My regular articles about Bribie History are generally bases on research and information from up 100 years ago, but 60 years ago is much more recent. The last article about a “Future Vision for Bribie” was a bit different and got some interesting reactions. It is easy to forget about things as recently as just 60 years ago.
For some “senior” readers the 1960s will be vivid memories, while for younger people it is like ancient history. This article is a reminder of some fascinating events back then, with articles and advertisements from local newspapers at that time. Back then, a dozen bottles of Beer were just $4.28, and a very smart new Automatic Washing Machine was only $129.
In 1962 Bribie, a year before the Bribie Bridge opened, Bribie ran its own newspaper, the “Bribie Star”, for 10 years until the early 1970s. Newspaper headlines from that time provide an insight into the topical and political issues and news from that era. Here are some news items that were taken from the Bribie Star that you might find interesting.
NEW BUILDINGS ON BRIBIE
With the building of the bridge to Bribie, new business opportunities opened up, including a Recreation & Sports Centre in Cotterill Avenue built by Hendon & Sons. It offered Roller Skating, Quoits, Dancing, and indoor Bowls, together with various Boating Services. The building later became a Cinema for a few years, after that was “Busy Fingers” Op shop for 22 years and is now the Baptist Church.
When the Bribie Bridge opened, you could build a new two-bedroom home on Bribie for $2176, with just $100 deposit.
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
In 1967, it was proposed to approach the Government about the construction a major Oil Terminal in the Pumicestone Passage area, to unload Oil cargoes from large new Oil Tankers being built. There was also a Caboolture Shire Council election in 1967 in which a record number of 28 candidates nominated for election.
There were 3 Bribie people who nominated for election as Chairman of the Council. The article mentions the names of Boyd, Schrag, Latcham. Unwin and Rickman, who are all well-remembered people from Bribie’s past, who have streets or Parks named for them.
BRIBIE BRIDGE TAKE-OVER
When the Bridge opened in 1963 a surprise announcement of an expensive Toll to be paid to cross the Bridge, created much concern in the community. This led to further agitation for Bribie Island to succeed from Caboolture Shire Council and become its own self-Governing Council. There was even talk of a Council takes over the Bribie Bridge from the State Government, who had built it, to have direct control of the Bridge Toll revenue.
CUT THROUGH THE ISLAND
In 1968 an even more amazing proposal was put forward, to cut a channel through the north of Bribie Island, into Pumicestone Passage, and build a new access road up the middle of the island, and new Bridge to the mainland.
LOOKING BACK AT LIFE
These news clips from the Bribie Star newspapers are just a few of the fascinating stories published throughout the 1960s. You can imagine what the resident’s and visitors’ reactions might be. Some were delighted….and others very sad. None of these things actually eventuated………but Beer was just $4.28 a dozen!
I hope they give you an appreciation of the sorts of political issues at that time. There were only about 700 residents on Bribie in 1963 when the bridge opened. There was still a lot of wildlife, excellent fishing and a variety of birds and wildflowers that were enjoyed by residents and visitors. It seems that Cane Toads were becoming a major problem at that time as this newspaper article testifies.