Contact person: Marion Mackenzie
Email address: [email protected]
Contact phone: 3379 1967
Website: https://brisbanehistorywest.wordpress.com (collaborative website with several other local history associations)
Postal address: Oxley-Chelmer History Group Inc, 59 Dudley Street, Sherwood 4075
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The Oxley-Chelmer History Group, established in 1996, focuses on the history of five suburbs: Oxley, Corinda, Sherwood, Graceville and Corinda. This area forms the major part of the former Sherwood Divisional Board and Shire Council (1891-1925).
The History Group meets eight times a year at the Sherwood-Indooroopilly RSL sub-branch, 2 Clewley Street Corinda, opposite the Services Club. At each meeting, a speaker presents a topic of local historical interest. In addition, the Group is present at local fetes and street festivals throughout the year; and conducts tours, exhibitions and events, some in collaboration with neighbouring societies.
Members contribute in a variety of ways. Some have specialist knowledge in architecture, colonial history or education history; whilst others employ advanced research skills or photography. Older residents share their experience of living in the area, some with long family connections. The meetings are open to anyone who is interested.
In recent years, research has concentrated on World War I: conditions on the home front; the military history of those whose names appear on several local memorials; and the aftermath when the Red Cross established two rehabilitation hospitals. In addition, several researchers have documented the changing face of shopping centres in the area, using a wide range of library and online resources.
In 2016, to mark our twentieth anniversary, the Group published From Tents to Townhouses: A short history of the area from Oxley to Chelmer. This book brought together the work of many previous members and collated material from fifteen previous publications.
January 2018
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Davis, Noel. The Remarkable Walter Taylor. OCHG 2011
The author outlines his grandfather’s life and achievements as a builder, churchman and community supporter. Walter Taylor (1872-1955) left a legacy of significant buildings and bridges in Brisbane and south-east Queensland. Locally, the Graceville Uniting Church, the Walter Taylor Bridge and two gracious family homes are testament to his inventiveness and expertise. Over 140 photographs.
Fones, Ralph. Sherwood Council and Community: A History of the Sherwood Shire Council and Those Whom it Served. OCHG 1999
Local government between 1891 and 1925 was served by the Sherwood Divisional Board and Sherwood Shire Council. Sourced from numerous sources in the absence of official records. Examines the conservative lifestyle of the early settlers. Provides accounts of social life, church membership and sport as well as the provision of roads, water supply and electricity. The Shire Council came to an end with the establishment of the Greater Brisbane Council.
Fones, Ralph. Oxley! A Mind of Its Own – A History of a Suburb with Attitude, 1850-1950. OCHG 2006
A comprehensive history of one suburb, with photographs. The account traces changes from farming to industrial and residential settlement. While Oxley residents frequently felt they differed from neighbouring suburbs in being essentially a working-class suburb, they established a rich social life, sporting associations and church groups. The presence of American troops camped nearby during World War II brought many changes.
Mackenzie, Marion. Corinda School of Arts to Municipal Library 1895-1997. OCHG 1998
No other public building survives that has served the community so long. Built by a local committee as a hall and library, it was taken over by the Sherwood Shire Council in 1917 and the Brisbane City Council in 1925. The Council opened the current Library in 1966. The history of this building covers that of the district as social activities, political campaigns, community fund-raising and welfare services took place there.
Thompson, Harry and Mackenzie, Marion (eds). From Tents to Townhouses: A short history of the area from Oxley to Chelmer. OCHG 2016
Provides an overview chronological history of five suburbs, covering Aboriginal presence, European settlement, farming, local government, road & bridges, education, social life and twenty-first century changes.