Citation:
1949 'COURIER-MAIL Strip PARADE.', The Courier-Mail(Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), 29 October, p. 14 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49699399
Friday, October 28, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Keith Williams - Ski Show and Tourism King- A Photo Tribute!
The Surfers Paradise Ski Gardens opened in 1958 and was where Keth Williams (pictured above) debuted his ski show. The gardens hosted the Australian Water Ski Championships of 1959 and the ski shows featuring the glamorous"Aqua Belles" was hugely popular with sun-seeking holiday makers. The Surfers Paradise Ski Gardens became Sea World in the 1970's. I remember my first visit on a school excursion from Silkstone State Primary School in 1976, in those days, there was the Ski Show, the Dolphin Show a large aquarium tank exhibit and the replica of Captain Cook's Endeavour, no Polar bears, no resorts. I've made many visits over the years and while Sea World keeps growing I still have fond memories of the dolphins performed shows in the same lagoon as the water ski shows, though not simultaneously) Thanks for the holidays, thanks for the memories Keith.
Crowd at the Surfers Paradise Ski Gardens, 1958. This lagoon also became the venue for the dolphin shows that started in the early 1970's, the dolphins were relocated to their purpose built show-ring in the ealy 1980's.
The glamourous "Aquabelles".
The 'Pyramid'
Aerial view of The Spit, Southport, 1977.
Up, up and away. Flying thrills of the Ski Show
Parking at Chermside Drive-In Shopping Centre, B+W Photos, 1957.
When times were simpler and the parking was free. This collection of photos are from the National Archives of Australia, attributed to J.Fitzpatrick, the press clippings are from the State Library of Queensland.
Citation:
State Library of Qld Record #103485 and #106012
National Arcives of Asutralia Series A1200
Let Courtesy Reign on the Queen's Highway - Road Safety Message for Queens Visit, 1954.
The "poetic" pedestrian advice,
If You Walk: Before crossing streets,. look right, left and then right again. On roads at night, carry something white.
Citation:
1954 'Advertising.', The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), 10 March, p. 4, viewed 19 October, 2011, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article50577796
Friday, October 14, 2011
Start the Day Right- Pineapple Bacon! Advertisement, 1922.
Citation:
1922 The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933)
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page1611371
Comic Strips from The Courier Mail, October 15th, 1949.
Citation:
The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), 15 October, p. 14,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page2024095
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Queen's Visit to Brisbane- Advertising from The Courier-Mail, 1954.
Citation:
1954, The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), 9 March, p. 1 Supplement: The Courier-Mail Picture story of The Royal Journey
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page2043272
It's Moments Like These - Minties Newspaper Advertising, 1954.
Citation:
1954 'Advertising.', The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), 12 March, p. 6
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article50575493
Friday, October 7, 2011
Queen's Visit to Brisbane, 1954. Meet the 92 Minute "Queen" & Royal Stand-in Miss Gloria Stewart.
From The Courier-Mail, Brisbane, February 6th, 1954.
Gloria Stuart, of Henry Street, Eagle Junction, will be 'Queen' for 92 minutes on February 21. She will be 'stand in' for Her Majesty at the full dress rehearsal. Gloria, aged 28, is private secretary to the Premier's wife, Mrs. V. C. Gair. She has been Mrs. Gair's secretary for two years and before that worked in the Health and Home Affairs Department for 10 years.Gloria was too busy at work yesterday to discuss the 92-minute excitement ahead of her.Last night, she said: 'It will be a big job and afterwards I'll probably have some idea of the strain the Queen is under for just that short time.' Gloria, 5ft 2in, is almost the same height as the Queen, who is 5ft 4in.. Her appearance is also not unlike the Queen's. She is a slim, attractive girl with poise, and she has a fair complexion, blue eyes, and short brown curly hair.
Gloria Stewart and Duke of Edinburgh stand-in, Governor of Queensland, John Lavarach......."arrive" at Eagle Farm Airport.
Queen Elizabeth's visit of 1954 was the first by a sitting monarch of Australia and such a notable event would be worthy of a few rehearsals and her visit to Brisbane alone involved three rehearsals for three individual events and for all the rehearsals Miss Gloria Stewart was front and centre, assuming the roll of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth. The largest being the Queen's arrival at Eagle Farm Airport and 'progress' to Government House. Gloria also took part in the rehearsal for the Royal Reception held at Brisbane City Hall. The most interesting rehearsal was one of Brisbane's first ever television broadcasts, two years before broadcast television was launched in Australia, just in time for the Melbourne Olympic Games of 1956.
After her "arrival" at Eagle Farm Gloria accompanied Mr C.J.McPherson, as the Duke's stand-in, to the Exhibition Grounds where they rehearsed a walk and greet with the Brisbane public and selected dignitaries. And the feedback from Gloria and Mr McPherson is very amusing where they describe "the 'pumpimg' too severe"
Mr. McPherson said the 'Royal' car was uncomfortably hot, because of its low speed (average 6 mph).'Too vigorous' Both Miss Stewart and he complained of the too vigorous handshakes of people presented at the Exhibition Ground. He said that in many cases the grip was too tight and the 'pumping' too severe. It was necessary only to touch the hand.Twenty-four aldermen and City Council departmental heads and their wives were presented. After the presentation Alderman Roberts told them to shake hands more lightly. Mrs. Gair (wife of the Qld Premier) explained how to curtsy, and the presentation was repeated.
The Courier-Mail and Amalgamated Wireless Australasia bought the television equipment to Brisbane for a demonstration where the Queens address to the Queensland Parliament would be broadcast to at least two televisions sets, one in the Qld Premiers office and the other was installed in Ward 3 of the Greenslopes Repatriation Hospital.
After her "arrival" at Eagle Farm Gloria accompanied Mr C.J.McPherson, as the Duke's stand-in, to the Exhibition Grounds where they rehearsed a walk and greet with the Brisbane public and selected dignitaries. And the feedback from Gloria and Mr McPherson is very amusing where they describe "the 'pumpimg' too severe"
Mr. McPherson said the 'Royal' car was uncomfortably hot, because of its low speed (average 6 mph).'Too vigorous' Both Miss Stewart and he complained of the too vigorous handshakes of people presented at the Exhibition Ground. He said that in many cases the grip was too tight and the 'pumping' too severe. It was necessary only to touch the hand.Twenty-four aldermen and City Council departmental heads and their wives were presented. After the presentation Alderman Roberts told them to shake hands more lightly. Mrs. Gair (wife of the Qld Premier) explained how to curtsy, and the presentation was repeated.
The Courier-Mail and Amalgamated Wireless Australasia bought the television equipment to Brisbane for a demonstration where the Queens address to the Queensland Parliament would be broadcast to at least two televisions sets, one in the Qld Premiers office and the other was installed in Ward 3 of the Greenslopes Repatriation Hospital.
And what did some of the first people in Brisbane to watch television have to say about it?
Said one of the ward sisters : 'It's just like the films on a smaller scale, and it's wonderful to think it's happening now. Another patient, Mr. Gilbert Lynch, of Hendra, said: 'We'll be able to see even the expressions on their faces. This is a wonderful thing they're doing for us.'Mr. Herman Croft, 66, agreed : 'It certainly makes up for the fact that the Queen isn't coming out here herself.'
Said one of the ward sisters : 'It's just like the films on a smaller scale, and it's wonderful to think it's happening now. Another patient, Mr. Gilbert Lynch, of Hendra, said: 'We'll be able to see even the expressions on their faces. This is a wonderful thing they're doing for us.'Mr. Herman Croft, 66, agreed : 'It certainly makes up for the fact that the Queen isn't coming out here herself.'
Whatever became of Miss Gloria Stewart? Sadly, the trail has gone cold. She seemed to have her ninety two minutes plus of fame and disappeared from the public record. There are no other references to Gloria Stewart that we have managed to find and can only presume she married; perhaps she is still with us. If you know what became of Brisbane's ninety two minute queen, let us know.
Citations:
1954 'BRISBANE WILL HAVE 92-MINUTE "QUEEN".', The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), 6 February, p. 3. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article50571091
1954 'TV WAS '100 PER CENT'.', The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), 9 March, p. 3.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article50568087
1954 'Full "Progress" rehearsal.', The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), 22 February, p. 6. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article50580083
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Unfurl Your Best Bunting Brisbane II. The Royal Visit, 1954. Full Colour.
Commonwealth Bank , corner Albert and Adelaide Street.
Grey Street Bridge.
Adelaide Street looking from Anzac Square towards Albert Street.
Commonwealth Buildings, Anzac Square.
Commonwealth Buildings, Anzac Square.
Commonwealth Bank, Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley.
Citation: National Archives of Australia
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