Historic upgrade to Bribie Island foreshore

Published 1:40pm 7 July 2020

Words by Nick Crockford

History is being brought back to life with new heritage signs now in place along one of Bribie Island’s busiest foreshores.

The four signs at Bongaree on Bribie Island had faded and started to tear, but have been updated and designed to be easy and enjoyable to read.

“We’ve worked closely with the Bribie Island Historical Society to update and refresh the original signs installed back in 2004,” Moreton Bay Region Mayor Peter Flannery says.

“The design has been updated to reflect the seaside location and the stories re-animated with new images and insights. These signs form part of the heritage trail along the Bongaree foreshore, where you can do a self-guided walk starting and finishing at the jetty.”

Sharing our stories

Councillor Brooke Savige (Div 1) says 16 years of weathering on the Bongaree foreshore had taken its toll on the educational signs.

“It’s important we continue to share our community heritage and the stories of those who lived, worked and shaped the island over time,” she says.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved in creating these wonderful signs and look forward to seeing them stand for another 16 years and beyond.”

Bribie Island Historical Society founding member Graham Mills says it has been a great collaboration with Moreton Bay Regional Council.

“After several meetings, it was a joy to find out that these signs were now installed,” he said “I’ve been coming to Bribie Island since I was a kid; it was lovely then, and it’s lovely now.”

Bribie’s living history

Local historian Barry Clark worked closely on the creation of the 50 Years on Bribie sign.

“As a long-term Rotarian, and with Centenary of Rotary International celebrations for 2005, I decided to research how many people had lived continuously on Bribie Island for 50 years or more,” he says.

“What I thought would be a two-week job took almost two years and interviewing 130 old timers! They all had great stories, photos and insights. There was 12 people then; today there are just three.”

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