cityhall

* When City Hall opened in 1930, the tower had a red glowing sphere on its apex - visible for miles it was intended as an aviation beacon. * The clock was designed and built by the Brisbane Jackson family firm Synchronome Electrical Company. * At that time, the electric automatic clock - which did not require winding - was the most modern in Australia, and also the largest. * Each clock face is almost 5 meters in diameter; the minute hands are 3 meters long. * Hail from a fierce storm in December 1946 smashed the clock face on the Adelaide St side. * In late 1930, nearby hotel keepers argued that the quarter-hourly chiming of the new clock after dark was disturbing guests, was bad for business and that the “…the pealing of the chimes from the clock tower constitutes annoying noises in the night”. * In 1935, a woman suffered a "terrible ordeal" while visiting the tower. She reportedly climbed over railings 4 feet high to retrieve her bag which had dropped from the viewing platform, but then found she couldn’t climb back. When she was seen clinging to the outside of the railing, a constable was sent to her assistance. Maxine Fisher - Digital Content Coordinator, State Library of Queensland www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/tall-and-proud-brisbane-city-hall...

The Royal Geographical Society of Queensland (RGSQ), founded in 1885, is one of only two geographical societies dating from the 19th century to continue in Australia. Its mission is to promote the study of geography and encourage a better understanding of the natural environment. Though the Society has always had a substantial library and a small but significant collection of artifacts and artworks, maintaining collections has never been central to its operations. Regrettably, over the years many items of outstanding significance have been lost and much material has been transferred elsewhere. Of what remains, the library material is relatively well housed, however, the artifacts and artworks are poorly displayed and/or stored. To this end, the Society organizes a diverse program of lectures and excursions and supports geographical education. In recent years it has taken on organizing and running the Australian Geography Competition, a joint initiative with the Australian Geography Teachers’ Association, and facilitating the annual Geography's Big Week Out by which four year 11 students are selected to represent Australia at the annual International Geography Olympiad. Source: rgsq.org.au/resources/Documents/Reports/2017_CHG_National...

The Queensland portion of the “Royal Progress” was from 9 to 15 March 1954 and included Brisbane, Bundaberg, Oakey, Toowoomba, Townsville, Cairns, Mackay, and Rockhampton as well as a day of rest on the Great Barrier Reef. Public holidays were declared by an Act of Parliament; buildings were painted, decorated, and illuminated for the visit and in all townspeople turned out in droves to see the royals. In Brisbane, a civic welcome, state reception, investiture, Executive Council meeting, and Lord Mayor’s Ball were held. The tour was described as a magnificent success that ‘left an imperishable memory for Australians of our Queen and her husband. Source: blogs.archives.qld.gov.au/2017/01/18/royal-visits-to-quee...