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Members of the US servicemen's boxing team, Brisbane, February 1943. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Neg 102776 On February 27, 1943, two allies in war became rivals in the ring, as the Australian and American servicemen came together for a night of boxing. This inter-Allied competition was held at the old Brisbane Stadium (which stood on the corner of Albert and Charlotte Streets in Brisbane's CBD). There were an estimated 5,000 people in attendance, including the Governor of Queensland, Sir Leslie Wilson, and the Brisbane Lord Mayor, Alderman Chandler. On the previous evening, the Australians held an "elimination series" between the Army and the Air Force to decide who would make the final team. In the end, the Australian team featured several experienced and professional boxers, including Fred Corton, Lionel Orrell, and Bill de Blein. American-born Todd Morgan was the trainer of the United States boxing team, himself a former world lightweight champion. Morgan was confident, describing his team of sailor and soldier boxers as being "pretty hot". American servicemen boxers in Brisbane. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Neg 104178 There would be 14 fights in total, each bout would be awarded points - 3 for a win, 2 for a draw, and 1 for a loss. The Australians had an extra impetus to win; in a previous stoush back in May 1942, they suffered a bruising defeat against the Americans, winning only 4 of 12 bouts. This time around the Australian fighters proved too strong for the Americans, who despite fighting valiantly, won only 5 of the 14 bouts, finishing with 24 points compared to Australia's 32. The biggest upset of the tournament, according to The Sunday Mail, was when Colin Moody defeated "the star of the American team" Eddie Markham, a light heavyweight. The tournament raised £1626 for the Queensland Patriotic and Comforts Funds. Myles Sinnamon - Project Coordinator, State Library of Queensland Source: www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/allies-war-rivals-ring

Major Helen Ryan, founder and commandant of the Women's National Emergency Legion, formed m 1938, and how assisting the forces in various areas arrived in Cairns on an official visit yesterday. She spent a busy afternoon testing women's transport drivers who are anxious to assist in the war effort. Any woman interested in this form of service should communicate with Major Helen Ryan at Motor Transport Corps in Lake-street, Cairns. The service is voluntary, but allowances are made to workers who are not sent out of their own district unless they wish to transfer. Major Helen Ryan at present is in charge of the W.N.E.L. transport corps and clerical workers attached to the U.S. forces in North Queensland. She is the wife of Dr. William D. Ryan, of Brisbane and has spent the last five years preparing and training women for war work. She stated that she was thrilled to see how wholeheartedly the women of the North had responded to the call to assist in this national emergency. There could be no failure when the woman were so staunchly helping the men at the front. Source: Cairns Post 20 Feb 1943, P. 4 trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/42378834?browse=ndp%3A...

Tiger Moth aircraft was the first aeroplane used for spreading superphosphate in Australia, undertaken by EastWest Airlines at AS Nivison’s Mirani property in February 1950. Prior to that it was used in 1947 to spread 600 acres of linseed at Walcha. The aircraft was built in Sydney in 1940 for the RAAF and was used by the RAAF for pilot training at Narromine, Narrandera, Bundaberg and Lowood between 1940 and 1943. Then used at the Air Gunner School at West Sale, Victoria. It was sold by the Federal Government at the end of the Second World War to Edward Macarthur-Onslow who used it at his Flying and Gliding School at Camden. At one stage it was fitted with a spray tank and boom and used to spray tobacco crops at Dalby, Queensland. It was donated to the Society in 1965 by Mr Tom Watson, managing director of Aerial Agriculture Pty Ltd. The hangar was erected by the Rotary Club of Walcha. Source: walchansw.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/WDHS-Brochure...