WWI patriotism in the Wide Bay region

On Friday 4 March, Q ANZAC 100 Regional Coordinator, Niles Elvery and I attended the official launch of the Fraser Coast Q ANZAC 100 Historypin project – Maryborough Commemorates - Patriotism in the Wide Bay Region of Queensland.

The closed collection of thirty-two digitized images can be viewed through the State Library of Queensland's Q ANZAC 100: Historypin Hub, contributing to Queensland’s legacy of the First World War.

The images in the collection originate from the Maryborough Wide Bay and Burnett Historical Society Inc. collections and capture the essence of the home front as it was at the time. Included in the suite are images of street processions and parades and Maryborough’s citizens coming out in support of the war effort. As a collection they illustrate the immense patriotism and fervour felt in Maryborough and the district during the First World War.

President of Maryborough Wide Bay and Burnett Historical Society Inc., Mr Ken Brooks, deliverd a 'live' overview of the collection, describing the features to the audience and how to view the contents pinned to the map of Maryborough and region.

What makes this Q ANZAC 100 Historypin collection of photographs interesting is the addition of links to newspaper articles that describe the events as they happened in the Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld.: 1860 - 1947). These articles reveal more about the images and provide us with a better understanding of the time.

Twenty-five of the digitised images formed a photographic exhibition, complete with didactics and accompanying newspaper articles describing the events. These were accessed through Trove, National Library’s digitised newspaper portal.

If you would like to know more about Maryborough Commemorates - Patriotism in the Wide Bay Region of Queensland on the Q ANZAC 100 Historypin hub and the exhibition of images touring the Fraser Coast region, contact Information Services Librarian Kathy Shilvock, Maryborough Library or ask library staff at any branch library. Visitors to the Maryborough Wide Bay and Burnett Historical Society Inc. located in the School of Arts building, Kent Street can request to view the original collection and purchase copies for private use.

This collaborative, joint project has resulted in the sharing of a collection of images and associated stories being posted to the Q ANZAC 100: Memories for a New Generation initiative by the heritage community of the Fraser Coast region and a travelling exhibition currently on display at Gatakers Art Space, 311 Kent Street, Maryborough until 3 April, 2016.

Stay in touch with more local studies content and blog posts hosted by the Fraser Coast Regional Council.

Anne Scheu | Queensland Memory | State Library of Queensland.