TDHS has published a number of books about Toowong and the surrounding districts, which includes the current suburbs of Auchenflower, Milton and part of Mt Coot-tha.
Among the publications is the Toowong Reminiscences Series based upon material collected through the TDHS’s Oral History Project and edited by Leigh Chamberlain and Lindy Salter. There are five reminiscences in this series providing insights into the lives of some of Toowong’s earlier residents, it’s streets, family histories, and local businesses.
For information on how to purchase our publications please send a message to tdhsoc@gmail.com or contact us via the contact page. We will provide a postage and handling quote, confirmation of the final purchase price and direct deposit details for your order.
Publications for Sale
Toowong: Twenty Memories of Yesteryear.
Compiled and edited by Leigh Chamberlain
$35.00 per book (plus postage and handling)
Description
The stories include family histories; an article on the origin of the suburb’s name of Toowong; a biography of Victoria Cross winner Major Heaphy (who is buried at Toowong Cemetery); growing up in the Toowong area and its neighbouring suburbs; memories of people who lived in the area; social activities such as swimming in Toowong Creek or the local pool, going to the local cinemas and involvement in sport; going to school and church and participating in community groups as well as memories of local businesses.
The Dell: A House in Toowong
The Sapsford Family home since 1883
by Ruth Sapsford
170 pages, ISBN 978-0-9872487-6-3
$35.00 per book (plus postage and handling)
Description
This is the story of a house, a suburban home that probably differed little from other “timber and tin dwellings” that had their beginnings in the latter part of the 19th century Brisbane. What makes it different is that for over 130 continuous years it has been owned and occupied by different members of four generations of one family. It has been cared for, loved, enlarged, modernised, and adapted for life in the 21st century. All the time it hoarded its records for posterity. This is the story of The Dell, and the people who have lived in her.
Lang Farm Estate Toowong:
An 1877 Subdivision and the people who made it home
by Lee Bull
$30.00 per book (plus postage and handling)
Description
This publication follows the development from Crown and sales in the 1850s to Richard Gailey’s 1977 subdivision and further subdivisions in modern times. This book chronicles the lives of the early purchasers, the houses they built and the community they created.
Toowong | Snapshots in Time (Volume 1)
by Leigh Chamberlain
The Toowong and District History Society’s first book contains 15 stories from:
Dulcie Meiklejohn | Ruth and Lionel Sapsford | Don Cowley | Richard Paynter | Ron Gubby | Nell Higgins | Edith Wood and Barbara Lovelock | Joan Godfrey | Alex Pascoe | Muriel Thick | Clyde and Bruce Wilkie | Mavis Anning | Heather Jean Broom | Hilda Symonds | Elsie Miskin
112 pages, ISBN 0-9757980-0-6
$25.00 per book (plus postage and handling charge)
Stories:
- Smith and Bleakley family histories;
- Memories of Lionel Sapsford, his family history, and 4 generations of Sapsfords living in Glen Road since 1884;
- Family history of the Paynter family, Toowong’s Original Carrier of Sherwood Road ca. early 1900s onwards;
- The Gubby family of Union Street;
- Memories of Mrs Nell Higgins;
- The Wood family of Mt Coot-tha;
- Joan Godfrey’s memories, including living in Macdonnell Street;
- Alex Pascoe’s memories of Toowong and Mt Coot-tha;
- Muriel Thick’s recollections of Elizabeth Street, Toowong;
- The Griffith and Cowley families, and Sir Alfred and Lady Cowley, and their residence Silky Oaks, Cross Street;
- Mavis Anning’s nee Fadden’s recollections of West Toowong and of life as an Australian prime minister’s daughter;
- Heather Jean Broom memories of growing up in Toowong;
- Clyde and Bruce Wilkie’s memories of West Toowong 1925-1940;
- Hilda Symond’s story of living at Milton House in the 1950s;
- Elsie Miskin’s recollections of the Toowong Senior Citizens of Maryvale Street and its history.
Toowong | A Tram Ride from the Past (Volume 4)
by Leigh Chamberlain and Lindy Salter
Few young people today realise that Brisbane once had trams. Whilst this book continues the family theme of volumes 1, 2 and 3 it also includes stories about transport options available to Toowong residents.
Stories from Shirley Lahey | Cecily Walker and Erl Roberts | Eris Jolly | Beth Acton | Stuart Roden | Dorothy Beavis | Gwen Patterson | Kath Handy | Charles Rowe | Ray Wall | Ron Archer | Pat and Beverley Bailey, and Ron Archer | Marcia Dunning | Glen Butler | Zena Tomkins | Les Dallinger | Percy Hanlon
149 pages, ISBN 978-0-9757980-4-1
Out of print, see Toowong Library for a copy
Stories:
- Cardwell’s Hat Factory;
- The Lahey Story of Sidney;
- The Baase family of Lodge Street, former lighthouse keepers of the Pile Light;
- Glen Butler’s memories of Vera Street, West Toowong;
- Mr Poulter, Toowong Post Master;
- Percy Hanlon’s memories of his father, Percival Hanlon, Toowong Ferryman;
- The Wall family of West Toowong, hansom cab operator;
- Gwen Patterson’s memories of Gailey Road;
- The Whelan family of Grove Crescent, Toowong;
- Dorothy Beavis’ memories of Sandford Street;
- The Walker and Roberts families of Sylvan Road.
Toowong | A Time to Reflect (Volume 5)
by Leigh Chamberlain
This fifth volume of reminiscences continues to tell stories with similar themes to those in the former four publications.
Stories from Judith Marks | Jennette East | Joan Bray | Franklin family | Carter family | Frederick Watts | Margaret Pearson’s | Holzapfel family
149 pages
$30.00 per book (plus postage and handling charge)
Stories:
- The story of Robert Cribb’s property and residence Dunmore;
- A brief history of the development of the suburb of Auchenflower;
- Judith Marks’ memories of living in Benson Street, and the Marks family;
- Jennette East’s memories of Aston Street, including family histories of TE White and his family, and that of Department store owner Fraser East;
- Joan Bray’s memories of Bent Street and of West Toowong;
- The Franklin family and memories of living in Josling Street;
- A biography of Miss Brown, who ran Miss Brown’s Kindergarten;
- The Carters of Benson Street;
- Frederick Watts, mayor of Toowong, the McIlwraith Croquet Club and Auchenflower Bowls Club;
- Margaret Pearson’s memories of Toowong, Burns Road and Curlew Street;
- The Holzapfel family—Moreton Bay immigrants who worked for Mr Cribb at Lang Farm in the 1860s.
Toowong | Heritage Architecture and Street Art: A self-guided tour of Toowong
by Michael Michaux
30 pages, ISBN 978-0-975780-5-8
$15.00 per book (plus postage and handling charge)
Description
This book is an excellent book for learning more about the unique architecture and street art of the district. As addresses are included, the book can be used in a self-drive around Toowong to look at each of the heritage sites included in the publication.
The Laugher Sisters of Toowong and Their Park
by Leigh Chamberlain
171 pages, ISBN 978-0-9757980-8-9
$30.00 per book (plus postage and handling charge)
Description
This is the little known story of the Misses Laugher, three spinster sisters whose dedicated and unsung assistance to community organisations had been almost forgotten due to the passage of time. These three ladies lived in two architecturally distinctive houses on a property that later became part of a park reserve now named as Laugher Park.
Described as being as ‘poor as church mice’, the ladies served on committees of local community organisations with people from higher socio-economic ranks such as Lady Philp. This showed that when it mattered, social snobbery in a society where such social stratification was entrenched was set aside to enable those with much needed skills could serve the community, regardless of their socio-economic background.
Toowong Memorial Park
by Bruce Sinclair
70 pages, ISBN 978-0-9757980-9-6
$20.00 per book (plus postage and handling)
Limited quantities available
Description
Dedicated to all Australian Defence Force personal, this book includes the Roll of Honour entries of all those listed on the Soldiers’ Monument which stands on top of the hill in Toowong Memorial Park.
Also included is the story of how the Toowong Town Council acquired the land upon which the park stands; planting of avenues of trees; the naming of Toowong Park as Toowong Memorial Park in 192; the erection of gates into the park. Also details of the ownership of the properties which made up the park before their compulsory resumption by the Toowong Town Council, and which in one case included a court case.
The Cock’s Family Tree
compiled by Deborah Drummond
35 pages, ISBN 9872487-1-8-20
$25.00 per book (plus postage and handling)
NOW SOLD OUT
Description
This intriguing book tells the story of Toowong grocers, Richard and Mary Ann Cocks, their family and the background to Mrs Cocks’ tree.
Not only is the Cocks’ family grocery shop an iconic Toowong business, the family’s maternal line is descended from William Winterford who built the second Regatta Hotel, a grand vision encompassing the river it faced, and also a Toowong icon. Also included are biographies of members of the Cocks family.
Brisbane Spreads West
A Local History 1840–1901
by Brisbane History West
36 pages, ISBN 978-0-646-96648-9
$15.00 per book (plus postage and handling)
Description
Brisbane History West is an informal group of nine local history groups which operate in the western and south western suburbs of Brisbane.
These western districts history groups combined in 2017 and collaborated to write this book to provide a background to some of the influences which shaped this sector of Brisbane.
Out of Print Publications – available for loan at Toowong Library
Toowong | The Road to Everywhere (Volume 2)
by Leigh Chamberlain and Lindy Salter
This second TDHS publication provides and insight into the lives of some of Toowong’s earlier residents.
Stories from Loddie Tonge | Peggy Thomson | Shirley Wright | Mona Lewis | Adrian Field | Bob Bray | Sisters M. Bernadette and M. Whelan | Len Huxham | Roslyn Cumming | Les and Glad Randall | Beau Palmer | Henrietta McLellan | Arthur Hinsbey | Joyce Glassop
114 pages, ISBN 0-9757980-1-4
$25.00 per book (plus postage and handling charge)
Stories:
- Mrs Loddie Tonge’s family history of the Marks family;
- Peggy Thomson’s memories of Grove Crescent and Toowong;
- Shirley Wright’s (nee Caffyn) memories of growing up in Sherwood Road;
- Mona Lewis’s memories of Vera and Terrace Streets, Toowong;
- Memories of Adrian Field, b. 1899, of Beechwood, Goldsborough Road and Woolley Street, Taringa, and later of Broseley Street, Toowong;
- Bob Bray, a Ten Pound Pom who migrated to Australia in 1951 and settled in West Toowong;
- Sr Mary Whelan and Sr Mary Bernadine of the Sisters of Mary, and their association with Toowong, including teaching at St Ignatius School;
- Len Huxham, son of the Town Engineer of Toowong Town Council, and his memories of early Toowong 1913-1924;
- Family history, life story and memories of Toowong by Roslyn Cumming (nee Henderson), granddaughter of Sir Robert Philp, and wife of local vet, Doug Cumming;
- The story of Hortensia Susan Rose, later Randall, and her husband Mr Fred Randall who established a church at Mt Coot-tha’s New Guinea Estate, and later the Rainworth Mission Church;
- Toowong recollections of Mr Beau Palmer, son of Sir Arthur Palmer and the story of his association with Toowong;
- Memories of the local area by Mrs Henrietta McLellan of Grove Crescent, Toowong and the story of her life;
- Story of Arthur Hinsbey, whose parents lived in Isaac Street (now Bayliss Street) Toowong from 1914 onwards. Arthur and his wife lived in Quinn Street after they married in 1937;
- Mrs Joyce Glassop and her family history, including her grandfather John Melville who was sextant of Toowong Cemetery from 1875 till 1912.
Toowong | Down the River Road (Volume 3)
by Leigh Chamberlain and Lindy Salter
More stories about Toowong families are documented in this book, TDHS’s third volume of reminiscences, including memories of firefighting, music lessons and shopping.
Stories from Rose McLelland | Rad Guerin and Denis Casey | Alan Muir | Peggy Martin | Enid Carr | Jean Cranley | Pat Vidgen | Alice Andrews | Marjorie and Joe Stick | Merle Hammond | Rosalie Chandler | Jean Harding | Thelma Campbell
114 pages, ISBN 978-0-9757980-3-0
Out of print, see Toowong Library for a copy
Stories:
- Rose McLelland, well known highland dancing teacher and adjudicator;
- Rad Guerin and Dennis Casey and growing up in West Toowong in the late 1940s and 1950s;
- Alan Mur, Toowong firefighter and resident of West Toowong;
- Peggy Martin, daughter of Prof HC Richards, re growing up in Dart Street, Auchenflower;
- Miss Leila Carr and Mrs Enid Carr re Carr’s Dairy Farm, Long Pocket, and living in Taringa;
- Jean Scott Cranley (nee Gessner), her family history and growing up in Curlew Street, Toowong and memories of the Patterson and Gessner families, and her marriage to Neville Cranley;
- Pat Vidgen (nee Hunter), of Fewings Street, Toowong;
- Interview by Dr Eena Job in the early 1980s with Mrs Alice Andrews, who died at the age of 106 years. Her memories stretch back to the 1880s;
- Mrs Marjorie Stick’s memories of Toowong from 1919 onwards;
- The Lanham, Jenkins and Hardings families of Toowong (Including the story of Rydamount, Holmes Street, Toowong, and memories of learning music in Toowong, and of Holland Street);
- The Standring, Holdway and Campbell families of Toowong, Toowong Carriers.
Charles Patterson | Toowong Resident, Sawmiller, Contributor
Malcolm Finlayson’s address to the Toowong and District Historical Society edited by Leigh Chamberlain & Percy Hanlon
71 pages, ISBN 978-0-9757980-7-2
Out of print, see Toowong Library for a copy
Description
Written when signage was unveiling to officially name the medium garden strip which divides incoming from outgoing traffic in High Street, Toowong as Patterson’s Folly.
Long-time residents of Toowong will be familiar with Charles Patterson and the sawmill. This book documents the story of Charles Patterson, who arrived in 1871 and soon made his mark in the Toowong area. The contents includes Malcolm Finlayson’s address to the TDHS on the history of Charles Patterson and the sawmill business he operated.
Cradle to Grave | Toowong Council
compiled by Melva A Welch OAM
165 pages, ISBN 978-0-9872487-0-1
Out of print, see Toowong Library for a copy
Description
The lives of residents of Toowong and its surrounding district have been guided by the decisions of all the men elected as representatives on the third tier of Australian government.
The book gives an overview of the 1879 Toowong Divisional Board, the Toowong Shire Council (23 June 1880-1903); the Toowong Town Council and its absorption into the Greater Brisbane Council in 1925.
Also included are cameo biographies of all who served on the Toowong Shire Council and the Toowong Shire Council, and includes photographs, maps, and newspaper articles to support the text.
In the Footsteps of Toby
A DVD produced by Cadet Work for the Dole Programme specially for the TDHS
$15.00 per DVD (plus postage and handling charge)
Description
The DVD was developed especially for distribution to local primary schools for primary school-aged aged children.
Toby was Toowong’s famous Dog Postman. In the late 1930s and early 1940s, Toby, owned by the Jessop family, would turn up for work at the Toowong Post Office to do the rounds with the local postman. Come along with Toby as he takes you to his favourite historical sites in Toowong.
Toowong: Bridging the Rail at Burns Road
by Leigh Chamberlain
84 pages, ISBN: 978-0-9757980-6-5
Out of print, see Toowong Library for a copy.
Description
In 2010, murals featuring themes from Toowong’s rich history were placed on the Burns Road rail overpass bridge. This book tells the story of the history that inspired the artwork on the panels. It also tells the story of a street corner.
In earlier times Burns Road was known as Indooroopilly Pocket-road, and was the only access to Long Pocket and Indooroopilly Pocket (present day St Lucia). Indooroopilly Pocket-road was used primarily by farmers from Indooroopilly Pocket (St Lucia) and in the early 1860s the corner of the Moggill Road and junction featured a hotel. The coming of the railways changed the fortunes of the corner.
This is an account of how the history of this corner developed up to the 1890s.
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