairman of the District.

A Group Committee was elected to support the Bracken Ridge Scout Group, Office Bearers are as follows:

Chairman:                   Mr. Livsey, 1 Barrabui Street Bracken Ridge
Hon Secretary                        Mrs. N Lennon  Bald Hills Road Bald Hills
Hon. Treasurer          Mrs. G. Bentley,  73 Tomah Street Bracken Ridge.
Any parents who have boys interested in joining Cubs (8 - 11) or the Scouts (12 - 15 yrs), should contact the Scouts who are as follows:
Group Scout Master   Mr. A. Munt,  63 Bellicent Street, Bracken Ridge
Scout Master              Mr. F. Batten  Denham Street Bracken Ridge
Asst Scout Master      Mr. G.M. Bentley, 73 Tomah St Bracken Ridge
Cub Master                 Mrs B. Wilson,  26 Enid Street Bracken Ridge
Ast. Cub Master         Mrs. P Turner 69 Tomah Street, Bracken Ridge
Asst. Cub Master        Mrs. P. Norman 71 Tomah Street Bracken Ridge

The function of the Group Committee is to raise funds to provide the Scout Group with equipment such as tents.  A permanent Scout Den will be built later.  Any parents and friends who are interested are welcome to attend any of the Group Committee meetings which are held at 8.pm, the second Monday of each month in the Bracken Ridge State School.

The first of the weekly pack meetings of the Bracken Ridge Scouts and Cubs was held in the Bracken Ridge State School grounds on Saturday 25th May at 2.pm.





Can you spot your home in this Advertisement for the estate!

 














The Secretary's Corner   C.J. Tuckfield.                                            Page 7

This is our fourth issue, and it might be opportune to review what has happened in Bracken Ridge since the first issue came out a year ago.

Probably the first thing that strikes one is a  beautiful stretch of bitumen surface in front of the school.  What a pity this oasis in the desert of holes and hillocks which constitutes Denham Street has to wait so long to extend itself to cover the whole of this controversial street.

Having turned off past the school, one might perceive dotted along each street of the Estate, spindly young saplings full of promise of avenues of blooming poincianas, bauhinias and other ornamental trees.  The hard work of the ladies' committee of the Association came to its climax when the Lord Mayor ceremonially planted one of these in front of committee member Derrick Turner's home in Tomah Street, and unveiled the plaque to be seen set flush in the footpath near the tree.  The ceremony, which was covered by television and press, was followed by magnificent displays by Marching Girls, Scouts and Cubs, and a Pony Club.

A new section of the Estate is in the process of being opened by the Developers which will bring about eighty new families into the area.  In addition, a shop has now been opened in the Bald Hills Road area.

Not yet to be seen except in the vision of those who care are the district Kindergarten and building for Scouting, Judo and other young people's' activities.  Negotiations are still in progress for the acquisition of land for these purposes.  A Scouting Group has already been launched with the blessing of the Association.

While we do not claim credit for all the progress in the community, we like to think that the influence of our Association is perceptible.  Perhaps not tangible, but nevertheless most valuable is the very fact that a few men and women are willing to give a not inconsiderable portion of their leisure time just to meet and discuss the problems attending the growing pains of progress.

That there are only few is regrettable. An attendance of only ten more residents at the monthly meeting would give a tremendous impetus and much encouragement to those few, and open up new vistas of ideas for community improvements and togetherness.





What is Rotary?   by Bob Henderson (Chairman of the Sandgate Club)       Page 10

Rotary was the idea or thought of one man - a lawyer Paul Harris - who in 1905 in Chicago felt lonely so decided to invite some of his colleagues to lunch and a talk in his office.  It was decided to rotate the meetings to each office in turn and then came the name "Rotary".

This thought from one man has now spread to 142 countries with 13,171 Clubs and 630,000 Rotarians.  They are all putting "Service before Self" and carrying out the objects of Rotary.

To encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular to encourage and foster:
1. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service.
2. High ethical standards in business and professions: the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian of his occupation as an opportunity to service society.
3.The application of Service by every Rotarian to his personal, business and community life.
4. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional men united in the ideal of service.
How do you become a member of Rotary.  This question is no doubt in the minds of many people.  Some seem to think that it is a very selective progress.  That is correct.  The Rotary classification principle has permitted only one member of each business or profession to join when that business or profession is carried out in the boundaries of the Club.

This means that members can nominate any person belonging to that business or profession as long as his classification is unfilled.  Should more than one nomination be received, then the Club Directors select the fellow who they feel is the leader in his classification and possesses the character and integrity to fulfil Rotary's objects.

A Rotary Club although controlled by a Board of Directors is also a member of Rotary International with its headquarters in Chicago.  In our District 260, we have 56 Clubs who are controlled by a District Governor appointed by the Clubs and who attend the International Conference in April of each year.  This is an important part of Club organisation for continually flowing out from Chicago are the ideas and service plans of every Club in the world.  Rotary is kept on a high plane with efficient organisation and control.  Sandgate Club is proud that one of its members, our Hon. Secretary Brian Knowles has been chosen as District Governor for 1969 - 1970.

The Rotary Club of Sandgate was formed in 1950 with 20 members.  This year our membership stands at 57.  Meetings are held weekly on Wednesdays at 6.15pm at Baxters Cafe.  We meet for fellowship during the meal - discuss important business - sing a song, introduce humor with a Sergeant at Arms, then listen to a speaker for 30 minutes.  The speakers are invited from all business and professions and organisations.

The Club is divided into the four services each with a Director and all members are allocated to a committee.

Firstly Club which controls all activities which ensure good fellowship - speakers and smooth running of each meeting.
Vocational.  This committee explores the avenues to promote the employer-employee relationships and many other facets of business life.
Community The raising of funds and the investigating of worthwhile projects which assist every branch of the Community.

International.  The World Community is a field which has become a very important part of Rotary.  This assistance can be given from New Guinea to India to South Africa.
On these Committees each member becomes a part of the Club.  He is expected to "make his Rotary membership effective" by attending, by discussion, by endeavouring to serve as best he can, to make some worthwhile contribution to his service.

Rotary in Sandgate has been responsible for many worthwhile projects.   Shelter Shed in the Park at Symes Grove Home, the Park in Southerdon St., Playground equipment on the foreshores.  These are the ones which you can see as you pass by, but Rotary is proud also of the projects in New Guinea - Murray Island and so many of those little thoughts for others which are granted by fellows every day.

Rotary has become a part of our Community and will continue as long as men and women put "Service before Self".

(Sadly the Rotary Club of Sandgate folded in 2016)



  



Bracken Ridge Journal                                  July 1968            Page 14
Letters to the Editor

Dear Sir,

As a frequent user of Denham Street, I wish to protest against the lack of courtesy, the reckless driving and the complete ignorance of road conditions shown by my fellow users of this particular street.  At least three times a week, whilst travelling along Denham Street at a safe and sensible 20 m.p.h. I have been passed by some "idiot" going 40 m.p.h. - either anxious to get home fearing the tongue lashing he will get for staying too long in the pub,, or in a hurry to get to work because he is frightened of his boss.

The frustrations of this small minded persons turns him into a maniac once he sits behind the steering wheel of a car and he thinks that other road users should always give him right of way because he is a better faster and safer driver than anyone else.  How soon he will be disillusioned, and if he loses an arm or a leg in the process, he will always have a memento to remind him of his recklessness.

Even when Denham Street is in its best condition, it is a very unsafe street to travel.  Because of the loose surface, the deep corrugations, the narrow water culverts and the long grass growing to the very edge of the road, it is necessary to take extreme care and caution whilst driving along this thorough-fare.  But notwithstanding these dangerous hazards, surely the motorist has seen the clouds of billowing dust rising in great waves behind speeding vehicles and surely the motorist must have some consideration for those people who live in Denham Street.

One does not have to live in Bracken Ridge very long to become familiar with the colours and types of vehicles which are owned by the residents of Bracken Ridge and one could nominate on the fingers of one hand the names of those thoughtless, reckless and selfish drivers who use Denham Street as a speedway.

Could we please have some sanity in our driving:  Yours faithfully,
Resident O'Ridge

(Editors note:  Denham Street is indeed a dangerous stretch of road and care should be taken when using it.  Speed should be kept as low as possible.)

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

From the Ethel Herron Private Collection The 80th Anniversary of Sandgate State School

Throughout history, those that tell the story so well, are those who have lived it.  Often those stories do not get told until they themselves are well advanced along their life's journey.

In fact the name "Old Timers", is often given to such people, so it becomes a bit of  a shock to realise that eventually we earn the right to wear that label ourselves, in relating the stories and memories of those no longer here to tell the tale.

My mother-in-law, Ethel Herron, was a product of the Depression years.  She kept little bits of paper, newspaper cuttings, and other items, all which have helped tell the story of her life, and that of her German ancestors.  She certainly was able to contribute to history as an "Old Timer".

After she passed, we collected her vast quantity of tins, books and clippings.  And put them in the "one day to do" box.  What a surprise to then find two rather special booklets at such an opportune time, as collating the final aspects relating to the research of the Bald Hills/Bracken Ridge area was being done.

Ethel's two books are The 80th Anniversary Souvenir Magazine and Programme of the Sandgate State School, 1873 - 1953, and  the July 1968 edition of the Bracken Ridge Journal.  A booklet published by the Bracken Ridge Progress Association and containing photographs regarding the Brisbane City Council's Tree Planting carried out in conjunction with the Willmore and Randell Estate.

To discover these booklets, led to more research about the facts that are contained within.
It is unknown whether any local organisation holds a copy of these booklets, however there does not appear to be any digitised version of the events of the time.

The Sandgate State School edition is rather interesting, as it provides detail of the First 100 years of Sandgate.  Some of the content of the booklet was presented to a Historical Society Meeting in 1956.  The contents of that presentation are included.

It would also appear that the Brisbane City Council Archives, do not hold copies of the photos of Alderman Clem Jones, the Lord Mayor at the Bracken Ridge tree planting.




Sandgate State School  History  80th Anniversary Souvenir     1873 - 1953
From the Private Collection of late Ethel Herron






  

School History




The State School at Sandgate was opened in a temporary building on 15th September 1873.  This building was the first Baptist Church which was situated behind the Osbourne Hotel in Loudon Street.  It had an opening enrolment of forty-seven pupils, and certainly commenced its service to the community under difficult conditions.

The report of the first inspection by District Inspector J.G. Anderson makes interesting reading.  "The school was opened in September an depending the erection of a vested building has been held in a church belonging to the Baptist communion, which has been gratuitously placed at the service of the board by the trustees.  The building is quite new and in excellent order, but being crowded with church furniture it is not a convenient school room. and there is no proper furniture of any kind except a table and a form.  Of books, etc, there is enough.  The attendance is regular and punctual except in the case of children of German parentage. 

The opening of the school is looked upon as a great benefit to the district, and in the hands of an experienced and earnest teacher it may be expected to prosper.  Under the circumstances of unsuitable and very imperfect furniture and apparatus, and a short existence of seven weeks, the school was found to have made a good beginning."
In April, 1874, the school was provided with its first permanent building on the present site, which consisted of a main classroom capable of seating four classes.  This was built facing eastward looking across the present site of St. Margaret's Church of England.  The first building cost £555/8/-, towards which local subscriptions had been received amounting to £157/15/-.

The first School Committee consisted of Mr Wm Deagon (Secretary), Capt. W Townsend (Treasurer), Rev B.G. Wilson (Baptist Minister ), and Messrs. Cowsley,  Cookesley and A. Slaughter.  At the first triennial election thereafter Mr. R. Board replaced Mr. Cookesley.
By 1875 the school was away to a good start.  The same District Inspector reported, among other things, that "the buildings are in good order.  The ground has been enclosed with a three rail fence, and an underground tank has been built.  The teacher and pupils have cleared the playground to a  large extent, and a small flower garden has been enclosed.  Swings are provided for the amusement of the scholars.  The school is well furnished in all respects, and as a whole this is one of the pleasantest school houses in the colony."  Enrolments gradually increased so that in 1883 an infants' room had to be provided, followed six years later by two small classrooms.  Again in 1912, a further addition was made to the block of buildings, all of which were situated on the slope of land fronting Rainbow Street.  In 1917 there was erected a separate building described as an "open air annexe", which accommodated four more classes.  By 1912 expansion was so necessary that there was erected the first of the more modern buildings - the five rooms now adjoining the present Head Teacher's office.
In 1925 there was a re-organisation whereby all buildings erected prior to 1917 were removed to form the present layout.  The original classroom became Rooms 13 and 14, the 1883 additions became the present Room1.  The 1912 building was joined to the original and the 1889 building joined to that again, and the whole of this new wing connected by a covered way with the row of rooms with which it now ran parallel.  In 1934 the "open air annexe" was remodelled as an Infants' Section and served that purpose until quite recently.  The Domestic Science and Manual Training Buildings were provided in 1940, while in 1950 and 1951 a new wing of five rooms was provided for the lower grades.  The latest addition is that of the English prefabricated building of two rooms, by which the Infants'  Section was extended at the commencement of the 1953 school year.



One Hundred Years Have Passed                              Page 5
Sandgate 1853 - 1953





  

It is a happy coincidence that the 80th anniversary of the opening of the State School at Sandgate should coincide with the centenary of the establishment of Sandgate, as a township.  The first survey was completed by Surveyor J.C. Burnett, and his plan of Sandgate was forwarded to Sydney on 9th September 1852.  The first sale of lands took place a year later on 9th and 10th November 1953.  Sandgate was then part of the colony of New South Wales, for Queensland was not separated until 1859, and until that time the district was known only to the blacks who roamed there and called it "Warra" meaning "an open sheet of water".

A peculiar incident led to the establishment of a settlement in the Sandgate area.  On 17th April, 1852 a barque, the "Thomas King" was wrecked on Cato's Bank in the Torres Straits.  With the aid of a ship's boat the survivors reached a reef where most were left to be later picked up without loss of life.  However, six others, including the Captain decided to try to reach Brisbane in the ship's boat.  They landed in the Wide Bay area and for some reason they decided to continue the journey overland to Brisbane.  Only two eventually arrived on 17th May.  

Four others lost their lives in skirmishes with blacks in the Caloundra-Bribie area.  According to the statement of Captain Walker he and the other survivor had been hiding in the neighbourhood of Cabbage Tree Creek for several days, and it was thought that had there been a settlement there the lives of at least two of the seamen might possibly have been saved.  An agitation was thereupon started for the establishment of a village on the coast in the vicinity of the creek, and this bore such good fruit that Surveyor Burnett was commissioned to carry out the work previously referred to.  In the words of early historian, J.J. Knight (1895), "this village has since developed into the fashionable watering place, Sandgate".

The first settlement consisted of blocks lying roughly between the present Yundah Street and the sea, and compared with the upset prices sold for average amounts which were larger than in any other locality sold in Brisbane at the time.
Among the first purchasers of land at Sandgate was "Old Tom" Dowse, who went there with his two sons in November 1853, to reside on their property.  On 3rd December, a party of about thirty blacks made an effort to rob Mr Dowse's hut of tobacco and other supplies, but were driving off.  Knowing the treacherous character of the natives Mr Dowse and his sons feared their return, so immediately packed up, intending to leave by boat for Brisbane in the early hours of the morning.  Before they could leave the aboriginals returned in large numbers and interrupted the departure.  Mr Dowse and his sons managed to escape with their lives and in one boat with one oar reached the mouth of the Brisbane River, from which they walked to Eagle Farm and gave the alarm.  "Old Tom" received a head wound from a waddy, while a son was speared in the leg, but, although their second boat was later recovered by a search party, the blacks were never brought to justice.

Mr Dowse's experiences put a damper on further settlement until about 1858, when further sales were made of beach frontages extending from Signal Row towards Brighton.
In his reminiscences, early historian Nehemiah Bartley tells of his first visit to Sandgate.  "I first went there", he recalls, "in September, 1858.  The population was then, I should estimate about twenty-five souls.  The "hotel" was kept by one Charlie F. Davie.  Butchers and bakers and shops there were none.  So all the fare was salt beef and damper/"  He made other visits through the years and was able to record the progress, he had noted.  "Cabbage Tree Creek was a teazer to cross at high water, but after 1861 it got a bridge, so that a picnic to Sandgate and back on the same day soon became a recognised institution in Brisbane life -  and the little town grew and stores and hotels were run up, and cottages were built to be let for the summer season, furnished."  He must have been favourable impressed by his visits for the continues his record in a manner which present residents will read with interest and amusement. 

According to him, "Sandgate is chiefly remarkable for what is not there.  There is no pier, no yachts, no German bands, no shipping, no circulating libraries, no bathing machines, no society.... But for all that Sandgate is not all a dreary waste.  Oh, dear no!  There is God's pure breeze laid on daily in full force, and nothing to pay for it; the quality never varies.  Many a sickly baby, and people of larger growth, marked for disease and death in Brisbane, have revived under the doses of ozone which they must inhale at Sandgate whether they like it or not for with all the force of ten thousand punkahs the fresh sear air fattens you and is pumped into you to your great and permanent benefit."




In the year in which Queensland became a separate colony, 1859, only three families were resident in Sandgate.  There was, however a police camp of native troopers under a Lieut Wheeler, who had barracks back from Flinders Parade on a  site opposite to the present Roman Catholic Church in Brighton Road, which is still remembered by many residents as the "police paddock."

Some years later, in 1865, one Alexander Archer, then manager of the Bank of New South Wales in Brisbane, wrote to his niece of a trip he made down the Brisbane River and across the Bay. He remarked that "Sandgate is now one of the favourite watering places to which Brisbane people go for a few days during the hottest part of summer.  It is still quite new, and there is little comfort to be had there, but it has two or three inns and Mr John McConnell has built a nice house and lives there with his wife.  (Morven)."    


When the Sandgate State School opened i  1873, there were only two cottages in Rainbow Street, which was very swampy.  The Police Station occupied the site of the present Town Hall and the Post Office was on Eagle Terrace near the present Osbourne Hotel. 

A coach service twice daily linked Sandgate with Brisbane and its passengers broke their journey at German Station (Nundah) for refreshments.  This Cobb and Co service terminated at the Sandgate Hotel on the Upper Esplanade.
Sandgate could be said to have really started to grow up when on 29th April, 1880, it was proclaimed a town, and Alderman Southerden was elected its first Mayor.  Just a year later, on 5th April, 1881, Mr Bashford's tender of £38,634 was accepted for the construction of the Sandgate Railway.  This was completed in a little over twelve months and on 11th May 1882, a single line linked Sandgate with Roma Street.  Sandgate Station was then a few hundred yards nearer Shorncliffe, and the line went through Mayne to Bowen Park station (Exhibition) which then served the Valley and New Farm area. 

It was not until 1890 that the rail link between Roma Street and Mayne, via Central was completed.  A single line had to serve these districts until 1899 - 1902, during which years duplication was effected.  Meantime, the Sandgate line had been extended to Shorncliffe in 1897.

The more recent history of Sandgate is well known to most of its residents.  In its inclusion in 1925, in the City of Brisbane, may have robbed it of its independence, and to some extent, too, of the pride in its own achievements.  Its future can largely be influenced by the actions of its present citizens, who will be well rewarded for their efforts if they display the same faith in their district as was shown by those "Old Timers", who brought it to its present state of advancement.

To the community of Sandgate we offer our congratulations on having reached its centenary, and trust that during the next century its advancement may be even more marked and successful.

The new Baptist Church was built in 1887.








 From the Booklet, some of the P&C and the school sporting teams.



The P & C Members 1953

  


  
 

























































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From the Council Archives:









Sandgate State School from Brisbane City Council 1926

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Nehemiah Bartley was mentioned in the Information, so who was he?

Bartley, Nehemiah (1830–1894)

This article was published in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 3, (MUP), 1969
Nehemiah Bartley (1830-1894), merchant, was born on 10 May 1830 at New Cross, London, son of Nehemiah Bartley and his wife Mary Ann, née Lucas. After his parents died he was brought up by his aunt and educated at the City of London School, Cheapside. He then worked for a merchant uncle and an accountant. In 1849 he sailed in the Calcutta for Hobart Town, where his aunt who had married the brewer, Edwin Tooth, was living; his cousin, Theodore Bartley, was a successful farmer and grazier near Launceston. Unable to find suitable employment, in December 1849 Nehemiah sailed in the Eudora in charge of a consignment of timber, prefabricated houses, shopfronts, onions and potatoes for San Francisco. At Tahiti he met Benjamin Boyd and on his advice sold part of his cargo at Honolulu and the rest at San Francisco. While he stayed to dispose of a later shipment of potatoes from Hobart, he helped to save the sails and stores of a ship in San Francisco Bay and saw the city itself go up in flames.

Bartley returned to Hobart with gold doubloons from his sales, then went to Melbourne and had two months from March 1851 of 'colonial experience' on a station near Geelong. Because his remittances from England were stolen from the Melbourne Post Office, he had to visit Sydney where his aunt was spending the winter. Deciding to try gold digging he walked from Penrith to the new Turon field where he joined a party of Tasmanians and Cornishmen, some of them from California. After meagre success he took over a store and the first bakery on the field. After another unsuccessful mining venture with his brother James he returned to Sydney in June 1852 and became a teller in the Bank of New South Wales; among his duties was the arrangement of overseas gold consignments. Long working hours and a bout of influenza threatened his health and in 1853 he joined a party overlanding ten thousand sheep from Dubbo to William Charles Wentworth's Paika station near the Murray-Murrumbidgee junction. There he saw Captain Francis Cadell's Lady Augusta on her first voyage up the Murray. Travelling overland to Melbourne and by ship to Sydney, Bartley was encouraged by friends to establish commercial agencies in Brisbane. He arrived there in the City of Melbourne on 7 February 1854 and was soon representing Tooth, the Colonial Sugar Co. and other Sydney interests as well as founding his own importing business. Said to have been the first commercial traveller in Queensland, he combined business with adventure by collecting orders on horseback in the Darling Downs and Burnett districts where squatters became his friends as well as his clients. Perhaps his most profitable enterprise was a franchise on Chilean flour which he imported for £11 a ton and sold for as much as £50.
In 1856 medical advice to avoid a sedentary occupation led Bartley to refuse Tooth's offer of the managership of the Kent brewery in Sydney. However, his commercial connexions in Sydney brought him into the Darling Point set where he met and on 5 January 1858 married Sarah Sophia, daughter of William Barton and sister of Edmund; they had two sons and three daughters. A legacy from his grandfather, sometime chief clerk in the Ordnance Department, enabled him to buy land at Rockhampton, Maryborough, Toowoomba, Bowen and Cleveland as well as on many hills around Brisbane. On one of these at Hamilton, overlooking the Brisbane River, he had a house built to his own design with many doors and rooms which ran into each other; because of its isolated position the house became known as 'Bartley's Folly'. The failure of the Bank of Queensland in 1866 caused him heavy losses and after selling most of his land at deflated prices he retired from business. From this time he seems to have occupied himself in occasional journalism and in collecting from Australia, New Guinea and New Caledonia gold ore and semi-precious stones which won him several intercolonial and international prizes. His marriage was not happy and when his wife refused to endure the 'snakes, centipedes and blacks' at Hamilton, he made the house available to his brother James.

Bartley had become a member of the Union Club, Sydney, in 1857 and in 1860 he joined the Queensland Club. His diaries for 1863, 1869 and 1888, at the Mitchell Library reveal the restlessness and obsessive interest in women which characterized his life and reminiscences. In the 1870s and 1880s he was one of Brisbane's best-known eccentrics and could often be seen in Queen Street wearing a pith helmet or an old plaid shawl according to the season, and riding an old roan mare who found her own pace. A long quarrel with the Real Property Office led him many times to seek the appointment of a select committee; one parliamentarian declared him a more intolerable nuisance than 'the thistle or the Bathurst burr'. In 1892 at Brisbane he published Opals and Agates, reminiscences and observations based on his early life in Queensland. When he died suddenly in Sydney on 10 July 1894 he was preparing Australian Pioneers and Reminiscences; edited by John Knight it was published in 1896. Bartley's wealth of information, gifts as a raconteur and comments on contemporaries reveal a powerful memory and a useful insight into the behaviour of others.

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NOTABLE AUSTRALIAN EDITORS AND JOURNALISTS
Some Early Sydney, Brisbane and Gympie Pressmen
PART 2
[By CLEM LACK, B.A., Dip.Jour., F.R.Hist.S.Q.,
F.R.G.S.A.]
(Read at a meeting of the Society on 24 February 1972.)

Tonight I want to tell you about some bygone Queensland Pressmen, and I do not think I can begin better than by referring to a clever journalist and a colourful figure in Brisbane in the 'eighties and 'nineties of last century. His name was Nehemiah Bartley, and it is perpetuated in Brisbane's geography in Bartley's Hill.

To Nehemiah Bartley, we owe a graphic and drolly quaint picture of Brisbane in the latter half of the last century. Nehemiah Bartley was a colourful, genial and kindly character.
Mounted on his ambling horse, Nehemiah was a familiar sight in the streets of Brisbane, in the days when Ascot and Clayfield still were more or less "bush" and when he built an expensive and handsome house on the crest of Bartley's Hill, behind Toorak Hill.

LONELY BARTLEY'S FOLLY
The house was so lonely and isolated that townspeople of the day dubbed it Bartley's Folly. The old house has long since disappeared, but the name still clings to the neighbourhood.
The gorge between the hill and Toorak Hill was said to be haunted and it was the resort of vagabonds and doubtful characters. It was also reputed to be haunted by the ghost of a convict escapee. Anyone courageous enough to build in the neighbourhood was ridiculed by the town wiseacres as a fit companion for Bartley and his "Folly".
But the old man, who was a clever journalist and wrote biographical and topical articles for the Courier and the Queenslander went on his way serenely, unperturbed by malicious Gossip and "old wives' tales."

  

WROTE BOOK ON THE PIONEERS

Bartley was born in May 1830. He was 64 years of age when he died on Tuesday, 10 July 1894, at Richmond House, The Domain, Sydney. He had left Brisbane early in March for a visit to Sydney on business associated with the production of his new book on the Pioneers of Queensland.

Forty-five years earlier, in 1849, he had first landed in Tasmania. An active, adventurous young Englishman, one of his earliest acts on reaching his new home in Tasmania was the ascent of Mount Wellington (4,165 feet in Southern Tasmania). Mount Wellington lies behind and to the west of Hobart, which spreads across its foothills. The summit commands an extensive view of the valley and estuary of the Derwent, the mountain ranges to the west, the Huon River area to the south and all the south-east. Snow sometimes lies on Mount Wellington for six months of the year.

VOYAGE TO CALIFORNIA
Before Bartley settled down to Australian life, he made a voyage to California with a cargo of timber houses and shop 1
fronts, pianos and pots, visiting the island of Tahiti on the way. After completing his business in San Francisco, he returned to Tasmania. In 1851 he crossed over to Melbourne.
He had not been there long, when gold was discovered at Bathurst,^ and he was on the way thither to gain his first experience of the Australian bush, which he loved so well.
Nehemiah Bartley was not one of the lucky diggers—the best day's work of his party of nine yielded only £14. He sold out and returned to Sydney to join his brother in a prospecting expedition. He walked 300 miles there and back to the Turon in 10 days, with his brother, but they made a bare living. He returned to Sydney to accept the position of a teller in the Bank of New South Wales. That
was in 1852.

OVERLANDED WITH SHEEP

In the following year, he undertook a long overlanding trip with sheep from Dubbo to Paika, on the Murrumbidgee.
After spending some months at Paika, he reached Sydney again at the close of 1853. Early in the following year, Bartley first set foot in what in 1859 became the new Colony of Queensland. He saw a great deal of the country, as he was employed as a commercial traveller and agent in the region of Moreton Bay, doing the rounds of the Darling Downs and Bumett districts every six weeks or so.
Bartley wrote a great deal for the Courier and the Queenslander in the 1890's.

In one of his articles in the Queenslander he recalled that in 1853 the Brisbane Courier was edited by William Wilkes-Bartley, spelt the name without an "e". He described Wilkes as "a racy writer who had a holy horror of High Church parsons, one of whom refused to read the burial service over Wilkes's little girl (died of scarlet fever) on the ground that he attended Wesleyan Chapel."

 
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EARLY BRIGHTON AND SANDGATE

(Read at a meeting of the Society on August 23, 1956.)

L The Brighton Hotel (Sandgate)  and Captain Townsend

[By E. V. STEVENS, Hon. Life Member of the Historical Society of Queensland.

This paper relates the story of the Brighton Hotel at Sandgate, Queensland, a landmark in Brighton Terrace, and although the hotel licence has not been continuous, the hotel site is one of the earliest reserved for that purpose in Queensland, The site is included in
Portion 57, Parish of Nundah.

A Proclamation in the New South Wales Government Gazette dated October 12, 1858, lists land which was to be offered for sale at the Police Court, Brisbane, to be held on December 14, 1858, County Stanley, Parish of Nundah. The land is described as "Lying on and near the shores of Moreton Bay, and between the waters of the Pine River and Sandgate."

Forty-four lots were offered, the price ranging from £1 to £3 per acre. Lot No. 17 was Portion
57, Parish of Nundah.
The first purchaser of Portion 57 was Daniel Rowntree Somerset of Brisbane, who was given a Deed of Grant (No. 949) of 37 acres for £37. This original Deed of Grant can be seen in the Titles Office, Brisbane, Vol. 2A, Folio 2. The land was purchased on August 29, 1859. As a matter of interest, the next Deed of Grant, for land adjacent to Portion 57, was issued to
Joshua Jeays.

Nehemiah Bartley in "Opals and Agates" (page 93) relates a story which shows D. R. Somerset to be one of the most gullible of men. Near the Customs House, Brisbane, was Richardson's (later Brights') wharf, where D. R. Somerset had the upper floor. Bartley describes him as "a kindly honest simple  hearted gentleman, all too easily imposed upon," and relates this story. "Captain John Murphy, of the barque 'Bella Vista,' was a bluff, bold seaman, and never 'stood on repairs'" much . . . One day Murphy brought the barque up the river, all sail set, with such a vigorous rush, that her flying jibboom went through the roof of Somerset's wharf shed.

Murphy hauled off clear, anchored, and was ashore in his boat instanter, and in the upper office. 'Come out on the wharf for a moment, Mr. Somerset,' said he, and Mr. Somerset did so. 'Do you see those goats on the roof of the shed, and those loose shingles?' said Murphy. 'Indeed, I do. Captain Murphy, and I had no idea, till now, they were such destructive animals; I am much obliged to you for telling me of it, and I will see that it does not happen again'."

The Survey Office and the Titles Office possess plan 29109, showing a survey of Portion 57, by L. LeGould on December 20, 1865. This plan records, between Subdivisions
65 and 66, a "Reserve for Hotel Purposes" on the site where the Brighton Hotel now stands. What appear to represent buildings are marked on this reserve.

The first person to obtain a free-holding title to this site was Patrick Dunne—Certificate of Title No. 10147, Book LXXXI, Folio 167. The memo of request for a free-hold title was signed by Patrick Dunne on January 31, 1866, for one acre, being Subdivision 66A of Portion 57. It will be noticed that when this reserve, lying between Subdivisions 65 and 66, was free-holded,
the number 66A was given to the subdivision.

The property passed from Patrick Dunne to William Townsend on March 22, 1867, at a purchase price of £1,154. This sale was registered at the Titles Office on April 29, 1867. The next transfer is from William Townsend to William Williams on May 8, 1882, and from Williams to Samuel Hamilton on September 4, 1882; on November 24, 1888, a transfer was made to Tom Coward, and on the same day to Boyd Morehead and John Stevenson.

The Government Gazette for 1864 lists William Rae as Licensee of The Brighton Hotel, Brisbane District.
The same licensee is given in the Gazette for 1865, and also James John Tubbs. The Gazette for 1866 gives the names of William Denver as transferring to James Hartley. There is no reference to a hotel licence in the year 1867, which is the year the property was bought by Captain Townsend. The next year in which a hotel licence is listed is the year 1883 (Government Gazette page 472) when the licensee of the Royal Hotel (Brighton) is given as S. Hamilton. The Titles' Office records a sale on September 4, 1882, to Samuel Hamilton, who had previously been the licensee of the Hamilton Hotel at Hamilton.

The hotel building has had many occupants, but the most unusual were orphan children. The "Week" for March 10, 1893, reports the following:
"In view of the serious difficulties which have arisen at the Goodna Lunatic Asylum through the floods, the Minister for Education arranged to transfer mild lunatics to the Diamantina Orphanage Buildings.
It was first intended to remove the orphans to Peel Island, but on Saturday, March 4, 1893, forty orphans were removed to the old Brighton Hotel, Sandgate. Mrs. May, the Matron, was absent on leave, but was recalled to take part in the work of removal."

The Inspector of Orphanages in his report for the year 1893, referring to the Receiving Depot at Brighton, states that "as the children are all boarded-out the maintenance accounts are not a quarter what they used to be." The Receiving Depot was termed, "A most useful and necessary institution, and as it was at present situated at the seaside it comes in handy as a sanatorium for sickly children who have been up country and need a change."

What was locally known as "Mrs. May's Orphanage" occupied the Brighton Hotel until January 1910, when the orphanage was transferred to "Rowallan" at Wooloowin. At this time, Mrs. May was still Matron, and Mrs. Holmes Sub-Matron. After the removal of the orphan children, the first hotel licence granted was to Charles E. Sauzier.

Captain William Townsend, a retired sea captain left London, England, on March 31, 1866, for Moreton Bay in one of the Black Ball line of clipper packets—
the "Netherby" of 944 tons, under the command of Captain Owens. During the voyage, the day by day life of the ship was printed, and published later as "The Netherby Gazette," a copy of which is in the Oxley Memorial Library. The editors of this gazette were H. D. Vincent and Captain Townsend.
The clipper was bound for Moreton Bay, but the passengers were not destined to reach this district without being exposed to serious danger. The vessel become a total wreck against the western side of King's Island, Bass Strait, on July 14, 1866. By good fortune, all the passengers and crew were saved and brought to Melbourne by H.M.S. "Victoria" and "Pharos."

Some idea of Captain Townsend can be gleaned when one reads in the Gazette: "It was found that a few of the first-class passengers were still on shore, upon which a message was sent requesting them to come aboard as quickly as possible, to which an answer was returned by a Mr. Townsend to the effect that he had not packed his luggage."

A testimonial was given to Captain Owens by the passengers, published in the "Netherby Gazette," and the list of signatures include Wm. Townsend, T.R., G.R., M.C., and E. J. Townsend.
The Moreton Bay District lost some settlers for the Gazette records that "the majority of the passengers expressed a determination to take up their abode in Victoria in preference to proceeding to their original destination in Queensland." Captain Townsend, however, decided to come to Moreton Bay, and according to information supplied by the Registrar-General
(Vol. 15/251) arrived in Brisbane by S.S. "City of Melbourne" on August 6, 1866.

The same source gives the names of Captain Townsend's children as Isabella
4, Victor 10, Mary 12, George 16, and Edwin 17.
After a short residence in Brisbane, Captain Townsend, as previously stated, purchased in 1867 the building known as the Brighton Hotel, where he and his family resided for ten years (2), removing then to his villa at Shorncliffe, where his death took place.
Captain Townsend took a prominent part in public affairs, and it is evident that his property occupied far more land than that now occupied by the Brighton Hotel. As proof of this it is only necessary to quote
2. "The Week," 11th August, 1893.

Victor Drury, who in a series of articles published in the Brisbane "Telegraph," commencing in May 1939, has this to say of Captain Townsend.
"When I first remember Sandgate, Captain Townsend occupied Brighton House—the grounds running down to what is now Flinders Parade. It was a beautiful property planted with fruit trees and flowering shrubs. When Captain Townsend left Brighton to reside in Sandgate, the old house became an hotel, Mr. Samuel Hamilton being the licensee. Mr. Hamilton for years had the Hamilton Hotel at the corner of the river and Racecourse Roads, Brisbane."

In Pugh's Almanac for 1870, recording up to December 1869, Brighton is listed as a Station. The census of 1871, published in Votes and Proceedings, includes Brighton in the census district of Caboolture.
Two squatters at Brighton are recorded in this census.
The Government Gazette of February 25, 1873, announces that "W. Townsend to be a member of the Marine Board vice Alexander Raff." The Post Office Directory of 1874 informs us that W. Townsend, Brighton, was a Justice of the Peace, and a squatter. Pugh's Almanac for 1869 confirms the fact that W. Townsend was a Justice of the Peace.

An excellent booklet, commemorating the eightieth anniversary of the Sandgate State School, 1873-1953, is in the possession of the Society.

This booklet states that the "State School at Sandgate was opened in a temporary building on September 15, 1873. The building was the first Baptist Church which was situated behind the Osbourne Hotel in Loudon Street. It had an opening enrolment of forty-seven pupils . . .
"The first School Committee consisted of William Deagon (Secretary), Captain W. Townsend (Treasurer), Rev, B. G. Wilson (Baptist Minister), and Messrs. Cowsley, Cookesley, and A. Slaughter. At the first triennial election thereafter, Mr. R. Board replaced Mr. Cookesley."

The Queensland National Bank opened for business on June 3, 1872. Captain Townsend was prominently connected with the initiation of this bank, and was one of these who signed the prospectus for its establishment.

At a meeting on February 27, 1873, F. 0. Darvall and Captain Townsend were elected auditors of this bank.

The "Week," June 5, 1880, contains this report on the first municipal elections for Sandgate: "The election of six councillors for the new Sandgate municipality took place on Tuesday at Sandgate. There were seven candidates and the following is the result of the poll:
R. Board 31, George Bott 31, Robert Kift 31, Edward B. Southerden 29, William Townsend 28, William Deagon 25, William Feuerriegel 14.
The first six-named were declared by the Returning Officer, Mr. W. T. Blakeney, duly elected.

Captain Townsend was forced to relinquish his public positions owing to a serious affection of his eyes, which culminated in total blindness. His death occurred on August 11, 1893, at the age of eighty-three years.

Sandgate
Despite the fact that persons living at Sandgate, so close to Brisbane, must have had a decided influence on the growth of Brisbane, very little has been published on the early history of Sandgate. The Oxley Memorial Library have in their possession the valuable Dowse papers. Nehemiah Bartley and Mr. Victor Drury have mentioned Sandgate in their reminiscences, but a connected history has yet to be published.

According to the Sandgate State School booklet, the first survey of Sandgate was completed by Surveyor J. C. Burnett, and his plan of Sandgate was forwarded to Sydney on September 9, 1852. The first sale of land took place a year later on November 9 and 10, 1853.

The aboriginals called the district "Warra," meaning "An open sheet of water."
Agitation for a settlement at Sandgate is said to be due to the loss of lives after the shipwreck "The Thomas King"^*). This ship was wrecked on Cato's Banks in Torres Strait on April 17, 1852, and six persons, including the captain, decided to try to reach Brisbane in the ship's boat. They landed in the Wide Bay area, and decided to continue the journey overland
to Brisbane. Only two eventually arrived on May 17. Four others lost their lives in skirmishes with the aboriginals in the Caloundra-Bribie area. According to the statement of Captain Walker he and the other survivor had been hiding in the neighbourhood of Cabbage
Tree Creek for several days, and it was thought that had there been a settlement there, the lives of at least two of the seamen might possibly have been saved.
An agitation was thereupon started for the establishment of a village on the coast in the vicinity of Cabbage Tree Creek.
The first settlement consisted of blocks lying roughly between the present Yundah Street and the sea. One of the first purchasers of land at Sandgate was Tom Dowse, who went there with his two sons in November 1853. On December 3 a party of aboriginals tried to steal tobacco and other supplies from Mr. Dowse's hut, but were driven off. Mr. Dowse determined to return to Brisbane by boat, but a larger party of aboriginals attacked before they could leave.

Mr. Dowse with his sons managed to escape with their lives, and in one boat reached the mouth of the Brisbane River. Tom Dowse received a head wound and a son was speared in the leg during the affray. Fortunately the Oxley Memorial Library have acquired
the Dowse papers.

Nehemiah Bartley in his book "Australian Pioneers and Reminiscences" (edited by J. J. Knight, pp. 262 et seq.) describes his first visit to Sandgate. "I first went there in September 1858 in company with Dr. Hobbs and the Reverend George Wight. I remember how Lieut. Williams, of the Native Police, and I threw spears over the fork of a high gumtree near the EinBunpin Lagoon. The population of Sandgate was then, I should estimate, about twenty-five souls. The 'hotel' was kept by one, Charles F. Davie, who came there to try and prolong his days on earth by the soft sea air.
Butchers and bakers and shops there were none, so allthe fare was salt beef and damper; bottled beer, wine and spirits were procurable." Bartley, however, continues, "Months after this, again, the blacks from the north end of the Bay (Bribie way) came down and made the place uncomfortable.

They bailed Tom Dowse up in a slab hut, which, fortunately for him, had no glass windows . . . This was spear-proof, and he escaped, and after this Lieut. Wheeler, of the Native Police, cleared out the aboriginals, who never again troubled Sandgate . . ."

Bartley is apparently astray in assigning the year 1858 as the date of the attack on Tom Dowse, for other references give the year as 1853. Further recollections of Sandgate by Bartley state that "Cabbage Tree Creek was a 'teazer' to cross at high water, but after 1861 it got a bridge . . . 'Jordan Cottage' was built about 1860, Loudon's about the same time, McConnel's house ('Morven') (in 1896 D. L. Brown's) was put up in 1866." Bartley returned to
Sandgate in 1872 and stayed at the "Sandgate" hotel kept by Frank Raymond.

Mr. Victor Drury's articles in the "Telegraph" of 1939 contain further references to Sandgate.
"Our family went to Sandgate for the Christmas holidays. We travelled down in a hired landau and the luggage was taken down by furniture van. After passing Newstead we drove over the Albion Hill down the old Sandgate Road to the German Station where Mrs. Schattling kept what we called the Halfway House.
There the horses had a spell and a bucket of water . . ."After leaving German Station we drove over the big hill on towards Sandgate. The first residence after getting over the big hill and coming towards Cabbage Tree Creek was occupied by an ex-officer of the Police Department, Mr. Stephenson. We then crossed Cabbage Tree Creek Bridge and on to Sandgate.

The lock-up was at the foot of the hill leading into Sandgate. On the rise we came to the Osbourne Hotel, Dover Cottage, Bayswater Terrace, and then the Post Office in charge of Mr. Charles Slaughter. Mr. Deagon had two cottages, Barnstable and Devonshire Cottage. He also had a large hotel. The Sandgate, facing the Upper Esplanade where Cobb and Co. coaches put up.
" 'Morven' in those days belonged to Mr. McConnel, later purchased by Mr. D. L. Brown. Mr. Chancellor of the Customs had a cottage on the corner opposite where the pier now is, and Mr. Thompson of the Union Bank occupied the opposite corner. Messrs. Graham Hart and E. R. Drury built 'Saltwood' on the Shorncliffe end of the town, and adjoining on the upper esplanade were the well-known Shorncliffe cottages of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kift.

"Going down to Cabbage Tree Creek you came to John Baxter's Oyster Saloon. The leading tradespeople of Sandgate at the time were Messrs Buck, George Walker, and George Mockridge. Mrs. Tempest was the draper. Later Mr. Griggs, a draper, built a two-storied brick shop and dwelling.

The hotels were the 'Osbourne' kept by Mr. L. Drouyn and 'Sandgate' by Mr. Tom Coward, who was formerly in the native police. "Cobb and Co.'s coaches ran between Brisbane and Sandgate meeting at the German Station (Nundah).
The Sandgate pier was built about 1884, but as there was not sufficient water at low tide, it was lengthened as at present.

"In later years Mr. Robert J. Gray, Under Secretary of the Colonial Secretary's Office, and later Commissioner for Railways, lived near Cabbage Tree Creek.

A builder, Mr. Young, near Cabbage Tree Creek, prepared a wonderful mixture called 'Young's Mineral Oil' which we used for cuts and scratches. Mr. Tom Persse of the Lands Department had a house next to Mr. Gray's. Mr. George Wilkie Gray (Quinlan Gray
and Co.) also had a house near 'Saltwood.' William Street, of white-ant fame, also lived in Sandgate, and was a builder and contractor. Dr. John Thomson built 'Clutha' at Shorncliffe . . . .
"Another well-known family I must not omit to mention was the Bests. One had a bus and he used to drive us to the train . . ."

The opening of the railway on May 11, 1882, undoubtedly led to a rapid expansion in the growth of Sandgate. Legend has it that when the first sod was turned, a high public official, in attempting to wheel away the first barrow-full of earth, found to his dismay that a practical joker had wired the wheel to the barrow so that he could not shift it.

A sensation was caused in 1890 when it was learnt that Gervaise Dubroca, known as the "French Basketmaker," was found murdered in the Brighton Paddock on Good Friday, April 4. Dubroca was said to have been a jeweller, and to have resided previously at Rockhampton,
but lived a hermit-like existence at Brighton, earning a living by making baskets.

Captain Townsend died in the year 1893, and a survey of Sandgate at that time, taken from Pugh's Almanac for 1894, includes the names of many wellknown families.
The Mayor of the Municipal Council was Alderman J. A. Hayes. Captain Townsend, after leaving Brighton, lived at "Mango Cottage" adjacent to Moora Park.
This cottage was next to "Goonan Goonan," the home of Alderman J. A. Hayes. It is worthy of mention that Alderman J. A. Hayes was a foundation member of the Historical Society of Queensland. He presented to the Brisbane City Council an excellent map of Brisbane
in 1861, which is now in the possession of this Society.

Other Aldermen were G. Prentice, W. A. Field, J. W. Todd, R. W. Kingsford, J. Joyce, M. Quinlan, G. T. Lightbody, and J. Potts. Overseer of Roads was H.Shepherd. The Auditors were R. Board and W. R.Barfoot. Mr. W. Webber was the ganger. Mr. E. B. Southerden was Chairman of Trustees of the cemetery.

The clergy were represented by the Rev. Canon Matthews (Church of England), Rev. W. P. Cairns (Wesleyan), Rev. J. B. Sneyd (Baptist), and Revs. J. P. M. Connolly and J. Power (Roman Catholic).

The Matron of the Convalescent Home was Mrs. Hutchinson, with Mrs. Nesbitt, the Matron of the Lady Musgrave Sanatorium. Miss Darcy conducted a private boarding school, and she and Miss Suter taught music. The Head Teacher of the State School was William J. Bevington, and assistants were William G. Patterson, Miss McDermott, Miss Frances C. Roper and one pupil teacher.
 The average attendance at the school was 295.
The President of the School of Arts was Mr. C. B. Fox. The trustees were G. Agnew, W. Barham, the committee members being Dr. Girdlestone, J. A. Hayes, J. H. Bean, W. H. Bell, T. Dinsdale, Dr. Paul, A. W. Field, and W. J. Bevington, with W. Smellie as Treasurer and Miss Turbayne as Secretary.

In the sporting field, M. Quinlan was Secretary of the Racing Club, G. Agnew was President of the Cricket Club, of which E. S. Hale was Hon. Secretary and Treasurer. Public positions were filled by Sergeant H. Primrose as Clerk of Petty Sessions, W. Shapcott as Railway Stationmaster, and C. Slaughter as Postmaster, Telegraph Officer, and Savings Bank Manager.
Drs. Girdlestone and Paul have already been mentioned.
A. W. Field is recorded as Chemist and Druggist.
Under "Trades and Professions" are found S.Hale and H. Mahoupt, Booksellers; G. Bott, P. H. Churton, James Gardner, Bakers; John Best, P. Peppier, Coach Proprietors; M. Robinson, W. Street, and J. C. Thomson, Builders.
The Banking profession was represented by Mr. F. E. Matthews, Acting Manager of the Queensland National Bank. Other names mentioned are Prosser, Taylor and Coy., C. C. Braun, C. Cohrs, C. Prackart, H. Darragh, J. J. Spalding, J. Gilpin, and W. Webber.

Last but not least, the newspaper was the "Moreton Mail," published at Nundah, and established on January 9, 1886.
Acknowledgement is made for information supplied by
the Oxley Memorial Library.
3. Additional notes on Sandgate compiled by C. G. Austin {Hon. Librarian).
4. See J. J. Knight, "In the Early Days," pp. 314-5.