Nerang Student History Walk - goldcoast.qld.gov.au · Nerang Student History Walk – Year 3 Teachers’ Guide 3 Purpose and overview The purpose of this guide is to give teachers

Nerang Student History WalkYear 3 Teachers’ Guide

Three children sitting on the banks of the Nerang River looking towards Nerang Township, circa 1908. Image courtesy City of Gold Coast Libraries Local Studies Collection.

3Nerang Student History Walk – Year 3 Teachers’ Guide

Purpose and overviewThe purpose of this guide is to give teachers an overview of the Nerang Student History Walk and to make explicit the way in which it links to the Australian Curriculum.

The Nerang Student History Walk education pack aims to provide opportunity for local students to gain greater knowledge and understanding of the history of the Nerang community.

Australian Curriculum Links Year 3 HASS – History Inquiry and skills:Questioning: ACHASSIO52: Pre-Excursion Excursion

Researching: ACHASSIO53: Excursion Post-excursion ACHASSIO55: Pre-Excursion Excursion Post-excursion

Evaluating and reflecting: ACHASSIO58: Pre-Excursion Excursion Post-excursion ACHASSIO59: Pre-Excursion Excursion Post-excursion

Communicating: ACHASSIO61: Post-Excursion

Knowledge and understanding: ACHASSKO63: Pre-Excursion Excursion Post-Excursion

Key ConceptsAspects of the Nerang community have changed over time, while others remain the same.

Nerang’s historical sites can demonstrate these changes to us.

People of diverse backgrounds have contributed to the development of the region.

Curriculum linksThe lessons and activities included within this package are designed to provide an opportunity for students to engage with local history in a manner which aligns with the Australian Curriculum Year 3 History achievement standard.

Activities and resourcesThis pack is comprised of the Teachers Guide, a pre-excursion lesson, an excursion lesson and activity sheet, and a post-excursion lesson. Information about places in this guide has been draw from the Nerang Heritage Walk booklet. Both the guide and booklet can be viewed online at www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/thegoldcoast/heritage-walks-trails-26558.html

The Nerang Student History Walk excursionThe lessons within this pack are designed to provide context for the Nerang Student History Walk excursion. Teachers should take a copy of this guide and/or the Nerang Heritage Walk booklet with them on the excursion to assist students in developing their knowledge of specific sites. Students should be equipped with the worksheet, clipboards and pencils.

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Nerang TownshipNerang is a town which spreads across both sides of the Nerang River. While it is home to many features of a modern urban centre, authentic buildings and places of local heritage significance point to Nerang’s growth. This growth has been shaped by the influence of agriculture, civic history, important rail links and the Nerang River, which was one of the Gold Coast’s most critical historic transport routes.

The township of Nerang was charted in 1865 when a large town area was surveyed by Martin Lavelle with the expectation that it would grow to be an important settlement for the region. Formed on the north-western side of the Nerang River, streets were named after local community members, including Martin and Lavelle for the surveyor himself; White for William Duckett White the local pastoralist; and Price for Edmund Price, the local sugar cane farmer and manager of the Manchester Cotton Plantation. The following year, in 1866 Benjamin Bathurst purchased the first allotment.

Although Nerang’s population of 343 in 1901 was lower than other district centres at the time, the township continued to grow and established a close-knit community. In the mid-1970s and 1980s the Gold Coast expanded rapidly and Nerang experienced a boom period which led to many of today’s modern services, including an administration centre which helped established the town.

Historic Map of central Nerang area, circa 1920s.Source: https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-40chn-moreton-ag2-sh11-south-circa-1920.jpg


The township of Nerang was charted in 1865 when a large town area was surveyed by Martin Lavelle with the expectation that it would grow to be an important settlement for the region.Formed on the north-western side of the Nerang River, streets were named after local community members.

Images, clockwise:

Historic map of central Nerang area, circa 1920s. https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/ cad_scans/cad-map-40chn-moreton-ag2-sh11-south-circa-1920.jpg

Nerang township, circa 1888. Image courtesy City of Gold Coast Libraries Local Studies Collection.

Price Street, Nerang, circa 1900. Image courtesy City of Gold Coast Libraries Local Studies Collection.

Historic Map of central Nerang area, circa 1920s.Source: https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-40chn-moreton-ag2-sh11-south-circa-1920.jpg

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The Nerang Student History Walk placesThe Nerang Student History Walk places

Nerang’s community, civic and commercial places are a reminder of the way in which the town has grown and developed over time and the important role that community members played in this development. Pioneering families gave generously of their land to support the establishment of various community places and over time the community has come together to raise funds to provide for the conservation of these places.

Community and civic placesNerang State School Nerang Student History Walk map reference: Site 1

Nerang State School was opened in 1875 with an enrolment of 47 students and Mr. Thomas Johnson as the head teacher. The school has played a vital role in the community since this time.

During the 1940s the school participated in the Queensland Education Department Forest Project Clubs program. The school forestry plot had 97 trees in 1941 and the remnants of this plot can still be seen in the school grounds today.

As the Nerang township slowly grew enrolment numbers at the school increased and additional accommodation for students was established on the site. Nerang State School continues to service the Nerang community, with just under 500 students enrolled at the school today.

School children outside the first school house in Nerang, circa 1875. Image courtesy State Library of Queensland, image number 7871-0001-0035.

Nerang State School, 2017. Image courtesy City of Gold Coast.

Students from Nerang State School measure the girth of the pine trees in their forestry plot, Nerang, 1968. Photographer Bob Avery. Image courtesy City of Gold Coast Libraries Local Studies Collection.

Nerang State School and school residence with children in the yard, circa 1922. Image courtesy City of Gold Coast Libraries Local Studies Collection.


Nerang Hall (formerly the Nerang School of Arts) Nerang Student History Walk map reference: Site 6

The Nerang Hall is an example of the way in which community members generously contributed to the establishment of public places. For over 130 years the Nerang School of Arts (as it was previously known) has served as a centre for various community activities, including meetings, dances, balls and concerts. During World War II the hall became particulalry important, as it was used for soldier farewells and wartime fundraising. The first Anzac Day gathering in Nerang was held at the School of Arts in 1946.

The Nerang School of Arts was originally constructed in 1886 on the corner of Ferry and Cotton Streets. Several years later, local landowner, pioneer and president of the Nerang School of Arts for many years, Mr William Henry Spencer, earmarked a portion of his land on Price Street as a more suitable location for the building and in September 1929, Mr Spencer’s children, William Stanely Spencer and Janet Elizabeth Spencer, donated this parcel of land to the community for the Nerang School of Arts.

Over 400 people attended the 1931 re-opening of the building on Price Street. It had been re-erected and extended in keeping with the School of Arts committee’s plans to have a larger facility on the site.

Problems during the late 1940s threatened to close the School of Arts, but it survived due to community support. In the 1970s the School of Arts Committee became the Nerang Community Hall Association and this group has provided for the continued use of this historic hall. The Nerang Hall was entered in the Gold Coast Local Heritage Register in 2010.

Nerang War Memorial Nerang Student History Walk map reference: Site 9

The original cenotaph was located in front of the Nerang Soldiers’ Memorial Hall, known locally as the Nerang Diggers Hall. The hall was established by the Nerang RSL sub-branch and its opening on Railway Department land in Station Street was marked with a cermony in 1948.

A new cenotaph was donated to the Nerang RSL by Mr D. Ross and Mr H. Hogarth in 1953. The sandstone obelisk had been cut from Numinbah stone and mounted on a two tiered stone base with a square concrete foundation. The RSL added a bronze tablet which read ‘To the Fallen’.

In 1983 the Nerang RSL moved from Station Street to a new building across the river in Nerang Street. Some time before this the obelisk had been moved to Bischof Pioneer Park and Anzac Day commemorations were held at this location for many years. In 1991 the Nerang War Memorial was moved to the RSL site.

Nerang School of Arts, circa 1946. Image from Longhurst, R., 1994, Nerang Shire; A history to 1949, The Albert Shire Council.

Left: The Nerang War Memorial in Bischof Park in the 1980s. Image courtesy Panitz Family.

Right: Nerang War Memorial, 2015. Photographer D. Crawford. Image courtesy City of Gold Coast Libraries Local Studies Collection.

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Ceramic House Nerang Student History Walk map reference: Site 7

Robert Ekins Veivers built what he called ‘Ceramic House’ on the corner of Connection Road and the Pacific Highway in what is now Arthur Earl Park on his return from World War I in 1919. The land was part of the original dairy farm owned by the Veivers family.

Robert Ekins Veivers was the grandson of Robert Veivers, one of the first European settlers in the Nerang district. He served as a Private in World War I, embarking from Sydney with the 9th Battalion, on the Australian Trasport A40 vessel ‘Ceramic’ in April 1916. Mr. Veivers returned to Australia in July 1919 after being wounded and hospitalised several times while in France.

In 1921 Robert married Edith Gladys Warrener and they lived in Ceramic house with their three children. Cermaic House served as a focal point for service personnel who camped in the area during World War II. Edith died in 1974 and Robert died just over a decade later in 1986. Ceramic House was sold out of the Veivers family soon after this.

For a short time between 1995 and 1997 the house was used by Celebration House Churches as a community centre and place of worship. During this time the building was sometimes called ‘Celebration House’ or ‘Constitution House’.

In 1997 land resumptions for upgrades to the Pacific Highway saw Ceramic house removed from its original location. In 2003 Gold Coast City Council moved the house to Bischof Pioneer Park after strong community support to preserve the historic house for use as a community space and visitor information centre. In 2007 Ceramic House opened as a community facility after restoration work by the Nerang Community Association and other community volunteers. Ceramic House was entered in the Gold Coast Local Heritage Regsiter in 2010.

Preece House Nerang Student History Walk map reference: Site 8

Ada Preece (nee Kelsey) and her husband William (Bill) Henry Preece purchased land on the cornor or Price and White Streets, Nerang in 1943 and built a house on the land in 1948. Bill Preece, a World War II veteran worked as a contractor supplying timber electricity supply poles. The couple had a son, William Kelsey, in 1945.

After Bill passed away, Ada, who became known as Granny Preece, resided in the home until her death in the late 1990s. Members of the Preece family continued to live in the house until around 2000.

The house remained vacant for some time until the Nerang Community Association generated support to keep the building, due to its historical significance to the community. Preece House was purchased in 2004 by City of Gold Coast. In 2006 it was relocated to Bischof Pioneer Park and restored by a team of community volunteers, including the Nerang Community Association. Preece House was entered in the Gold Coast Local Heritage Register in 2010.

Preece House on original site on the corner of Price and White Streets, late 1990s. Image courtesy Nerang Community Association Inc.

Top: Ceramic House, circa 1980s. Photographer Jack Rudd. Image courtesy City of Gold Coast Libraries Local Studies Collection.

Bottom: Ceramic House, circa 2017. Image courtesy City of Gold Coast.

Preece House in Bischof Pioneer Park, 2017. Image courtesy City of Gold Coast.


Timber, rivers, roads and railMaid of Sker Nerang Student History Walk map reference: Site 4

The Maid of Sker was built in 1884 and retired in 1974. The iron hulled paddle steamer was built for one of the founders of an early timber mill and sugar plantation in Nerang, Charles Philpot. It was used to transport timber from his Nerang timber mill to Brisbane and to service his sugar plantation, Birribi.

In 1893 the Maid of Sker was purchased by the Kleinschmidt family. It became an important economic link for Nerang, transporting general cargo and passengers between Brisbane and Nerang. The trip from Southport to Nerang took approximately 2 hours, depending on the tides.

In 1901 the Maid of Sker had an important role in transporting the testing station used in the construction of the Pacific Cable, which was a vital Commonwealth communication link during World War I.

From 1935, until its retirement in 1974, the Maid of Sker was used to transport sand and gravel in the Brisbane River and Southport. It no longer operated between Southport and Nerang as the Jubilee Bridge at Southport was altered to remove the span that was raised to allowed vessels to pass through.

The Kleinschmidt family donated the vessel to Council after it’s retirement in 1974, as the Maid of Sker’s years of service had made it a legendary part of the history of Nerang. In 1976 it was moved to Bischof Pioneer Park, Nerang and restored by volunteers. Under the assistance of engineers, the Friends of the Maid of Sker group and other community organisations undertook further restoration in 2003 after the vessel was relocated to its current site in the park.

The Maid of Sker was entered in the Gold Coast Local Heritage Register in 2011 and in 2016 conservation work was carried out on the vessel to ensure that it is conserved as the only known surviving trading vessel from this region.

Given the importance of transport routes to economic growth, the township of Nerang developed around the two principle transport routes in the town – the railway and river transport. The Maid of Sker, Nerang Wharf and Panitz Bridge are some of the historically significant sites related to transport in the region.

Images top to bottom, courtesy City of Gold Coast Libraries Local Studies Collection: The Commercial Hotel, Nerang, circa 1890s. The Commercial Hotel, Price Street, Nerang, 1970. The Commercial Hotel, Nerang 2017. Image courtesy City of Gold Coast.

Maid of Sker at Nerang Wharf, circa 1900. Maid of Sker, paddle steamer on the Nerang River, circa 1910. Maid of Sker in Bischoff Pioneer Park, Nerang, 2017. Image courtesy City of Gold Coast.

Commercial Hotel Nerang Student History Walk map reference: Site 5

Opened in 1884 on the corner of Price and Ferry Streets, Nerang, the Commercial Hotel was erected by Robert Hope and contained 13 bedrooms, four parlours, a commercial room, bar, large dining room, kitchen and stables.

The hotel was destroyed by fire in 1930. The owners at the time, Mr and Mrs Black, also owned the nearby Star Hotel and after the fire they decided to move the Star Hotel and re-erect it on the Price Street site and rename it the Commercial Hotel.

In 1975 the old Commercial Hotel was demolished and a new Commercial Hotel, designed by Mr John Lynch was constructed by Classical Development Pty. Ltd.

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Historic Nerang Wharf site Nerang Student History Walk map reference: Site 2

A small concrete slab in River Park on the bank of the Nerang River denotes the former location of the Nerang Wharf. The construction of the wharf was completed in 1879 by the government to support river trade, which was essential for the movement of goods such as timber and sugar to market.

Vessels including the Maid of Sker traded along the Nerang River and used the Nerang Wharf. By 1881 a tariff, administered by the divisional board was in operation at the wharf and a shed had been constructed to store perishable goods.

Panitz Bridge Nerang Student History Walk map reference: Site 3

The first Nerang Bridge was opened in 1878 by then Queensland Premier, Mr John Douglas. A decade later, this bridge was in disrepair and a new bridge was planned for a more suitable location at Ferry Street. The bridge at Ferry Street was constructed in 1890, but was closed in 1895 due to disrepair. Over forty years later, in 1937 a new ‘A class’ composited bridge was built at the same site.

The Department of Main Roads named the bridge Panitz Bridge in 2000 in honour of Councillor Peter Panitz and his contribution to the Nerang Community. Mr Panitz had served on both the former Albert Council and the Gold Coast City Council, was band master for the Gold Coast City Band and President of the Nerang State School P & C for twenty years. A plaque can be seen today at the entrance to the bridge in Bischof Pioneer Park. The Panitz Bridge continues to provide a symbolic link between both sides of Nerang.

Nerang Wharf, circa 1919. Image courtesy City of Gold Coast Libraries Local Studies Collection.

Paddle steamer SS Iris at Nerang Wharf, circa 1885. Image courtesy City of Gold Coast Libraries Local Studies Collection.

Above: Bridge across Nerang River, Nerang, circa 1920. Image courtesy City of Gold Coast Libraries Local Studies Collection.

Left: Construction of the Ferry Street Bridge across the Nerang River, Nerang, circa 1930s. Image courtesy City of Gold Coast Libraries Local Studies Collection.


Pre-excursion lessonStudents will explore aspects of continuity and change within the Nerang community by viewing, inferring and posing questions about maps and photographs. They will work with the teacher to arrange the sources chronologically.

Pre-excursion lessonStudents will explore aspects of continuity and change within the Nerang community by viewing, inferring and posing questions about maps and photographs. They will work with the teacher to arrange the sources chronologically.

Resources required

1887 Map (Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland Government, 40 chain AG2 series 1887–1932—Moreton district): https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-40chn-moreton-ag2-sh11-south-1887.jpg

Image of three children sitting on the bank of the Nerang River, 1908: https://digitalbank.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:8776?query=8776

1924 Map (Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland Government, 40 chain AG2 series 1887–1932—Moreton district): https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-40chn-moreton-ag2-sh11-south-1924.jpg

1975 aerial view looking west over Nerang: https://digitalbank.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:8597/IMAGE?query=8597

1975 aerial view looking to the east of Nerang: https://digitalbank.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:8583/IMAGE?query=aerial%20nerang

1978 aerial view of north Nerang: https://digitalbank.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:1888/IMAGE

Window by Jeannie Baker (1991).

Further aerial images are available from the City Libraries Picture Gold Coast collection: https://digitalbank.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/vital/access/manager/Index?site_name=City%20Libraries

Further maps and images are available in the City Libraries Local Studies Collection: http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/library/local-studies-library-10111.html

Introducing:1. Read the book, ‘Window’ by Jeannie Baker.

2. Discuss the ways in which communities change over time and the reasons why change may occur.

Activating:3. Present a range of historical and modern-day maps,

photographs and aerial view photographs of the Nerang region and facilitate questioning around the timing of the photos and the observed continuity and change over time.

4. Arrange the maps and photographs in chronological order, noting observations and questions generated by students.

5. Introduce the Nerang Student History Walk sites to students and the photograph of three children sitting on the bank of the Nerang River, Nerang, 1908.

6. Provide a brief overview of each place and discuss the ways in which these sites fit into community life past and present.

7. Display the photo of the children on the bank of the river looking towards the Nerang township. As a class, look at the photo and take note of what the children could see from where they were sitting. Discuss how these children may have interacted with the place.

Concluding:8. Students record something about the concepts or places

discussed and develop a question to be explored further regarding the concept or place.

Curriculum links:ACHASSIO52: Pose questions to investigate people, events, places and issues.

ACHASSIO55: Sequence information about people’s lives and events.

ACHASSIO58: Draw simple conclusions based on analysis of information and data.

ACHASSIO59: Interact with others with respect to share points of view.

ACHASSKO63: How the community has changed and remained the same over time and the role that people of diverse backgrounds have played in the development and character of the local community.






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Resources requiredNerang Student History Walk teacher’s guide.

Nerang Student History Walk worksheet for each student.

Spare paper to record additional observations and questions.

Clipboard for each child.

Pencil for each child.

ExcursionStudents will engage with the places on the Nerang Student History Walk to develop their knowledge of the Nerang community and their understanding of the ways in which the community has changed and remained the same over time. They will use the worksheet provided to record answers to the listed questions, take note of observations and to develop their own question about a place.


ACHASSIO53: Locate and collect information and data from different sources, including observations.





Activating:1. Visit each place on the Nerang Student History Walk map.

2. In small groups, spend time at each place discussing, making inferences and developing questions about the place.

3. As you stop at each place, answer the worksheet question/s about that place.

Concluding:4. As a class, review the learning and identify further questions

that students have developed regarding places on the history walk.

Optional Activity – create a standing timeline:Write each of the places on the walk on a piece of paper. After you have completed the walk with your class, find a spot in the park to create a standing timeline. Choose student volunteers to hold a place name. Work together to position each place in chronological order.


Post-excursion lessonStudents will review their knowledge and understanding of historical Nerang places. They will identify aspects of continuity and change and plan and construct a collage to represent this. They will present their collage to their peers or the school Principal.

Post-excursion lessonStudents will review their knowledge and understanding of historical Nerang places. They will identify aspects of continuity and change and plan and construct a collage to represent this. They will present their collage to their peers or the school Principal.

Resources requiredNerang Student History Walk worksheet.

Collage materials.

Additional resources relating to the Maid of Sker are included in the attachments at the end of this pack.

Curriculum links:ACHASSIO53: Locate and collect information and data from different sources, including observations.




ACHASSIO61: Present ideas, findings and conclusions in texts and modes that incorporate digital and non-digital representations and discipline-specific terms.


Introducing:1. Review the Nerang Student History Walk worksheet.

2. Discuss observations of change noted when sitting near the bank of the river.

Activating:The Maid of Sker operated from 1884 to 1974 and now sits near the river in Bischof Pioneer Park, Nerang. Use personification and imagine that the Maid of Sker could ‘see’ the continuity and change in the Nerang township throughout history as it sailed into Nerang Wharf from 1884 and as it sits now. What observations may be made by the Maid of Sker?

3. Note aspects of continuity and change.

4. Use these notes to create a class, small group or individual collage like the window in the book read in the pre-excursion lesson. The collage should follow chronological order and take into consideration changes to key sites. Students should consider changes to the location of Ceramic House, Preece House, the War Memorial, and the removal of the wharf.

This lesson introduces the planning and construction phase of this activity only, as this process will require more than one lesson.

Concluding:5. Present and/or display the collage to another class, the Principal or the whole school.

Nerang Student History Walk worksheetHello Investigators! It’s time to explore how Nerang was in the past. Off we go…

Nerang Student History Walk worksheetHello Investigators! It’s time to explore how Nerang was in the past. Off we go…

Sitting near the Nerang river bankLook at the photograph of the children sitting on the bank of the river in 1908. As you sit near the river now, talk about the things that have changed and the things that have stayed the same. Use the worksheet to make a list.

Nerang State SchoolNerang State School opened in 1875. Look at the photo of the school in 1875. Write some words to describe it:

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

How many students went to school at Nerang State School in 1875?

___________________________________________________

Panitz BridgeNerang is spread over both sides of the Nerang River. Talk about why the bridge was important in the past and is important now.

Who is Panitz Bridge name in honour of?

___________________ __________________

Maid of SkerThe Maid of Sker is over (circle the right answer):

50 years old 500 years old 100 years old

Draw a picture of some of the things that the Maid of Sker transported over the years:

Commercial HotelTrue or false? The first Commercial Hotel was burnt down in 1930 so the owners moved their other hotel, the Star Hotel to where the Commercial Hotel was and it became the new Commercial Hotel.

TRUE FALSE

Historic Nerang Wharf siteThe wharf was built and first used in (circle the right answer):

1989 1879 1908 1899

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Nerang Student History Walk – Year 3 Teachers’ GuideNerang Student History Walk – Year 3 Teachers’ Guide

Ceramic HouseWhere does the name Ceramic House come from? (circle the correct answer)

A) People made ceramic plates and cups there.

B) It was the name of the ship that Mr Veivers travelled to World War I on.

C) Ceramic is the last name of the family who built the house.

Preece HousePreece House was originally built on the corner of Price and White Streets, Nerang. Why did the house get moved to Bischof Pioneer Park?

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

Nerang War MemorialThe memorial was moved to this spot in 1991. Before that it was in

_______________ ________________ Park.

Why do we have memorials?

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

Nerang HallThe Nerang Hall was once called the

_________________ __________________ _____ Arts

and is over (circle the correct answer):

1000 years old 25 years old 100 years old

Keep investigating!You can keep investigating Nerang’s history at school or at home. What would you like to know more about and how do you think you might find out?

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Think about your house. How are Ceramic House and Preece House different to your house? Talk about this with a classmate or teacher.

Sitting near the bank of the Nerang riverList the things that have stayed the same.List the things that are different, or have changed.

Things that have stayed the same: Things that have changed:

Is one list longer than the other? Talk about this with your classmates.

Sitting near the bank of the Nerang riverList the things that have stayed the same.List the things that are different, or have changed.

Nerang Student History Walk – Year 3 Teachers’ Guide

Nerang Student History Walk map

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Legend

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Nerang Student History Walk map

1 Nerang State School

2 Historic Nerang Wharf site

3 Panitz Bridge

4 Maid of Sker

5 Commercial Hotel

6 Nerang Hall (formerly the Nerang School of Arts)

7 Ceramic House

8 Preece House

9 Nerang War Memorial

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Further resourcesBaker, Jeannie. Window (1991).

City of Gold Coast. Nerang Heritage Walk (2017).

Longhurst, Robert. Nerang Shire : A History to 1949 (1994). Albert Shire Council, Nerang.

Jones, M. A. Country of Five Rivers, Albert Shire 1788-1988 (1988). Allen & Unwin, Sydney.

Nerang State School. Nerang State School Centenary : 1875-1975 (1975). Nerang State Primary School, Nerang.

Nerang State School. Nerang State School 1875 – 2000 : 125th Anniversary (2000). Nerang State Primary School, Nerang.

City Libraries, Local Studies Collection: http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/library/local-studies-library-10111.html

Gold Coast Local Heritage Register: http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/thegoldcoast/gold-coast-heritage-register-9445.html

ReferencesAustralian Curriculum and Assessment Reporting Authority. (2014). Foundation to Year 10 Curriculum: Year 3 Humanities and Social Sciences. Retrieved from: http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/humanities-and-social-sciences/hass/curriculum/f-10?y=3&s=inquiry-and-skills&s=knowledge-and-understanding&layout=3

City of Gold Coast (2015). Maid of Sker Conservation Management Plan.

City of Gold Coast (2017). Nerang Heritage Walk.

AttachmentsAttachment 1 Maid of Sker: Capturing stories about Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.

A report prepared for Gold Coast City Council by FutureScapes Consultancy Services to capture stories about the Maid of Sker as part of the Q150 Nerang Celebrates event held in June 2009.

Attachment 2 “MOSQUITO FLEET DAYS” The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 – 1954) 2 December 1935: 13. Web. 18 May 2017 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article35937416>.

DisclaimerThe materials presented are made available by City of Gold Coast as an information source only. City of Gold Coast makes no statement, representation, or warranty about the accuracy, completeness or suitability for any purpose of any information contained. Any use of this information is at the user’s own risk.

City of Gold Coast disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs that might be incurred as a result of the information being inaccurate or incomplete in any way for any reason.

City of Gold Coast disclaims all liability for any damages arising from your access to, use of, or downloading of any material or part thereof from their publication or internet site.

AcknowledgementsPrepared by Elizabeth Galo, Education Consultant ([email protected]) for City of Gold Coast Office of City Architect, Heritage Unit. Valuable information, images and assistance has been provided by City of Gold Coast Libraries, Local Studies Collection.

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MAID OF SKER Capturing Stories about Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Project Report

FutureScapes Consultancy Services, June 2009

Attachment 1Maid of Sker: Capturing stories about Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.

Maid of Sker – Capturing Stories about Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................................3

TIMELINE OF THE MAID OF SKER ............................................................................................4

MEMORIES OF THE MAID OF SKER ..........................................................................................5The Original Maid of Sker ........................................................................................................5The Kleinschmidt Family ..........................................................................................................5Flour for the Baker ....................................................................................................................5Day trips on the River ...............................................................................................................6And the Band Played On ..........................................................................................................6Decked out for Christmas .........................................................................................................7Sharing the Load ......................................................................................................................7A Boat of Many Colours ............................................................................................................8A Playground to Inspire the Imagination ...................................................................................8Lunch on the Maid of Sker .......................................................................................................9Moving the Maid .......................................................................................................................9

DREAMS OF YESTERDAY AND TOMORROW .........................................................................10

SAMPLE ARTWORKS ...............................................................................................................19

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INTRODUCTION

Bischof Park, Nerang has recently been redeveloped. As an extension to this work, artworks are proposed for installation in Bischof Park. In particular, it is proposed that interpretive panels be designed for the walkway leading up to the Maid of Sker.

The Maid of Sker has been located in Bischof Park for over thirty years. Due Maid of Sker has been located in Bischof Park for over thirty years. Due Maid of Skerto its significant history in the local area, it was decided that the design of the interpretive panels should focus on telling stories about the boat, its past and its possible future.

Aspects of the boats history are well known to many in the local area and have been documented in the ‘Maid of Sker Project Report’ prepared for the Gold Coast Maid of Sker Project Report’ prepared for the Gold Coast Maid of SkerCity Council by Econnect in 2001. Less known are the anecdotal stories about people’s memories of the boat and their dreams about its possible future.

Gold Coast City Council contracted FutureScapes Consultancy Services to engage residents in telling stories about the Maid of Sker as part of the Q150 Maid of Sker as part of the Q150 Maid of SkerNerang Celebrates event held in June 2009.

At this event, we hosted activities to engage young and old alike in telling stories about the Maid of Sker. Young people were invited to draw stories about and make collages of the boat. As part of this they were encouraged to tell a story either about the boats past or its possible future. Artist Cameron Stelzer led these activities with young people.

Project Manager Carmen Stewart engaged older residents in discussions to capture stories about their memories of the boat.

This report captures a mix of the images and stories captured at the Q150 Nerang Celebrates event. It’s envisaged that these stories and images will be used to inform the design of interpretive panels and/or other artworks destined for Bischof Park.



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TIMELINE OF THE MAID OF SKER

Built by J.W. Sutton at Sutton’s Foundry on Brisbane’s north side (also 1884recorded as built by Evan, Anderson and Phelan in Brisbane)

Launched at the Charlotte Street horse ferry. The 1885 Maid of Sker was originally built to carry cedar logs from Nerang, which was a thriving logging community. The registered owner was C.H. Philpott.

1893 Registered owner is Gentner and Kleinschmidt. It begins its weekly service from Brisbane to Nerang, carrying passengers, sugar, produce, mail and general merchandise.

1901 Registered owner is F., A., & F. Kleinschmidt

1930 The engine, funnel and paddles were stripped off the boat and she became a gravel barge.

1935 With a full load of gravel, she sank off Stradbroke Island. The owners were quite prepared to leave her there, but the Harbours and Marine Board of the time had other views. It took 3 months using buoyancy tanks and tides to tow the Maid to land where she could be unloaded.

The Kleinschmidt family towed her from Brisbane to the Gold Coast and 1975handed her over to the Gold Coast City Council who planned to restore her. These plans fell through when Federal funding was not forthcoming.

The newly formed Rotary Club of Nerang, aided by Lions, Apex, the 1976Historical Society and the Country Women’s Association, came together to form the Maid of Sker Restoration Group.

The1976 Maid of Sker is moved from the Southport Spit to Bischof Park, Nerang. Restoration begins on the Maid, which was located adjacent to the river.

To celebrate the completed restoration of the 1981 Maid, 200 people attended a dedication ceremony on Australia Day.

2003 After years of existing as a play area for children alongside the river, the Maid of Sker is moved to the corner of the park to become a proud ‘gateway’ statement for Nerang.

This timeline was taken from a summary of notes about the Maid of Sker prepared by Carol Randall from the Rotary Club of Nerang.

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MEMORIES OF THE MAID OF SKER

The Original Maid of Sker

The name Maid of Sker has its origins in a story Maid of Sker has its origins in a story Maid of Skerabout forbidden love between the lowly born harpist, Thomas Evans, and Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac Williams of Sker. Thomas and Elizabeth fell in love at a dance. Their love was however forbidden by Elizabeth’s father due to Thomas’ low stature in life.

After being locked away to stop her seeing Thomas, Elizabeth was forced to marry another man. She continued to meet Thomas secretly before presumably dying of a broken heart 9 years later in 1710.

There is a tale of the ghost of the Maid of Sker that walks in the upstairs room in which she was imprisoned.

Taken from a summary of notes about the Maid of Sker prepared by Carol Randall from the Rotary Club of Nerang.

The Kleinschmidt Family

The Maid of Sker passed through three generations of the Kleinschmidt family, beginning with Ted Fred Kleinschmidt. His son, Ted Kleinschmidt recalled to the Courier Mail (11/9/74) how ‘we carried general goods, such as groceries and beer, between Brisbane and Southport….. On the return trip we brought back produce from Nerang.”


Flour for the Baker

George Panitz, who started a bakery in Nerang in 1929, recalled how the Maid carried his flour from Brisbane for 6 shillings a ton, plus an extra 2 shillings to get it from the wharf to the bakehouse.




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“My father in law George Panitz owned the bakery in town. His flour and supplies arrived on the Maid of Sker. It pulled up on the opposite side of the river and he would go and collect his order by horse and cart.”

Annie Panitz

Day trips on the River

The Maid took many people from Nerang on day trips to Southport. Whether the purpose was business, a spot of shopping or a swim in the Broadwater, the two hour trip aboard the Maid was undoubtedly far more pleasurable than a horse and cart journey along a rough gravel track.


“People from Southport, we’d perhaps take them to Picnic Point, or Jumpinpin, just for the days run. There was nothing else you know, no motorbikes or anything like that. We’d just take the day off …. and give them a picnic.”

Ted Kleinschmidt (an excerpt from the Econnect ‘Maid of Sker Project Report’, 24/09/01)

“My husband’s grandmother used to travel to Brisbane on the Maid of Sker to get to boarding school.”

Joan Rudd

And the Band Played On

In November 1976, the Maid of Sker was transported from where Fisherman’s Wharf is now to Nerang. The then famous Nerang Rotary Club German Band, mounted on the back of a timber truck, played continuously as the Maid of Sker travelled to Nerang, arriving safely and reasonably sober at the end of that great day!


“Col Sinclair, who used to run Southport Timbers, got a transport company to move the Maid to Nerang for free. They were going to destroy it, but the Maid of Sker Restoration Group came together and restored it.”

Peter Scott

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Decked out for Christmas

Each Christmas Eve between 1975 and 2000, the decks of the Maid of Sker provideda stage and a backdrop to the Nerang community’s celebration of Christmas. The Gold Coast City Brass Band performed each year to large crowds at the Carols Country Style organised by the Rotary Club of Nerang.


“I have fond memories of coming to Bischof Park for Carols Country Style. My grandchildren would play on the Maid of Sker as we sang along to Christmas carols.”

Helen Daly

Sharing the Load

“They had a wharf below the Nerang River. I used to watch the men bring all of the loads in – bags of sugar and flour. They’d load them on to horse and cart and sometimes vehicles as well. There were only a few shops around here at the time. I lived at Gilston and travelled to Nerang State School.”

Laurie Hinde

“When I was young I used to cart bags of cement from the Maid and store them on trucks that would then drive them to my uncle’s hardware store on Station Street. I didn’t get paid for this work. It was what you did to help out your family.”

Royce Panitz

“My grandfather, John White, was an engineer in South Brisbane. His oldest son John Isidore “Luton” White was born in 1904. He used to load the Maid of Skerwith goods at South Brisbane bound for Nerang. He was only about ten when he did this.”

Janice White

“My great uncle (John Batton) was one of the original settlers around here and he used to tell me stories about the Maid of Sker. He cut sleepers for the railway line and used to help load timber on to the boat. He was a colourful man who delivered the mail around Numinbah by horse for 25 years.”

Garth Threlfall



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A Boat of Many Colours

“When they brought the Maid here, a bloke called Merv Sivyer (known as the Mayor of Gilston), helped to paint it. Merv was a sign writer and he outlined the boats name in big letters. He spelt it the ‘Made of Sker’ and left it like that. No one commented that he’d spelt it wrong. What they didn’t realise was that he was just fooling around.”

Graham Taylor

“I joined the Rotary Club just after the Maid was relocated to Bischof Park. I helped to paint it blue and maroon on one of my first weekends as a Rotarian. The boat wouldn’t be here without the Rotary Club.”

Terry Moore

“I think I remember the boat being green and red in 1996. The kids used to climb all over it. I am so happy that they restored it.”

Kim Nelson

“It was just an old wreck when we moved here in 1994. I think the original colours were blue and white. It’s a shame they didn’t restore it to the original colours.”

Gloria Bailey

“In 1988 as a student at Nerang State High School, I would come down to Bischof Park for art classes. Our teacher would get us to draw pictures of the boat as part of the bicentenary celebrations. It was just a rusted hulk then. I think everyone in the school drew or painted a picture of the Maid that year.”

Shannan Thomas

A Playground to Inspire the Imagination

“My family would come down here when I was 7 or 8 for barbecues. My younger sister and I would play on the Maid for hours. You could hide on it. There was a ladder you could climb up and a roof over the top. It was rusty, but it never worried us.”

Saasha Aplin

“My only memory of the Maid is that my kids played on it. They loved it. Not many parks have something like this for the kids.”

David Stewart

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“Our family only moved here in 2006. When our kids first discovered the Maidthey fell in love with it. They’ve heard stories at school about how other kids could play on it in the past. They’ve learnt a lot about the boat at school.”

Ben Johnson

“I remember when you could walk all over the Maid of Sker. We had a party in this park for our daughter 25 years ago and the kids played on it then. We didn’t worry about the kids playing on it in those days even though it was a bit run down and rusty.”

Sue Kurz

“I remember when you could walk all over the Maid of Sker. I’d bring my kids down to the boat and they’d play in the area where the wood used to get stacked. They loved it. The Maid has always been a part of Bischof Park. It’s great where it is now because more people get to see it.”

Mavis Duck

Lunch on the Maid of Sker

“When I was in primary school we would stop in Bischof Park for lunch on our way back from our weekly swimming lesson. As I was small, the Maid of Sker always seemed so large. As I ate my lunch, I would imagine seeing the boat on the water and I would be sitting on it eating my lunch. Sometimes even to this day, I come down to the park with my lunch and imagine myself floating down the river on the Maid of Sker.”

Claire Nelson

Moving the Maid

“I remember when they cut the bottom out of the boat and moved it to where it is now. My kids used to climb all over it. This is one of the only parks you can find with something like this in it.”

Patrick Connolly

“The Maid used to be full of concrete when it was resting on the edge of the river. They cut the concrete bottom off when they relocated it.”

Helen Daly



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DREAMS OF YESTERDAY AND TOMORROW

“In the past it was looking for fish. In the future it is back out on the seas.”

Isabella

“My version of how the ship got in the park: Three customers are looking out of the windows. They are lost at sea and the problem is the captain is in a deep sleep! They all shout HELP but it was useless. Nobody answered until a month later someone found them and they were brought to safety and the captain awoke! They got the boat safely in the park and kept it on display until now….”

Gemma age 9

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“A mermaid is waiting for her friends to come up from inside the bottom of the boat.” Lucy age 8

“A mermaid saved everyone when the boat sank.” Tully

“In the future, I wish the Maid of Sker was a cruise boat.” Sharni

“I’d take the Maid of Sker to Sea World.” Grace



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“I wish it was a diving boat.” Sam

Oscar

Larissa

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“I’d turn it in to a terrarium to preserve species of plants. Because the boat is so old, the plants might live longer.” Bliss

“My boat would go around the world helping endangered animals.” Adrienne

“The boat could deliver toys to far-away places and take passengers around the world.” Holly

“It will go to all my favourite places in the world.” Tayla



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“A shark bit the boat and sank it.” Pennie age 11

“I would go out to sea on the boat and fish.” Malia age 7

“One day the Maid of Sker mail boat was going on its normal mail trip around Nerang when all of the mail fell off the side of the boat and the mail was never seen again.” Tammie age 12

James

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“If I was the captain of the Maid of Sker, I would travel to Mars.” Sam

“In my story, my boat went to another planet and found aliens. Sounds like FUN!” Sam



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“I would use it to have a little party with some candles on it.” Jayden

“I’d live on it if I had the chance to.” Harmony

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“In the future, the Maid of Sker will be going up and down the Nerang River with people on board enjoying everything.” Olivia

Renae



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“It is 3000 years old.” Renae

”The boat is sailing to land.” Shannon

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SAMPLE ARTWORKS

In preparation for the Q150 Nerang Celebrates event, artist Cameron Stelzer created sample drawings capturing some of the stories that exist about the Maid of Sker. These samples are representative of the type of work that could be considered for the design of the interpretive panels.

The Maid of Sker was an iron paddle-steamer built in 1884. It was originally built to carry cedar logs from Nerang, which was a thriving logging community.



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“All my childhood I listened to stories of her epic voyages through the straits from Nerang Heads, which is now Southport, and from Brisbane to Nerang. She used to carry food, iron for the smith, mail and passengers. Owing to strong winds and currents, she was often delayed for a whole day marooned on a sandbank.”

Joshua Ridlands

“People from Southport, we’d perhaps taken them to Picnic Point.... We’d just take the day off …. and give them a picnic.”

Ted Kleinschmidt

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“From Southport, the Maid of Sker ran upstream to Nerang. The crew waited until there was enough water to get the vessel over the shallows and then within two hours brought them to Nerang. They could only afford one and a half hours of time, loading and unloading produce and goods.”

Ted Kleinschmidt

”The Maid of Sker always came upstream on an incoming tide and began blowing her siren well in advance. This gave my brother enough time to hurry from our home to Jubiliee Bridge, where he would wind up the centre span.”

Brother of Sam Milfull 1976



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In 1930 the Maid was stripped and turned in to a gravel barge supplying the gravel yards at Southport. She sank at sea during this time and a lengthy salvage operation was mounted to recover the hull.

The Maid of Sker was given to the Gold Coast City Council by the Kleinschmidt family in 1975. She originally sat at the Spit, before being transferred to Bischof Park.

Attachment 2

Attachment 2“MOSQUITO FLEET DAYS” The Courier-Mail

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For more informationP 1300 GOLDCOAST (1300 465 326) W cityofgoldcoast.com.au

CG

C10

000

Documents

Nerang Student History Walk - goldcoast.qld.gov.au · Nerang Student History Walk – Year 3 Teachers’ Guide 3 Purpose and overview The purpose of this guide is to give teachers