Lets explore St Helena Island in Moreton Bay and probe its history.

Where: St Helena Island National Park – Moreton Bay.

When: 10 am Saturday 23rd November 2019 (Be at William Gunn Jetty, Manly, by 9:45 am)

Cost: Members $85; Non-members $90 (Includes ferry, lunch, and guided walking tour)

Transport: Own transport to Manly

Duration: Five hours or a little more

Parking: Google Maps shows an appreciable amount of car parking within 5 to 8 minutes walk. Trip Advisor indicates street parking is available within 5 to 8 minutes walk as well.

Details: St Helena Island lies about 5 east of the mouth of the Brisbane River and has an area of about 80 hectares excluding mangroves.

Evidence from middens shows that the island, known as Noogoon, was used by Aboriginal people for hunting dugong and flying-foxes and gathering shellfish.

St Helena was originally intended to be a quarantine station but the buildings constructed for this purpose were converted into prison accommodation and the island functioned as a high security prison. A proclamation declaring the island a place of detention was signed by the Queensland Governor, Sir George Bowen, on 14 May 1867.

By the end of the twentieth century, there were over 300 prisoners on the island, many of whom had been convicted of violent crimes. Prisoners were engaged in farming, with sugar, maize, lucerne and vegetables being produced; as well as ‘trade’ activities such as brickmaking, tailoring, and rope making.

The prison was in decline by the 1920s and most prisoners and workshops were moved to Bogo Road Gaol. A number of buildings were dismantled and the last prisoner left the island on 15 February 1933. The island was gazetted a National Park in 1979 and as the first Historic Area in Queensland in 1980.

Our guided tour with Cat O’Nine Tails Cruises will include buildings in the restricted zone and involve walking a little over 4 km. Lunch will be provided during the tour. Bring a bottle of water, sunscreen and a hat, and wear comfortable shoes.

Co-ordinator: Bob Reid 0412 625944 (Mary Comer from 14 September to 1 November). bob.reid@tpg.com.au

The President warmly invites its members and guests to enjoy a final get together for 2019. Come along and reminisce over your geographical adventures and catch up with your friends.

The registration cost will cover drinks, tea, coffee and Christmas Cake. It would be much appreciated if members are able to bring a plate to share.

I look forward to greeting you all on the night. On behalf of the RGSQ, I extend best wishes and season's greetings to all members and friends of RGSQ.

Location:

TREK TO LAMBERT CENTRE

This exciting 12 day trip includes return air-fares from Brisbane, a luxury 4WD Tour Coach with a driver/guide and camp cook. Many included attractions, as well as all breakfasts and dinners and most lunches. Some camping and some motels/cabins.

The Lambert Centre was created by the Royal Geographical Society of Queensland, as a Geographical Icon, to commemorate the Bicentenary of Australia in 1988. The monument is a flagpole modelled on parliament house in Canberra. The commemorative plaque will be replaced during this trek.

Along the way we will visit a number of significant sites in the 'centre', including the West MacDonald Ranges, Uluru & Kata-Tjuta National Parks, Coober Pedy and William Creek and finally Roxby Downs, Woomera and Port Augusta, before departing home from Adelaide.

There is a limit of 20 people. The cost is not finalised but is not expected to exceed $4500 per person twin share, with single supplement of $575. An initial deposit of $350 is required to confirm your registration ASAP. Further progress payments of $500 is required by 9/3/2020 and the final balance by 9/7/2020.

All payments are non-refundable (subject to conditions) and it is recommended that participants arrange appropriate travel insurance. Participants must also be financial members of RGSQ at the time of the trek.

The itinerary is available for viewing and members will be advised as costs and details are updated.

To learn more about the Lambert Centre please click here.