palms

The All Saints Anglican Church on Erub dates from 1919. It was constructed below the site of the original London Missionary Society Mission, house and school using local materials, including lime produced from burnt coral as well as basalt. Sited as it is, close to the location of these early mission buildings, ensures that it has a close link to the island’s history. The church building itself has changed and evolved over the years but has long been an important landmark on the island. The church was originally built under the guidance and direction of a local island man, Manai, assisted by a South Sea Islander man named Albert Ware. It underwent significant remodeling in 1963, the roofline was raised and internal walls were extended. Similar to when it was first built, local limestone from the surrounding reefs was used in this work. Erosion has been an ongoing problem for the building, necessitating the construction of a protective stone sea wall, in the mid-1970s, as a means of protecting the church from the effects of strong tides. All Saints is an important reminder of missionary activity in the Torres Strait and has always had a central role in the annual July 1 “Coming of the Light” celebrations, when islanders and others commemorate the arrival of the London Missionary Society in 1871. Acknowledging its importance to Queensland’s history, the All Saints Anglican Church is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register and survives as an important and prominent landmark in Erub’s built environment. Brian Randall - Senior Librarian, State Library of Queensland Source: www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/queensland-places-all-saints-angl...

Yarrabah Mission, now known as Yarrabah Community, was founded by Reverend John Brown (JB) Gribble in 1892 to protect the Gunggandji’s from the ongoing rampant exploitation of these people. JB fell ill shortly after he arrived so his eldest son Ernest inherited his legacy. Ernest Gribble went on to become one of the most controversial Missionaries in Australia. His career lasted for 64 years, making him the longest-serving Anglican Missionary. Gribble aspired for the Yarrabah population to take pride and control in their community. He implemented a government, formed from indigenous members, and a court (also staffed by indigenous members of the community) that monitored the behavior of the residents. Gribble also crowned a King, King Menmuny, who reigned over the Mission and looked after his people. By 1904, another mission on Fraser Island was closed and 117 residents were forcibly relocated to Yarrabah Mission. A move which was naturally resented and resisted by those involved. Mass breakouts and instances of insubordination became common so the court decided to expel the ringleaders to Fitzroy Island. Gribble secured a lease on Fitzroy Island in 1905 and the first 30 people were moved out to the new outstation ‘Kobahra’. The Kobahra residents were quick to build eight buildings including a coral church. They also planted coconuts, paw paws, mangoes, yams and other crops in an effort to become self-sufficient on the island. The settlement was closed in 1912 after residents petitioned the Protector of Aboriginals for their release. The island continued to be leased to the Yarrabah Mission for many years afterwards. While the Yarrabah Mission no longer maintained a permanent population on Fitzroy Island, it became a popular location for special occasions such as picnics and organised outings. World War II With the outbreak of war in the Pacific the Yarrabah Mission lost its’ lease. The Imperial Japanese Navy had a series of submarines patrolling our coast and attacking shipping. Cairns was the nearest main port for traffic bound to Papua New Guinea via Townsville. Due to the constant threat of attack, the No. 28 Radar Station was established on Fitzroy Island in 1942. No. 28 Radar Station monitored all shipping and air traffic approaching Cairns. Welcome Bay also served as a transient mooring for destroyers and cruisers waiting to join shipping convoys heading to Port Moresby. Between 1942 and 1945 over 100 servicemen served with the No. 28 Radar Station. In addition to the Radar Station, servicemen also manned a Wireless Signal Station and a Morse code-blinking Lighthouse. Submarine Indicator Loops spread through Welcome Bay were constantly monitored. The combination of these efforts uncovered a Japanese submarine lurking around the island in May 1943. The station monitored its movements for nine days while it avoided multiple attempts by the Royal Australian Navy to destroy it with depth charges. It finally slipped away on the 17th of May leaving the Investigating Officers at a loss as to its mission although it was theorized that it may have been dropping off or collecting spies. The World War II military base camp was on the site of the current Turtle Rehabilitation Centre. The dam constructed by the servicemen to store water can be seen at the start of the Summit track. Source: www.fitzroyisland.com/explore-fitzroy/history/

Bushland Beach is a beautiful stretch of beach in a suburban area. Bushland Beach is part of the Northern Beaches area of Townsville, located 25 minutes drive from Townsville's central business district. Access to Bushland Beach is via a turnoff along the Bruce Highway. Source: www.townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au/things-to-do/product...