Two of our committee, Del and Martin, went to see two Sydney immigration museums recently. Brisbane is the only State that does not have an immigration museum. We have started considering what a Yungaba museum could exhibit.

The Hyde Park Barracks first served as a male convict barracks from 1819 to 1848 and then became the Immigration Depot for single females to 1886.

They inspected the Museum’s ‘Stories’ of the Immigration Depot which began with hardship in Britain and famine-racked Ireland, followed the immigrants through shipboard life to reception at the Depot, which also served as a labour exchange and then to the confined conditions of employment. The Stories were illustrated with a fine collection of documents and artefacts, some recovered from an

archaeological ‘dig’ into the building and grounds.

At the Australian National Maritime Museum , Del and Martin visited the Passengers exhibit where audio stories were told of the long sea voyage and how millions of people crossed the seas to make new homes in Australia …convicts and settlers in sailing ships, migrants in ocean liners and, more recently, refugees in frail fishing boats. They also inspected the Welcome Wall that stands as a lasting tribute to the millions of migrants from almost every country in the world who have crossed the seas to make a new home in Australia .

YAG has also received information about an immigration museum in Toronto , Canada where visitors stand in migrants shoes at a series of ‘imagineering’ stations.

We have started to put together a proposal for Yungaba drawing on these museums’ and other methods (multimedia; drama) to come up with a truly memorable Immigration Experience. Please email if you wish to contribute your ideas in this process to dc@yungaba.org.au.

Stateline Program Interview

Next Meeting

YAG members and supporters are invited to the next meeting on Monday 2 April 5.30 to 6.30pm at the Community Room, Brisbane City Library, George Street (entrance from Reddacliffe Place ).

ALL WELCOME!!

Yvonne Poloskey emigrated to Brisbane from the United Kingdom in late 1964. She stayed at Yungaba for one night only before moving into a unit with a girlfriend close to Yungaba, where she met the young Hungarian immigrant who later became her husband.

Yvonne became involved in the Hungarian community and joined the Ethnic Communities Council (ECC) in the 1980s, based at Yungaba at this time. Yvonne recalls that at this time Yungaba was always a hive of activity and remembers vividly the beautiful Rose Garden.

There were still many migrants and refugees staying at Yungaba in the various dormitories and units. Former migrants and locals organized many activities to welcome and bring the newcomers into community networks – there were activities such as Children’s and Christmas parties and cultural festivals. Many friendships made at this time were often the first links into the community for new migrants and have lasted for years afterwards.

Yvonne passionately believes that Yungaba belongs to the people of Queensland and has collected hundreds of signatures for our petition. Thanks Yvonne for helping us to claim back our heritage of welcoming newcomers and networking in the community.

 

One Member’s Story

YAG will be having an information stall at the annual ECCQ/QPS Football day on Monday 7 May (the Labour Day holiday), held at the Lions Football Club grounds at Richlands.

Anyone who is interested in being on the stall for part of the day can call Delene Cuddihy on 0402 597 259.

Military Uses of Yungaba

With ANZAC Day coming up, we are currently researching a little known aspect of Yungaba’s role in Queensland society – that of military hospital during the Boer War, World War I and World War II.

From 1915 to 1919 Yungaba was converted into the 6th Australian General Hospital – with over 300 beds and under the command of Surgeon Major Dr Charles Ferdinand Marks, a pioneer of military medicine in Queensland. Nurses were housed in tents in the grounds and it is believed Sister Elizabeth Kenny of polio fame nursed there along with Sister Ettie Barnett, known as Mother ANZAC. The Red Cross built a demountable recreation room just inside the Main Street gate.

From July 1915 wounded ANZACs were repatriated back to Australia with Yungaba the site of numerous Welcome Home ceremonies and family reunions. The Brisbane Courier of December 31, 1918 describes the reception for a large contingent of returned invalid soldiers:

“The Governor, in welcoming the soldiers home, said he spoke with a certain feeling of sorrow, because so many of them had been injured in health in doing what they had done for the benefit of their country and the Empire….He could promise them that the Government would do all in its power to assist them in making their future happy. The Mayor of Brisbane said that their deeds would go down in history never to be forgotten.”

Just as the ANZACs are not forgotten, we believe the role of Yungaba in Queensland should not be forgotten.

DO YOU KNOW OF ANY WOUNDED ANZACS WHO STAYED AT YUNGABA? PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HELPING WITH RESEARCH ON THIS IMPORTANT USE OF YUNGABA - call Delene Cuddihy on 0402 597 259.

Two weeks ago, the YAG President Delene Cuddihy and member and former Yungaba resident Ken Gorham were interviewed by the local ABC Stateline program, with the intention of having the story show on the program on Friday 16 March. Unfortunately, the unexpected resignation of Senator Santo Santoro took precedence and the Yungaba story didn’t run.

The reporter has since advised YAG that the story should go to air this Friday 31 March, so keep a look out for it.

Stall at ECCQ Football Day

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YUNGABA PETITION

To: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland

The petition of the undersigned citizens of Queensland draws to the attention of the House the need to preserve for the people of Queensland the full use of ‘Yungaba’, the Immigration Depot constructed in 1887, at Kangaroo Point.

Heritage listed ‘Yungaba’ is a very significant site for Queensland ’s and Australia ’s public memory as it played an outstanding role in receiving immigrants, over 110 years. Immigrants have been making a strong contribution to the peopling and the prosperity of the State. Yungaba also fulfilled many other roles of historical significance.

Over the past 2-3 years negotiations have been conducted by the Government for its sale to private interest with little respect for effective public consultations and transparent tendering. We believe Yungaba is an iconic public space, the most multicultural place in Queensland . It is a place where we propose visitors could thrill to a migrant experience, simulating their ancestors’ reception when they arrived in a land of boundless opportunity.

Your petitioners therefore request the House to instruct the Minister for Public Works the Hon. Robert Schwarten, MP, to immediately discontinue the ongoing attempt to sell Yungaba, by declaring a moratorium on the sale until such time that the people of Queensland are given the effective opportunity to formulate and express their views and plans about a future use of Yungaba, a future that is cognizant and respectful of its public value in terms of its historical, architectural, sociological, and heritage significance.

FULL NAME (PRINT)	EMAIL ADDRESS	SIGNATURE

Return to: Yungaba Action Group, PO Box 5564, West End Q 4101 Website: www.yungaba.org.au

Collector’s name:___________________________Email:_____________________________________

YUNGABA PETITION

To: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland

The petition of the undersigned citizens of Queensland draws to the attention of the House the need to preserve for the people of Queensland the full use of ‘Yungaba’, the Immigration Depot constructed in 1887, at Kangaroo Point.

Heritage listed ‘Yungaba’ is a very significant site for Queensland ’s and Australia ’s public memory as it played an outstanding role in receiving immigrants, over 110 years. Immigrants have been making a strong contribution to the peopling and the prosperity of the State. Yungaba also fulfilled many other roles of historical significance.

Over the past 2-3 years negotiations have been conducted by the Government for its sale to private interest with little respect for effective public consultations and transparent tendering. We believe Yungaba is an iconic public space, the most multicultural place in Queensland . It is a place where we propose visitors could thrill to a migrant experience, simulating their ancestors’ reception when they arrived in a land of boundless opportunity.

Your petitioners therefore request the House to instruct the Minister for Public Works the Hon. Robert Schwarten, MP, to immediately discontinue the ongoing attempt to sell Yungaba, by declaring a moratorium on the sale until such time that the people of Queensland are given the effective opportunity to formulate and express their views and plans about a future use of Yungaba, a future that is cognizant and respectful of its public value in terms of its historical, architectural, sociological, and heritage significance.

FULL NAME (PRINT)	EMAIL ADDRESS	SIGNATURE

Return to: Yungaba Action Group, PO Box 5564, West End Q 4101 Website: www.yungaba.org.au

Collector’s name:___________________________Email:_____________________________________

YUNGABA - The dynamic, living heart of Queensland ’s Multicultural and Immigrant Society, a place where a living Queensland identity was forged and cultural interaction was generated for over 120 years.

YUNGABA - A major educational resource to awaken the minds of future generations of Queenslanders to the forces at play that shaped and continue to shape the collective memory of Queensland Society.

YUNGABA - The finest and only example of a dedicated Immigrant Depot in Australia and a significant site of memory of the Australian immigrant experience – the place where the city met the bush.

YUNGABA – Living p roof of the promise of a new life in Queensland - Italianate, Queensland-style mansion in “pleasant surroundings”, river orientation, green space, diversity of experiences within the city.

YUNGABA - Opportunity to showcase Queensland civic values in the human and architectural fabric of its capital city, with iconic Brisbane skyline incorporating the Story Bridge, Brisbane River, Palm trees and Bunya Pines.