anglican focus

The news site of the Anglican Church Southern Queensland: nourishing and connecting our faith community

Diocese Records and Archives Centre

People & History Man in blue shirt at a computer with artefacts behind him People & History

From hotel pub to first Australian moving picture theatre to motor garage — digitisation of Church records unlocks forgotten Queensland history

“Since I last wrote for anglican focus in July 2022 about the Records and Archives Centre’s Digitisation Plan, several rich information sources have been scanned, unearthing a trove of information. The Archives has also received new records that are some of the oldest in Queensland,” says ACSQ archivist Michael Rogers

This ceremonial silver trowel was returned to the Anglican Church Southern Queensland in March 2022
Features

Antique silver ceremonial trowel returned to our Diocese

“The staff at St Martin’s House reception received a pleasant surprise in late March when a small, but special, piece of our history was returned to our Diocese. A silver ceremonial trowel, housed in a simple wooden box, is linked to an important part of Maryborough’s history,” says Diocesan Archivist Michael Rogers

Features

In remembrance of AIF Staff Nurse Norma Violet Mowbray

“More than 3,000 Australian civilian nurses volunteered for active service during World War I. They were posted to Britain, France, Belgium, the Mediterranean, India and the Middle East. They nursed in hospitals, on hospital ships and trains, or in casualty clearing stations closer to the frontlines. Of these nurses, 25 never came home – Staff Nurse Norma Mowbray among them,” says former Archives Researcher, Adrian Gibb

Features

Why the Diocesan shepherd lost his halo

The image of the shepherd as the primary symbol of our Diocese was established when our first Bishop was consecrated in 1859. What many don’t know is that in the mid-1950s, the motif changed from a ‘Good Shepherd’, an image of Christ with a halo, to a simple shepherd representing pastoral care. Why this occurred was considered somewhat a mystery, until now

Features

A man’s best friend

Archives Researcher Adrian Gibb explores the mystery surrounding the tragic death of adventurer and Bush Brother, The Rev’d Felix Albert Fernau