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Bundaberg floods on Flickr Commons

By Heidi Stevens, Librarian, State Library of Queensland | 18 January 2021

Queensland is no stranger to extreme weather events, especially flooding. State Library is looking back on how floods have shaped Queensland communities through the shared experience of the rising waters across residential and rural areas. Bundaberg, which sits on the banks of the Burnett River is subject to infrequent major flooding, generally following a tropical low-pressure system and heavy rainfall. State Library has curated a collection of images available on Flickr Commons dating as far back as the 1840's of the impact flooding has had on the Bundaberg region.

Whittreds Bakery deliver bread during the 1942 floods. Gaal Whittred Collection. Bundaberg Regional Council. Image number: qbun00041

Whittreds Bakery deliver bread during the 1942 floods. Gaal Whittred Collection. Bundaberg Regional Council. Image number: qbun00041

This curated set brings the region's flood history to life with images such as the delivery of Whittreds Bakery bread and Wit-Bix by boat and a steam train engine powering thought the flooded streets during the 1942 Bundaberg flood.

Perry Street, Bundaberg, 1942 floods

Perry Street, Bundaberg, 1942 floods. Cal and Beth Toft Collection, Bundaberg Regional Council. Image number: qbun00049

Burnett River during a flood in Bundaberg 1928

Burnett River during a flood in Bundaberg, 1928. State Library of Queensland. Image number: 202890

Also including are images from the 1928 flood such as shown below of a group of people standing on the banks of the Burnett River with the Bundaberg bridge in the background and the Steffensen's confectionery shop with a bus travelling down a flooded street.

Bus travelling through a flooded street in Bundaberg 1928

Bus travelling through a flooded street in Bundaberg, 1928. State Library of Queensland. Image number: 202887

State Library of Queensland has more than 1.5 million photographs in its collection dating back to the late 1800s more images on the impact of flooding in Queensland can be found here:  

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