Queensland Museum & Community Collections

Author: Ewen McPhee

  • Croydon Cemetery project

    During a recent joint thematic mapping trip I was introduced to Croydon by Dr Jo Wills (Cairns MDO). Jo has been working with Jana Kahabka (Croydon Shire Council) on a number of collection management and museum development projects.  Jana is also mapping the local cemetery using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to document…

  • Cardwell wins history prize

    The Cardwell and District Historical Society (CDHS) was recently awarded the John Oxley Library Community History Prize.  The Prize recognises excellence and innovation in recording of Queensland history by individuals and community organisations.  The CDHS were awarded for their efforts in retrieving their collections in the J.C Hubinger Museum from the…

  • Blue Shield Australia Disaster Recovery Workshop – Townsville

    Don’t forget tomorrow is the last day to RSVP for the Blue Shield Australia Disaster Recovery Workshop being held at the Museum of  Tropical Queensland (Qld Museum) in Townsville on May 16.  This is the only workshop being held in Queensland so if you are able to attend please RSVP…

  • Contemporary collecting in Julia creek

    I had a busy week working at the museum in Julia Creek – we  themed the collection into areas of strength and started a collection management process for storage and exhibition purposes.  One of these themes is station life – and I was lucky enough to visit Isobel Downs with…

  • Go West

     I am heading west to Julia Creek next week to work with Shirley Eckford at the Duncan McIntyre Museum.  We will be assessing the collection and developing a plan for the museum. Looking forward to the first of a few western Queensland trips coming up.

  • Coastal observations

    I am enjoying my time in the south working with Jo and Lydia in Mackay. I have always had a passion for the maritime history of this region and great to see some significant collections in this area.  Mackay is located at the southern end of the Whitsunday Island group and with…

  • Trench art in El Arish

    A photographic commission was recently undertaken by the El Arish Museum.  The images depict the personal belongings of Frederick Neebone King, one of the first Europeans to settle in the area in 1906.  Fred was a timber getter (cedar cutter) and held 637 acres of land to the north of El Arish.  Fred was…

  • Cardwell recovers

    Cardwell recovers

    Ewen worked with Jo Wills (MDO Cairns) and Michael Marzik (designer) on Thursday 15 March in Cardwell to install the new hanging system. The Hubinger Hall was handed back to Cassowary Coast Council after a rebuild following cyclone Yasi.  Ewen’s work with the historical society in Cardwell has meant that he was…

  • Cardwell and El Arish responding well

    Cardwell and El Arish responding well

    Last day in January and heading north up to Cardwell, El Arish and Innisfail. It has been one year since Cyclone Yasi visited north Queensland and caused such widespread damage to these towns and communities. First stop was an 11am on site meeting at the building site of the J.C.…