Significance Assessment Yandina & District Historical Society Collection Yandina Historic House, Yandina

Final Report 2020

Josh Tarrant Museum Development Officer South East Queensland Region Queensland Museum

Contents Executive Summary ...... 2 Overview...... 2 Statement of Significance ...... 2 Key Recommendations:...... 2 Introduction and Methodology...... 3 Introduction ...... 3 Methodology ...... 3 Acknowledgements...... 4 The Organisation and Collection ...... 5 History of the Organisation and Collection ...... 5 Management of the collection...... 6 Description of the Collection ...... 8 Condition of the Collection ...... 9 Comparative Collections...... 9 Historical Context and Historical Themes ...... 11 Historical Context ...... 11 Overview of Key Historic Themes Methodology ...... 15 Significance Assessment...... 20 Significance Methodology ...... 20 Assessment Criteria ...... 20 Statement of Significance ...... 23 Notable items and sub-collections ...... 26 Recommendations ...... 41 Bibliography and References ...... 43

Executive Summary

Overview This Significance Assessment was commissioned by the Sunshine Coast Council and funded by the Heritage Levy. The purpose of this document is to provide the Yandina & District Historical Society with a significance assessment of the historical collection stored and displayed at the Yandina Historic House site. It also provides some strategic recommendations for its future management, access, storage, and display. The assessment and report was undertaken in 2020 by Josh Tarrant, Museum Development Officer for South East Queensland (Queensland Museum) in consultation with the volunteers of the Yandina & District Historical Society.

Statement of Significance The Yandina Historical Society collection largely focuses on a diverse range of material that relates to the social history of the Sunshine Coast Region, particularly the localities of Yandina and Nambour .The broad scope of the collection illustrates multiple layers of significance, with the majority relating to local and regional themes. The Yandina Historical Society collection aligns most strongly with the primary criteria set out in the Collection Council of Australia’s publication, Significance 2.0 of historic and social significance at a local level. With the majority of provenanced items relating to local cultural, religious and philanthropic organisations, the collection illustrates the strong social values held by the Yandina community, particularly during the late 19th, 20th and occasionally the 21st century. The collection holds a number of items that were used in or commemorate local social institutions such as Churches, Masonic lodges, Service clubs, Returned Serviceman’s Leagues, sporting clubs and schools. To a lesser degree some other local well provenanced items reference themes of food production (particularly sugar, soft drinks and meat), defending the country (particularly World War 1), and other secondary industries (such as tourism, railways and postal services) The majority of the remaining collection, although lacking solid provenance, is representative of domestic technology and homewares that demonstrate ways of living and working, as well as the importance of home and family life in the area. A noteworthy exception to the collections primary level of local significance would be the Aboriginal artefact collection, which is of regional significance. The nature of Aboriginal cultural lifestyles of the period represented and their movement throughout the region and interactions with other groups moves beyond an immediate local geography. The availability of information that relates to this collection can reveal comparatively precise collection locations, revealing information about lifestyles in an environment that has been heavily modified since their use. Key Recommendations: Activity: Priority: Revise and expand collection policy/procedure in alignment with standard museum practice, incorporating a focus on High significant local themes for collecting areas. Research and document the history of items linked to significant organisations, events, industries, and personalities of High the region. Consult a qualified archaeologist (or other relevant specialist) regarding the doc umentation and analysis of the High Aboriginal Artefact collection and commission a detailed report. Retrospectively catalogue the collection, including appropriate application of registration numbers Medium Engage conservator to undertake preservation needs assessment for collection and museum spaces Medium Create dedicated museum storage space Long Rotate sensitive materials off display periodically. Long

Introduction and Methodology

Introduction The purpose of this document is to provide the Yandina Historical Society with an assessment of the significance of their historical collection stored and displayed at the Yandina Historic House precinct, as well as to provide strategic recommendation for its future management, interpretation, preservation, storage and display.

The assessment and report was undertaken during 2020 by Josh Tarrant, Museum Development Officer for South East Queensland (Queensland Museum) in conjunction with the volunteers of the Yandina Historical Society. This project was commissioned by the Sunshine Coast Council and funded by the Heritage Levy.

Statements of significance are considered part of museum management best practice and provide:

• An understanding of a collection’s social and historic value.

• A better understanding of the stories collection can tell: through the overarching theme of a collection, or through thematic subsets or types within a collection.

• Strategic direction and information that organisations can use for forward planning and to support future grant applications.

• A framework and rationale around which collecting organisations can manage interpret and preserve collections according to best practice guidelines.

Methodology The methodology for conducting a significance assessment for material culture heritage collections is outlined in the Russell and Winkworth’s 2009 publication Significance 2.0: a guide to assessing the significance of collections.

Significance 2.0 outlines ten key steps to assessing the significance of a material culture collection:

1. Collate records and information about the history and development of the collection;

2. Research the history of the collection; Review the scope and themes of the collection;

3. Consult knowledgeable people;

4. Explore the contents of the collection;

5. Analyse and describe the condition of the collection;

6. Compare the collection with similar collections;

7. Identify related places and collections;

8. Assess significance against the criteria;

9. Write a statement of significance;

10. List recommendations and actions.1

This assessment also includes a brief overview of a regional history of the influential events and people that have shaped its development in order to provide a degree of context.

As with all significance assessment projects, there is insufficient time to undertake detailed research into all areas of the collection, or to focus in detail on every individual item. Items with limited provenance information are often difficult to research in detail and require more lengthy investigations. With future research and documentation it is likely that the significance (or lack thereof) of other items will become better understood. As would be expected, during this study items with a known provenance have taken precedence over those of unknown origin.

The site visit for this assessment was undertaken over a period of two days in January 2020. In order to prioritise significance, the author undertook consultation with museum staff to shortlist specific items or collections with known provenance and potential significance.

Research on individual collection items was undertaken through the museum’s own records, consultation with volunteers and other community members, by reference to collection records in other collecting organisations, and through reference works and primary source material. Information was also drawn from the assessor’s previous knowledge and experience with other community museums/collections in the South East Queensland region to assess comparative holdings.

Acknowledgements The author would like to acknowledge the input and assistance of the following in the preparation of this report:

Kylie Aalbers (Mary Burnett Presbytery), Hans Brunner, Fran Bryce, Gary Coleman, Susan Coleman, Reverend David Fanning (former Mary Burnett Presbytery), Peter Hansen (Former Cooroora Masonic Lodge), Daphne Heaton, Peter Osbourne (Queensland Rail), Ros Lauder (Queensland Masonic Memorial Centre and Library), John Nichols (Yandina Masonic Centre), Roger Todd (Architect), Ian Tomlinson (United Grand Lodge of Queensland), Margaret White.

The Organisation and Collection

History of the Organisation and Collection The Yandina & District Historical Society Inc. is a not for profit organisation entirely run by volunteers who operate a museum in a relocated historic house and domestic steel shed at 3 Pioneer Road, Yandina.

In 1971, in anticipation of the Yandina Centenary, a committee was formed with local community members (including A Adsett, RD Williams, J Wilson and F Fink2) researching, compiling resources and transcribing information Maroochy Co-op home grocery order about the history of the region. The results of these efforts were published book, 1960 in “Yandina Centenary: 1871-1971”. After the centenary this interest and enthusiasm for Yandina history continued with research over the coming decades with the group operating from the Yandina School of Arts for a number of years3, with a focus on research and publishing. The physical constraints of their accommodation limited the collection of 3 dimensional objects.

Around 1996 the diversion of the Bruce Highway to bypass Yandina necessitated the removal of John Gustave Somer’s homestead- the main building that currently houses the Museum Collection- from its original site.

The building was acquired by the (then) Maroochy Shire Council, who had WW1 Yandina Soldiers Memorial the building positioned at its current location. The building was restored, photograph and was managed by a number of community organisations up until 2003 when the Historical Society undertook the lease.

The house itself was originally built north of Yandina at the locality of Bridges in 18894. The original owner was John Gustave Sommer, who lived in it with his family. Over the years the building had a succession of owners including John Sommerville, Thomas Arthur Graham, Joan Sharp, George Sharpe, Katherine Rose Somerset and finally Benjamin Morgan Williams 5.

With larger premises, the group had opportunity to expand the collection beyond research notes and paper based primary and secondary material. Chris Buckman tool collection Over the years a collection amassed in spite of a lack of clearly articulated collection policy, instead referencing the objectives of their incorporation:

The objects for which the Yandina & District Historical Society is established are-

(a) To research and collect the history of Yandina & District (b) To learn and preserve the history of Yandina & District (c) To pass on knowledge to future generations.6

Collecting has been largely opportunistic, based mainly on offerings bought forth from the general public or the volunteers themselves. There has been no particular focus in terms of time period, with items dating from pre- European contact through until as late as the early 2000s. The Historical Society quite successfully runs a number of other operations to support the lease of the building and to generate interest around the space. This includes the operation of an accredited tourist information centre, art gallery, craft & gift store, as well as a café. The organisation also receives additional operational funding through the Sunshine Coast Council Community Partnership grants program.

While the calibre of these facets of business are a credit to the organisation, there has been a more recent understanding for the need to develop the level of museum operations, collection care and documentation. This is evidenced by their participation in the National Standards for Museums and Galleries review in 2017.

Management of the collection The museum has a single page collection policy (adopted 2017) that briefly articulates a broad, locally focussed scope for collecting. The policy outlines a general thematic framework for collecting, basic principles for assessing the suitability of an item for acquisition into the collection, transfer of legal title, donation conditions, and loan conditions. Beyond this, there are no other procedures that relate to collection management or documentation. A donation form is completed for new acquisitions, and is signed by the donor.

A very basic spreadsheet documents object information, such as registration number, name, donor, and details. Another spreadsheet lists the contents of the library collection. Many items have been conventionally photographed for identification purposes. Due to past collecting practices, provenance of individual collection

Yandina Lions Club sign Royal Memorabilia

objects is either not known, was not recorded at time of donation, or has not been documented formally. As a result, the information in the cataloguing spreadsheet is quite sparse. Acquisition or object information is sometimes only recorded in interpretative labels. This information should be transcribed into the collection management system or catalogue, and that any other information held by staff about the provenance of individual items or collections is undertaken as a priority. More recently attempts have been made to retrospectively gather this information from volunteers present at the time of donation. In this circumstance this is a good approach that will hopefully improve an overall understanding of the collection at both an item level and as a whole. Stoneware Ginger Beer bottle. The cataloguing system has a non-standard method for numbering objects: a prefix that denotes location is assigned to each object (although this Wimmers, Nambour number has not been physically applied to the objects). However, this necessitates the changing of the registration number or prefix any time an object is moved. This is not a standard practice, and the registration numbering system should be revised to a more standard system. Once this issue has been addressed, registration numbers should be physically applied to the object in a permanent yet reversible manner that is appropriate to material type.

Deaccessioning is mentioned within the context of a condition of donation in the collection policy mentioned earlier in this report. Beyond that, there is no policy or structure relating to the deaccessioning process. The staff consulted for this assessment understand the role of deaccessioning as a part of sustainable collection management, and discussed other RSSAILA & RSL Indoor Bowls Pennants opportunities for relocating items from beyond the region or scope of the collection policy. The development of policy and procedure will assist in ensuring that any deaccessioning undertaken will be well considered, documented and ethical.

While there are a number of items in the collection that are quite generic in nature (household equipment, toys, etc.) that will be difficult to find more out about, there are a number of items that contain the names of (possibly) local identities, businesses or organisations. Further research of these objects should be undertaken to enhance an understanding of their significance. Interestingly, the collection contains a number of items with provenance to areas beyond the Yandina district, such as Nambour, Pomona, and even as far away as Victoria. While research for this significance assessment has uncovered some possible connections with local identities, organisations and stories, for many of the other items this is Branded Nambour Battery centre largely due to a lack of adherence to the collection policy (assuming that it battery existed or was enforced at the time of donation). The participants

understood the need to collect within the parameters of their collection policy in order to develop a relevant and sustainable collection.

Overall, the management and documentation of the collection needs to be supported by a more comprehensive policy/procedural framework. The group would benefit from training and assistance to redevelop their collection management policies and procedures to more closely align with accepted museum cataloguing practices.

Description of the Collection Object collection

The object collection is a key focus of the museum, containing a range of three dimensional objects that relate to household or domestic life, industry, community organisations, religious organisations and civic life. It is estimated that this collection is comprised of over 1000 items. While some are displayed in single room in the main historic house building, the majority are stored/displayed in a contemporary steel shed nearby.

A noteworthy subset of the object collection is the Chris Buckman collection. By volume, this collection amounts to somewhere between 30- 45% of the entire museum holdings. This collection is mainly comprised of hand tools (hammers, spanners, brace and bits, blowtorches, saws, clamps etc) with a number of other pieces of larger freestanding equipment (such as scroll saws, lathes, grindstones and the like).

Library collection

This collection is comprised largely of published works such as books and periodicals. Subject matter relates to the history of Yandina and Sunshine Coast regions, as well as more general Australian and world history.

This collection holds in excess of 300 items. While this collection contains a number of items which may be uncommon, rare, or hold a high valuation on the collectors market, in the context of this significance assessment they are generally not considered to be unique, and have not been prioritised in this report.

Trench art and home service awards Paper currency, including Expo 88 $2 notes

Photographic items

While the collection contains a small number of original photographs, the majority of images used in the displays are copies or reproductions. It is understood that these are sourced from a local private collection that may be offered to the museum in the future.

Condition of the Collection The majority of items are on display in the main homestead and shed at the rear of the site. A small number of objects, such as farming equipment and Aboriginal grinding stones, are displayed in the open air in the gardens or beside the shed. The house is air-conditioned during business hours, while

Yandina Indoor Bowls club award the shed is not climate controlled in any way. There is little dedicated painting featuring Mount Ninderry storage space, with most of the items being on ongoing display. It is recommended that dedicated storage spaces are created, and objects (particularly ones composed of more sensitive materials such as paper or textile) are given opportunity to rest.

Many objects have their display label directly affixed or resting on them. This creates risk of damage from inappropriate materials or inconsistent fading from light. It is recommended that object label positions be reconsidered for the ongoing care of the collection.

Generally speaking, the majority of the collection is in fair to excellent condition. However, with the majority of items being stored in less than ideal environmental conditions that the buildings (particularly the shed) impose on the collection, it is recommended that a qualified conservator is

Yandina RSSAILA Women’s Auxiliary engaged to provide preservation needs assessment. This document will provide the information needed to better understand the unique needs of uniform the collection and provide recommendation for its future care.

Comparative Collections As a museum that aims to focus on the history of their immediate region, there are a number of museums in the Sunshine Coast and neighbouring regions that contain comparable collections. In terms of scope, scale, content and quality, the most comparable collections include:

Nambour Museum:

The Nambour museum is a local museum in comparatively close proximity to the Yandina Museum. The two museums also share a number of related historical themes and features such as sugar growing/processing, local businesses, places of worship, etc. The Yandina collection contains a number of artefacts that relate to Yandina Scout troop badges Nambour History, such as Moreton Sugar mill items, school exercise books, street signs and Nambour business branded objects. Considering the comparatively close geographic proximity of Nambour to Yandina, this overlap is understandable.

Buderim Pioneer cottage:

The Buderim Pioneer cottage has two predominant collecting themes: objects that relate to the cottage itself (including the families that resided there), and items that relate to significant personalities and industries of the region. One such industry that is shared across Buderim and Yandina is that of ginger farming and processing. The coll ection contains a small archive including minutes and ephemera from the organising committee of the Buderim Ginger Festival, as well as marketing materials for ginger companies. The ginger factory at Yandina is a more contemporary continuation of the regional story of this regionally important crop and industry.

Noosa Museum (Pomona):

This collection contains a fairly usual array of locally focussed material that relates to the Noosa Shire region and its predecessors. However, in the context of this significance assessment it is worthy of specific mention for its collection of Coorora Masonic lodge artefacts. The Masonic collection connects directly with the Masonic chair mentioned later in this report.

More generally the following museums also contain comparable collections:

 Landsborough Museum  Discover Eumundi  Kenilworth Museum  Fairview House  Maleny Historical society & Pioneer Village

Despite their similarity in presentation style or composition of collections, it is their ability to communicate their unique local provenance and connections to community that defines their differences within the regional context

Nambour street signs Yandina RSL Sub Branch award, Mr Albert Cummings

Historical Context and Historical Themes

Historical Context It is not the purpose of this document to research and write an in depth history of the Yandina region. However, it is important to acknowledge some of the key regional historical themes as they relate to the aspirations of the museum, as outlined in their mission statement and collection policy.

Prior to colonisation the region now defined by the Sunshine Coast local government boundaries was inhabited by Aboriginal people. In recent times the Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubbi people have been Yandina RSSAILA embroidered acknowledged as traditional owners of the region that Yandina falls tablecloth (1947) within. The flatlands around Yandina would have made for excellent hunting of kangaroo, emu and other animals, with the river also providing a range of important foods.

Both the immediate and broader landscape provided not only food, water, shelter, and other material resources for everyday existence but also featured importantly in the cultural and spiritual life of its people. Traditional owners of the region, and other Aboriginal communities connected with it, are custodians of significant creation stories that recount the Ancestors and their activities that explain the origins of a range of natural features of the region. The stories of this cultural landscape also impart important lessons that serve to shape the behaviour of both the individual and the broader community. Mt Ninderry, for example, is recalled in creation stories that connect to Moreton Sugar Mill Evaporating pan Coolum, the Blackall Ranges, Maroochy River and Mudjimba Island. temperature gauge Ceremonies took place at a range of site throughout the region to recount such stories, connect with neighbouring groups, and fulfil a range of other community oriented or social obligations.

Early interactions between Aboriginal and European people in the region began to take place even before the establishment of the Moreton Bay Settlement. One of the first took place in 1823. Four timber getters-Thomas Pamphlett, Richard Parsons, John Finnegan and John Thompson- set sail from Sydney bound for the Five Islands near Woolongong and were blown off course. They were lost at sea for more than 3 weeks, with Thompson dying from thirst and exposure. The remaining three were finally shipwrecked on Moreton Island, where they were assisted by Aboriginal people to reach the Yandina Girl Guide Troop badges mainland. Thinking that they were south of Sydney, they made an attempt to return by heading north: the completely opposite direction! Over the next few months, they traversed the region

interacting with various Aboriginal groups. Pamphlett, who had split from his colleagues at that point, attended an Aboriginal ritual battle to settle a previous wounding at a Bora Ground near Mount Ninderry (just north east of present day Yandina7).

With the settlement of the (now) Brisbane region and establishment of the Moreton Bay Penal Colony in 1824, came a more permanent population. Those that surveyed and explored the region also encountered Aboriginal people. This also included escaped convicts such as John Graham and David Bracewell who also interacted or lived with the local people. Land Leases for the Canando and Yandina Cattle runs were granted to Daniel and Zacharias Skyring in 1853, who were apparently on friendly terms with the Aboriginal people8.

While some early interactions with Europeans in the region were thought to have been friendly and civil, it should also be noted that the (then) New South Wales government enacted a “dispersal” policy. The intention was to displace Aboriginal people from their lands by force and from the 1840s onwards using Fredrick Walker, Frederick Wheeler, Lieutenant Bligh, Morrisett and their native police who patrolled the region. The establishment of Queensland as a separate colony in 1859, the repeal of the gazetted Bunya Reserve and the subsequent passing of the Unoccupied Crown lands occupation act further impacted on relationships as settlers and selectors took up more permanent residence. The introduction of built infrastructure - such as fencing, homesteads and settlements introduced physical boundaries and notions of ownership that prevented the usual free access to the landscape, food sources, and ceremonial sites which, in turn, created tensions that occasionally resulted in violence and retribution910 delivered by the landholders. It has been suggested that the erection of a cottage on Yandina station close to a ceremonial ground was one such action that antagonised the Aboriginal people11. There are also a number of historical sources and papers that note and discuss the murder or attempted murder by shooting or poisoning of Aboriginal people around the district at places such as, Yandina Homestead, Nindery/Canando12 and Murdering creek near Lake Weyba.

Like many localities throughout the Sunshine Coast region, the development of Yandina was strongly influenced by the discovery of gold at Gympie in 1867. Some of the first land selections and services on the Sunshine Coast were made around the Yandina area in 1868. Farmers cleared land for crops such as sugar cane, banana, corn (maize), arrowroot, and fruit, as well as grazing cattle and sheep.

Sunshine Coast Souvenir teaspoons Stock Movement permits

South Sea islanders (indentured labourers or otherwise) were also at work on the farms and canefields in the area.

In 1868, James Low purchased land at the intersection of Gympie road and the South Maroochy River crossing and established a hotel and changing station to service travellers to and from the goldfields by coach. The town was proclaimed in 1870, surveyed in 1871 by Charles Warner, with town lots on offer from 1873. It grew progressively over the coming decades as both a waypoint to the goldfields, and as a commercial centre to service the new settlers. Its location on the river and the main route north saw it become an important link in the connection with Brisbane. Supplies were shipped from Brisbane by Yandina RSSIALA Indoor Bowls Prize steamer up the coast and punted inland via the river, while farmers of shield the region could send their produce south to the markets. Timber getters also made use of the river, rafting logs destined for Brisbane downstream to loading points around the mouth of the Maroochy River. Low established a post office and telegraph station in 1874.

Other services for the care, education, social and spiritual wellbeing of the region were established. The Maroochy Provisional School was built in 1879, and the Fairhill Provisional School in 1885. The first Church was erected in 1880 on land gifted by Arthur Gawthern. The government gazetted a Cemetery reserve in 1882. In 1888 Lows Hotel closed, but was replaced with another owned by John Sommer.

The decades either side of the turn of the 19th and 20th Century saw continued change and growth in the region. A number of new Yandina School of Arts ball tickets businesses opened or expanded in 1909, including John McNab’s store, Tom Rutherford’s Bakery, George Bests Butchery, and a branch of the Bank of NSW13. New schools sprung up, including the Maroochy River State School (1911) and Yandina Creek Provisional and State School (1914). A number of social and religious institutions found their home in the region including the Methodist church (1904), Masonic Temple (1908) and the Yandina School of Arts (1916).

The construction of the North Coast Railway line from Brisbane to Gympie, completed in 1891, created new opportunities for travel, commerce and expansion. Perishables, (such as fruits, vegetables and dairy) could be efficiently transported to market, or for processing at large facilities elsewhere. The North Coast line also brought excursion trains of tourists to the region from Gympie (and later Brisbane) with many venturing towards the mountains or to the coast from the Yandina Australian Comforts Fund Yandina station. flower show fancywork entry

The Moreton Sugar Mill opening at Nambour was an important event for cane farming in the region. From 1897, cane growers from Yandina were able to send their produce to the mill, with a branch line for the tramway being extended to the Maroochy River in 1911. The mill remained a significant regional industry through until its closure in 2003.

With many of the townships between Yandina and the coast remaining practically inaccessible by road, the river was still an important transport route. Coulson, O’Connor and others operated river services that delivered mail, supplies and transported school children to the villages and towns downstream1415.

During the First World War and subsequent economic depression there was undoubtedly some impact on Yandina’s development, with growth slow over the coming decades. A war memorial was unveiled in 1924. It was said that the unveiling ceremony was the largest gathering in the town at the time16. With the outbreak of World War 2, Yandina was to play a role in the defence of the Nation hosting an military operational centre, accommodation17 and training of soldiers at the recently constructed drill hall18. The US Navy Battalion also operated a sawmill in the region from 194319.

In spite of the disruption of conflict, moves towards the provision of more modern amenities continued during and beyond the war years. Electricity was installed in 1940, and a reticulated water supply from Wappa dam connected in 1961. The first in a series industrial estates was created in the 1960s, which reinvigorated the community to a degree and created new opportunities for business.

Yandina was also able to capitalise on the boom in tourism that was experienced throughout the region from the 1950’s onwards. While the Sunshine Coast has hosted a number of theme parks (much like its southern counterpart, the Gold Coast), it has also had a distinct flavour with a number of agri-tourism attractions. Yandina became the new home of the Ginger Factory in 1979 and Nutworks in 1996.

The Bruce Highway, built in the mid-1930s, was diverted around Yandina in 199720.

Retirement presentation for Chris Buckman Goat Headed Hammer

Overview of Key Historic Themes Methodology Key historic themes have been devised as tools to help interpret and understand the significance of collections. Themes also help identify what is distinctive about a collection or area, and to increase awareness and appreciation of the region’s history. The purposes of using historic themes to help analyse museum and heritage places is to trace patterns of development, such as events, phases, movement, processes, or a way of life, in societies, communities and environments.

Historical themes … are the major processes, activities or subjects that have shaped the history of the industry, subject or region. The themes provide a framework for analysing the collections and moveable heritage, and understanding its significance. They are useful for identifying the strengths and weaknesses for current collections, pinpointing omissions in collecting patterns and highlighting new collecting opportunities. Themes also have a role in interpretation, helping to ensure the story is presented in ways that make connections between the collections and the wider history, environment and character of the region.21

In order to be able to compare significant collections across regions, the following historic themes are based on the primary social and cultural processes of Queensland society both past and present. The themes were developed by Thom Blake in a paper called Queensland’s Cultural heritage –a thematic perspective for the Queensland Museum in 2000. They also form the basis of Historic Themes in Queensland- understanding Queensland’s Cultural Heritage (2001) which was published by Queensland Heritage Trails Network to help assess the significance of local places within a broad thematic context. Museum Development Officers from the Queensland Museum have also used this framework to map community collections across Queensland and to link them back into the local place themes.

Proportionally, the majority of the collection maps most strongly to the themes of:

Creating settlements and dwellings- living in communities: Family and private lives, life cycles; Urban services – water supply, gas & electricity, sanitation & waste disposal, fire protection.

Peopling places: Two Indigenous cultures – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander; Experience and Perspective, past, contact and contemporary (social justice issues, self-determination, land rights, reparation and reconciliation); Qld migration and cross cultural stories; Queensland characters

Developing civic, social and cultural institutions or activities: Sporting and leisure activities including crafts, Festivals and Events; Local government

Developing Secondary and tertiary industries: Food production –meat, butter and cheese production, sugar production, drinks

To a lesser degree, other themes represented within the collection include:

Utilising and exploiting the land and sea: Exploiting natural resources – fishing and maritime resources, mining, coal and natural gas, quarrying, timber, pastoral activities (wool, wheat), agriculture (dairying, sugar, cotton, viniculture, tropical and citrus fruits)

Queensland and the world: British Empire, Asia-Pacific neighbours

Theme Description & Examples Collection Items Peopling places . Two Indigenous cultures – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Two Indigenous cultures – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander . Experience and Perspective, past, contact and contemporary (social justice issues, self-determination, land rights, reparation . Stone Artefact Collection and reconciliation) . Qld migration and cross cultural stories – from the convict era to current refugees and ‘illegal aliens’; 19th Century, pre WW2, post WW2, recent (end 20th and early 21st Centuries) . Queensland characters Utilising and . Exploring and surveying the land Exploiting natural resources – fishing and maritime resources, mining, coal exploiting the . Exploiting natural resources – fishing and maritime resources, and natural gas, quarrying, timber, pastoral activities (wool, wheat), land and sea mining, coal and natural gas, quarrying, timber, pastoral activities agriculture (dairying, sugar, cotton, viniculture, tropical and citrus fruits) (wool, wheat), agriculture (dairying, sugar, cotton, viniculture, tropical and citrus fruits) . Permit to travel stock waybills . Water management . Managing flora and fauna . Conserving vegetation . Experimenting, developing technologies and innovations Developing . Food production –meat, butter and cheese production, sugar Food production- meat, butter and cheese production, sugar production, Secondary and production, drinks drinks tertiary . Wool processing industries . Building materials . Wimmers Ginger beer bottle (Nambour) . Engineering works and foundries . Tallow pot . Other secondary industries . Moreton Sugar Mill Pan thermometer (Nambour) . Hospitality services . Chris Buckman Moreton Mill retirement presentation (Nambour) . Tourism . Moreton Sugar mill fabric (Nambour) . Information services . Science and technology Other secondary industries  Nambour Battery Centre manufactured/branded battery (Nambour)  Home Grocery Order book (1960), Maroochy Cooperative Society Limited Yandina  Cashbox from Miss Eileen Laws Boarding house  Chris Buckman tool collection

Tourism 16

. Sunshine coast souvenir teaspoons . Tewantin Souvenir plate Transport and . Draught animals and vehicles Postal Services communication- . Heritage trades  Post office boxes (unknown provenance) moving goods, . Railways people and . Shipping Railways . information Motor vehicles . Lower Maroochy Railway bridge pylon . Air transport . Telecommunications – telegraph, telephone, radio, television . Postal Services . Computer and internet Creating . Land ownership – soldier settler, ¼ acre block settlements and . Towns – why and where places developed Towns – why and where places developed dwellings- living . Urban services – water supply, gas & electricity, sanitation &  Street signs (Nambour) in communities waste disposal, fire protection . Dwellings – materials, form, Queensland home Family and private lives, life cycles . Family and private lives, life cycles  Household item and furniture, crockery, stove & oven, radio . Alternative lifestyles  Laundry equipment: Copper, mangle, laundry trolley, spin dryer . Adaptations to environment- living in the tropics, outback  Children’s toys

Developing . Maintaining order –police and prisons Health Services – health and hygiene, pests & diseases, ambulances, doctors, civic, social and . Government and public administration hospitals, sickness & diseases, cemeteries cultural . Customs services  Yandina Maternal & Child Health Centre sign institutions or . State enterprises and industries  Visiting Nurse sign . Local government activities . Defending the Country Religious Organizations, beliefs and customs . Religious Organizations, beliefs and customs  Ninderry Methodist Church Organ . Cultural Activities – music and performing arts, visual arts,  Yandina Presybyterian Church bell cinema  Isabella Coulson Memorial Shield . Organization’s & societies – lodges & friendly societies, RSL,  William Bullen Memorial Chair men’s & women’s clubs, sporting clubs  Church Collection bowls . Sporting and leisure activities including crafts . Festivals and Events Sporting and leisure activities including crafts . Education – State and Private schools, kindergartens and pre-  RSL/RSSAILA Indoor bowls shield pennants schools, universities and TAFE  Uniting Church Presbytery sports Joust shield 17

. Colleges, Schools of Arts, Distance Education  Yandina Roman Catholic Annual Ball tickets . Health Services – health and hygiene, pests & diseases,  Other trophies and presentation shields ambulances, doctors, hospitals, sickness & diseases, cemeteries  Life Membership presentation painting, Yandina Indoor bowls club . Welfare Services . Financial services Education – State and Private schools, kindergartens and pre-schools, . Retail services universities and TAFE  John Sommerville Illuminated address  Yandina & District State School Programme: Unveiling and Dedication Ceremony for Anzac Day Memorial Garden and Past Pupils Memorial, November 2004  Education Queensland exercise book cover: Frank Stone Nambour High School  Yandina & District schools centenary recipe book 1989  Kiamba School Bell  Film projector from Yandina State School  School desk

Organization’s & societies – lodges & friendly societies, RSL, men’s & women’s clubs, sporting clubs  Yandina Lions club sign  Yandina Scout patches  Yandina Girl Guide patches  Yandina/Pomona masonic lodge chairs and furniture  Yandina RSSAILA Women’s Auxiliary uniform  Yandina RSSAILA Women’s Auxiliary tablecloth  Yandina RSL Women’s Auxiliary trolley  Yandina RSLA Certificate of Merit (1977): Mr Albert Cummings  CWA Plate

Defending the Country  Yandina ANZAC photograph  Trench art (unprovenanced)

Festivals and Events  Menu: Dinner to His Excellency, Vice Admiral Sir Wilmot H Fawkes KCVO at the Queensland Club. August 7th 1906  Menu: Dinner to His Excellency, Lord Chelmsford, Governor of Queensland at the Queensland Club. December 12th 1905  Menu: Farewell dinner to his Excellency The Governor of Queensland Sir Leslie Orme Wilson GCSI GCMG GCIE DSO  Menu: Dinner to His Excellency the right Honourable Lord Lamington GCMG Governor of Queensland, Queensland Club 14th June 1901  Menu, Union Club: John May Somerville Esq. 1891

Queensland and . Queensland Identity – images, icons British Empire, Asia-Pacific neighbours the world . Export industries including tourism . World Expo 88 currency ($2 Notes) . British Empire, Asia-Pacific neighbours . Royal Souvenirs and ephemera collection

Significance Assessment

Significance Methodology This collection was assessed against the primary criteria and comparative criteria outlined in Significance 2.0. Please note that Significance 2.0 is the current methodology for identifying the importance of collections and may change over time. History is not static, nor are the collections that document it. As such, the significance of the collection will also evolve or change over time.

Given the low level of documentation of this collection, many of the objects prioritised in this report have been selected based on the likelihood of their representativeness of more locally significant themes, or inherent characteristics that allow them to be connected with specific local individuals, organisations, businesses, events and themes.

Assessment Criteria Significance 2.0 outlines four primary criteria and four comparative criteria, tools that are used to evaluate the degree of significance.

Primary criteria

The primary criteria used to assess significance are outlined in publication Significance 2.0. The following descriptions are used for consistency of meaning

Primary criteria Description

Historic significance An object or collection may be historically significant for its association with people, events, places and themes ... Historically significant objects range from those associated with famous people and important events, to objects of daily life used by ordinary people. They include objects that are typical of particular activities, industries or ways of living.

Artistic or aesthetic Collections or items may be aesthetically significant for their craftsmanship, significance style, technical excellence, beauty, demonstration of skill and quality of design and execution. It might include innovative or traditional objects from Indigenous or folk cultures or high art. Aesthetically significant objects may be unique or mass produced. Scientific or research Collections may have research significance if it has major potential for further significance scientific study. An object may be of scientific value if it demonstrates the documented distribution, range, variation or habitat of a taxon or taxonomic category. Archaeological collections may have research significance if they are provenanced, and were recovered from a documented context, and if they represent aspects of history that are not well reflected in other sources. This criterion applies chiefly to biological, geological and archaeological material.

Social or spiritual significance Objects have social significance if they are held in community esteem. This may be demonstrated by social, spiritual, or cultural expressions that provide evidence of a community’s strong affection for an object or collection, and of how it contributes to that community’s identity and social cohesion. This evidence can usually be found by consulting people and communities, or when the object is threatened … Indigenous collections in museums and keeping places often contain secret/sacred objects, which must only be accessed by appropriate people. “Social significance is only for living, contemporary value; if the value has ceased to exist, it becomes historical significance.”

Comparative Criteria

The comparative criteria are designed to evaluate the degree of significance:

Comparative Key questions Comments criteria

Provenance . Is it well documented or recorded Provenance is part of the for its class or type? research in the assessment . Who created, made, owned or process as well as a used the item or collection? comparative criterion. . Is its place of origin well documented? . Is there a chain of ownership? . Is the provenance reliable? . How does the provenance shape the significance of the item or collection?

Rarity or . Does it have unusual qualities that In some cases items may be representativeness distinguish it from other items in both rare and representative, the class or category? such as examples of . Is it unusual or a particularly fine nineteenth-century working example of its type? dress. . Is it singular, unique or endangered? An item that is merely . Is it a good example of its type or representative is unlikely to class? be significant. It has to be . Is it typical or characteristic? significant under one of the . Is it well documented for its class primary criteria. or group?

Condition or completeness . Is it in good condition for its type? In general, an item in original . Is it intact or complete? condition is more significant . Does it show repairs, alterations than one that has been or evidence of the way it was restored. used? . Is it still working?

. Is it in original, unrestored condition?

Interpretive capacity . How is it relevant to the organisation's mission, purpose, collection policy and programs? . Does it have a special place in the collection in relation to other items or a collection theme? . Does it help to interpret aspects of its context?

Degrees of significance – local, regional, national and international

Items and collections are also considered for how they contribute to our understanding of broader historic and developmental stories, such as at a national or international level. Although the value of local, regional, national and international significance appears hierarchical, its application helps contextualise a collection’s relevance within a broader understanding of Australian history.

In undertaking an assessment of a collection or an item’s significance in relation to its place within the broader Australian story, it is important to understand the following:

Degree of significance Description The ability of a collection or item to demonstrate the key developmental Local significance trends at a local level. For example: Yandina, Nambour etc.

The ability of a collection or item to demonstrate the key developmental Regional Significance trends at a regional level. For example: Sunshine Coast, Noosa region etc.

The ability of a collection or item to demonstrate the key developmental State Significance trends of Queensland’s history and development.

The ability of a collection or item to demonstrate the key developmental National Significance trends of Australian history and development.

The ability of a collection or item to demonstrate the key developmental International Significance phases of world history and development.

Statement of Significance

The Yandina Historical Society collection largely focuses on a diverse range of material that relates to the social history of the Sunshine Coast Region, particularly the localities of Yandina and Nambour .The broad scope of the collection illustrates multiple layers of significance, with the majority relating to local and regional themes.

The Yandina Historical Society collection aligns most strongly with the primary criteria set out in the Collection Council of Australia’s publication, Significance 2.0 of historic and social significance at a local level. With the majority of provenanced items relating to local cultural, religious and philanthropic organisations, the collection illustrates the strong social values held by the Yandina community, particularly during the late 19th, 20th and occasionally the 21st century. The collection holds a number of items that were used in or commemorate local social institutions such as churches, Masonic lodges, service clubs, Returned Serviceman’s Leagues, sporting clubs and schools. To a lesser degree some other local well provenanced items reference themes of Food production (particularly sugar, soft drinks and meat), defending the country (particularly World War 1), and other secondary industries (such as tourism, railways and postal services) The majority of the remaining collection, although lacking solid provenance, is representative of domestic technology and homewares that demonstrate ways of living and working, as well as the importance of home and family life in the area. A noteworthy exception to the collections primary level of local significance would be the Aboriginal artefact collection, which is of regional significance. The nature of Aboriginal cultural lifestyles of the period represented and their movement throughout the region and interactions with other groups moves beyond an immediate local geography. The availability of information that relates to this collection can reveal comparatively precise collection locations, revealing information about lifestyles in an environment that has been heavily modified since their use. Primary Criteria:

Historic

As mentioned previously, the main themes of the collection revolve around lifestyles, social institutions and special events of the Yandina region. The object collection represents and reflects the material culture associated with these aspects of history, and individuals who participated in them. The collection has a predominant representation of items that relate to trade or industry equipment, patterns of lifestyle (particularly domestic equipment and personal effects) and service groups. Examples of these feature later in the report.

Artistic or Aesthetic

Although the collection does not represent particularly strongly in this criteria, it does contains a few items that could be considered of artistic or aesthetic significance, namely two landscape paintings of Mount Ninderry, and an embroidered fancywork doily. However, upon consideration, their significance is more accurately described as historic due to their association with local identities and historic events. 23

Scientific or Research

In the context defined by Significance 2.0, the majority of the collection is of little scientific significance: the research significance of this collection has been defined earlier in the context of Historic significance. However, given the known provenance of the Aboriginal Artefact collection there may be some research value that can be derived from further analysis and interpretation.

Social or spiritual significance

Elements of the collection, particularly the Church, Masonic, and RSSAILA sub collections demonstrate the growth, impact and sustainability of social institutions in a regional location. All of these collections capture the role that these national/state/international organisations in improving the wellbeing of the local communities in which they operated. The nature of their forms- largely ceremonial or memorial- illustrates not only the value of the cultural construct in which they operated, but also community members or individuals who made significant contributions.

Secondary Criteria

Provenance

Provenance of the collection is varied across its entirety. The provenance of some individual items or sub collections (such as the railway bridge pylon, tool collection, Aboriginal Artefact collection,) is referenced or evident in the object itself at the most basic level. However, further research and documentation of the specific histories of these collections or items would generate an even deeper understanding of the significance.

For a number of other items, detailed information is not as well known. Whilst the broad context of the items are often understood (such as possibly being representative of local industry, lifestyle, organisations or people), the specific history of an overwhelming proportion of individual collection items remains undocumented. In these instances, while collection records might contain some mention of basic provenance such as donor information, quite often more detailed information was not collected or documented at the time of acquisition. Conducting further research through institutional records, donors, staff responsible for accepting items, and primary and secondary resources may assist to fill these gaps in the understanding of the collection.

Rarity or Representativeness

The majority of the collection exhibits a degree of representativeness. The greatest proportion of the collection is representative of 19th to late 21st century hand tools. Household equipment and furniture of a similar period also form a large part of the collection and could be used to illustrate some aspects of domestic life in the region.

Items related to specific local service groups, churches, schools, healthcare services, industries and specific individuals by their very nature are more likely to be considered rare within this context.

Condition or Completeness

Within the context of a whole of collection significance assessment, it is not appropriate or even possible to assign an overall level of condition or completeness. Individual objects are generally in fair to good condition. An overview of the collection can be found earlier in this report. For a more in-depth analysis of the condition of the collection, it is recommended a preservation needs assessment be conducted by a qualified conservator.

Interpretative capacity

As a community museum with a local focus, one of the main objectives is to use the collection in displays to further a public understanding of the unique history of the Yandina area. The more significant items in this collection show the potential to illustrate some significant or locally relevant themes, including:

 Local Philanthropy (Masonic collections, Lions club signs,)  Religious institutions (church items)  Education and teaching (Yandina school items)  Aboriginal people and lifestyle (Pre contact)  Health services  Recreation and sports

The interpretative potential of the collection could be further enhanced by targeted collecting of items that relate to other key local themes (such as Ginger processing, river trade, Yandina role in coastal supply and tourism, alternate lifestyles, World War 2 defence and training, etc.).

Notable items and sub-collections Aboriginal Stone Artefacts

This collection contains a number of hand axes, axe blanks, grind stones (largely top, but some appear to also be bottom stones), hammer stones, picks, flaked hand tools and other rounded stones that may or may not be considered artefacts.

The artefacts were collected between 1956 and 1976 by Mr Tom Coleman, a Yandina sugar cane farmer who owned two properties either side of the South Maroochy River. The majority of the items were found in close by stands of Bunya pines in two separate locations: one in a gully between the (now) Colemans Farm Road and Gobberts Road (on the south/east side of the South Marooochy River) somewhere in the vicinity of 56/84 Colemans Farm Rd. The others were found near a spring and what was thought to have been a Bora Ring in the proximity of what is today 71 Andersons Road (on the north/western side of the River)22. Most of the grindstones were found close to the spring site, and the axes and cutting tools were found at the Colemans farm road/Gobberts Road site.23

Conversations with the donor’s son and daughter suggested that there were also a number of larger, smoothed stones that were possibly grindstones of some sort that were associated with the Anderson Road site. Gary Coleman (the son) was not convinced that these were grindstones, and suggested that they may have had some ritual or ceremonial use. These were removed from their original location and were displayed in the garden of the Coleman family farmhouse. They do not appear to have been transferred to the Museum collection.

It is understood that the collection has been viewed by Michael Strong (Abbey Museum/ Turnstone Archaeology) who provided some verbal feedback regarding the composition and possible geological provenance of the collection. It is recommended that this collection be examined in greater detail by a suitably qualified archaeologist, with the findings being documented in a formal report. Any relevant information should be included in the appropriate object records in a collection management system. Collection sites (pinned in red)

Approximate location of Colemans farm road collection site (circled in red)

Approximate location of collection site at Andersons Road (circled in red) 27

Lower Maroochy River Rail Bridge pylon

This object is a timber bridge pile, purported to be from the first railway bridge over the South Maroochy River. The pile consists of a pointed timber post reinforced with a steel tip (known as a pile shoe). There are remnants of steel bracing straps bolted to sides at the top of the pile.

The bridge was one of three railway bridges on the North Coast line that crossed the South Maroochy River at this location.

The importance of Gympie as a major regional centre- particularly after the gold rushes of the 1860s- played a significant role in the decision to develop the North Coast Railway line. In 1885, parliamentary approval was given to begin work on routes that had been surveyed since 1877. The route was divided into a number of separate contracts awarded to John Robb, Thomas Jesser and George Wilcocks.

The bridge that this pylon was taken from fell within the sections 2 and 3 undertaken by Thomas Jesser & Co that ran from Caboolture to Yandina. The contracts for these were awarded in December 1888, with the sections being progressively opened as they were completed. The line opened to Yandina on 1 January 189124.The official opening for the entire route to Gympie took place on 18 July 1891 with passenger services beginning on the 20th of July.

The first bridge over the South Maroochy River was built of a combination of steel girders, concrete piers, and timber piles such as this one. The steel girders were purported to have been originally from the Logan River Bridge, which was damaged in the floods of 188725. The length of the pile, and proximity of the steel bracing on the sides so close to the pile shoe suggests that this is most likely to be from one of the timber bridge approaches.

A second rail bridge was built as an upgrade to accommodate the extra weight of locomotives and freight sometime after 1910. It also had steel girders, concrete pylons and timber approach piles. The third (and current) railway bridge is of pre-stressed concrete, and was built in 199526.

Plan of original South Maroochy River Bridge. Source: Queensland Rail Archives

Excerpts of detail from bridge approach spans, including possible pylon locations Source: Queensland Rail Archives

While the pylon could reasonably be associated with the original rail bridge (as a whole structure) it could not be said with any certainty that it was a piece that was installed prior to the opening. Timber bridge components were subject to a range of agents of degradation (such as insect pests, rot caused by submersion in damp or wet environments, or mechanical failure) and as such were part of a rigorous inspection and maintenance regime. It was not uncommon for individual pieces of the bridge to be renewed or replaced as necessary: this pylon may well be one such replacement.

Nevertheless, although this remnant of the bridge has been taken from its original location and context, it does still serve to act as a tangible reminder of the first bridge, the development of the North Coast line in the region (and beyond), as well as its role in the social and economic development of South East Queensland and beyond.

Church items and presentation pieces

The Museum holds a number of items associated with local churches and their auxiliary organisations. This includes items such as collection plates and boxes (one of which is also a commemorative piece), a bell, memorial shields, an incense censer and a memorial chair.

As with many communities across regional Australia, churches have been important institutions that have influenced and shaped both the spiritual and social life of the people. The items that can be identified in this collection have been sourced from at least three noteworthy churches in Yandina, and at the simplest level represent elements of worship practice and social activities initiated by the church. Based on the history of establishment (or disbandment) of churches in the region, this collection also could suggest changes in beliefs and values in the region. Some items are directly associated with local individuals and their families as memorial pieces or awards. These could be said to reflect not only the importance of the congregation to the families involved, but also the esteem or prominence of the dedicating family themselves.

While the provenance of some items can be discovered through research of names, dates or organisations marked on them, yet others are still unknown. However, based on the histories of some local churches it is entirely possible that the majority of these items might be traced to the Uniting Church. In 1977 the formation of the Uniting Church amalgamated the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational churches. This process included the establishment of a presbytery for the Mary Burnett region, in which Yandina was included27.

The Yandina Uniting church closed somewhere between 2000 and 2010 (probably closer to the latter), with the Nambour Uniting Church servicing any remaining parishioners 28. These items may have been accumulated in the church and handed on at the time of closure. Further research into the history of churches, particularly their establishment, relationships and successions may yield further information regarding items in this collection.

Yandina Presbyterian Church bell.

According to the object label, this bell was donated to the Presbyterian Church in memory of Christina Catherine Marion Hall. She was the first president of the Women’s guild in 193629 and assisted in establishing the church in 194030313233. She died on the 3rd of August 194634. The bell was donated to the Presbyterian Church by her children. Like a number of other items in the collection, it is likely that the bell was acquired by the Yandina Uniting church during their formation in 1977. It was donated to the museum in 2004 when the church closed.

Isabella Couldson Memorial Shield

Memorial Shield dedicated to Isabella Coulson. Isabella was a longstanding member and treasurer of the Yandina Presbyterian Women’s Guild, as outlined on this shield. At the formation of the Guild in 193635 Mrs Coulson became the inaugural treasurer, and served for 24 years. Prior to this, she was also heavily involved in Methodist ladies guild and was noted in a number of newspaper articles fundraising activities in the region.36

She was also the wife of William Coulson, who ran a boat service at Yandina and was notable in his own right3738.

Joseph Griffin Memorial collection plate

This collection plate is most likely to have come from the Yandina Methodist Church. Based on the inscription and date, the plate is a memorial gift to the church in commemoration of Joseph Griffin, a longstanding churchgoer and Yandina community member who was killed in a collision with a motor vehicle while riding home from work in 19373940. The Griffin family are mentioned in association with the church quite regularly in the 1920 and 1930s.

William Bullen Memorial Chair:

This chair was donated to a local or regional church in memory of William Henry Bullen. Based on the date inscribed, it seems likely that the person mentioned is William Henry Bullen, who died in 193541. Based on information supplied by Daphne Heaton (Bullen’s great granddaughter) Mrs Rowena Kittle and Juanita Brown were two of Bullen’s daughters. The chair is thought to be most likely from Yandina Presbyterian based on the Kittles’ and Brown’s affiliations42.

GL Simpson MLA Award

This shield is a perpetual trophy for a Mary Burnett Presbytery church sporting carnival series. GL Simpson MLA was a reputed Queensland politician for the seat of Cooroora who resided in Nambour43. The shield appears to have only been awarded to Yandina in 1981, four years after the inception of the Uniting Church. Interestingly, it is the only name inscribed on the winning plaques. While it is not known for how long the sporting carnival was in existence, it has been suggested that it may not have been as successful an endeavour as initially envisioned due to the independent nature of the individual localities in the newly formed Mary Burnett Presbytery region44.

Again, this item is most likely to have been sourced from the Yandina Uniting Church. Further research is recommended.

Ninderry Church Organ

While this organ can be easily placed within a religious context and it’s usage during worship in the area can be easily understood, its unique history is also associated with other noteworthy community activities.

According to the object label, the organ was originally used in the Ninderry Methodist Church. The establishment of the Ninderry community was based on the agricultural village scheme of 1891. It would appear to be one of few objects related to the scheme in this collection. The scheme as experienced in Ninderry is, in itself, an interesting facet of history, focussing on alternate forms of land use, farming and community structure45. Thematically there are synergies in this topic that can also be compared with the aspirations of other communities in the broader region, such as the Wooloongabba Exemplars (Lake Weyba) , Protestant Unity (Pomona) and more contemporary versions like Crystal Waters (near Maleny), Starlight community (North Arm), and Avatars abode (Kiels Mountain)46.

After it was removed from the church, it was donated to the Yandina Masonic centre and most likely used in community social or fundraising events held at the hall. This is yet another example of the role that this particular object played in community life in the region.

Masonic Furniture

This sub collection consists of a number of pieces of Masonic furniture and includes:

 2 (individual) Master Mason chairs  A set of three Lodge columns (Corinthian, Ionic and Doric styles)  An individual lodge column

Although there is no information regarding the specific provenance of these items, it could generally be said that these items would have been used in the Lodge room of a Masonic Centre. The furniture has specific symbology and was used for ritual or ceremonial purposes and teaching within the Masonic fraternity.

Collection management records show no details about the source of these items. Local freemasons were not able to identify their source47. Further research undertaken by the author in consultation with a number of sources into the information engraved on the presentation plate has confirmed that one of the Master Mason chair’s origin can be traced to the Cooroora Lodge 232 at Pomona. The chair was donated to the Cooroora lodge in 1923 by William Hodge, a Pomona businessman and Freemason. In 1924 Hodge became the Worshipful Master of the lodge48, and would have occupied the very seat that he donated. Hodge is also noteworthy within the context of the Cooroora lodge as being the painter of a series of murals that decorate the walls of the Lodge Room at Pomona49. It is thought that the some of the lodge furniture (this chair included) may have been made by Pomona cabinetmaker Herb Page. The Cooroora lodge discontinued using the Pomona Masonic Centre as a meeting place in the mid-2000s, and began to hold their meetings at the Yandina Masonic Centre. A past member revealed that a number of pieces of furniture were transferred to the Maroochy Lodge room, the Masters Chair included50. The Cooroora lodge disbanded around 200851

While not definitive, discussions with members of the Maroochy Lodge, members of the United Grand Lodge of Queensland, Masonic Archives and other regional Freemasons suggest that the other columns and chairs may be from closed lodges from the region (or possibly even beyond). If a lodge loses its venue, it may share another Masonic Centre with another lodge (as was the case in 34

Yandina). In these examples it seems preferable that the furniture be offered to the hosting lodge, or another that can make use of them (perhaps as a type of “upgrade”). Similarly, when a lodge closes entirely an effort will be made to redistribute their furniture to another centre. It is entirely possible that these “upgrades” have meant that the surplus furniture has ended up in the Yandina Museum collection. Like the example of the Cooroora Lodge Chair being transferred to the Masonic Temple at Yandina after the lodge closed down, it has been suggested that the other Masonic Furniture has come from other regional lodges that have closed. A Nambour or Eumundi lodge was one such source suggested by an informant52.

Further research is recommended.

Masters Chair in Coororoa Lodge 1128, 1999. Image: Roger Todd Architect

Healthcare items:

The provision of health care facilities is a key component of the development of a town or community. The collection contains a number of items that relate to healthcare services in Yandina and poss ibly elsewhere in the region.

Yandina Maternal and Child health centre sign

This sign is quite clearly associated with the Yandina Maternal and Child Health Centre, and as such is represents significant social value. Although collection management records do not list any specific provenance, it is highly likely that this sign was displayed at a clinic that operated in a front room at the Yandina School of Arts from at least the 1949s through until 199353. Further research is recommended.

Visiting Nurse Sign

No Provenance for this item is listed in the collection management system. The “Visiting Nurse” designation suggests that it may not have been displayed at a dedicated medical centre or hospital. Assuming that it has some degree of local provenance, it may be possible that the sign is associated with

the School of Arts or the Yandina Maternal and Child health centre. It may also be possible that the sign can be traced to a private local practitioner or clinic. Further research is recommended.

School items:

The collection contains a number of items that relate to schools and education in the region, including a school bell from Kiamba, a film projector from the Yandina State School, a number of exercise books, and commemorative publications (such as Centenary Cookbooks, and Memorial Garden Dedication).

Illuminated Address: Mr John Sommerville

Perhaps most notable of this sub collection is an illuminated address awarded to Mr John Sommerville, a longstanding teacher of 22 years and head at the Fairhill and Yandina Schools. This illuminated address was to be awarded to Mr Sommerville by Mr Somer (Chairperson of the school) on behalf of the community at a send-off event that was held at the Yandina Masonic Hall in 1911. The Chronicle & North Coast Advertiser noted that it had not arrived in time for congratulatory presentation speech, but did arrive later by train in the evening. Sommerville left the school to take up a similar position at Emerald54

Menus

This sub collection contains menus of civic dinners for a range of prominent dignitaries, including Lord Chelmsford (Governor of Queensland) Vice Admiral Sir Wilmot H Fawkes KVCD, Sir Leslie Orme Wilson GCSI GCMG GCIE DSO, Lord Northcote GCIE CB GCMB (Governor General of Australia), Lord Lamington GCMG (Governor of Queensland). The venue for the majority of these was the Queensland club, and largely took place between 1891 and 190655.

Only one of the menus suggests who the invitee was: John May Somerville, the head of Yandina and Fairhill Schools. While there is no documented connection between the individual items, given the dates of the majority of them56 it is possible that these are also connected to Somerville.

If a local recipient of these menu can be identified, these items could demonstrate of significant social or political associations, between the region, the state and nation.

Further research is recommended. 38

Chris Buckman tool collection

By sheer volume in proportion to the overall collection, the Buckman collection is worthy of mention. It predominantly is comprised of a range of hand tools, some floor standing (freestanding) tools (such as lathes, fretsaws, grinders and the like). Most of the tools have been carefully arranged by type (mainly spanners, wrenches, and hammers), and mounted onto framed display boards.

Mr Buckman was a boilerman at the Moreton Mill at Nambour for a number of years (around 1757) before he retired in 1997. As a Nambour local, he was well known for his tool collection, which was displayed at a range of community event and at one point at the Nambour Museum. He was also an enthusiastic collector of a wide range of objects. While tools appears to have been a key focus, he was also known to collect other items, such as clocks, calculators, and other household items58.

Mr Hans Brunner, a fellow tool collector and acquaintance of around 25 years, described Buckman as a self-taught engineer who undertook a range of ambitious projects (such as building a below ground workshop and tool store complete with overhead cranes and gantries) for the challenge of it59. Buckman would collect incomplete or broken tools with the specific aim of repairing them. He fabricated a number of high quality replacement parts for Stanley brand planes that were sold by Brunner. According to Brunner he was a practically oriented problem solver who looked for opportunities to learn and expand his skills. Buckman was not widely known among the broader tool collecting community, although he may have been well known within the Sunshine Coast region.

Brunner was familiar with the collection, having viewed it at Buckmans home, workshop and shed in Nambour. The collection was divided into three sections:

 The “working” tools that he would actually use that were also housed in his workshop,  The “general” collection that was stored in a shed  The “choice” collection that was stored in two large cabinets inside his house

According to Brunner, the tool collection itself was “pretty average”, “more of an assortment than a collection”, and unusual by a collector’s standard for a couple of reasons:

Firstly, many tool collectors focus specifically on a particular trade or tool type, the Buckman collection is an eclectic mix of tools that appear to have been collected based purely on his tastes, with no particular specialty60. “He had a good eye for “nice” things. He got carried away with quirky tools. Novel tools caught his eye... he wasn’t looking at a comprehensive collection of any type, so probably not a representative collection”61.

Secondly, where there was a focus it tended to be on engineering tools. Engineering tools are not a popular choice for collectors due to their utilitarian design devoid of fancywork and appealing materials (compared to, say, timber working tools). The technology and design has also, by and large, remained unchanged over a number of years.

Hans thought that it was most likely never catalogued by Buckman while he owned it, and estimated the collection to be around 10,000 items before it was broken up. Hans has viewed the collection previously at the Yandina Museum (and Nambour Museum) and noted that there is less there than while it was owned by Buckman. He suggests that the better items were probably sold before the remainder were transferred to the museum.

While this is an eclectic and novel collection that may be of specific interest to some collectors or other visitors more generally, its significance is primarily of local community interest (perhaps to the Sunshine coast region at a stretch) as an example of a motivated local identity or “character”.

Recommendations The purpose of this section is to provide guidance regarding priority activities that will support considered and sustainable collection management and that will ultimately:

. Improve the care of the collection . Enhance the documentation of the collection . Develop an understanding of more significant items within the collection

While the physical care of the collection is reasonable (given the constraints of the accommodation and staffing arrangements), the collection will benefit most from the revision, expansion and adoption of the existing collection policy, procedures and practices in alignment with museum best practice (including the numbering system). These aspects of collection management will help ensure that items added to the collection are relevant, as well as greatly improve the standard of documentation from the point of offer. These documented structures will assist in providing clear guidelines and expectations of volunteers which may also be beneficial for training purposes and staff succession within the organisation.

The scope of collection areas (themes) should also be revised during policy review. While the composition of the collection is strong in particular areas, in others it lacks objects that would support the interpretation of other key historic stories for the area. Providing more detailed collection areas based on significant local themes or events will help to create a stronger, more significant collection that is capable of communicating a more well-rounded view of Yandina’s history.

With appropriate collection management frameworks in place, it is then recommended that further research be undertaken on the provenance of items /sub collections identified in this report. The level of background research that needed to be undertaken on individual objects by the assessor for this significance assessment to ascertain even the most basic of connections to Yandina and the region was far more than would be usually necessary.

Preference should be shown to objects known or thought to have specific connections in the region, particularly those that reference names, events, organisations, businesses or dates. It will be beneficial to consult with other museum staff, particularly those that may have been involved with the acquisition, as well as people in the broader community who share associations with the objects. A qualified archaeologist (or other relevant specialist) should be consulted regarding the documentation and analysis of the Aboriginal Artefact collection, including the commissioning of a detailed report.

The information gathered in the previous activity should then be used to retrospectively document and catalogue the collection. Registration numbers should be applied in a permanent yet reversible fashion using a method appropriate to material type.

Regarding the physical care of the collection, it is recommended that object labels be removed if they are physically mounted to, or over collection items. Suitable collection storage spaces should be created, and used to rotate sensitive items off display periodically to ensure their longevity. A preservation needs assessment by a qualified conservator is recommended.

Below is a summary of recommendations identified throughout this assessment:

Activity: Priority: Revise and expand collection policy/procedure in alignment with standard museum High practice, incorporating a focus on significant local themes for collecting areas. Research and document the history of items linked to significant organisations, events, High industries, and personalities of the region. Consult a qualified archaeologist (or other relevant specialist) regarding the High documentation and analysis of the Aboriginal Artefact collection and commission a detailed report. Retrospectively catalogue the collection, including appropriate application of registration Medium numbers Engage conservator to undertake preservation needs assessment for collection and Medium museum spaces Create dedicated museum storage space Long Rotate sensitive materials off display periodically. Long

Bibliography and References Unpublished Works

Yandina Historical Society (Undated) Yandina Historical Society rules

Yandina Historical Society (2017) Collections Policy

Published Works

Blake, T (2000) Queensland’s Cultural heritage –a thematic perspective for the Queensland Museum

Blyth, Audienne (2006) Yandina School of Arts 1916-2006. Yandina School of Arts, Yandina

Blyth, Audienne(2018) Streets & Roads of Yandina & District: their history and origins. Audienne Blyth, Yandina

Burke, David (2009) Chasing the Sunshine. Queensland Museum, South Brisbane

Finke, Fred & Adsett, Alf (1971) Yandina Centenary 1871-1971. Chronprint, Nambour

Gibbons, Ray (2015) Deconstructing the Myth of Murdering Creek

Heap, E.G (1966) In the wake of the raftsmen: A survey of early settlement in the Maroochy District up to the passing of the Crown Lands Alienation Act 1868, published in Queensland Heritage Volume 1 Number 5 1966.

Helen Gregory (1991) Making Maroochy: A history of the land, the people and the shire. Booralong Publications Bowen Hills

Holthouse, Hector (1982) Illustrated history of the Sunshine Coast. AW & AW Reed, Frenchs Forest

Petrie, Constance Campbell (1904) Tom Petrie’s Reminiscences of Early Queensland, Watson, Ferguson & Co, Brisbane.

Russell, R & Winkworth, K (2009) Significance 2.0: A guide to assessing the significance of collections.

Steele, J.G (1983) Aboriginal Pathways: Southeast Queensland and the Richmond River. University of Queensland Press, St Lucia

Sunshine Coast Council & Converge Heritage + Community (2016) Thematic History of the Sunshine Coast: Sunshine Coast Heritage Study

Websites https://www.nla.gov.au/chg/significance-assessments http://www.sunshinecoastplaces.com.au/noosa-shire/pomona https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooroora_Masonic_Temple http://freemasonry-cg.com/ninety-years-young-for-pomonas-spectacular-secret-murals/ https://heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Places/Groups/Yandina-Historic-House https://heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Stories/Oral-Histories/William-Bullen 43

http://maps.bonzle.com/c/a?a=col&fn=jxhy3jkd&c=43&col=show&or=3&sz=3&pg=0&yr=1899 https://heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Stories/Oral-Histories/John-Griffin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Highway https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/161848705/isabella-ellen-coulson https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/yandina-led-way-in-coasts-growth/2709867/ https://yandina.org/about-yandina/history-timeline-for-yandina/ https://heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Places/Town-Histories/Yandina https://heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Places/Town-Histories/Black-Swan-Park/Local-Indigenous-Heritage https://heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Places/Place-Name-Origins https://heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Stories/Oral-Histories/John-Griffin https://www.qhatlas.com.au/content/utopian-communities http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/pamphlett-thomas-2536 http://www.sunshinecoastplaces.com.au/noosa-shire/pomona

Newspapers & Serials

Brisbane Courier, Monday 9 June 1924, page 8 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20735153

Brisbane Courier Monday 9 June 1924, page 8 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20735153

Brisbane Courier, Wednesday 23 September 1891, page 6 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3531354

Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, Saturday 8 July 1911, page 5 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article81941873

Courier-Mail, Saturday 31 August 1940, page 7 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article40929625

Gympie Times and Mary River Mining Gazette Wednesday 5 May 1869, page 2 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article168605129

Horsham Times, Friday 9 April 1920, page 6 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article73191333

Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, Friday 5 September 1924, page 4 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article76531719

Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, Friday 23 July 1937, page 1 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article77854064

Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, Friday 3 December 1926, page 2 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article77854064

Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, Friday 2 October 1936, page 7 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article77845647

Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, Friday 15 March 1940, page 7 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article78033773

Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, Friday 2 October 1936, page 7 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article77845647

Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, Friday 22 November 1940, page 3 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article78030074

Queenslander, Saturday 3 January 1891, page 36 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20289019

Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser, Saturday 16 May 1868, page 6 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123354863

Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser, Saturday 12 September 1891, page 5 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122947439

Telegraph, Wednesday 14 August 1946, page 3 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article188734230

Telegraph, Saturday 30 November 1940, page 16 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article184535099

1 Russell, R & Winkworth, K (2009) Significance 2.0: A guide to assessing the significance of collections. 2 Finke, Fred & Adsett, Alf (1971) Yandina Centenary 1871-1971 page 36. 3 The society is mentioned as using the School of Arts Hall in Blyth, Audienne (2006) Yandina School of Arts 1916-2006. pg. 59 4 https://heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Places/Groups/Yandina-Historic-House 5 https://yandinahistorichouse.com.au/yandina-historic-house-history/ 6 Yandina Historical Society (Undated) Yandina Historical Society Rules, pg 1 7 Holthouse, Hector (1982) Illustrated history of the Sunshine Coast.,pg. 10-13 Also: J. H. Hornibrook, 'Pamphlett, Thomas (1789–1838)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/pamphlett-thomas-2536/text3443, published first in hardcopy 1967, accessed online 27 May 2020. 8 Gibbons, Ray (2015) Deconstructing the Myth of Murdering Creek. Pg. 67

9 Gympie Times and Mary River Mining Gazette Wednesday 5 May 1869, page 2 10 Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser Saturday 16 May 1868, page 6 11 Gibbons, Ray (2015) Deconstructing the Myth of Murdering Creek., pg 163, 174 12 Petrie, Constance Campbell (1904) Tom Petries Reminiscences of Early Queensland, pg. 202 13 https://yandina.org/about-yandina/history-timeline-for-yandina/ 14 Holthouse, Hector (1982) Illustrated history of the Sunshine Coast. Pg. 55 15 https://heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Stories/Backward-Glance/Maroochy-River 45

16 Brisbane Courier Monday 9 June 1924, page 8 17 Sunshine Coast Council & Converge heritage + Community (2016) Thematic History of the Sunshine Coast: Sunshine Coast Heritage Study. Pg. 94-95 18 Brisbane Courier, Monday 9 June 1924, page 8 19 Sunshine Coast Council & Converge heritage + Community (2016) Thematic History of the Sunshine Coast: Sunshine Coast Heritage Study pg 96 20 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Highway

21 Significance (first edition) web summary by K Winkworth, 2001. 22 Gary Coleman mentioned that he was asked by a subsequent owner to identify the location of the spring on the property. On visiting the site he observed that a Queenslander style hous e had been relocated directly onto the site of the spring and bora ring: “ the spring would now be under your lounge room!” 23 Personal Communications with Susan and Gary Coleman, 3o March 2020. Also email correspondence 2 April 2020 24 Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), Saturday 3 January 1891, page 36 25 Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), Saturday 3 January 1891, page 36 26 Source https://www.flickr.com/photos/pellethepoet/6435964619

27 Personal Communication, David Fanning 19/5/2020 28 Personal Communication, David Fanning 19/5/2020 29 Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser (Qld. : 1922 - 1954), Friday 2 October 1936, page 7 30 Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, Friday 15 March 1940, page 7 31 Courier-Mail, Saturday 31 August 1940, page 7 32 Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, Friday 22 November 1940, page 3 33 Telegraph, Saturday 30 November 1940, page 16 34 Telegraph, Wednesday 14 August 1946, page 3

35 Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, Friday 2 October 1936, page 7 36 Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, Friday 3 December 1926, page 2

37 Blyth, Audienne(2018) Streets & Roads of Yandina & District: their history and origins, pg. 37 -38 38 https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/yandina-led-way-in-coasts-growth/2709867/ 39 Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, Friday 23 July 1937, page 1 40 John Griffin mentions a brother that was killed in this Oral history: https://heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Stories/Oral-Histories/John-Griffin

41 http://www.interment.net/data/aus/qld/maroochy/nambour/nambour_ac.htm 42 Personal Communication and email with Daphne Heaton, 13 March 2020 Also William H Bullen mentioned in this oral history by his son (also William Bullen): https://heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Stories/Oral-Histories/William-Bullen 43 https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/members/former/bio?id=120242034 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Simpson_(Australian_politician)

44 Personal communication with David Fanning, 19 May 2020 45 Brisbane Courier, Wednesday 23 September 1891, page 6 Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser, Saturday 12 September 1891, page 5 46 https://www.qhatlas.com.au/content/utopian-communities 47 Personal Communication with Mr John Nichols 10 February 2020, 13 February 2020 48 Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, Friday 5 September 1924, page 4 49 The former Cooroora Lodge is listed on the Queensland Heritage register (Number 602423 ). https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/heritage-register/detail/?id=602423 . The painted murals are considered to be a significant feature of the building.

50 Personal Communication with Mr Peter Hansen, 16/4/2020. 51 https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/masons-square-off-over-lodge-sale-as-united-grand-lodge-takes-steps-to-sue-fellow- brothers/news-story/dc40fa92a8fe9711c9a263c62463fe38 52 Personal Communication with Mr Peter Hansen, 16/4/2020. 53 Blyth, Audienne (2006) Yandina School of Arts 1916-2006, page 58

54 Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, Saturday 8 July 1911, page 5 55 Exceptions to this is one menu from the Union Club, 1891, and another from the Queensland club, 1946. 56 One menu is dated 1946, which is well after the time that Somerville left the district. As such, this is unlikely to be associated with the remainder. 46

57 Steam loco revives Nambour’s past, Sunshine Coast Daily 5 August 2005 58 There are a number of clocks and Moreton Mill items that were thought to have donated as a part of his col lection. However these are not documented, and are not stored/displayed with the tool collection. It was thought that Mr Buckman may have collected a number of tools from the Moreton Mill when it shut down. While this is a possible (even likely) event, the tools that could be provenance to the Moreton Mill have not specifically been documented. 59 Personal communication with Hans Brunner, 12 February 2020 60 Personal communication with Hans Brunner, 12 February 2020

61 Personal communication with Hans Brunner, 12 February 2020