Customs House from the cover of The Queenslander Jubilee issue. Select to start slideshow.
Turning fifty
Milestones, like Queensland’s Jubilee anniversary in 1909, are occasions for reflection and commemoration. In hindsight, they can teach us a lot about what people valued at the time. I wonder what themes our descendants will see when they look back at our Q150 celebrations?
Celebrating progress
Queensland in 1908: a souvenir of the Franco-British Exhibition booklet was published on the eve of Queensland’s 50th birthday for the Franco-British Exhibition in West London. This celebration of friendship across the English Channel covered 140 acres and attracted eight million people. Prepared by Queensland’s Intelligence & Tourist Bureau to sell ‘Britain’s Fairest Daughter’ to investors, migrants and tourists it celebrates ever more progress and development. The headings are still familiar today: ‘Land of Unrivalled Pastoral, Agricultural, & Mineral Resources’, ‘Tourists should visit this Wonderful Country with its endless variety of Superb and Marvellous Scenery’ and ‘Full Particulars about Land Settlement in Queensland, Australia’. There is also a chapter entitled ‘What Successful Settlers think of ‘Sunny Queensland.’’ Was this the first time this familiar term was used?
Irene Sourgnes, Heritage Collections
"The Queenslander" triumphantly celebrates the foundation of a British colony and its progress and development. The tabloid spread begins with a tribute to King and Country. Then follow thumbnail photographs of Living Pioneer Colonists, the majority distinguished bearded men of good British stock. Stories and images of explorers, townscapes, railways, rural and pastoral industries and mining all bear testimony to the British stamp on the land.
Anna Haebich, Curator
Last updated: 28th November 2011
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