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RKLM Heritage Group Inc.
The RKLM Islands Heritage Group Inc. was formally established in 1995 by island residents who were interested in researching, documenting and preserving the history of the Bay Islands.
The Heritage Room is located in Russell Tce and adjoins the Macleay Island Library (and the Progress Hall).Our opening hours are Tuesday and Saturday from 9 am to 11 am. Our annual membership is $10, and we welcome new members. Please contact President Graham Applegate on 3409 4499, Treasurer David Humberstone on 3409 4227 or Secretary Stuart Sommerlad on 3409 4836. .
Left: Heritage group members (from left) Lindsay Hackett, Helen McKenna, and long-standing member, Jeff Ward, with the computer system purchased with a grant from the Bay Islands Golf Club in 2008.©
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The islands of Russell, Karragarra, Lamb and Macleay, known collectively as the Bay Islands, played a key role in the white settlement of the Southern Moreton Bay region. From 1842, when Brisbane and the surrounding areas were opened up to free settlement, primary industries such as timber cutting, fishing and oyster farming flourished here and were important in the economic development of South East Queensland. Until the early 1970s, fruit and vegetable production and fishing supported the small island communities.
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| Above right: This iron-plated Cornish boiler forms part of the Salt Works, on Pininpinin Point, Macleay Island. This structure is one of the most important cultural heritage sites on the Bay Islands, and one of only two sites that have been listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. The Salt Works were built in 1866 by early settler, John Campbell, and may have been used as a front for Campbell’s illicit rum distillery. © |
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In researching and preserving the history of these islands, we hope to provide present and future generations with an appreciation of the people and events that have gone before. Our charter was expanded in 2007 to include the preservation of our natural heritage.
The Group initially met in private homes, but in 2006, we moved into a room next to the library in Russell Terrace, Macleay Island. We received a grant to furnish this room and most of our collection has now been properly archived. We have an extensive collection of documents, including photos, maps, transcripts of oral histories, and island newspapers. This collection is available for reference to any interested member of the public. We welcome further donations of such materials, which will be copied (and returned if so required), and archived appropriately for the future benefit of others.
We participate in many island events, such as the annual Karragarra Sea Markets, the 2002 MBIRA Island Expo and the 2003 Festival of the Bay Islands. In past years, during Heritage Week, we have presented displays at various venues, taken groups on bus tours of the islands, and water bus trips around the Bay. These have been very well supported. |
| Above: The Bay Islands first school, which opened in 1916 on Russell Island, was a transportable building initially placed at Black Cat Swamp. In 1926, it was moved to its present location.© |
Right: In 1950, Mark Jackson, of Russell Island, opened the first and only picture theatre on the Bay Islands. It was called the Bay View and became an important part of island social life and entertainment. The early fruit boats would time their visits to include a show. The theatre burnt down in 1968. ©
The Group initiated the Eco-Heritage Trail around Macleay Island, and, together with the Redland City Council and the Macleay Island Progress Association, has been working towards the completion of this since 2002. The Trail will allow visitors and residents to explore the heritage, flora and fauna of the Island. The information and photographs on the signs along the Trail were sourced from Heritage Group members.
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Restoring the Lamb Island jetty shed has been another of our projects. We expect this work to be completed in 2008. The shed is the only remaining example of the first sheds built on each of the jetties of the four Bay Islands. It was constructed in 1939 for the Lamb Island Fruit Growers Co-operative, and at the time was the only public structure on the Island. In 1998, Cultural Heritage Consultants Ann Wallin and Associates noted that this shed had high historical and community significance. Unfortunately, the shed gradually fell into disrepair. A petition was raised by Lamb Islanders requesting that it be preserved because of its heritage value. In 2007, after several years of negotiation with RCC, the Heritage Group undertook the task of restoring the shed by using the voluntary labour of its members, and materials supplied by the RCC.
Right: Heritage Group member, Rob Thompson,
beginning the restoration of the Lamb Island jetty shed in 2007. © |
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The Heritage Group publishes several booklets that are available for purchase; namely:
A Boat to Home
Historical recollections of boats around the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, $20
The Oyster Industry of Moreton Bay
History of the oyster industry in Moreton Bay, $7
The Campbell Family of Moreton Bay
The story of Queensland and Bay Islands’ pioneer and entrepreneur, John Campbell, $7
Early Farmers of the Bay Islands
History of farming on the Bay Islands, with descriptions of crops produced, problems and successes, and some of the early families and their lives, $7
The Queensland Acclimatisation Society and the Bay Islands
History of the Queensland Acclimatisation Society and its work on the Bay Islands in the 1880s, $7
Southern Moreton Bay Islands-Heritage Information
Descriptions of various historical and heritage aspects of Macleay Island, $12
RKLM Islands Presentation
An inter-active CD-ROM Power Point presentation packed with historical island information and commentary, $30
We hope to have our latest book in print before too long. This will be a chronological history of the Bay Islands, with a brief mention of important events that shaped these island communities |
The Heritage Group has recently purchased a new computer system using a grant generously provided by the Bay Island Golf Club on Macleay Island. We are very grateful for their support.
If you want to know more about the Bay Islands, that bridge, island characters, land scams, early farming, water transport…or if you are interested in preserving island heritage…we are the ones to see!
© This work and photographs are copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act,
no part may be reproduced by any process, or any other exclusive right exercised,
without the permission of the RKLM Islands Heritage Group Inc.
Permission has been granted to produce it on this website.
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