A Medley of Favourites

This year so far, about thirty caricatures of past locals have appeared in ‘Mount Morgan in Pictures’. The subjects were town identities in the early 1900s from various professions, public offices, vocations, trades and businesses. Comical verses accompanied the caricatures, providing titbits about the individuals.

Choosing my favourite caricatures out of this eclectic bunch wasn’t easy. My selection was based on several factors, including whimsical facial features and expressions, stance and accessories.

You may not recognise the caricature of James (‘Jim’) Crawford (top row, left). It’s a new one that has sneaked into this collection of favourites. Jim was the first member for the new electoral district of Mount Morgan from 27 April 1912 to 22 May 1915.

The caricatures below are from Truth (Brisbane, Qld. : 1900-1953), except the one of Walter Hall (Sydney Sportsman (Surry Hills, NSW: 1900-1954)).

From left to right: James (‘Jim’) Crawford, M.L.A. for Mount Morgan (1914) / Dr Oliver Smithson, F.R.C.S.E, medical superintendent at the General, Mount Morgan’s first hospital on Hospital Hill (1915): ‘An interesting man to meet (friends like to hear the doctor talk)…’ / Walter Russell Hall, one of the founders of the famous Mount Morgan gold mine (1905).

From left to right: Detective William Henry Lipp, Mount Morgan Court House and Police Station Complex, Hall Street, Mount Morgan (1914): ‘When on a rogue he’s fixed his eye, he seldom lets him slip …’ / George Little Vardon, acting head teacher, Mount Morgan Boys’ State School, Morgan Street, Mount Morgan (1914) / Joseph George (‘Old Joe’) Vidulich, proprietor of the Queensland National Hotel, Morgan Street, Mount Morgan (1915).

Next Issue: James Crawford M.L.A.

This author has made best efforts to provide accurate information for this publication of ‘Mount Morgan in Pictures’.

The charming little Mount Morgan Library has a long history serving the community since its inception as a subscription library back in 1924.

A glance through the archives of The Morning Bulletin reveal a fascinating insight into the type of books readers were enjoying and show a snapshot of the collection strengths of the day.

In a Quarterly Statistics Report for the Mount Morgan Library in October 1952, 3,642 books were in circulation, including new books such as Max Brand’s Striking eagle; Gems from Idriess and Ruth Hawker’s Heather at Magpie Creek. The stock at this time consisted of 1,629 books for adults and 670 books for children.

Fast forward 70 years and the quarterly statistics show just how much libraries have evolved.

The Mount Morgan Library in the last quarter held 5,852 items with circulating stock of 3,850. This included magazines, jigsaws, newspapers, DVDs, audiobooks, kits, CDs as well as books.

Readers in the Mount Morgan area have access to the entire breadth of stock in the Rockhampton Regional Library Service which consisted of 142,753 stock in the last quarter, with 75,278 items circulating in this time.

Max Brand and his western stories are still hugely popular, with over 100 titles by this author in various formats held by the library. Ion Idriess’s books are still enjoyed by many readers with 37 books currently listed in our library catalogue, with some of these held in special collections at our Rockhampton History Centre at the Southside Library.

Ruth Hawker was a pioneer of Australian farming stories for young people at this time – with a massive growth of Australiana stories for children, teens and adults over the decades since. Currently rural romances, affectionately called ‘Chook-lit’ by authors such as Lucy Walker, Mandy Magro, Fleur Macdonald, Peter McKelvie and Alissa Callen continue to dominate in the Australian publishing industry and are well-loved additions in libraries.

Our Library Survey is currently running at all our library branches until 3 July and we are keen to hear your feedback about our library service. Check out the online link on the Council website or drop into any library branch to pick up a hard copy of the Survey form. It won’t take too long to do and will provide important feedback about our service.

The Mount Morgan Library is located at 31 Morgan Street, Mount Morgan and is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am-1pm and 2pm-5pm. The Mount Morgan Library and Gracemere Library alternate Saturday opening from 9am-12noon.

Contact the Mount Morgan Library on 4936 8169 or the Library Administration Office on phone 4936 8043 or email: libraries@rrc.qld.gov.au

Mount Morgan Business And Services Directory

Mount Morgan Promotion and Development Inc is continually updating its Business and Services Directory used at the Mount Morgan Visitior Information (Explore) Centre and Railway Museum. If you have any new contact details that you would like to include or if you are unsure if you are listed, please contact MMPAD on 4938 2312 or email: mmpad@mountmorgan.org.au. This information is provided to local residents and visitors.