Party: Regional Libraries - Emerald. Central Highlands Regional Library Service, Shire Council Offices, Egerton Street, Emeralnd, 4720
Summary
This collection, drawn from centres throughout the Central Highlands region was held in Emerald at the time of this survey. Some items may be returned to their centre of origin, however researchers should apply to the above address, for any records listed below.
CENTRAL HIGHLANDS HISTORICAL FILE
This collection is arranged alphabetically, under subject headings, in a vertical file, as follows:
Aircraft. Typescript account of a forced landing of a DC Havilland aircraft near Peak Downs, 25 July 1935, plus newspaper account and covering letter from the Librarian, North Rockhampton Library, 17 November 1976, 1 folder.
Blackwater - history. Chronology of historical events in European settlement of Blackwater, with associated correspondence from a government department, providing historical details regarding early occupation of the region, 2 letters, foolscap, typescript, pp. 4, 1 folder.
Blackwater - railway. Letter, General Manager, Queensland Government Railways, to Mrs. J.E. Talbot, Blackwater, 29 July 1959, in answer to queries on the history of the Central Queensland railway line, typescript photocopy, p. 1.
Blackwater - State Primary School. Letter, Dear John from Florrie, 63 Henry Street, Kalinga, 23 September 1972, with brief memoir of Blackwater Primary School and local settlement 1896-1899, photocopy of handwritten letter, plus sketch plan of town with details of residents, pp. 1, and miscellaneous printed items, 1 folder.
Capella - history. Historical account of European exploration and settlement Capella and district from 1845, n.a., n.d., roneoed typescript, pp. 2, 1 folder.
Central Highlands - pioneers. Typescript reminiscences of Mrs. Cyril Stanners, nee Esmond who was born to Irish parents at Comet, ca 1890. Her father Michael Esmond worked with the railway, and the family later settled in Emerald where Mr. Esmond had a cartage business. The account covers early experience in the Central Highlands, and later Brisbane and Western Queensland, chiefly in the hotel trade, including a period as manageress of the New Gregory Hotel in Winton, 1954-1956. photocopy, [1975], pp. 6.
Obituary of Mr Michael Esmond, 20 August 1932, extracted from Leichhardt Weekly, with covering letter n.d., from Dan A. O'Brien, Royal Geographic Society to Mr Hooper, pp. 2.
Obituary of Mr A.J. Richardson, photocopy, typescript, incomplete, pp. 2, outlines Mr Richardson's experience as government surveyor and land commissioner and his discovery of gemstones in the Withersfield area in 1878. Richardson was also a member of the Jardine Brothers expedition to Cape York 1864-65.
Typescript notes taken during a conversation with Mr R.J. Racey, by D.B. Monteagle at Rubyvale, 12 January 1976. Mr Racey was born at Anakie, central Queensland in 1902, foolscap pp. 2.
Typescript reminiscences of Mrs Maryanne Pritchard who was born in Comet in 1893, where her father Duncan Findlay was employed on railway construction. The account covers her experiences throughout the Central Highlands region, and was taken 20 December 1977, photocopy, pp. 7.
Central Queensland - towns, mining. Typescript paper by G.A. Nolan, regarding town planning in new mining settlements, read to Local Government Clerk's Conference, Dysart, 6 November 1977. Mr. Nolan was managing director of Ullman & Nolan Pty. Ltd., photocopy, pp. 11.
Central Highlands - properties. Typescript notes on early pastoral holdings in the Central Highlands region: 1. Emerald Downs, 2. Fernlees, 3. Glendarriwill, 4. Withersfield, 5. Comet Downs, 6. Medway, 7. Ducabrook, 8. Telemon, 9. Echo Hills, 10. Shotover, 11. St. Helen's, 12. Cullin-la-ringo, details compiled by Assistant Archivist, Queensland State Archives, foolscap, pp. 15, 1 folder.
Cullin-la-ringo. Official report and statement of evidence, regarding massacre of the Wills family at Cullin-la-ringo station. Evidence of witness Edward Kennedy, 18 October 1861, pp. 1, and Report by John Jardine, Police Magistrate Rockhampton, 23 October 1861, pp. 2, typescript items, plus additional printed records relating to the incident. 1 folder.
Dysart. Correspondence, reports and newspaper extracts relating to the settlement and development of the coal mining centre of Dysart, from August 1972, 1 folder.
Emerald - history. Miscellaneous papers and historical notes, including one paper: a few notes on Railway History near Emerald, n.a., n.d., pp. 1, 1 folder.
Emerald - pioneers. A collection of reminiscences including accounts of Mr. Mrs. George Batts, Miss Gladys Kidd, Mr. Peter Fitzgerald MacDonald, Mr. Mrs. William Munro and Mr. John Josiah Smith.
Emerald - religion. Papers relating to St. Patrick's School and Convent, Emerald, including a letter from Sister M. Immaculata, 6 March 1978, with historical details of St. Patrick's, handwritten, pp. 3, 1.
Peak Downs - history Typescript, The Development of the Peak Downs District, n.a., n.d., photocopy, pp. 8.
Other Library holdings include:
Indexes to the Central Queensland News, 1939-present, 3 vols. Photographs, a considerable collection covering the history of railways, also scenes of local farming, social and sporting activities, buildings etc., relating to Emerald and the Central Highlands region in general.