When the Hills District was ‘Nappy Valley’

During the 1990’s respected Queensland University Local Government lecturer, Doug Tucker, was addressing a class about Brisbane’s growth and the emergence of the new suburbs of Ferny Hills, Arana Hills and Everton Hills during the 1960’s and 1970’s.

He referred to the suburbs as ‘Nappy Valley’. It drew giggles from his students but Doug was completely correct. For a long time, from the late 1960’s to the early early 1980’s the Hills District was referred to by this term.

The reason? As couples moved to the area and started families, the local population had a HUGE proportion of its residents as infants or children aged under five. Every week, new houses, roads and amenities were being constructed; Sundays saw a ‘conga line’ of parents taking their newborns to church for christenings; and backyards throughout the district were dominated by freshly washed nappies drying on Hills Hoists.

An update from the Enoggera and Districts Historical Society Local infrastructure and services had to play a game of serious catch-up, such was the population boom. Ferny Hills State School opened in 1970 (originally known as Ferny Way State School; pictured), Patricks Road State School opened in 1977, the Arana Hills Library opened in 1976 (pictured) and Kmart Plaza Arana Hills opened in 1978.

During this time, the Hills District was part of the former Pine Rivers Shire Council (PRSC) – which had its headquarters at Strathpine. Local residents started a movement to transfer to the Brisbane City Council (BCC), as this local government better reflected locals’ community of interests. Plus BCC landowners paid cheaper rates than their PRSC counterparts! The initial move during the 1970’s, and subsequent moves, were unsuccessful.

For those initial settlement years, the Hills District sent a three person team to the PRSC. For many years it was Brian Battersby, Brian Burke and Jan Quinn – known as the ‘BBQ team’! PRSC was folded into the new Moreton Bay Regional Council in 2008.

Does anyone out there remember starting a household or growing up in the Hills District during the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s? We’d love to hear from you. Visit our Facebook page, website ( www.enoggerahistory. org ) or email enoggerahistory@ gmail.com

Take care everyone, Andrew McMicking, President

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