Dearden family papers

Collection

Accession number
33516
Date
1859-2007
Abstract
This collection documents the Dearden family of the Goondiwindi, Dalby and Emerald districts. The collection has been collated by Edgar Bramwell Dearden and his wife Daphne Dearden (nee Grant), and there is material from the McDonald and Holt families, related to Daphne. Edgar Dearden had three brothers who served overseas during the Second World War, and there are photographs, letters, manuscripts and documents reflecting their experiences, including as prisoners-of-war. There is also material collected by Edgar Dearden as a land owner, businessman, farmer and politician.
Scope and content

The photographs include an album with images taken mostly at and around Alexandria Station and Avon Downs Station in the Northern Territory, close to the Queensland border between 1900-1925. These photograph were taken by James Broadbridge who worked on Alexandria Downs Station, and depict life for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians, children, women, itinerant workers and travellers through the region. This album belonged to Richard Holt, related to Daphne Dearden. Other photographs in the collection reflect Edgar Dearden's interests in farming, earthmoving and construction, as well as family photographs of several generations of the Dearden family.

System of arrangement
Arranged into 6 series.
Description
Approx. 400 photographs, 5 notebooks, 3 boxes of manuscripts and papers, 1 map, 3 certificates
Additional format
Digital copies available for selected items.
Administrative / Biographical history

Edgar 'Ted' Bramwell Dearden (1894-1977) was the son of Frank Dearden (Sr) and Mary Ann Dearden (nee Bruggy). Frank Dearden (Sr) was a Salvation Army Officer before becoming a jeweller in Winton, then a jeweller and optometrist in Goondiwindi. He purchased two blocks of land north of Bungunya near Goondiwindi. Edgar held one, before the two blocks were combined to form 'Arden Downs'. Edgar worked on Arden Downs until his 30s, then he began operating a horse team carting wool and then went into a partnership in a road building and earthmoving business. Edgar later purchased 'Aurifer', adjacent to 'Arden Downs'. Edgar's brothers George 'Frank' and Arthur 'Alex' Dearden purchased 'Maranui' north of Bungunya prior to serving in the Second World War. Edgar managed all properties during the war. Edgar had married Daphne Grant (a nurse) in 1930, and they had five children. In 1946, one of them (Margaret) drowned in a dam aged 7. In 1948 Edgar sold 'Aurifer' and moved to Emerald, purchased the property 'Glenorina' and ran sheep until the 1950s and then pursued cattle and agriculture. Edgar was active in the Emerald community, being a member of the Emerald Hospital Board, Sorghum Board, Graziers' Association, and the Queensland Graingrowers. He was also was a Councillor and served as Shire Chairman of Emerald.

Conditions of use
You are free to use without permission. Please attribute the State Library of Queensland.
Notes
Users are advised that this Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander material may contain culturally sensitive imagery and descriptions which may not normally be used in certain public or community contexts. Annotation and terminology which reflects the creator's attitude or that of the era in which the item was created may be considered inappropriate today. This material may also contain images, voices or names of deceased persons.
Preferred citation
33516, Dearden family papers, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland