space

Congrats on Explore! ⭐ January 15, 2024

John Douglas The Douglas Memorial Chapel constructed at Quetta Precinct by Thursday Islanders commemorates John Douglas who was a pastoralist, Premier, and former Government resident of Thursday Island who died in 1904. The Chapel was finally opened on St Peter's Day, 29 June 1913. It contained a memorial stained glass window executed by Kayll and Reed of Leeds, of an elderly St John [in the likeness of John Douglas] at Patmos, which was donated by Torres Strait Islanders. Prior to his appointment as Government Resident of Thursday Island, he was secretary for public lands in the Thorn ministry from June 1876 until March 1877, when he became Premier and was given the honor of C.M.G. His party was defeated at the election held in January 1879 and Douglas gave up politics. In 1885 Douglas was appointed Government Resident and magistrate at Thursday Island and he was deeply involved in developing the settlement. He was an active warden in the Church of England and on 24 May 1893 laid the foundation stone of the Quetta Memorial Church. He served on various local committees and was a Cemetery Trustee from 1889 until his death. He won the respect of the Torres Strait Islanders, who in the early 1900s funded the construction of the west aisle of the Quetta Memorial Cathedral Church, dedicated in 1913 as the Douglas Memorial Chapel. He is buried in the Island`s cemetery. Source: monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/government---state...

Australia's most iconic outback pub. Everyone wants to say they've had a beer at The Birdsville Hotel. Since 1884, it’s weathered sandstone walls have been a welcome refuge to travellers from across the globe. A destination in its own right, the pub has endured floods, fires and even cyclones to stand as a symbol of the spirit and character of the outback. The Birdsville Hotel is steeped in history and has played a fascinating, yet important, part in the exploration and settlement of Australia’s desert country. Today, the iconic award-winning pub is the main focus in Birdsville at any time of the year but more so during the running of the famous annual Birdsville Races and the Big Red Bash. The pub offers visitors comfy accommodation, traditional pub fare, quality wine list, ice-cold drinks and with everything else needed for an authentic outback experience. Whether you parked your car out front or your plane on the airstrip opposite, once you enter the Birdsville pub, you’ll find yourself in a place like no other — a place where you can immerse yourself in the ambience and stories told by characters as colourful as a painted desert landscape. Source: www.queensland.com/us/en/plan-your-holiday/accommodation/...