Connecting to Collections

In 2015 on a trip to North Queensland, staff of State Library visited the Zara Clark Museum, a National Trust Museum managed under the auspices of the Charters Towers & Dalrymple Historical Society.

Readers will find very interesting background information about the Museum, its existence, Miss Zara Clark and the buildings with important links to Charters Towers on the National Trust’s website.

Thanks to volunteer member Kris Patterson, we were able to visit the Museum and view the collections on display.

Zara Clark Museum volunteer Kris Patterson shares the Museums collections

Among the huge array of collection items on display, there were many everyday items and objects - even an early school desk complete with slates commonly used in the late 19th century and beyond.

On display an early school desk and slates used for writing

Of particular significance in 2015 were the WWI collections on display. With support from Queensland Museum's Development Officer (MDO’s) the museum was able to create a display of soldier portraits, objects, paper records and display boards retelling many powerful stories.

First World War display at Zara Clark Museum

Also in Far North Queensland, Mulgrave Settlers Museum based in Gordonvale houses collections relating to the districts in the former Mulgrave Shire, including the settlements of Gordonvale and Babinda.

During our visit Museum members Don and Pauline Lawie shared their knowledge of collection items relating to WWI and WWII militaria objects all with a connection to the Mulgrave district.

Front counter display at Mulgrave Settlers Museum

Militaria objects labelled and arranged in secure cabinets

The objects were interesting and evoked a better understanding of the district and its unique heritage.

View more digitised images of Gordonvale in the State Library’s One Search catalogue.

Anne Scheu, State Library of Queensland