Research Reveals 2025

Research Reveals is State Library’s annual event showcasing the discoveries of the previous year’s Queensland Memory Awards fellows. Over the past year, these researchers explored State Library’s collections, uncovering untold stories, surprising insights, and, in some cases, enriching the archive by filling gaps and contributing new content to create a more complete record of Queensland’s history.

On Friday 14 and Saturday 15 March 2025, the 2024 Queensland Memory Awards Fellows shared their fascinating findings over two days of presentations. From unexpected revelations to fresh perspectives on Queensland’s history, attendees gained valuable insights into the rich cultural evolution of our state.

Friday Evening Session

Dr John Willsteed, 2024 John Oxley Library Fellow.

John presented the findings of his research project, Dive For Your Memory – Queensland Music Stories, which developed a methodology to enhance engagement with oral histories in institutional collections. The project aimed to generate new knowledge about Queensland’s music history by drawing on existing John Oxley Library collections and expanding them through filmed interviews with musicians from across the state.

Learn more about this project by reading John's blogs.

The John Oxley Library Fellowship is proudly supported by the Queensland Library Foundation's President’s Circle patrons.

 

Dr Heather Anderson, 2024 Rainbow Research Fellow.

Heather presented the findings of her research project, Radio Rebels: Highlighting the Contributions of Women, Trans, and Non-Binary People to the History of Queensland Community Radio.

Queensland played a key role in establishing Australian community radio, with Meanjin/Brisbane’s 4ZZZ receiving one of the first licences in the country. The station’s founders not only lobbied locally but also helped shape a nationally legislated community radio sector, paving the way for stations across the state. While the history of community radio in Queensland—particularly the story of 4ZZZ—has been documented, the contributions of women, trans, and non-binary people have often remained behind the scenes.

Heather’s project uncovered and shared these untold stories, recognising the vital role these individuals played in Queensland’s community radio history, in the lead-up to 4ZZZ’s 50th anniversary.

Learn more about this project by reading Heather's Blogs.

This Rainbow Research Fellowship was generously supported by Norman H Johns Trust.

The talks were followed by an audience Q&A led by broadcaster, musician, and venue owner Ruth Gardiner.

Saturday Morning Session

Dr Robin Trotter, 2024 Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame Fellow.

Robin presented the findings of her research project, T C Dixon & Sons: Makers of 'Shoes of Distinction', which explored the nearly 100-year history of T C Dixon & Sons and its contribution to Queensland’s industrial heritage.

Founded by Thomas Coar Dixon, the business began with a tannery in 1873, producing a range of leather goods before expanding into boot and shoe manufacturing. Dixon boots quickly gained a reputation as the "best ever manufactured," and by 1906, the company’s footwear was recognised for its quality. The factory served Queenslanders until the 1970s, when the removal of tariff barriers made local footwear manufacturing financially unviable.

Today, after extensive renovations, the former factory has been transformed into the permanent home of Queensland Ballet.

Learn more about this project by reading Robin's blogs.

The Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame Fellowship is generously supported by the John Allpass Charitable Foundation.

 

Evelyn Saunders, 2024 Digital Collections Catalyst.

Evelyn presented the findings of her research project, Min(d)ing the dead.  Min(d)ing the Dead is an interactive online documentary exploring the transformation of Ravenswood—a renowned "ghost" town and heritage site—into Queensland’s largest gold mine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Part film, part book, and part photo album, the project examines the impact of renewed mining operations on the community, history, and landscape.

With Ravenswood’s current mining operations set to match the town’s past 150 years of gold production in just 14 years, significant changes have taken place. A two-kilometre wall now limits direct access to the local cemetery, remains from previously undiscovered graves near the school have been relocated, a new school has been built, and three century-old masonry chimneys, once marked for demolition, have been carefully moved to an undisclosed location within the mine’s footprint. Rather than critique, Evelyn’s project documents this evolving story, capturing Ravenswood’s journey through 2023 and 2024.

Learn more about this project by reading Evelyn's blogs.

 

Dr Aaron Teo & Dr Amy Eun-Ji Kim, 2024 John Oxley Library Honorary Fellows.

Aaron and Amy presented the findings of their research project, Culinary Crossroads: history of Asian-Australian eateries and migration policies in Queensland. Their research explored how shifts in Australia’s migration policies from the 1940s to today have shaped the experiences of Asian restaurant owners, offering insight into the broader impact of multicultural policies on Asian-Australians, particularly in Queensland.

To launch the project, State Library commissioned four oral history interviews. Aaron and Amy examined how these policy changes affected Asian restaurant owners both personally and socially, as eateries serve as cultural hubs. Interviewees included Eddie Liu (Ho Choi, Moorooka), Eric Cheung (Enjoy Inn, Fortitude Valley), Robin Yu (Kingsfood, Sunnybank), and Maria Ly (Trang Vietnamese Restaurant, West End).

Learn more about this project by reading Aaron and Amy's blogs.

These three talks were then followed by an audience Q&A session facilitated by historian and author Dr Margaret Cook.

Queensland Atlas of Religion website launch

Included in this year's Research Reveals program, A/Professor Geoff Ginn and A/Professor Adam Bowles launched the Queensland Atlas of Religion website, the outcome of a joint ARC Linkage project between State Library and the University of Queensland.

The Queensland Atlas of Religion is a digital resource exploring the diverse religious and spiritual landscapes of Queensland, past and present. It brings together research from historians, scholars, and communities to document faith traditions, Indigenous spiritualities, and emerging religious movements. Through interactive maps, essays, and multimedia content, the atlas highlights how religion has shaped Queensland’s cultural and social history.

Saturday Afternoon Session

Dr Max Brierty, 2022 Monica Clare Research Fellow.

Max paused his 2022 Monica Clare Research Fellowship to undertake a visiting fellowship at Harvard University, where he explored how Aboriginal storytelling, truth-telling, and philosophy can drive meaningful change. After returning to Australia, he resumed his Monica Clare Research Fellowship.

Max presented the findings of his research project, Mipa Mipumani: The Colonisation of Kullilli Country in South-West Queensland. Using an analytical and conceptual approach, his research examined the colonisation of Kullilli Country, grounded in truth-telling, traditional and contemporary Indigenous philosophy, and his own perspective as a Kullilli man and member of the Kullilli diaspora.

Learn more about this project by reading Max's Blogs.

The Monica Clare Research Fellowship is generously supported by the Siganto Foundation.

 

Sheridan Tetizel, 2024 Monica Clare Research Fellow.

Sheridan presented the findings of her research project, Sacred plants and cultural frameworks: Capturing first nations value systems in western Cape York.   

An Angith-Liningithi, Mbaiwum-Trotj, and Wik Apalech woman from Weipa, Cape York, Sheridan’s research explored the intricate system of plant medicine within a First Nations context. Her project examined the intersection of culture, policy, economic opportunities, and social outcomes, focusing on the role of plants in kinship dynamics, healing, and cultural practices.

Through community interviews with elders and seniors, Sheridan documented intergenerational knowledge, using State Library collections to provide historical context and cross-reference findings with other Indigenous systems. She plans to share her research through articles, a cultural plant database, and educational materials, with potential for creative works.

Learn more about this project by reading Sheridan's Blogs.

The Monica Clare Research Fellowship is generously supported by the Siganto Foundation.

 

These two talks were then followed by an audience Q&A session facilitated by historian, academic and artist Dr Fiona Foley. 

 

Dr Nicole Murphy, 2024 Christina Boughen OAM Fellow.

Nicole presented the findings of her research project, Exploration, Celebration and Continuation: The Legacy of Christina Boughen OAM. Nicole's project investigated and celebrated the life and legacy of pianist, educator, and examiner Christina Boughen OAM through an examination of her musical activities archived in the Christina Boughen OAM and Robert Boughen OBE papers.

As part of the research, Nicole created two collections of solo piano pieces, designed to align with different levels of the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) standards. These compositions contribute new knowledge to the collection and were recorded and premiered by Brisbane-based pianist, educator, and AMEB examiner Daniel Johnson during the fellowship period.

Learn more about this project by reading Nicole's Blogs.

The Christina Boughen OAM Fellowship is generously supported by the Boughen Family.  

See State Library's website for more information on the Queensland Memory Awards. 

Explore past Research Reveals presentations by past fellows of the State Library on Vimeo.

Discover Queensland's rich history and delve deeper into the research projects of our fellows on the John Oxley Library blog.