Redland Shire Oral History Collection

Neil Close speaks of early days (1920-1930) at Wellington Point, Hilliards Creek - Wellington Point (1930s), time spent in the army and the Second World War, and time spent as a councillor (1960s). Consists of 1 audiocassette; indexes and typed transcript.

George Watters speaks of Wellington Point. Consists of 1 audiocassette; indexes and typed transcript.

Olive Webber speaks of her life spent in Ormiston and Wellington Point. Consists of 1 audiocassette; indexes and typed transcript.

Ray Rudan speaks of planting Norfolk pine trees, helping to build Wellington Point school, the Americans at Wellington Point during the Second World War, a dairy at Wellington Point, the Greek Orthodox Church, and the house where he lived. Consists of 1 audiocassette; interview log; indexes and typed transcript.

Jean Murray is a descendant of the Sherrins, a pioneer family of Raby Bay. She speaks of the history of Raby Bay and the Sherrin family. Consists of 1 audiocassette; index and typed transcript.

Harry Clark's great grandfather, Joseph Clark, was one of the earliest settlers of the Redland district. He speaks of his family history, his great grandfather working for Louis Hope, as well as his grandparents leasing land from Ormiston to the mouth of the Logan River and west to Mt Cotton in 1853. Consists of 1 audiocassette and typed transcript.

Dorothy Clark and her family moved to the Redlands in 1940. She speaks about her life and her career as a commercial artist, as well as the scout movement. Consists of 1 audiocassette and typed transcript.

Estelle Bertossi speaks about the housing co-operative society, being a life member of meals on wheels, crafts, sand bottles, local island sand, and patchwork. She remembers her mother carrying her baby brother three miles to the Dunwich Institution to see a doctor (state). Estelle also speaks about Myora school and Dunwich school having both black and white students who mixed freely. Consists of 1 audiocassette and typed transcript.

Rose Borey's sister worked at the Matron's Cottage (female division). She was married in Wynnum in 1949. Consists of 1 audiocassette, typed transcript and index.

May Kennedy had a business at Darra Station Stores. She talks about Point Lookout and Stradbroke Island, the road to Dunwich and Granny Sunflower, an Aboriginal resident. Consists of 2 audiocassettes and typed transcript.

Ruth Archer has lived at Oyster Point, Cleveland Point, Middle Street, Bloomfield Street, Queen Street and Homer Street. She speaks about the depression, having diphtheria as a child, and working at Despot's stores - Cleveland Cash and Carry. Consists of 1 audiocassette, typed transcript and interview summary.

Jim Ives has lived at Wellington Point since the 1970s. He speaks about camping at Wellington Point and Americans on Wellington Point. Consists of 2 audiocassette, typed transcript and indexes.

Albert Crust is a retired farmer and speaks of early life on farms in Victoria Point. Consists of 2 audiocassettes and a typed transcript.

Reg Fairman speaks about the history of Fernbourne House after he bought it from the Walshes in 1954. He also speaks about the history of the Burnett family. Consists of 1 audiocassette, typed transcript and index.

Bob Iszlaub worked as an orderly in a hospital on Peel Island. He speaks about leprosy and life in the hospital. He also speaks about the Aborigines on the island and his days droving. Consists of 1 audiocassette, typed transcript and indexes.

John Despot owned and operated stores in Wellington Point and Middle Street, Cleveland. Consists of 2 audiocassettes, typed transcript and index.

Adolph Benfer speaks about Mount Cotton, the poultry industry (Golden Cockerel), and farming. Consists of 2 audiocassettes, typed transcript and index.

Pearl Percival spent her life in Redland Bay. She speaks about school, farming, leisure, pest control, and sailing. Consists of 2 audiocassettes and typed transcript.

Edward Stansfield has been living in the Redland shire since about 1931. He worked for a bakery and speaks about doing the baker's run in Wellington Point during the 1930s. He also speaks about fishing and Americans at Wellington Point. Consists of 1 audiocassette and typed transcript.

Ernie Dainty lived in Capalaba during the 1950s and he was employed at the new drive-in theatre (he planted most of the trees at the drive-in). He was a founding member of the Yurara Art Group and he speaks about his interesting neighbours along Mt Cotton Road. Consists of 1 audiocassette, typed transcript and photocopy of his obituary from the Bayside Bulletin, January 1997.

Nelson Stansfield speaks about a log cabin on Stradbroke Island, Tom Welsby's cabin, bread delivery, grocery shop and deliveries, the depression at Wellington Point, campers on Wellington Point, post-war migrants, and the council. Consists of 1 audiocassette, typed transcript and index.

Alfred Palmer was a farmer at Mt Cotton. He speaks about farming at Mt Cotton, transport, leisure, school, the war years, and Mt Cotton hall. Consists of 2 audiocassettes and typed transcript.

Mervyn Beitz is a local historian for South Moreton Bay. He speaks about many topics concerning physical changes seen through the eyes of a daily visitor. He also speaks about Cleveland State Primary School in the early 1950s, travel, Finucane Road, the town water supply, and the Cleveland cemetery. Consists of 2 audiocassette, typed transcript and list of interview questions.

Annie Russell (nee Gibson) speaks about how her father, William Gibson, was called upon by Customs to collect dutiable goods from the wreck of the Cambus Wallace in 1894. The cargo was scotch, beer and dynamite. The detonation of the dynamite is said to have caused a weakening of the sand at Jumpinpin which was to wash away during storms in 1896, thus creating North and South Stradbroke Islands. Consists of 1 audiocassette, typed transcript and a photocopy of a photograph of William Gibson's house.

Ronald Finney arrived in the Redlands in 1946. He speaks about doll making, unionism in Queensland Cold Stores (AWU, waterside workers), Thornlands Progress Association, tennis in Cleveland, Redlands Lawn Tennis Association, the Labor party, local councillors, state politics, and subdivisions in Thorneside. Consists of 2 audiocassette and typed transcript.

Jack Guy settled at Birkdale in the 1880s. He shares his extensive knowledge on Thorneside, Birkdale and Wellington Point. He also speaks about the Woodgate family history and Wellington Point Oil Wells. Consists of 3 audiocassettes and typed transcript.

June Berthelsen was diagnosed with Hansen's Disease (leprosy). She speaks about life on Peel Island leprosarium. Consists of 2 audiocassettes and typed transcript.

Nancy Greco (nee Patti) speaks on the subject of Italians at Wellington Point. She tells of her mother's marriage in Sicily to an unknown man and their subsequent move to Wellington Point only 3 weeks later. She also speaks about wildlife, vegetation, school life, farming, and the Americans during World War 2. Consists of 1 audiocassette and typed transcript.

Graeme Wilson speaks about Victoria Point history, farming, and personalities. His family home is the oldest in the district. Consists of 2 audiocassette and typed transcript.

Eleanor Sneyd arrived in Cleveland with her husband in children in 1939. She speaks about Cleveland, scouts, and meals on wheels. Consists of 1 audiocassette, typed transcript and index.

Mary Noble's (nee Cross) father was the Thornlands/Cleveland butcher and her mother grew garlic and herbs for George Michel to sell in his shop. She speaks about her experiences growing up in Cleveland. Consists of 1 audiocassette and typed transcript.

Leonhardt Benfer was a blacksmith, farmer, and worked with horse teams. He speaks about Mt Cotton, his family, his brother Dolphy who pioneered poultry farming on Mt Cotton, Mt Cotton school, World War 2, and transport. Consists of 3 audiocassettes, typed transcript and interview questions.

Muriel Gibson's (nee Muller) family came to Redland Bay from Logan looking for land that wouldn't flood. She speaks about her family and early days in the area, notable people and characters in the area, and changes in the shire since her childhood. Consists of 2 audiocassettes and typed transcript.

Olive Rohrig (nee Eastern) was born in Redland Bay in 1908. She grew up in Cleveland and describes her memories of Cleveland, oyster farming, Cleveland State School, and electricity. Consists of 1 audiocassette and typed transcript.

Ivy Troy (nee Clayton) came to Cleveland in 1934. Her father was a foreman for the butcher shops - O'Brien's and Jocumsen's. She worked as an assistant cook at the Grand View Hotel and she speaks about her experiences and memories there, as well as selling crabs in front of the Dabee Singh cottage. Consists of 1 audiocassette and typed transcript.

Jessie Hawkins (nee Mitchell) moved with her family to Cleveland in 1924 when she was nine years old. Her father worked as a blacksmith on the site where the Sands Hotel stands presently. She speaks about Pinklands, early life, Cleveland school, the Depression, electricity, and the War years. Consists of 1 audiocassette and typed transcript.

Jack Gordon's father, Charles Daniel Gordon, was Tingalpa Shire Clerk from 1904-1944. He speaks about life in Redland Bay and Mt Cotton, the war years (Japanese submarines in Townsville), Cleveland council, Redland council, being chairman of the Water Committee, and being Shire Clerk. Consists of 4 audiocassettes, typed transcript and a photocopy of a letter containing family history information about Robert Gordon.

Albert Morris is a farmer in the Redlands since 1929 and has owned a farm for 50 years. He speaks of the use of farm chemicals, the Depression in Redland Bay, farming in Thornlands, Voluntary Defence Corps in World War 2, Thornlands Hall Society, Showground Committee, and transport. Consists of 2 audiocassette, typed transcript and interview questions.

Frances Simpson speaks about life in Cleveland. Her husband, Donald Simpson, was Shire Clerk and the Senior Citizen's Centre was named after him. Consists of 1 audiocassette, typed transcript and index.

Stanley Albrecht worked for G.J. Walter's bakery in Cleveland. He describes the bakery and deliveries in detail. Lily Albrecht was a matron at St Anne's Hospital in Cleveland from 1931-1938. She describes hospital life. Consists of 1 audiocassette and typed transcript.

Laurence Close describes Wellington Point in the 1920s-1930s, entertainment, the Depression, war service, Leslie Harrison dam, and Wellington Point port. Mrs Hazel Close's (nee Drewsen) father was a teacher at Victoria Point. She speaks about entertainment at Victoria Point in the 1920s-1930s, Gold Coast camping, the Depression, and assisting in starting Wellington Point's Meals on Wheels. Consists of 2 audiocassettes and typed transcript.

Frederick Kratzmann opened up a kiosk on Wellington Point Reserve immediately after the war. He later had a smallgoods run and took over a general store on Main Road, Wellington Point (cnr Apsley Street) which he and his wife are still running. He was an early member of the Wellington Point Cricketer's Club and has much memorabilia in his shop. Olive Kratzmann (nee Galloway) lived at Cleveland from 1924-1944 before moving to Wellington Point. Her mother and husband, Fred, owned a kiosk and souvenir shop at Wellington Point. Mrs Kratzmann's parents ran the original Lighthouse Restaurant (then called the Cleveland Kiosk). Consists of 2 audiocassettes; typed transcript; and a reminiscence titled 'Cleveland Point - The Galloway Connection' which includes a photocopy of a photograph of Clara and Thomas Galloway.

Mildred Mander speaks about Wellington Point farming and family life. Consists of 2 audiocassettes and an incomplete typed transcript.

Margaret Iselin is a board member of Dunwich Aboriginal Co-operative (housing), elder of the Dunwich community, lectures on culture at schools, and cooks traditional food for community and fundraising events. She speaks about her childhood on Stradbroke Island, Myora, One Mile, cooking with families, and her brother falling in the water well. Consists of 1 audiocassette and typed transcript.

George Day and his family have lived in the Redland Bay since the 1880s. He speaks about farming until the war years. Consists of 2 audiocassettes, typed transcript and interview questions.

Donald Hewitt speaks about Victoria Point, Coochiemudlo, ferry services, air sea rescue, and sub-divisions on Victoria Point. Consists of 2 audiocassettes and typed transcript.

Annie Dromgoole speaks about her family history and early memories of Ormiston. Consists of 1 audiocassette and typed transcript.

James Wallis speaks about the Wallis family, changes in the Cleveland Point area, education, employment, the railway in Redland shire, the village at Cleveland central, closure of the railway (1960), introduction of electric trains, the showgrounds, and the history of bringing the railway to the Redlands prior to the 20th century. Consists of 1 audiocassette and typed transcript.

Kenneth Moore speaks about Redland Bay, his grandfather, and early farmers. Consists of 2 audiocassettes and typed transcript.

Gwyn Randall speaks about early Capalaba, Birkdale, Thorneside, and Wellington Point. She also speaks about her family history. Consists of 2 audiocassettes, typed transcript and interview summary.