Royal Historical Society of Queensland facts for kids
| Founded | 1913 |
|---|---|
| Type | Historical society; state peak body; charitable organisation |
| Registration no. | CH |
| Location |
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Area served
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Queensland, Australia |
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Formerly called
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Historical Society of Queensland (1913 – 1959) |
The Royal Historical Society of Queensland (RHSQ) is a special group that studies history. It was started in Brisbane, Australia, way back in 1913.
The RHSQ helps people learn about the history of Australia, especially Queensland and nearby Pacific islands. They have a huge collection of old documents, photos, and research materials. They also put on cool exhibitions to show off these historical items.
This society holds meetings, talks, and conferences where historians share their discoveries. They also publish a journal and other books with these important historical papers. The RHSQ works with other history groups to support the study of history and guide them. It is the main group for historical societies in Queensland.
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Explore the Historic Commissariat Store
The RHSQ has its main office and a special resource center in the "Commissariat Store." This is one of Brisbane's oldest buildings! It was built in 1829 by prisoners and is one of only two buildings left from the early Moreton Bay prisoner settlement.
The first two floors were made from local stone by prisoners in 1828–1829. A third floor was added in 1913. The building was used by the government until 1960. Later, the Queensland State Archives used the ground floor. Other government groups used the upper floors until 1976.
The RHSQ was given the building in 1976. After a lot of work to fix it up, it opened in 1978 as the society's main home. In 1998, more work was done to restore the building and fix changes made in the 1970s.
Today, the building is home to the RHSQ museum and the Welsby Library. Sadly, the building was badly damaged in the big January 2011 flood. The society had to move out for a while.
Discover the Welsby Library
From the very beginning, the RHSQ started collecting books, old letters, and magazines. They also gathered photos, maps, and newspaper clippings.
Thomas Welsby was one of the first members of the society. He was a leader, vice-president, and even president. During his life, he gave many letters, newspaper clippings, and copies of his own books to the society. When he passed away, he left his huge library of over 2,000 books to the society.
The society's own collection was combined with Welsby's books. This new, bigger library was named the Welsby Library. It opened on March 15, 1947, at Newstead House. Now, the Welsby Library is located on the second floor of the Commissariat Store.
The History of RHSQ
Other history societies were formed in Australia before the RHSQ. The Australian Historical Society started in Sydney in 1901. The Historical Society of Victoria began in 1909.
In Queensland, a group of people decided to start a similar society. They wrote down the rules, found members (they wanted to have 100), and asked the Governor to be their patron.
In August 1913, the first meeting of the Historical Society of Queensland was held. The Governor, Sir William MacGregor, was in charge. At this meeting, a paper about "Methods of Historical Research" was read. The rules were approved, and the first leaders and committee members were chosen.
Some of the first members included:
- Henry Alcock, a history teacher at the University of Queensland.
- Frank Cumbrae-Stewart, a founder and law professor at the University of Queensland.
- William McGregor, who was the Queensland Governor.
- Alexander Melbourne, another history teacher at the University of Queensland.
Awards and Honors
The RHSQ gives out special awards to people who do great work in Queensland history.
Fellowship and the MacGregor Medal
In 1963, when the society turned 50, they created a special award called the "Fellowship." This award is for people who have greatly helped us understand Queensland history. People who receive this award can use "FRHistSQ" after their name.
In 1999, the society started giving out the Sir William MacGregor Medal. This medal is for amazing and outstanding work in promoting Queensland history. It is named after Sir William MacGregor, who was the first patron of the society.
The John Douglas Kerr Medal
Since 2005, the society has worked with another group, the Professional Historians Association (Queensland), to give out an annual award. It's called the John Douglas Kerr Medal for Distinction. This medal honors great historical research and writing.
The medal is named after John Douglas Kerr (1942 – 2003). He was a scientist, a big fan of railways, and a historian. He joined the society in 1967 and helped out a lot. He was a leader, edited the society's journal, and was the honorary librarian.
The Clem Lack Oration
In 1973, the society started an annual talk series named after Clem Lack. Clem Llewellyn Lack (1900-1972) was a long-time member of the society. He was a leader and edited many of their publications. He became a fellow in 1962.
With Sir Raphael Cilento, the society's president, Clem Lack helped write a history book for Queensland's 100th birthday called Triumph in the Tropics (1959). He also edited Queensland, Daughter of the Sun (1959) for another important Queensland anniversary. He wrote many articles for the society's journal.
See also
