Recollections December 2020

Message from the President

Hello everyone

This month members and guests enjoyed a celebration party ending a year like no other. Awards were presented to 21 people in recognization of their meritous service to the Museum. We were entertained by the troupe from Theatre Redlands and Morris dancers and indulged in good food and good company.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you all most sincerely for your contributions and commitment to the Museum during such a challenging year. On behalf of the Museum Management Committee, I wish you a Joyful Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

Best wishes.
Bruce Smith

WHAT'S ON

2021 AUSTRALIA DAY PLAY

Click Here for more details and to book your seats!

LIFE MEMBERSHIP AWARD

CONGRATULATIONS DOUG!

Members voted recently to award DOUGLAS ALEXANDER Life Membership. Doug is currently Treasurer for the Museum. He has been a Museum volunteer for over 15 years and has been President, Vice-President and Treasurer at various times during that period.
He was instrumental in amending our Constitution to align with government legislation, setting up our accounting system to conform with professional accounting practices, and in developing our current Business Plan. In the past he was the organizer of our Australia Day play and dinner and many other events. He is currently active in improving both internal and external aspects of our property. The unflappable Doug can always be counted on for sound advice and a willingness to help in any area even the tedious washing up after an event.

10 YEAR SERVICE AWARDS

Nineteen volunteers were awarded 10 Year Service Badges at the Christmas party by Deputy Mayor Councillor Julie Talty for their long term contribution to the Museum.

CONGRATULATIONS to Annabelle Alexander, Bevyn Cornford, Irene Davey, Sandra Davis,Helen Duggan, Jim Gilbert, Gretel Crace, Deirdre and John Hargreaves, Nola McCullagh, Artie Rentoul, Bob Skinner, Tony Spinks, Anne and Allan Tully.

CONGRATULATIONS also to Ken Jensen, Paul Jones, Robin Shorthose and Audrey Warner who were not able to be present at the party to accept their awards.

Photos by Volunteers Paul Levington & Sylvia McGarry

HONORARY MEMBERSHIP AWARD

The Management Committee recently awarded Honorary Associate Membership to TRACY RYAN in recognition of her contribution to the Museum. Tracy has been an historian for over 20 years and has extensive experience in local community projects. She co-authored the books Redland Museum : The First 30 Years and Going to the Gums : the Lazaret on Peel Island which is the subject of the current exhibition at the Museum. Tracy is well known in the Redlands, has conducted oral history interviews and written books and articles on the history of the Redlands.
CONGRATULATIONS TRACY!

CHRISTMAS PARTY

The Museum's COVID-safe Christmas party on Sunday, 6 December 2020.

Members and guests were entertained by Theatre Redlands who performed a radio play "The Night Before" written by Jan Nary. Very funny - members enjoyed the performance immensely !!

Tracey Mann, Jill Tuckwood, and Jackie Wiley performed Morris dancing, a form of English folk dancing using sticks or swords.

Thank you to the cast and crew of Theatre Redlands for this wonderful entertainment.

Cast and crew included (L to R) Tracey Mann, Donna Magrath, Ray Noonan, Russell and Carole Dinte, James Auld, Debbie Spearritt, Jim Gilbert, Greg Pope, Ian Munday, Jill Tuckwood, Jackie Wiley, Jan Nary and Sharon Vassallo. Narrator Chad Sherrin not present.

Photos by Volunteers Paul Levington & Sylvia McGarry

REDLANDS MODEL TRAIN GROUP

Members of the Redlands Model Train Group enjoying themselves at their Christmas party at the Museum on 29 November.

REDLANDS APEX 40

Members of the Redlands Branch of Apex 40 at their Christmas Party on 29 November. Apex 40 is an organisation that fosters fellowship among past Apexians.

Left: Sue Skinner - Redland Museum Member and President of Redlands Apex 40

Photos by Volunteer Paul Levington

THEATRE REDLANDS

A second performance of Theatre Redlands' radio play "The Night Before" was performed last Saturday evening 19 December at Wellington Point Community Christmas Street Party. Another great show enjoyed by many!

Photos by Volunteer Greg Pope

VISIT TO DOOBAWAH

Above: Museum members (L to R) Doug Alexander, Helen McDiarmid, Annabelle Alexander, Gretel Crace, Carole and Russell Dinte.

On a recent wild and wet Saturday night, some Museum members attended the 136th birthday celebrations of the grand old lady Doobawah, the home of Andrew and Olesja Laming. In keeping with the theme, guests went to great lengths, and much merriment to dress in period costume, adding to the fun of the evening.

Photos by Volunteer Helen McDiarmid & Gretel Crace

Thank you to Andrew and Olesja for generously opening their home, a beautiful historic Ormiston landmark.

Doobawah, an Aboriginal word meaning Raby Bay or vast expanse of water, is a classic Queenslander built by John Cameron, auctioneer, in 1884. The house was originally built on 10 acres with water frontage to Moreton Bay and Raby Bay. The house was sold in 1902 when John Cameron died and was split into three parts. One wing went to Holyrood Hospital on Gregory Terrace whilst the other wing went to St John's College at Kangaroo Point. The remainder of the building was relocated to Ormiston in the 1990s.

Above: John Cameron with family and friends at Doobawah c1888. John is standing at the far left and his wife, Francis Spencer, is the second lady seated on the far right. Below: Doobawah c1900. Photos courtesy of Queensland State Library.

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Whether you have a Facebook account or not, you can still view all the wonderful posts on Redland Museum's Facebook page! If you do have an account, don't forget to like our page!

The editors, Sharon Vassallo and Sylvia McGarry, will endeavour to provide you with articles about items in our Collection and historical facts on the Redlands. But we would like to hear from members. What would you like for inclusion? Do you have a story to tell?

The newsletter will continue to be sent at the end of each month (except for December which maybe earlier). Editors can be contacted at recollections@redlandmuseum.org.au