Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
ABC News
ABC News
National

Treasure trove of photographs of Brisbane's early years donated to QUT by local family

How Brisbane City has changed between 1965 and 2022. (ABC News and Supplied: QUT Media)

A treasure trove of photographs reveals just how much Brisbane has changed over the past century.

The images, which are part of a new collection released by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), were donated to the university by a local family.

Lyndal O'Gorman, daughter of one of the photographers, Cynthia O'Gorman, handed over her mother's and grandfather's photographs.

The family's albums and slide boxes contained more than 100,000 images.

They include iconic Brisbane locations, including the river, New Farm Park and Eagle Street Pier.

A much flatter city skyline was captured in a snap from Mt Coot-tha in 1954, before the tall towers of today.

View looking over Brisbane from Mount Coot-tha in 1954. (Supplied: Jack Bain)
View of Brisbane City from Mt Coot-tha in 2022. (ABC News: Alexander Lewis)

The view towards Eagle Street Pier from the Story Bridge was very different in 1965.

Instead of apartment blocks and office buildings, wharves and warehouses hugged the river.

But the red-roofed building at the bottom of the frame is still there.

Originally offices for shipping company Howard Smith Ltd, it is now a restaurant.

Looking along Petrie Bight with the old Eagle Street Wharves, towards Brisbane City from the Story Bridge, December 1965. (Supplied: Jack Bain)
Eagle Street Pier in 2022. (ABC News: Alexander Lewis)

Even in the 1960s, Queen Street was a major shopping hub — except then you could drive or catch a tram along the strip, until it was turned into a pedestrian mall in the 1980s.

Queen Street in 1960. (Supplied: Jack Bain)
Queen Street in 2022. (ABC News: Alexander Lewis)

The King George Square of the 1950s is barely recognisable.

Among the many changes, the statue depicting its namesake on horseback has been relocated.

King George Square, Brisbane, 1954. (Supplied: Jack Bain)
King George Square in 2022. (ABC News: Alexander Lewis)

Anzac Square hasn't changed as much. The sandstone war memorial still stands in front of Central Station, but is now dwarfed by skyscrapers.

ANZAC Square, looking towards Central Railway Station in 1930. (Supplied: Jack Bain)
Anzac Square in 2022. (ABC News: Alexander Lewis)

While the porte cochère at Parliament House looks old fashioned, it wasn't finished until 1982.

The sandstone is a lighter shade to the main structure and the metal roofs have developed a patina.

Queensland Parliament House in 1972. (Supplied: Cynthia O'Gorman)
Queensland Parliament House in 2022. (ABC News: Alexander Lewis)

Some places look pretty much the same as they did 50 years ago.

Jacarandas and roses continue to colour New Farm Park.

New Farm Park in October 1972. (Supplied: Cynthia O'Gorman)

The pictures were taken by amateur photographer Jack Bain and his daughter Cynthia O'Gorman.

Photographer Jack Bain in 1926 (left) and his daughter Cynthia O’Gorman (right). (Supplied: QUT Media)

So far, more than 500 have been scanned and made available for public viewing on QUT's website.

Lyndal said her grandfather worked as a bank teller in Brisbane for most of his life.

QUT Digital Collections librarian Jill Rogers (left) and Dr Lyndal O’Gorman (right), QUT academic and photo donor. (Supplied: QUT Media)

"He didn't like it, he didn't enjoy it, but it was a reliable job. I think photography was an escape for him," she said.

Nowadays it would take a brave person to swim in the 'Brown Snake'. But in a 1928 snap, Mr Bain looks unfazed, as he pushes a rowboat in the Brisbane River.

People swimming and canoeing in Brisbane River in 1928. (Supplied)

But he was well clear of the water in 1965, when he captured the blasting of a channel at Seventeen Mile Rocks.

The explosions were to allow easier passage for steamers between Brisbane and Ipswich.

A crowd watched as a column of spray shot into the sky.

Blastings were carried out in the Brisbane River as a result of pressure from gravel and coal industries in the area in 1965, so vessels could pass more freely. (Supplied: Jack Bain)

Mr Bain captured momentous occasions, such as Brisbane's CBD decorated for Queen Elizabeth's first visit to Brisbane in 1954.

The monarch marked 70 years on the throne this week.

Decorated Queen Street buildings for Queen Elizabeth's first Royal visit to Brisbane in 1954. (Supplied: Jack Bain)

While Mr Bain and Ms O'Gorman have died, their photography will live on in the QUT's digital collections, a legacy of Queensland history for generations to enjoy.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.