East Street Rockhampton – c1933
Sportsday East Street – Rockhampton – c. 1920
Criterion Hotel Rockhampton, c. 1940
Harris Building Fire
On the morning of July 6, 1951, a devastating fire broke out at the Harris Rockhampton Limited building on East Street. The blaze, fuelled by an electrical fault, spread rapidly, illuminating the city and consuming everything in its path.
Among the many tenants who suffered losses was the Rockhampton & District Historical Society. Tragically, our entire collection—much of it irreplaceable—was lost in the flames. The fire brigade fought valiantly, using 2,500 feet of hose and three pumps working continuously to bring the fire under control.
The damage to the adjoining buildings was estimated at ÂŁ5,000. Below is a list of the tenants impacted by the fire, along with the losses they endured as reported by The Morning Bulletin in the days following the blaze:
- Rockhampton & District Historical Society
- Red cedar bookcase
- Photographs
- Books
- Historic documents
- Several volumes of Land Office Gazettes (1860-70)
- Large oil painting of North Rockhampton
- Photographs of historic sites on Cooper’s Creek associated with the Burke and Wills expedition
- Photograph of the record Rockhampton flood in 1918
- Several photographs of notable personalities, including State Governor Lord Lamington
- Photographs of Mt. Morgan and Rockhampton
- The Jubilee prize-winning map by Margaret Mitrow
- Two volumes of Logan Jack’s “Northmost Australia”
- Numerous newspaper clippings of historic value
- George Craig’s Photography Studio
- Several cameras
- Large quantity of photographic material
- ÂŁ6 in the till (equivalent to approximately $309 today)
- Mr. W. J. Lennon (Music Teacher)
- Years of work on handwritten music
- Piano
- Piano accordion
- Metronome
- Textbooks
- A considerable amount of music
- Shaw’s Agencies’ Workshop
- Four pianos
- Four pianos
- Dr. R. M. Gold
- Considerable damage to his surgery
- Considerable damage to his surgery
- Mr. N. Browning (Manufacturer’s Agent)
- Stock in two rooms destroyed
- Stock in two rooms destroyed
- Mr. A. J. Millroy – Heiser’s Jewellery
- Damage to fittings and fixtures
- Damage to fittings and fixtures
- A Fruit and Vegetable Store
- Quantity of fruit and potatoes slightly damaged by water
- Quantity of fruit and potatoes slightly damaged by water
- Mr. W. J. Mercer – Trading as Studios Pty Ltd
- Storeroom of furniture
- Studio fittings and stock
- Darkroom of the studio
Portrait of William Archer, c. 1860
William Archer, one of nine brothers, played a prominent role in Queensland’s early pastoral history.
Rockhampton’s First Aerial Ambulance
On November 16, 1957, Rockhampton proudly received its first aerial ambulance, a Cessna 182, during an official handover ceremony at Connor Park Airport.
Tragically, on June 7, 1958, the aircraft crashed in thick scrub near Edungalba during bad weather, resulting in the loss of all four occupants on board. The aircraft was insured for ÂŁ8,000.
Rowing regatta on the Fitzroy River at Rockhampton, ca. 1930
Hand coloured photograph showing boats on the river being observed by crowds on the riverbank. Buildings in Quay Street can be seen in the background. Sheds and jetties are pictured on the riverbank in the right foreground.
1956 Olympic Torch in Rockhampton
Reflecting on 1956 when the Melbourne Olympics torch passed through Rockhampton and surrounding towns. It was a significant moment for our city, as we proudly participated in this global event. The torch relay showcased our community’s connection to the worldwide Olympic movement.
Singing Ship – Emu Park
The Singing Ship is a monument in Emu Park dedicated to Captain James Cook, commemorating the 200th anniversary of his voyage through Keppel Bay in 1770. It was officially unveiled on 30th May 1970 by the Minister for Shipping, Ian Sinclair.Â
The monument was designed by Peggy Westmoreland in 1969 as part of a competition held by the Captain Cook Bicentenary Celebrations Committee. Westmoreland was a joint winner of the competition alongside an entry by the Lions Club of Yeppoon. Although Westmoreland initially abandoned her design and discarded it, her husband, John Westmoreland, retrieved it from the rubbish bin and encouraged her to complete and submit it.Â
Once the Captain Cook Bicentenary Celebrations Committee selected Westmoreland’s design to construct the Singing Ship, fundraising efforts began with a target of $5,000. While the majority of funds were raised through small donations, larger contributions came from various organizations, including the local shire councils, the Lions Club of Yeppoon, and other community groups.Â
The preferred site for the monument was Churchill’s Lookout on Constitution Hill. It was constructed by builders Steve and Isabel Kele, engineer David Thomas, and physics lecturer George Cain. Cain designed steel pipes that were incorporated into the monument, allowing the wind to pass through and make the ship “sing.” However, since the monument was originally built, modifications have been made to reduce the volume of the sounds it creates.Â
The monument stands 12 metres tall and represents the billowing sail, mast, and rigging of Captain Cook’s ship, the Endeavour, constructed from concrete and steel.Â
Five years after the official unveiling, a time capsule was placed at the base of the monument, scheduled to be opened in the year 2070.Â
Rockhampton Railway Station
Rockhampton Railway Station, circa 1955
