A recently re-discovered home movie in the State Library of Queensland’s extensive film collection sheds light on the development of Lakeside Raceway, north of Brisbane.
The Queensland Motor Sporting Club built the Lakeside International Raceway between 1959 and 1960 on an old dairy farm on the banks of Lake Kurwongbah. With limited finances, utilising volunteer labour and borrowed machinery, this unlikely venture revolutionised motor sport in Queensland.
(Lakeside title card). Still from Lakeside motion picture, ca 1959-1962. N. E. Winn. 34313 N. E. Winn motion pictures. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. 34313-0001-0001
Opening in 1961, Lakeside went on to become the spiritual homeland of Queensland motor racing hosting major events including the Australian Grand Prix, the Australian Touring Car Championship, and the Australian Superbike Championship, and became a breeding ground for generations of successful Queensland drivers and riders.
(The Lakeside story) Still from Lakeside motion picture, ca 1959-1962. N. E. Winn. 34313 N. E. Winn motion pictures. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. 34313-0001-0001
(View over part of the future raceway site). Still from Lakeside motion picture, ca 1959-1962. N. E. Winn. 34313 N. E. Winn motion pictures. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. 34313-0001-0001
The 16mm home movie, titled ‘Lakeside’, is part of the N. E. Winn motion picture collection, which also includes footage of other events at Lakeside, more car-related content from different locations, and films showing royal visits to Brisbane. At this stage, little is known about Mr. Winn who seems to have made his Lakeside film with the support of the Queensland Motor Sporting Club and with unlimited access to the raceway site.
(Earthmoving equipment on site at Lakeside). Still from Lakeside motion picture, ca 1959-1962. N. E. Winn. 34313 N. E. Winn motion pictures. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. 34313-0001-0001
(Laying bitumen on the track at Lakeside). Still from Lakeside motion picture, ca 1959-1962. N. E. Winn. 34313 N. E. Winn motion pictures. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. 34313-0001-0001
The film compiles footage taken over multiple years between 1959 and the early 1960s. It tracks progress from a grassy paddock by the lake, through construction and testing of the track, to competitive racing on the completed raceway in front of large crowds. The quality of the footage varies with some fading badly over time, however as a whole the film effectively showcases the incredible efforts made by a group of dedicated individuals to provide Queensland with a raceway of national significance.
(Cars lined up for an early event at Lakeside). Still from Lakeside motion picture, ca 1959-1962. N. E. Winn. 34313 N. E. Winn motion pictures. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. 34313-0001-0001
(Crowds overlook the starting grid at Lakeside). Still from Lakeside motion picture, ca 1959-1962. N. E. Winn. 34313 N. E. Winn motion pictures. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. 34313-0001-0001
The film has now been digitised with the support of donors through the Queensland Library Foundation Reel Rescue campaign and is available to view on our One Search catalogue.
This film is also currently featured in the Extraordinary Stories showcase on Level 4 at State Library Queensland.
Comments
Your email address will not be published.
We welcome relevant, respectful comments.