Author(s): Rod Fisher

Fiction

Packed inside this unique collection on colonial Brisbane are no less than 22 essays by historian Rod Fisher. Most were published as scattered articles in various formats over 25 years, 3 have never seen the light of day and all are brought up to date. While stepping through the years from 1842-1901 and sometimes further as a continuum, they are grouped under 5 main themes. 'Occupation' deals with early settlement, employment and pursuits until the 1860s. That involves the lie of the land including the town, its old windmill, industry, photography, cultural associations and personnel. The next theme of 'Alienation' traverses the same years in exposing, as never before, the aboriginal experience and ethnic mix, while taking the formation of the New Church until the early 1880s as an instance of sectarianism. The 'Separation' section concerns several historical oversights about 1859: the time-lag in acknowledging Brisbane as the colonial capital; rediscovery of the original proclamation of Queensland; recognition of the role of its prime public servant; and ongoing history of the first colonial flag; as well as the visual means used by a sojourning artist to promote Brisbane's new-found status in 1864-66. Then 'Personation' portrays the rise and fall of 4 'representative men' from early colonial years to the end of the era: an Anglican brewer turned public servant and teacher; English Swedenborgian artist, musician and naturalist; Scottish Presbyterian novelist, merchant and planter; and Irish Catholic building contractor - not forgetting their supportive and long-suffering wives. Going back from the late 1880s to the 1840s and then forward into the next century, the final theme of 'Location' examines the iniquities of urban Frogs Hollow, origins of rustic Bulimba, trends in old South Brisbane, controversies of North Brisbane Cemetery later Lang Park, perceptions of Brisbane River and sad saga of Moreton Bay.