Toowoomba Historical Society MEG
Currently, the Toowoomba Historical Society has decided to leave the MEG network due to lack of time. QEM hopes that the Toowoomba group will start up again soon.
The
Initial Enquiry
When the Toowoomba
Historical Society expressed an interest in the MEG concept,
the members were uncertain about the nature of a partnership
with QEM. What were the potential gains for both parties?
Jan, our Director, met with the members, presented an illustrated
talk and then answered any remaining questions. The decision
to start a MEG came from the members following Jan's visit.
It was realised that
involvement in the MEG process meant that the historical documents
and photographs about Toowoomba, which are held in the Historical
Society's collection, would be enhanced with additional information
from the QEM archives relating to the generation, transmission,
distribution, use and impact of energy in Toowoomba and surrounding
districts. Initially, members from the Toowoomba Historical
Society and Jan would look at their own collections to locate
information related to Toowoomba's energy history. It would
be a joint effort and an active partnership. This is the way
in which each MEG operates. The partnership with QEM is strengthened
with each interaction. Gradually, a MEG network is being established
throughout Queensland . In the long term, the theme
of energy means that through the MEG network, QEM will be
able to locate buildings, objects, documents, photographs,
films and personal memories of significance to Queensland
's energy heritage and history.
Recent
Work from the Toowoomba MEG
Interested members
of the Historical Society are currently browsing through their
collection to identify the energy-related content in historical
photographs, newspaper articles, advertisements and other
documents. Additionally, some of the members are recalling
their own memories of changes in the home and in their working
lives due to improvements in electrical technology.
However, today's
happenings are equally important to record for future generations.
Therefore, today's technology experiences should also be recorded.
For example, the Historical Society's staff could ask members
and visitors who reside in the Toowoomba area and have had
solar panels and hot water systems installed, for their experiences
of living with solar technology. These experiences can be
recorded for present and future generations and will add an
interesting and valuable perspective to the Historical Society's
current collection.
The
First Story
The first story from
the Toowoomba MEG arose from a discussion between Jan and
one of the MEG members about industry in Toowoomba. A large
frame holding five photographs of the Forsyth and Thomson
Steam Joinery Works in 1922 is displayed in the Historical
Society's building. The frame holds photographs of the Joinery
Works, the Machine Room, the Assembling Room and the proprietors,
Mr. McFarlane and Mr. Stephens. Some research into the joinery
works had already been done. The original building was situated
opposite Bell Street and extended to the end of Church Street
. It was destroyed by fire in 1942. A new works was constructed
|
|
|
