Toowong and District Historical Society Book Launch

On Friday 26 March I had the pleasure of attending the launch of Toowong and District Historical Society's latest publication Toowong Bridging the Rail at Burns Road. The book was gratefully accepted for the John Oxley Library Collection as a legal deposit item and will complement the Society's other works in our holdings.

Toowong and District Historical Society have done a fantastic job with this book and deserve high praise for the enthusiasm with which their members meet to discuss and promote the history of their suburb.

Following the book launch was a wonderful talk "Images of Early Brisbane" with associated slide show presentation by Judith Marks on the topic of Marks family photographs that had been among the possessions of her relative the eminent Queensland entomologist Dr Elizabeth (Patricia) Nesta Marks at her home "The Barracks" near Camp Mountain at Samford where she lived until the time of her passing in 2002. These have recently been donated to the John Oxley Library along with a large collection of personal papers/correspondence.

The photographs range over a period from the 1880s to recent years and include members of the Stodart, Dods, Marks and Drury families. Among the images in Judith's presentation are some photos of the great architect Robin Dods as a boy.

Thanks to Judith for her presentation. This is a photographic collection of great importance for what it documents and the quality of many of the images is just outstanding.

Thankyou also to Leigh Chamberlain and all of the members of the Toowong and District Historical Society for their hospitality and for putting on such a memorable event.

Simon Farley

Manager, Client Services

Heritage Collections