Death at the Beach

In this month's Out of the Port lunchtime lecture Dr Jonathan Richards explored fatalities on Queensland's beaches and coastal waterways between 1890 and 1960. The presentation was based on the extensive research he has carried out at the Queensland State Archives looking through Coronial Inquest files into drownings, shark attacks, deaths by crocodiles and stingers and the many other events in which people have lost their lives at our land's edge.

Dr Richards, a lecturer in Australian history at the School of Humanities, Griffith University, specialises in archival research into violence and death in Queensland. He is the author of the acclaimed The Secret War: A True History of Queensland's Native Police.

Thanks to Jonathan for a stimulating talk reminding us that while "Life is a Beach"...Death is a beach also. Thankyou to the audience for coming and the interesting questions and observations that concluded the session. I don't think any of us who attended Death at the Beach will be swimming in Townsville's Ross Creek any time soon.

State Library’s John Oxley Library and the Department of Environmental Resources Management come together to present the monthly Out of the Port series of talks promoting new research on Queensland. Sessions are recorded and made available through the State Library's website.

Join us on the 15 of June for the next Out of the Port lecture in which Carol Low will describe her experience of co-curating the Museum of Brisbane's award winning Prejudice and Pride exhibition of gay, bisexual, lesbian and transgender culture and history.

Simon Farley - John Oxley Library