The Bribie Islander

I get some nice feedback from readers of my regular History articles. Old-timers and new timers like to be reminded of things about Bribie’s past. If you are a resident or visitor reading this article, my guess is that you have come to Bribie Island because it is different.

Bribie is not like other seaside suburbs… It is unique… special… And has always been that way. For over 100 years people have been coming to Bribie Island because it has a unique character and strong community spirit… Of course, it has changed over the years, for many different reasons, and the march of progress and people’s requirements do change things.

However, the reasons that brought you here, and many thousands before you over the years, is its special charm, that might be in danger of being lost. We know that things must change with time, but it would be sad to think that Bribie Island would just drift into being just like everywhere else. This article reflects on aspects of the past and raises the question about what will the future be like.

If you do not know where you are going ….any road takes you there.

Bribie should have a “Vision” for the future, to ensure it remains a special place in 100 years.

BRIBIE ALWAYS “SPECIAL”

Bribie Island has the unique distinction of being the place where the first white man landed, in what is now Queensland, after the penal settlement in Sydney. Matthew Flinders landed on July 16th 1799 with his aboriginal companion Bongaree, his cat “Trim” and a small crew aboard the sloop “Norfolk”. Twenty four years later 3 castaway convicts were marooned here in 1823 before the Moreton Bay Penal Colony was established at Brisbane in 1825.

The new Colony of Queensland was separated from NSW in 1859, but very few people lived on Bribie Island until 1912. It was then that Bribie was opened up as a unique tourist destination for steamship excursions from Brisbane. Within a few years, it became a booming tourist destination, with thousands coming to camp and fish, and enjoy the isolation and environment.

For the next 50 years, Bribie remained isolated, self-sufficient, creative, imaginative and independent. It developed its special charm because it had to, in order to succeed… It was often called a “Zoo without a Fence” and sometimes jokingly as “The Three D’s”… Drunks, Dogs and Defactos. When the population was just a few hundred there were many exceptional people here, who added to the charm of the place.

BRIBIE WORTH THE EFFORT

It was a three-hour trip, and often a rough boat ride from Brisbane, but Bribie attracted rich and poor to this unique location. Bribie was part of the large Caboolture Shire, and while it was the closest town, there was no road access. A trip from Bribie to Caboolture for the first honorary Bribie Councillor in the 1930s took two days, by boat and train via Brisbane.

Caboolture Shire was much bigger back then and stretched from Kedron Brook to Maroochydore River. Over the years, various areas sought their independence, and the Shires of Maroochy, Kilcoy, Pine Rivers, Redcliffe and Caloundra were formed. Bribie remained part of the then smaller Caboolture Shire…..a unique and popular destination …..Which thrived on its isolation and character.

As a result of military installation built in World War 2, and the increased popularity of the motor car, a rough road was built from Caboolture to a car ferry at Sandstone Point to Bribie. This resulted in the Steamship trips ending in 1953, but Bribie remained a very popular destination as the residents and visitors had created their own successful economy. Bribie always wanted to be independent and establish its own Shire and made unsuccessful attempts to do so in 1913, 1931 and 1967.

PROGRESS & DEVELOPMENT

For many years, there was talk and political promises of building a bridge to Bribie, and this eventually happened in 1963. This was a major event in the history of Bribie, but when the new Bridge was about to be opened it was announced that there would be a charge to cross it. A “Toll” of 10 shillings had to be paid to cross the bridge, equivalent to about $15 in today’s money.

That huge and unexpected imposition limited the anticipated population and business growth for several years. For many years, the Council rates for Bribie were disproportionally higher than the rest of the Shire. In 1967 Bribie residents made another attempt to succeed from Caboolture and become its own Shire.

Once again, that was unsuccessful, and Bribie remained part of Caboolture Shire Council for many more years until amalgamation changed things again. The bridge toll remained for 12 years until 1975 when the bridge had been paid for. In the bicentennial year, 1988 Bribie staged another Succession parade as part of the celebrations.

COUNCIL AMALGAMATION

In 2009, Government amalgamated the three Councils of Redcliffe, Pine Rivers and Caboolture into one enormous Moreton Bay Regional Council. Bribie Island became a very small part of a very big Regional Council. The justification for amalgamation was to achieve cost savings, the economy of scale and improved services, but after 10 years I do not know how much of this has been achieved.

Some other places that were amalgamated have since reverted to their previous status. When Bribie had a resident population of just a few hundred people in the 1930’s, Bribie had an honorary Councillor. Over the years, as the population grew to about 1800, Bribie had two elected Councillors representing them on the Caboolture Council. Now, with a population well over 20,000, Division 1 has just one Councillor representing a much larger geographic area of Bribie and the mainland.

This is a challenging job for anyone, with Bribie situated on the boundary of a large Regional Council. However, Bribie Island remains the unique jewel in the crown for so many reasons. We are soon to have a Council election, but we won’t be voting for a community “Vision” for the future of Bribie.

RECOGNISING BRIBIE’s HERITAGE.

In 2008, I established the Bribie Island Historical Society when I became fascinated by the rich Heritage and History of this unique island, although none of it was visible. Even our world-famous resident, eccentric and recluse artist Ian Fairweather had no visible signage. I replaced a plaque at the site of his grass hut residence.

We have since had a Museum built which displays some of our rich Heritage, and Fairweathers amazing life story. I installed numerous bronze plaques and signage around Bongaree foreshore, designed and printed free Heritage Walk brochures We conduct regular Heritage Walks at Bongaree and the WW2 relics, and I know how popular these walks and brochures are.

I don’t expect everyone to be interested in local history, but it certainly adds value to being here, and a respect and understanding of just why this place is special.

VISION for the FUTURE

We are all different, and all have different views about how Bribie should be in future. Many people are urging for a new and bigger bridge to be built. Most Bridges and Tunnels built these days have a Toll.

How would we feel if a new bridge were to have a toll? Should we go on building more roads for more cars? Perhaps Bribie should have an efficient and effective public transport system that meets current and future community needs. Almost 100 years ago thousands of people came and went by Steamship from Brisbane to Bribie. They were transported across the island by basic busses to the Ocean Beach. That was the closest surf beach to Brisbane in those days.

Today we have empty buses driving around Bribie all day to a timetable that does not recognise our needs or help to reduce short car trips, parking and congestion. For the same cost, we could surely have a fleet of smaller vehicles running to all suburbs and required locations at more regular intervals. I guess it is just a matter of time before we have Parking Meters.

BRIBIE RESIDENT POPULATION.

Bribie Postcode 4507 has the highest percentage of people over 65 years of age than any postcode in Australia. However, this will probably change over time, but this is a unique aspect of Bribie that should be recognised in any “Vision” of the future. With the current significant developments already underway, and the anticipated construction of medium-rise apartments, the population is set to increase by up to 40% in the next few years.

Add to this the significant number of subdivisions and development already happening on the mainland close to Bribie, there will be many more people living on and visiting the island in the next few years. What are the things that are essential to ensure that Bribie remains a unique place? Many elements of a future Vision could include Community Services, Employment, Recreation, Transport, Environment, Heritage and of course Life-style.

Without a plan, it is likely that things will just drift along, largely driven by developers, and Bribie will become just another seaside suburb. I think that would be a pity… …how about you? If we don’t recognise and value the special aspects of our past- we won’t have much of a future.

HISTORY CONTINUED MORE BRIBIE HISTORY

The Historical Society has monthly public meetings at the RSL Club on the second Wednesday of each month (except January) commencing at 6; 30pm. with interesting guest speakers on a wide range of topics.

You can see many more photos and articles on our Blog Site at https://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com or contact us on [email protected]

Other Articles

• History – REMEMBER AUSTRALIA?
• History – The STORY of our BRIDGE

This year 2020 is the 250th Anniversary of James Cook sailing and claiming the East Coast of this new land in 1770. James Cook sailed past this coast, way out to sea, aboard “Endeavour”, and named Cape Morton and the Glasshouses. He did not see the large Bay or any islands. Eighteen years later In 1788, ships of the “First Fleet” sailed into Sydney Harbour.

Our January 26th, Public Holiday commemorates that “Australia Day” and this article invites your reflection over those years. It was 29 years later on July 16th 1799 that the first white man set foot on Bribie Island. There are many dates and events in the history of this country that are worthy of being remembered, but 16th July is a special date for those of us who reflect on the history of Bribie Island.

James Cook had many adventures on the Great Barrier Reef before reaching the northern tip of Cape York and claiming the whole coast in the name of King George 3, on August 22 1770. It was 18 years later, 8 years after James Cook had been killed in Hawaii, that the “First Fleet” ships arrived in Botany Bay on January 16th 1788, then moved up to Sydney Harbour, and raised the Flag on January 26th.

AUSTRALIA DAY

The first few years were a challenge for survival, and had it been easy to abandon the idea of a convict colony, it probably would have happened. Virtually nothing was known about this new land, considered “Terra Nullius”, belonging to no one. Comprehension and understanding by the new white settlers of the cultural and social difference of indigenous people, who had survived here for 50,000 years, was virtually impossible.

The security, discipline and survival of the new colony were critical, but understanding, exploring and developing the new land also a key driver. Many Dutch, Portuguese and French explorers had sighted and charted and been shipwrecked the coast of this vast land over the 170 years before Cook.

None had found it interesting, productive or worthy of Trade and exploitation. It was named “New Holland” and the few natives encountered were seen as unfriendly savages. Dutch, Spanish and English traders focussed on trade in the Spice Islands, and sailors including Hartog, Hautman and Dampier had all made unintended landfall and charted parts of the coast, recording their encounters with “…the most miserable people in the world”. Dampier landed on the West coast of Australia in 1688.

Years later he rescued a marooned sailor, Alexander Selkirk, who became the basis of Daniel Defoe’s novel “Robinson Crusoe”.

JAMES COOK

James Cook chanced upon the east coast after going to Tahiti in 1769 to make a rather unsuccessful scientific observation of the “Transit of Venus”. This would enable the distance of the earth from the Sun to eventually be calculated. He opened his secret orders and continued sailing west, to circumnavigate and map New Zealand, previously sighted and named 127 years earlier by Able Tasman in 1642.

Cook was seeking the elusive Great South Land when he struck the east coast of Australia. Aboard the “Endeavour” was Joseph Banks, a wealthy young gentleman with an interest in Botany and Natural History, who had paid his way for this unique adventure. Banks earned his place in history with many species now bearing the name “Banksia” in his honour.

Joseph Banks enthusiasm and political influence led to the decision, 18 years later, to send the First Fleet of convicts to Botany Bay in New South Wales, as Cook had named it. By then Captain James Cook had already made two more very long journeys of exploration in search of a Great South Land and a North-West Passage, before his unfortunate death at the hands of natives in Hawaii in 1779.

Cook was a most remarkable man, an excellent navigator, negotiator, explorer, mapmaker and Captain of ships and men. He was recognised for the development of dietary solutions to “Scurvy”, which was the cause of death for most long-distance sailors at that time.

PROBLEMS IN BRITAIN

The Industrial Revolution in Britain had created huge trade opportunities, but also many social problems with inequality and entrenched petty criminals filling the prisons. Convicts had been transported to America for over 60 years before Independence was declared, and Britain lost its North American colonies.

Britain had been at war with the Dutch, French and Spanish over trade routes for more than 10 years, and this drove the decision to establish a British base in the Southern Hemisphere. Britain decided to Colonise New South Wales, as well as Norfolk Island and New Zealand, and Captain Arthur Phillip was given command of the “First Fleet” with instructions to settle at Botany Bay as the Governor of the new colony.

THE FIRST FLEET

What an amazing undertaking this was. Certainly equivalent to the “Moon Landing” at that time. Eleven sailing ships, over 700 men and women convicts, 200 marines, 19 Officers and stores, with provisions and food for an unknown duration.

A journey of more than 8 months on the high seas with a cargo of dangerous criminals, requiring strict discipline and safety. Many babies were born en route ……but that is another story! I am writing this article to remind readers about “Australia Day”.

When this remarkable Fleet finally arrived at Botany Bay, Arthur Phillip was unimpressed, and quickly decided to relocate to Sydney Cove which he declared to be “The finest Harbour in the World in which a thousand ships of the line may ride in the most perfect security” A group of Aborigines, who had followed the ships up the harbour, shouting out from the shore as they sailed into Sydney Cove, watched the British flag-raising on January 26th 1788.

What conversation went on around the campfire that night? NEW ARRIVALS Convicts and Stores were eventually unloaded and the struggle for survival began. It was a long hard struggle for many years, with death and casualties on both sides. There was just no basis of understanding between these two very different cultures.

That is another story. In the very same week that the First Fleet arrived, two French ships under the command of Comte de la Perouse also arrived in Botany Bay. As Arthur Phillip and his relieved crew and passengers spilt out on to this new land, the Frenchmen watched them. With just a few hours difference it could be a very different story. A few weeks later La Perouse sailed his two ships away …..And they just disappeared off the face of the earth …….never to be seen again. That is certainly another story.

BRIBIE ISLAND VISIT.

Nobody knew if Australia was an island Continent, or if New South Wales was joined to New Holland, if there was a great inland sea, or that hundreds of groups of Indigenous people had been living successfully in this vast country for over 50,000 years.

Eleven years after the arrival of the First Fleet a young Matthew Flinders was sent to explore Morton Bay, in search of a large river to the inland. Despite charting most islands of the Bay, he failed to find a big river but did become the first white man to land on Bribie Island on 16th July 1799.

BRIBIE ISLAND – AUSTRALIA DAY.

Flinders had an initial conflict with the locals, which resulted in the name “Skirmish Point”, at what is now Bongaree, later named for his Sydney aboriginal companion. He repaired his sloop “Norfolk” at Whitepatch and climbed a Glasshouse mountain. His other constant companion was his cat “Trim” who sailed everywhere with him for many years.

After being the first white man to set foot on Bribie Island in 1799 the amazing young explorer Matthew Flinders went on to be the first to circumnavigate the entire continent in 1804 and proposed the name “Australia” which was finally adopted 13 years later in 1817. Happy Australia Day. Governor Arthur Phillip First Fleet arrival Aboriginal Camp Site Matthew Flinders

HISTORY CONTINUED MORE LOCAL HISTORY

If you would like to hear and see more stories like this, I will be giving several public presentations during this Anniversary year at the Seaside Museum., U3A and the Historical Society. Look out for the Poster dates and notices. The Historical Society has monthly public meetings at the RSL Club on the second Wednesday of each month commencing at 6.30 pm. with interesting guest speakers on a wide range of topics. You can see many more photos and articles on our Blog Site at http://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com or contact us on [email protected]

Other Articles

• History – LOOKING BACK AT THE FUTURE
• MAJOR EVENTS IN BRIBIE HISTORY
• History – REMEMBER WHEN WE FORGOT OUR PAST