brisbaneopenhouse

Once the main airport in Brisbane, Archerfield Airport holds a rich history from the time it was first established in the 1930s. Today, Archerfield Airport serves as a major general aviation airport and secondary airport for the city. Within the property are a licensed pub, aircraft hire, flight training facilities and a heritage-listed cemetery. Its art deco passenger terminal remains intact from the time it was built in 1941. This fully preserved structure pretty much gives the present a glimpse of the past. A public aviation museum also exists within the airport. It was in 1927 when the area was first tested by Captain Lester Brian, chief flying instructor for Qantas Airways, to see if it could be used an airfield. The government purchased the site in 1929 to build the airport and named it Archerfield to distinguish it from the surrounding farmlands. On 1 April 1931, the airport officially opened. Qantas moved its operations from Eagle Farm to Archerfield. Ansett ANA and Trans Australia Airlines also offered regular passenger transport services at the airport. During World War II, Archerfield Airport was abuzz with activity as it became a significant airfield for the military. It hosted the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), the Royal Netherlands Air Force, and the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. It was after WWII when the Eagle Farm airport grew in significance and Archerfield got delegated to secondary airport status. The airport turned its focus to flight training afterwards. Today, one of the oldest flying schools in the world, the Royal Queensland Aero Club, still operates at Archerfield. Source: robertsonnews.com.au/rich-history-of-archerfield-airport-...

Royal Queensland Aero Club is the oldest established flying school in the world, this year they will proudly celebrate their 90th anniversary of continuous flying operations. Early members of Royal Queensland Aero Club include many of Australia's most distinguished aviators including Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, Bert Hinkler and Lores Bonney. RQAC has a long association with Qantas, having first signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Ltd (Qantas) on 28th March 1930. In 1940 the RQAC commenced training of Pilots for the Royal Aust Air Force at Archerfield using Club facilities and aircraft. Royal Queensland Aero Club has a proud heritage of aviation training they have not been content with to rest their proud traditions and reputation. As they enter their 91st year of operations RQAC endeavors to provide flight training at the highest standards with an emphasis on continuous improvement at all times. Source: www.bestaviation.net/school/aeroclub_rqac/

From GARDENING AUSTRALIA: Newstead House is Brisbane's oldest surviving residence. I love its tranquillity, its history but I especially love its gardens. The property was first established in 1846. Since then has been the home of a Darling Downs grazier, a Moreton Bay District police magistrate, and other prominent businessmen and politicians, until it was taken over by the local government in 1918. The homestead originally had a garden planted for food and the front lawns were created to establish a visual connection to the river. But we are interested in the trees. Newstead Park, like many other 19th-century heritage properties, is home to some great irreplaceable assets - grand old trees. Some favorites are: * Crow's ash Flindersia australis a magnificent tree from tropical Australia. The specimen in the park was probably planted before the house was built so it must be over 160 years old. It produces dense foliage, large leaves and then creamy white flowers. * A tree that's unique to Newstead House is a crepe myrtle known as Lagerstroemia speciosa. It was planted about the same time as the house was built and it's claimed to be the largest tree of its kind in the southern hemisphere. * Another was the Ficus virens or Cunningham's fig which sits in the centre of the round-about at the entrance to Newstead House. It was there before the house was built which makes it over 200 years old. These grand old trees perfectly complement the grandeur of the house and garden and are an essential part of our history and environment. These trees are irreplaceable and need to be preserved for future generations. Source: www.abc.net.au/gardening/factsheets/newstead-house/942940...

The Roma Street Railway Station was completed in 1875 as the terminus of the newly constructed railway line from Brisbane to Ipswich. It was a fine two-storey brick building with a large carriage shade designed by Queensland Colonial Architect FDG Stanley. The ground floor was given over to servicing the platform and contained restrooms, a ticket office, goods rooms and waiting areas. The upper floor was occupied by administration staff and the Station Master. Originally the Station had direct vehicular and pedestrian access from Roma Street, but this changed in the late 1930s when new railway lines were installed between the building and Roma Street effectively turning the Station building into an island platform. In the late 1940s the original slate roof was replaced with Super Six asbestos sheeting, and the building was painted externally. Alterations in the 1950s saw the demolition of the original carriage shade and the addition of an intrusive added storey on the western end of the Station which necessitated the removal of the southwestern pediment. By the late 1990s the Station was in a poor state. It was largely unoccupied and suffered from a lack of maintenance. The roof leaked in many places due to damaged skylights, and there was considerable falling damp and termite infestation evident. Stage One Works commenced on site in 2012, and involved making the whole building structurally sound and watertight, as well as the restoration and reconstruction of external elements on the upper floor. Works included reconstruction of the slate roof in its original form; replacement of damaged roof members; restoration of the original brickwork, stonework, and render; repair of windows; and restoration of the original configuration of the western end of the building including the reconstruction of the original pediment and roof. Source: www.architectureanddesign.com.au/projects/transport-indus...