Object Advanced Search : Social History

The Fairchild Electro Set Keyboard demonstrates an important step in the evolution of typesetting from manual to computerised operation. It is part of the earliest computerised equipment used for printing at Queensland Newspapers, and newspapers throughout Australia, and its obsolescence is evocative of the rapidly evolving technology of this field.

The keyboard was owned by Queensland Newspapers from ca.1968 until ca.1982, where it was used for data input in the composition of both news and classifieds. The keyboard produced 6 level punched paper tape which contained mark up, typesetting commands and text. Additional formatting was required and the tape was fed into a Digital PDP-8 mainframe computer, which processed the data and produced a second punch tape containing justification and hyphenation. The second tape was then processed by an automated Linotype or Intertype machine which produced hot metal type for page composition.

The keyboard represents an important step in the evolution of newspaper printing technology, specifically the introduction of computerised equipment in the typesetting process. The mid twentieth century was a time of increased research and development of computer technology. The introduction of the special-purpose PDP-8 mainframe computer by the Digital Equipment Corporation in 1965, was a major innovation, forming the basis of many computer-controlled typesetting systems at the time. For companies such as Queensland Newspapers, the introduction of computerised typesetting had the potential to increase efficiency and output, although in hindsight the process appears cumbersome in comparison with modern printing techniques.

The 1982 collapse of AM International (formerlythe Addressograph-Multigraph Corporation) is also representative of the challenge faced by many corporations then, struggling to successfully transition from mechancical to digital systems. The retention of obsolete computer equipment from the 1960s is relatively rare, given the space required to store them and their redundant use, and the keyboard is evocative of the early and rapidly evolving technology of this field.

This party invitation was made by two flood affected neighbours who lived in Riverview after the clean-up phase of the Queensland floods 2010-2011. After the flood waters receded, a large group of volunteers assisted them in cleaning up their homes and helped them gain normality back in their lives. The two neighbours were sincerely grateful for the help and decided to host a party to say thank you to all those who volunteered and offered assistance. They made up these invites and included a printed personal message which displayed their words of thanks to the many ways in which total strangers helped them gain normality back in their lives. The message also includes further details of the party which was held at The Roadvale Pub near Ipswich on Saturday 6th March 2011.

The series of Queensland cyclones and floods which occurred over the summer of 2010-2011 was one of the most devastating natural disasters in the history of the state. The events which were named in the media as ‘Queensland’s Summer of Disasters’, impacted over 2.5 million people and saw the evacuation of entire towns, power and water being cut off as well as roads, railway lines, buildings, homes and personal property damaged. It also resulted in the tragic death of 35 people and the declaration of 78% of the state as a disaster zone.

After the extreme weather conditions took place and the flood waters receded, thousands of volunteers immediately responded by rallying together to help friends, neighbours and complete strangers clean up their businesses and homes. Many Queenslander’s showed great generosity, courage, strength and community spirit during the clean-up phase of the event with volunteers providing hands-on help, free services, professional advice, donations and much more to help those cyclone and flood affected victims get back on their feet.

The series of Queensland cyclones and floods which occurred over the summer of 2010-2011 was one of the most devastating natural disasters in the history of the state. The events which were named by the media as ‘Queensland’s Summer of Disasters’, impacted over 2.5 million people and saw the evacuation of entire towns, power and water being cut off as well as roads, railway lines, buildings, homes and personal property damaged. It also resulted in the tragic death of 35 people and the declaration of 78% of the state as a disaster zone.

After the extreme weather conditions took place and the flood waters receded, thousands of volunteers immediately responded by rallying together to help friends, neighbours and complete strangers clean up their businesses and homes. Many Queenslander’s showed great generosity, courage, strength and community spirit during the clean-up phase of the event with volunteers providing hands-on help, free services, professional advice, donations and much more to help those cyclone and flood affected victims get back on their feet.

Later, on the 2nd March 2011, then Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh invited Queenslanders to nominate individuals in their community who they thought deserved a ‘Queensland Disaster Hero’ award. Nominated heroes had to demonstrate community initiative, bravery, courage, resilience and strength during the natural disasters. More than 3,500 people were nominated across the state and invited to one of ten recognition ceremonies during the Queensland Week celebrations which ran from 4th to 13th June 2011. Ceremonies were held throughout the month of June in the Lockyer Valley, Tully, Townsville, Rockhampton, Dalby, Emerald, Bundaberg, Toowoomba, Ipswich and Brisbane where each Queensland Disaster Hero was awarded a special commemorative medal as a keepsake and reminder of their contribution. This is an example of the medals handed out by the Queensland Government to those people who were nominated as disaster heroes.

This sword was part of the uniform worn by Sir Samuel Griffith on ceremonial occasions. Sir Samuel Griffith (1845-1920) held numerous positions including Attorney General, Premier in 1883 and 1890, Chief Justice of Queensland, Lieutenant Governor of Queensland, and Chief Justice of Australia. He married Julia Thompson (later referred to as Lady Griffith) of Maitland, NSW in July, 1870. They had six children, Mary, Llewellyn (Llew), helen (Nellie), Edward (Percy), Alice (Gwen) and Edith (Edie). In 1886 he was made Knight Commander of St Michael and St George, and in 1895 Grand Companion. In 1875 as Attorney General he introduced the State Education Act, which provided free primary school education for all Queensland children. In the following year he was appointed Secretary of Public Instruction (now Education Queensland). Griffith's illustrious career in the law and in Queensland politics culminated in his role in Federation. Following the drafting of the federal constitution during the latter part of the 1890s, and the proclamation of Federation in January 1901, Sir Samuel was appointed Chief Justice of Australia in 1903.

This sword was part of the uniform worn by Sir Samuel Griffith on ceremonial occasions. Sir Samuel Griffith (1845-1920) held numerous positions including Attorney General, Premier in 1883 and 1890, Chief Justice of Queensland, Lieutenant Governor of Queensland, and Chief Justice of Australia. He married Julia Thompson (later referred to as Lady Griffith) of Maitland, NSW in July, 1870. They had six children, Mary, Llewellyn (Llew), helen (Nellie), Edward (Percy), Alice (Gwen) and Edith (Edie). In 1886 he was made Knight Commander of St Michael and St George, and in 1895 Grand Companion. In 1875 as Attorney General he introduced the State Education Act, which provided free primary school education for all Queensland children. In the following year he was appointed Secretary of Public Instruction (now Education Queensland). Griffith's illustrious career in the law and in Queensland politics culminated in his role in Federation. Following the drafting of the federal constitution during the latter part of the 1890s, and the proclamation of Federation in January 1901, Sir Samuel was appointed Chief Justice of Australia in 1903.

This sword was part of the uniform worn by Sir Samuel Griffith on ceremonial occasions. Sir Samuel Griffith (1845-1920) held numerous positions including Attorney General, Premier in 1883 and 1890, Chief Justice of Queensland, Lieutenant Governor of Queensland, and Chief Justice of Australia. He married Julia Thompson (later referred to as Lady Griffith) of Maitland, NSW in July, 1870. They had six children, Mary, Llewellyn (Llew), helen (Nellie), Edward (Percy), Alice (Gwen) and Edith (Edie). In 1886 he was made Knight Commander of St Michael and St George, and in 1895 Grand Companion. In 1875 as Attorney General he introduced the State Education Act, which provided free primary school education for all Queensland children. In the following year he was appointed Secretary of Public Instruction (now Education Queensland). Griffith's illustrious career in the law and in Queensland politics culminated in his role in Federation. Following the drafting of the federal constitution during the latter part of the 1890s, and the proclamation of Federation in January 1901, Sir Samuel was appointed Chief Justice of Australia in 1903.

This sword was part of the uniform worn by Sir Samuel Griffith on ceremonial occasions. Sir Samuel Griffith (1845-1920) held numerous positions including Attorney General, Premier in 1883 and 1890, Chief Justice of Queensland, Lieutenant Governor of Queensland, and Chief Justice of Australia. He married Julia Thompson (later referred to as Lady Griffith) of Maitland, NSW in July, 1870. They had six children, Mary, Llewellyn (Llew), helen (Nellie), Edward (Percy), Alice (Gwen) and Edith (Edie). In 1886 he was made Knight Commander of St Michael and St George, and in 1895 Grand Companion. In 1875 as Attorney General he introduced the State Education Act, which provided free primary school education for all Queensland children. In the following year he was appointed Secretary of Public Instruction (now Education Queensland). Griffith's illustrious career in the law and in Queensland politics culminated in his role in Federation. Following the drafting of the federal constitution during the latter part of the 1890s, and the proclamation of Federation in January 1901, Sir Samuel was appointed Chief Justice of Australia in 1903.

This Japanese flag was captured by Australian troops in the significant Battle of Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, in August-September 1942 during the Pacific War (1939-1942). It is signed by personnel of the 2/9th Battalion Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.).

The 2/9th Battalion was one of several infantry battalions which formed part of the 18th Brigade. These regular infantry battalions, as well as Australian Militia battalions, played an important role in the defeat of Japanese forces in the Battle of Milne Bay.

It was during this battle where Japanese forces suffered their first significant land defeat. At this time New Guinea was actually Australian territory, and Australian forces were in fact defending Australian soil against these Japanese invasion forces.

Many of the signatures which appear on the flag have a "QX" prefix, indicating they were Queensland enlisted soldiers. They include the first Queensland serial number prefix recipient: QX1 John William Archer, who enlisted 20 October 1939 at Albion, Brisbane, served in the 2/9th Battalion and was later discharged on 11 October 1945.

Another of the signatures is that of Lieutenant George Kenneth (Ken) Jackson. Ken was Assistant in Ethnology at the Queensland Museum from 1937. He volunteered for the 2nd A.I.F. at the outbreak of World War 2, and was posted to the Queensland-raised 2/9th Infantry Battalion. He served in the United Kingdom and North Africa, before returning to Australia from where he served in the South-West Pacific theatre with this battalion in 1942.

Ken Jackson was commissioned in the field at Milne Bay, where Australian military forces first stopped the advance of Japanese land forces in their drive towards Australia. Ken was killed in action at Sanananda, Papua New Guinea on 12 January 1943, while leading his company against the Japanese who had been turned back on the Kokoda Track. He was later awarded a posthumous Mentioned-in-Despatches "for Gallantry and Distinguished Service in the S.W. Pacific" on 13 May 1943.

Uploaded to the Web 27 May 2011.

This sword was part of the uniform worn by Sir Samuel Griffith on ceremonial occasions. Sir Samuel Griffith (1845-1920) held numerous positions including Attorney General, Premier in 1883 and 1890, Chief Justice of Queensland, Lieutenant Governor of Queensland, and Chief Justice of Australia. He married Julia Thompson (later referred to as Lady Griffith) of Maitland, NSW in July, 1870. They had six children, Mary, Llewellyn (Llew), helen (Nellie), Edward (Percy), Alice (Gwen) and Edith (Edie). In 1886 he was made Knight Commander of St Michael and St George, and in 1895 Grand Companion. In 1875 as Attorney General he introduced the State Education Act, which provided free primary school education for all Queensland children. In the following year he was appointed Secretary of Public Instruction (now Education Queensland). Griffith's illustrious career in the law and in Queensland politics culminated in his role in Federation. Following the drafting of the federal constitution during the latter part of the 1890s, and the proclamation of Federation in January 1901, Sir Samuel was appointed Chief Justice of Australia in 1903.

This sword was part of the uniform worn by Sir Samuel Griffith on ceremonial occasions. Sir Samuel Griffith (1845-1920) held numerous positions including Attorney General, Premier in 1883 and 1890, Chief Justice of Queensland, Lieutenant Governor of Queensland, and Chief Justice of Australia. He married Julia Thompson (later referred to as Lady Griffith) of Maitland, NSW in July, 1870. They had six children, Mary, Llewellyn (Llew), helen (Nellie), Edward (Percy), Alice (Gwen) and Edith (Edie). In 1886 he was made Knight Commander of St Michael and St George, and in 1895 Grand Companion. In 1875 as Attorney General he introduced the State Education Act, which provided free primary school education for all Queensland children. In the following year he was appointed Secretary of Public Instruction (now Education Queensland). Griffith's illustrious career in the law and in Queensland politics culminated in his role in Federation. Following the drafting of the federal constitution during the latter part of the 1890s, and the proclamation of Federation in January 1901, Sir Samuel was appointed Chief Justice of Australia in 1903.

This sword was part of the uniform worn by Sir Samuel Griffith on ceremonial occasions. Sir Samuel Griffith (1845-1920) held numerous positions including Attorney General, Premier in 1883 and 1890, Chief Justice of Queensland, Lieutenant Governor of Queensland, and Chief Justice of Australia. He married Julia Thompson (later referred to as Lady Griffith) of Maitland, NSW in July, 1870. They had six children, Mary, Llewellyn (Llew), helen (Nellie), Edward (Percy), Alice (Gwen) and Edith (Edie). In 1886 he was made Knight Commander of St Michael and St George, and in 1895 Grand Companion. In 1875 as Attorney General he introduced the State Education Act, which provided free primary school education for all Queensland children. In the following year he was appointed Secretary of Public Instruction (now Education Queensland). Griffith's illustrious career in the law and in Queensland politics culminated in his role in Federation. Following the drafting of the federal constitution during the latter part of the 1890s, and the proclamation of Federation in January 1901, Sir Samuel was appointed Chief Justice of Australia in 1903.

This sword was part of the uniform worn by Sir Samuel Griffith on ceremonial occasions. Sir Samuel Griffith (1845-1920) held numerous positions including Attorney General, Premier in 1883 and 1890, Chief Justice of Queensland, Lieutenant Governor of Queensland, and Chief Justice of Australia. He married Julia Thompson (later referred to as Lady Griffith) of Maitland, NSW in July, 1870. They had six children, Mary, Llewellyn (Llew), helen (Nellie), Edward (Percy), Alice (Gwen) and Edith (Edie). In 1886 he was made Knight Commander of St Michael and St George, and in 1895 Grand Companion. In 1875 as Attorney General he introduced the State Education Act, which provided free primary school education for all Queensland children. In the following year he was appointed Secretary of Public Instruction (now Education Queensland). Griffith's illustrious career in the law and in Queensland politics culminated in his role in Federation. Following the drafting of the federal constitution during the latter part of the 1890s, and the proclamation of Federation in January 1901, Sir Samuel was appointed Chief Justice of Australia in 1903.

This sword was part of the uniform worn by Sir Samuel Griffith on ceremonial occasions. Sir Samuel Griffith (1845-1920) held numerous positions including Attorney General, Premier in 1883 and 1890, Chief Justice of Queensland, Lieutenant Governor of Queensland, and Chief Justice of Australia. He married Julia Thompson (later referred to as Lady Griffith) of Maitland, NSW in July, 1870. They had six children, Mary, Llewellyn (Llew), helen (Nellie), Edward (Percy), Alice (Gwen) and Edith (Edie). In 1886 he was made Knight Commander of St Michael and St George, and in 1895 Grand Companion. In 1875 as Attorney General he introduced the State Education Act, which provided free primary school education for all Queensland children. In the following year he was appointed Secretary of Public Instruction (now Education Queensland). Griffith's illustrious career in the law and in Queensland politics culminated in his role in Federation. Following the drafting of the federal constitution during the latter part of the 1890s, and the proclamation of Federation in January 1901, Sir Samuel was appointed Chief Justice of Australia in 1903.

This sword was part of the uniform worn by Sir Samuel Griffith on ceremonial occasions. Sir Samuel Griffith (1845-1920) held numerous positions including Attorney General, Premier in 1883 and 1890, Chief Justice of Queensland, Lieutenant Governor of Queensland, and Chief Justice of Australia. He married Julia Thompson (later referred to as Lady Griffith) of Maitland, NSW in July, 1870. They had six children, Mary, Llewellyn (Llew), helen (Nellie), Edward (Percy), Alice (Gwen) and Edith (Edie). In 1886 he was made Knight Commander of St Michael and St George, and in 1895 Grand Companion. In 1875 as Attorney General he introduced the State Education Act, which provided free primary school education for all Queensland children. In the following year he was appointed Secretary of Public Instruction (now Education Queensland). Griffith's illustrious career in the law and in Queensland politics culminated in his role in Federation. Following the drafting of the federal constitution during the latter part of the 1890s, and the proclamation of Federation in January 1901, Sir Samuel was appointed Chief Justice of Australia in 1903.

This sword was part of the uniform worn by Sir Samuel Griffith on ceremonial occasions. Sir Samuel Griffith (1845-1920) held numerous positions including Attorney General, Premier in 1883 and 1890, Chief Justice of Queensland, Lieutenant Governor of Queensland, and Chief Justice of Australia. He married Julia Thompson (later referred to as Lady Griffith) of Maitland, NSW in July, 1870. They had six children, Mary, Llewellyn (Llew), helen (Nellie), Edward (Percy), Alice (Gwen) and Edith (Edie). In 1886 he was made Knight Commander of St Michael and St George, and in 1895 Grand Companion. In 1875 as Attorney General he introduced the State Education Act, which provided free primary school education for all Queensland children. In the following year he was appointed Secretary of Public Instruction (now Education Queensland). Griffith's illustrious career in the law and in Queensland politics culminated in his role in Federation. Following the drafting of the federal constitution during the latter part of the 1890s, and the proclamation of Federation in January 1901, Sir Samuel was appointed Chief Justice of Australia in 1903.

This sword was part of the uniform worn by Sir Samuel Griffith on ceremonial occasions. Sir Samuel Griffith (1845-1920) held numerous positions including Attorney General, Premier in 1883 and 1890, Chief Justice of Queensland, Lieutenant Governor of Queensland, and Chief Justice of Australia. He married Julia Thompson (later referred to as Lady Griffith) of Maitland, NSW in July, 1870. They had six children, Mary, Llewellyn (Llew), helen (Nellie), Edward (Percy), Alice (Gwen) and Edith (Edie). In 1886 he was made Knight Commander of St Michael and St George, and in 1895 Grand Companion. In 1875 as Attorney General he introduced the State Education Act, which provided free primary school education for all Queensland children. In the following year he was appointed Secretary of Public Instruction (now Education Queensland). Griffith's illustrious career in the law and in Queensland politics culminated in his role in Federation. Following the drafting of the federal constitution during the latter part of the 1890s, and the proclamation of Federation in January 1901, Sir Samuel was appointed Chief Justice of Australia in 1903.

This sword was part of the uniform worn by Sir Samuel Griffith on ceremonial occasions. Sir Samuel Griffith (1845-1920) held numerous positions including Attorney General, Premier in 1883 and 1890, Chief Justice of Queensland, Lieutenant Governor of Queensland, and Chief Justice of Australia. He married Julia Thompson (later referred to as Lady Griffith) of Maitland, NSW in July, 1870. They had six children, Mary, Llewellyn (Llew), helen (Nellie), Edward (Percy), Alice (Gwen) and Edith (Edie). In 1886 he was made Knight Commander of St Michael and St George, and in 1895 Grand Companion. In 1875 as Attorney General he introduced the State Education Act, which provided free primary school education for all Queensland children. In the following year he was appointed Secretary of Public Instruction (now Education Queensland). Griffith's illustrious career in the law and in Queensland politics culminated in his role in Federation. Following the drafting of the federal constitution during the latter part of the 1890s, and the proclamation of Federation in January 1901, Sir Samuel was appointed Chief Justice of Australia in 1903.

Owned by Douglas Drouyn,this four-piece lounge suit was worn during musical performances at various venues, including Cloudland, in Brisbane during the 1930s and 1940s.

Co-founder and operator of iconic Brisbane and Australian music store and drum manufacturing business, Drouyn & Drouyn, Doug Drouyn was one of Brisbane's best-known saxophone players in the 1930s and '40s.Together with his sister, Dorothy, on mandolin, the Doug Drouyn band performed at venues such as Albert Hall and were regularly broadcast on Brisbane radio station, 4BK. The band, named in news sources as 'one of Brisbane's most popular dance bands' was much in demand at events such as balls, fashion parades and at country occasions throughout Queensland.

As well as performing with Jim Davidson’s A.B.C. Dance Band, Wintergarden Symyphony Orchestra and the Trocadero Band, Doug Drouyn was leader of Lennon’s Hotel Band for two years. As a soloist, he played under Geo. Szell (well-known symphony conductor) at a concert in the Grand Theatre, Bowen, Queensland.

This bottle of dried blood serum is thought to be from the first batch of such serum, produced at Cambridge University (1940). The desiccation process was invented to address the chronic need for transportation of blood products during war time. This bottle belonged to a Mr A E Platt who, according to a letter accompanying the donation, was one of the "first human guinea pigs" to receive reconstituted serum. The bottle is part of Queensland Museum's Red Cross collection.

This lead ingot was given to Mr John Mathew, a former Mount Isa Mines surveyor, with his first pay in 1958. Commemorative ingots were issued to all employees until the practice became too expensive to continue.

Mount Isa Mines was established on 19 January 1924 with early production focussed principally on zinc-lead-silver. During the 1930s and 1940s the mine produced copper for a brief period in response to Australia's war needs during World War Two. Parallel production of zinc-lead-silver and copper did not begin until 1953.

The expansion of commodities in the 1950s coincided with post-war immigration, providing jobs for migrants and an opportunity to rebuild their lives. Migrants have left a rich cultural legacy in Mount Isa and in many remote mining towns throughout Australia.

Mount Isa Mines was acquired by Glencore in May 2013 and is still a major employer in the area.

This object is from the Helen Barrett collection, which was donated to Queensland Museum in 2014. Miss Helen Barrett worked as a nurse with the Australian Board of Mission in Solomon Islands from 1947 until 1984. Barrett was based at Tasia in Isabel Province, and Maravovo on Guadalcanal before being stationed at the Hospital of the Epiphany at Fauabu, Malaita from 1968 until 1984. In the 1990s, Barrett worked with the Mothers Union in the Torres Strait Islands. Her collection largely comprises of objects that were presented as gifts over the course of her missionary work in Melanesia.

The tray was made in Brisbane at a craft workshop set up to teach new skills to soldiers who had returnd from World War 2.

This Abbe camera lucida with case was owned and used by Charles Joseph Pound (b.1866 – d.1946), one of Australia’s earliest scientists to investigate veterinary and medical diseases in Queensland during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

It forms part of a larger collection of instruments relating to Pound’s work in Queensland and reflects the transfer of new scientific knowledge and approaches from London to Queensland. The collection comprises an assortment of medical and veterinary implements such as surgical instruments, thermometers, syringes, needles and cannula and tubing. It also includes scales, beam balances, weight sets and a set of telescoping tubes.

Charles Joseph Pound was born in Harrow, England on 30th May 1866. He studied laboratory technology at King’s College, London and became a microscopist before going on to study vaccine preparation and protective inoculation procedures at the Pasteur Institute.

Pound first came to Australia in 1892, after receiving an invitation to set up a bacteriology laboratory at the University of Sydney. It was shortly after his arrival that Pound realised the laboratory had not yet been established and quickly managed to secure a position of practical bacteriological laboratory assistant for the New South Wales Department of Health.

In December 1893, Pound was appointed Director of the newly established Queensland Stock Institute in Brisbane – the first institute laboratory in Queensland dedicated to investigating disease of any kind in both humans and animals. In September 1894, Pound looked into Redwater Disease (Bovine Babesiosis) also known as Tick Fever in the gulf district – it was the first inoculation study into this disease in Australia. Pound found that Redwater Disease was confined to bovines and the disease was transmitted through the bite of cattle ticks. The following year, Pound trained Queensland stockowners in the technique of collecting blood from recovered bovines, defibrinating it and using this vaccine to inoculate their at-risk cattle.

At the recommendation of Pound in July 1899, the Queensland Government built new research laboratories under the new name of the Bacteriological Institute. Administration for the building was transferred to the Health Section of the Home Secretary’s Department and Pound was appointed Queensland Government Bacteriologist. During this period, Pound’s work focused on human health and he carried out unofficial laboratory diagnoses for medical practitioners. During this period, Pound was the only scientist in the country producing tuberculin and investigating leprosy. In March 1900, Pound made the first diagnosis of the bubonic plague outbreak in Brisbane. He also had a hand in ensuring a safe milk supply by securing legislation that required regular tuberculosis-testing of dairy herds.

While retaining his title as Government Bacteriologist, in 1910 Pound transferred to the newly built Stock Experiment Station at Yeerongpilly. Some of the early work of the Station included conducting research into the eradication of cattle ticks and the diseases caused by them, undertaking post mortems and animal husbandry research studies and experiments. Pound retired on 31 July 1932 at the age of sixty-six years, and the position was abolished on 27 April 1933.

Pound contributed much to the control of both veterinary and medical disease in Queensland during his thirty-nine years of service in the Queensland government, but his outstanding contribution was his protective inoculation and extension work on babesiosis which saved hundreds of thousands of cattle from tick fever. His willingness to educate the public on all manner of scientific topics through his lectures using glass lantern slides is also to his credit; and although this was sometimes considered publicity to gain kudos, it nonetheless served a useful purpose in making knowledge available to a public far less informed public than of today which ingratiated him to a wide range of people.

This beam balance was owned and used by Charles Joseph Pound (b.1866 – d.1946), one of Australia’s earliest scientists to investigate veterinary and medical diseases in Queensland during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

It forms part of a larger collection of instruments relating to Pound’s work in Queensland and reflects the transfer of new scientific knowledge and approaches from London to Queensland. The collection comprises an assortment of medical and veterinary implements such as surgical instruments, thermometers, syringes, needles and cannula and tubing. It also includes scales, beam balances, weight sets and a set of telescoping tubes.

Charles Joseph Pound was born in Harrow, England on 30th May 1866. He studied laboratory technology at King’s College, London and became a microscopist before going on to study vaccine preparation and protective inoculation procedures at the Pasteur Institute.

Pound first came to Australia in 1892, after receiving an invitation to set up a bacteriology laboratory at the University of Sydney. It was shortly after his arrival that Pound realised the laboratory had not yet been established and quickly managed to secure a position of practical bacteriological laboratory assistant for the New South Wales Department of Health.

In December 1893, Pound was appointed Director of the newly established Queensland Stock Institute in Brisbane – the first institute laboratory in Queensland dedicated to investigating disease of any kind in both humans and animals. In September 1894, Pound looked into Redwater Disease (Bovine Babesiosis) also known as Tick Fever in the gulf district – it was the first inoculation study into this disease in Australia. Pound found that Redwater Disease was confined to bovines and the disease was transmitted through the bite of cattle ticks. The following year, Pound trained Queensland stockowners in the technique of collecting blood from recovered bovines, defibrinating it and using this vaccine to inoculate their at-risk cattle.

At the recommendation of Pound in July 1899, the Queensland Government built new research laboratories under the new name of the Bacteriological Institute. Administration for the building was transferred to the Health Section of the Home Secretary’s Department and Pound was appointed Queensland Government Bacteriologist. During this period, Pound’s work focused on human health and he carried out unofficial laboratory diagnoses for medical practitioners. During this period, Pound was the only scientist in the country producing tuberculin and investigating leprosy. In March 1900, Pound made the first diagnosis of the bubonic plague outbreak in Brisbane. He also had a hand in ensuring a safe milk supply by securing legislation that required regular tuberculosis-testing of dairy herds.

While retaining his title as Government Bacteriologist, in 1910 Pound transferred to the newly built Stock Experiment Station at Yeerongpilly. Some of the early work of the Station included conducting research into the eradication of cattle ticks and the diseases caused by them, undertaking post mortems and animal husbandry research studies and experiments. Pound retired on 31 July 1932 at the age of sixty-six years, and the position was abolished on 27 April 1933.

Pound contributed much to the control of both veterinary and medical disease in Queensland during his thirty-nine years of service in the Queensland government, but his outstanding contribution was his protective inoculation and extension work on babesiosis which saved hundreds of thousands of cattle from tick fever. His willingness to educate the public on all manner of scientific topics through his lectures using glass lantern slides is also to his credit; and although this was sometimes considered publicity to gain kudos, it nonetheless served a useful purpose in making knowledge available to a public far less informed public than of today which ingratiated him to a wide range of people.

This set of analytical weights with a wooden box was owned and used by Charles Joseph Pound (b.1866 – d.1946), one of Australia’s earliest scientists to investigate veterinary and medical diseases in Queensland during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

It forms part of a larger collection of instruments relating to Pound’s work in Queensland and reflects the transfer of new scientific knowledge and approaches from London to Queensland. The collection comprises an assortment of medical and veterinary implements such as surgical instruments, thermometers, syringes, needles and cannula and tubing. It also includes scales, beam balances, weight sets and a set of telescoping tubes.

Charles Joseph Pound was born in Harrow, England on 30th May 1866. He studied laboratory technology at King’s College, London and became a microscopist before going on to study vaccine preparation and protective inoculation procedures at the Pasteur Institute.

Pound first came to Australia in 1892, after receiving an invitation to set up a bacteriology laboratory at the University of Sydney. It was shortly after his arrival that Pound realised the laboratory had not yet been established and quickly managed to secure a position of practical bacteriological laboratory assistant for the New South Wales Department of Health.

In December 1893, Pound was appointed Director of the newly established Queensland Stock Institute in Brisbane – the first institute laboratory in Queensland dedicated to investigating disease of any kind in both humans and animals. In September 1894, Pound looked into Redwater Disease (Bovine Babesiosis) also known as Tick Fever in the gulf district – it was the first inoculation study into this disease in Australia. Pound found that Redwater Disease was confined to bovines and the disease was transmitted through the bite of cattle ticks. The following year, Pound trained Queensland stockowners in the technique of collecting blood from recovered bovines, defibrinating it and using this vaccine to inoculate their at-risk cattle.

At the recommendation of Pound in July 1899, the Queensland Government built new research laboratories under the new name of the Bacteriological Institute. Administration for the building was transferred to the Health Section of the Home Secretary’s Department and Pound was appointed Queensland Government Bacteriologist. During this period, Pound’s work focused on human health and he carried out unofficial laboratory diagnoses for medical practitioners. During this period, Pound was the only scientist in the country producing tuberculin and investigating leprosy. In March 1900, Pound made the first diagnosis of the bubonic plague outbreak in Brisbane. He also had a hand in ensuring a safe milk supply by securing legislation that required regular tuberculosis-testing of dairy herds.

While retaining his title as Government Bacteriologist, in 1910 Pound transferred to the newly built Stock Experiment Station at Yeerongpilly. Some of the early work of the Station included conducting research into the eradication of cattle ticks and the diseases caused by them, undertaking post mortems and animal husbandry research studies and experiments. Pound retired on 31 July 1932 at the age of sixty-six years, and the position was abolished on 27 April 1933.

Pound contributed much to the control of both veterinary and medical disease in Queensland during his thirty-nine years of service in the Queensland government, but his outstanding contribution was his protective inoculation and extension work on babesiosis which saved hundreds of thousands of cattle from tick fever. His willingness to educate the public on all manner of scientific topics through his lectures using glass lantern slides is also to his credit; and although this was sometimes considered publicity to gain kudos, it nonetheless served a useful purpose in making knowledge available to a public far less informed public than of today which ingratiated him to a wide range of people.