REGULAR FEATURES
Dublin to Brisbane, 1882, Episode 9
4th September - Monday morning found us all up bright and early and very busy, bustling about, eager to clean up our berths and the sailors were taking our boxes out of the
wanted was an excuse to cheer, and cheer they did immediately.
hold. At 9 a.m. the longed for steamer came with 3 gentlemen and some Custom House officers, all had to pass muster and answer any questions they might be asked especially if we were treated well, all gave the same answer that we were well and considerately treated by both Captain and doctor, indeed, the kindness of the Captain and mates could not be exceeded.
terra-firma once more. The few gentlemen then bid us welcome, and we marched through the gates up to the Depot while the men stopped behind to assist in taking out the luggage. Now, how shall I describe the Depot, well, it was a beastly hole, all the married people had to sleep on the floor huddled any way they liked, the single men had the bare boards to sleep on all round and the single girls had the top room. They had to sleep on the floor too. I have been informed that the Depot had been till lately the poorhouse, so that we married persons can say we spent the first night in Brisbane in the Union.
At 11 a.m. we went on the Steamer Rate and when all were settled we took leave of the noble Stracathro with hearty cheers for the Captain and men. The sailors cheered us loyally and indeed most of us felt sorry leaving the dear vessel that has been a home to us for three months. We tripped lightly up the river - it took us two hours from the time we left the Stracathro. The views along the river were lovely. I cannot describe how nice. Everywhere that anyone on the shore saw us they cheered and waved their hats, and in one place the steamer stopped a moment near some landing place and a gentleman appeared on the steps and bid us welcome. All the poor excited emigrants
Arrived at the Depot, the steamer stopped and in a short time we were on
Next morning we got up early determined that we would not stay there another hour. My husband went out with a friend and got a house between them for 8s a week so he took our luggage and the other man took his, we also brought my sister-in-law (Miss Winnett) and Miss Brady with us and shook the dust of the Depot off our feet, went to our own house as independent as you please, had a comfortable meal and felt free and happy. 5th September 1882 - now we
40 www.thebribieislander.com.au
The Bribie Islander
Elizabeth, husband, baby and sister-in-law have at last arrived in Brisbane, but a bleak reception greets them until they take charge of their own destiny. Their arrival is the embryo of a family dynasty that will help shape the burgeoning colony of Queensland into the state we love today By AJ Finegan (author of The Forgotten Explorer)
are settled for some time in our little house, intend to live well
things, such as pots, pans lamps and anything serviceable that
for a few days, and our men are busy looking for employment. Brisbane is a fine town, but the farther one goes into the country the better the wages.
would fit in a trunk and there is plenty of work if they are not too lazy, but lazy folk had better stay at home, especially girls.
I shall pass over a week as we took a rest and now my husband has a nice situation in Tewantin with a free house and firewood and 36/- per week. He is in a sawmill. The work here is quite different to that at home and provisions are cheap and everything else such as clothes etc., are very reasonable and now I close my diary with thanks to my Heavenly Father for bringing us safe here across the sea. He took care of us and guided us and our ship and I
Goodbye Old Ireland. Dear Uncle, If not too much trouble, would you send a copy (or this if you like) to the Reverend Canon Stavely, The Vicarage, Killiney, and Joe could copy one for Mrs Winnett, 12 Castle Street, Dalkey. I have no time now to copy one for them and `tis very expensive sending home so many. Yours in love, E. Winnett
12 Castle Street Dalkey Dublin. A pub since 1745 know He is with us here too. I would advise any who might be coming out not to bring too much clothes, but bring useful
The final in this series will continue in the next edition as the “Winnett Diary Legacy
