Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Moore, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) Miegunyah, formerly known as Beverley Wood, is a heritage-listed house in Bowen Hills, Brisbane that was built in the 1880s—it is a living example of Victorian elegance and charm, decorated with iron-lace balustrades, filigree columns and friezes, and furnished in late 19th century styling,

  (ii) the Queensland Women's Historical Association (QWHA), acquired Miegunyah in 1967, began refurbishment and officially opened it as a house museum in June 1968,

  (iii) in subsequent years funds have been received from an initial bequest from Miss Hilda Chandler and, later, Commonwealth and state governments, the Brisbane City Council, and contributions from the QWHA,

  (iv) funds have enabled slow but steady progress on conserving part of our nation's architectural heritage, to function as a museum and home for the QWHA,

  (v) Miegunyah is treasured as a venue for a regular program of historical talks, themed exhibitions, seminars and social events, and owes its status not least to the innumerable voluntary woman and man hours put in by QWHA members and honorary architects alike,

  (vi) the QWHA:

(A) was formed in 1950, with the aim to stimulate interest in the history of pioneer families and the contribution made by women to the development of Queensland,

(B) set out to educate and preserve a record of culture, and

(C) undertakes to collect documentary material, together with personal and household items that demonstrate our constantly changing lifestyle,

  (vii) within a year, the QWHA held its first exhibition 'Before 1900' at Newstead House and, on the centenary of Queensland becoming a separate colony in 1959, its first publication appeared titled '1859 and Before That1959 and All That',

  (viii) today, in the grounds of Miegunyah, stands a lamp as a memorial to Martha Young, QWHA president for 12 years from 1954, whose drive, enthusiasm and leadership contributed much to the Association's successes, and who initiated a scheme to identify and mark buildings, properties and sites of outstanding significance to Queensland,

  (ix) between 1960 and 1983, the QWHA recognised, and marked with plaques, 87 historic sites in Queensland, Britain and France,

  (x) with an expanding membership and collection in the 1960s, the QWHA needed a home of its own; fortuitously, colonial house Beverley Wood came on the market, and the QWHA led an appeal throughout the state, during 1967, to raise sufficient funds to save a colonial gem from demolition, and

  (xi) the successful purchase of the house Miegunyah, with the aim of maintaining the property as a Memorial to the Pioneer Women of Queensland, represented a triumph for all members and has strengthened the QWHA's ability to preserve our endangered heritage; and

(b) acknowledges the incredible women's history in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the opening of Miegunyah House Museum in 2018.

Question agreed to.