Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame Fellowship

The 2026 Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame Fellowship was awarded to Robert Allen for his project, 'T.C Beirne and the House of the People: Exploring the many lives of businessman, philanthropist and politician Thomas Charles Beirne'.

A member of the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame, Thomas Charles Beirne (1860–1949) is best remembered for his enormous contribution to Brisbane's mercantile landscape from the 1890s until the mid-20th century. Robert's project title is taken from Beirne's well-nown initials, his store's famous motto, and the fact that he made his mark in many fields. 

Beirne was a shrewd businessman, a generous philanthropist, a long-serving Legislative Councillor, a devout Catholic and a devoted family man. Robert will draw upon material held by the John Oxley Library, other archives and his descendants to build a comprehensive picture of the man, his influence and his ongoing legacy. Findings will be presented in reports to State Library, public presentations, blog posts, an exhibition of Beirne-related ephemera, and a heritage walking tour of 'T.C.B.'s Fortitude Valley'.

The 2025 Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame Fellowship was awarded to Dr Joanne Dolley for her project 'Businesswomen of Queensland: The histories and successes of Queensland Businesswomen pre-1970'.

The early 20th century was far from an era of gender equality in business, yet many Queensland enterprises flourished under the leadership of women. Joanne's project will spotlight the contributions of Queensland’s women business owners prior to 1970. The chosen timeframe is significant as it leads up to the 1971 milestone when business loans for women no longer required a male guarantor. It also reflects the urgency of capturing the stories of women who owned businesses in this period while their experiences remain within living memory.

Acknowledging that challenges in gender equality persist today, Joanne's project will celebrate these remarkable stories and enhance State Library's collections regarding the pivotal role Queensland businesswomen have played in shaping our economy and society.

Blogs:

• Hair Salons to Hospitals – Histories of Queensland Businesswomen
• Capturing History: Women-owned Photographic Studios at the Turn of the 20th Century
• Foundations of Care: Women Who Started Private Hospitals in Queensland
• Queensland Women of Fashion: Spotlight on Hazel Barry
• Queensland Women Hotel Owners around the turn of the 20th Century