Connection through history

Churchill Pottery 

Donated by Michael Sullivan 

One of the oldest English potteries for normal household pottery (as opposed to Royal Doulton, etc), Churchill Pottery, realised the description of their pottery was 'china' – after the country from which they were based (and from where good tea was important), so they put out their 'blue willow' series – similar to what was available in China. 
 
This cup was found under a workers’ cottage in West End in the 1990s. No saucer was found with it.

Country Cups (1940s)  

Donated by Norma Lovelace, Archivist, Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA) 

This cup – emblazoned with the 88-year-old logo of the Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA) – was made in the first batch of QCWA-badged china in 1947, the silver jubilee year of the Association.  

The saucer is a year younger, made in 1948: the year QCWA headquarters were moved from Toowoomba to Brisbane and named in honour of Foundation President Ruth Fairfax OBE. 

This particular cup and saucer came from Ipswich. 

Country Cups (1930s)  

Donated by Norma Lovelace, Archivist, Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA) 

This Art Deco fluted cup, saucer and plate was made by Stone’s Bristol Pottery of Brisbane in the 1930s.  

These cups, saucers and plates are like others all over the state used by QCWA members providing hot tea and comfort to many over the years in different situations, including: 

• The young country mother staying for weeks at QCWA Waiting Mothers Hostels in the 1930s to 1950s
• The farmer's wife spending time in a QCWA Rest Room in the local town, mixing with other country ladies while their husbands attended cattle or sheep sales, farmers' meetings or spending time at a the hotel
• Providing hot drinks for trainloads of soldiers during World War II as they travelled to Far North Queensland for jungle training
• Providing comfort to those afflicted in times of disaster such as floods, fires and cyclones
• At happier social events such as Melbourne Cup lunches and country dances. 

In Toowoomba at the QCWA Centre, which was open to the public, a tally was kept of cups of tea served: in 1951 – 13,350; in 1953 – 25,246! 

Strong Links with Queensland 

Donated by Ian McDougall 

This cup and saucer belonged to my grandparents, Alfreda (Freda) McDougall (nee Barton) and Clarence Frederick McDougall (Clarrie), who resided at Cooyar. 

It is part of a once-larger dinner setting which we believe was a wedding present from Clarrie’s parents, Ronald and Flora McDougall, and it certainly got lots of use over the years.  

Freda was educated at St Hilda's School, Southport, and Somerville House, South Brisbane. 

She and Clarrie married at Beaufort Hill station on February 11, 1920  – she resplendent in ankle length dress and gown, he in his Australian Military Forces uniform, having served at Gallipoli and throughout Europe during World War I, rising from a private in the Light Horse to Lieutenant and earning two Mentions in Despatches and a Military Cross. 

Although from a well-off family, Freda's heart was with the community and the underprivileged. She was an advocate for women's rights an early supporter of the Country Women's Association. She recognised the good work it did bringing women together – many of whom were socially isolated – to encourage companionship, develop their social and living skills and support each other in difficult times.  

Freda was the founding president of the Cooyar CWA in 1924, holding the position until 1929, and a champion promoter of tea drinking! Freda was a pillar of her local church, hosting fundraising activities and harnessing district support to successfully ward off a move by the parish leaders in Toowoomba to close it. 

She and Clarrie moved to Brisbane in the 1940 where Clarrie helped the war effort at Enoggera Barracks. Freda remained active in community and church groups in the Ascot, and Hamilton Brisbane throughout her life, including membership of the Royal National Association and the Queensland Cricketers' Club. She died in 1989. 

Clarrie's great- grandfather, Andrew John McDougall, was one of the fledgling colony's earliest first free settlers, arriving in New South Wales with a family aboard the HMS Barwell in 1798. His grandfather, John Frederick McDougall, was part-owner with his brother of Texas Station. He also settled Rosalie Shire becoming its first president and was a Member of the Legislative Council in the foundation parliament of Queensland in 1860. Indeed, McDougall Street in Milton in named after him. He was a founding member of the Queensland Club. 

So the cup has strong links with Queensland ... and Australia. 

The favourite tea cup of my mother 

Donated by M. Ann Shevill 

What would my mother, Margaret Gibson, born in 1901, have been thinking when in Sydney as a teenager she sipped tea with my grandmother, who was drinking from her favourite teacup? 

Perhaps: Shall I be able to play tennis this afternoon with my school friends? 

After Grandmother died at an early age, her favourite teacup was set aside. 

Margaret thought: Mother's special teacup will be safe even when I am away from home, visiting my elder brother, who is far away on a station property near Winton in Central Western Queensland. 

During 1924, Margaret was thinking about a darling lady who had befriended her: I am so happy that Mrs Brabazon asked me to stay with her husband Charles and family of seven young adult children, rather than at the bachelor establishment on my brother's property. Such a gracious lady – she has lovely tea cups like my mother - and such a happy active young family – especially that handsome Tony. Why didn't I meet him in Sydney when he was a boarder at The Kings School and I was at Abbotsleigh Girls School? 

Having become engaged to be married in a year or so to that handsome ex-WWI soldier Tony, when travelling by boat back to Sydney, my mother heard that her father had been killed in a Sydney city accident. Tony rushed to Sydney to suggest that they marry immediately so she could return with him to Kalkadoon, a sheep property a couple of hours drive from Winton. 

Margaret did not take many sips from the favourite teacup to decide: This is the right decision to take. We will be wed at St James Church Sydney, in this year 1925 and I will become Mrs A G Brabazon. 

At Kalkadoon, sitting on the veranda of the lonesome homestead, looking out to the desolate drought-stricken plains and the dry bed of the Diamantina River, Margaret was drinking once again from her favourite teacup. She pondered her new situation:  

It shall be sad to have to leave Kalkadoon, because drought and recession necessitate the move, but Tony says that we will have a nice house in Winton. There are sure to be enjoyable tea parties with friends and members of Tony's extended family. 

Following the twin Brabazon girls who were born to Margaret and Tony in a Winton nursing home in 1927, there was not much time to sit and sip tea, but when she was able to do so, Margaret thought: How my mother would have loved to have known these two baby girls: Patricia, strong and dark-haired, Ann, frail and fair-haired. 

Patricia was destined to die when seven weeks old, but Ann survived with difficulty and much tender loving care by parents, family friends and the local doctor. 

Years passed. In 1982, aged 81, Margaret returned from the funeral service for her beloved Tony. She sat with Ann and drank from the favourite teacup and reminisced: 

Tony and I had 57 years of marriage with the inevitable ups and downs. My small Gibson family was compensated by Tony's quite large family and we always had lots of loving friends. People helped each other through rough, tough times. We have been blessed. Ann, you must always remember us and your grandparents, especially when in the future you drink from this favourite teacup. 

A settler's life 

Donation from Valerie May, Volunteer with National Trust Queensland and organiser of High Teas at Wolston House. 

Letter from early Queensland settler Dr Stephen Simpson to John Ommaney's mother in England 
 
Moreton Bay NSW 
April 20.54 

My dear Capel Ommanney 

I fear you will think me remiss in not answering sooner your letter of July last – as however you would be advised by John of his safe arrival in these parts I thought it better to postpone writing till I should be able to form some judgement of his aptitude for a settler's life. 

You already know that he did not reach Woogaroo, my present place of abode till about a week before Christmas. He seems to have gotten through his voyage with considerable address and to have gained the good will of all he came in contact with. I am happy to say his conduct since he has been with me has been equally satisfactory. He is attentive, gentlemanlike and remarkably cautious for so young a man. Which is by no means a bad quality in this sharp-witted country, when what in current phrase is termed ‘Colonial Experience’ means little else than to impose upon newcomers. 

As yet his working capabilities have not been much tested as my new farm is situated nearly three miles from my present residence and he has consequently little to do but ride about the country. In two or three months time, I hope to have a house ready to receive us at Wolston, when we shall be close to our work and then if he has a taste for farming, gardening, horse-breaking or carpentry he will have ample scope for his exertions. 

The price of labour is now so expensive in this country as to leave none of us to be idle. The commonest labourer now costs from 30/- to 40/- per week. Ordinary carpenters from 3 to 4 pounds ditto and wages are still on the rise. Flour, meat, provisions and forage of every description (has) doubled over 12 months ago. Fortunately, I completed some of my improvements before the great rise in prices took place, but still I have others that must be done before I can work the farm to advantage. ‘Coute que coute’ (at all costs) therefore I must go on to a certain front, though I shall be obliged to leave many things undone (until labour) becomes more plentiful. 

John has already made some progress in riding, though he has had one or two falls. As he seems to like it, I have no doubt he will learn to [trek] in time. He is already of much service to me in looking after the horse-stock and stables and occasionally carrying our rations to the farm. For I give him fairly to understand that he must, like myself, put his hand to anything that is going on and not be afraid of a little dirt. There are no gentlemen farmers in this country and the most successful settlers are those that have worked the hardest and had the least to begin with. 

A young man, whom I saw ten years since tending himself his solitary flock of sheep, when he was scarcely able to give me a pot of tea or a piece of damper, has just sold his stock and stations and gone home with £80,000 in cash. I could name some 20 men who have been almost equally successful. These rapid fortunes are, however, not to be made now, at least in the same way; as a thousand pounds now will scarcely go so far as two hundred some months ago. Still, an industrious, well conducted young man with good common sense cannot fail to make a comfortable independence. In fact, intelligence and energy were never more valuable than since the discovery of gold – and even the drones need want for nothing.  

I believe my stud is thought to be the best hitherto; however, I have sold almost none and as I have few over 4 or 5 years old I am not anxious to sell with a rising market. I shall take care to give John a quiet horse to begin with but I have no doubt by constant practice he will in a few months be able to ride anything. His main occupation will be with the horse-stock and when he thoroughly understands it. I shall take a little repose for I begin to find I have neither so firm a seat nor so steady a hand as I had some few years ago. But I must be drawing my letter to conclusion as it is past eleven and we breakfast soon after six. Some of my friends complain that we breakfast in the middle of the night. I believe my early hours sometimes frighten people from calling here. 

My kind regards to your husband and tell him I will reply to his letter after John's arrival. 

My kindest love to Mrs Chapman and tell her that the money has safely arrived in Sydney – also her letter with the Bill of Lading which I will answer shortly. Not forgetting dear Harriet and my numerous grand-nephews and grand-nieces and with blessings on you all believe me in great haste. 

Your Affectionate Uncle 
S Simpson 

I forgot to say that all your letters have been duly received but I deferred answering them when I heard your final arrangements. The Peking beat John's [by] a month – the steamers are not to be depended upon. 

It is probable that I may shortly give you a commission to get me a stock of good tea in Calcutta, as here it is almost impossible. I am expecting some shortly and if it turns out bad you will hear from me soon. I cannot live without good [tea], having been spoiled in Russia. I mix three kinds – Congan, Souchang and Pekoe – all of the best I can procure, without asking the price.