Author: Belinda Daly

Storyteller. Environmental Educator. Social history researcher. Interpreter of natural and cultural heritage. Writer. Teacher. Ecotourism Lecturer. Ex Ranger. Protector of our fragile planet. Collector of stories and keeper of memories. Explorer of special places. Lover of adventure and life.
St Helena Warders

Belinda’s talk on St Helena’s women and children is this Thursday 25th June – Come and join me!

If you are keen to know the answers, then Belinda Daly’s presentation at the Qld State Archives on the 25th June 2026 is for you! Over the last year, Belinda has been busy researching and writing a paper as part of her Visiting Fellowship for Griffith University. The focus of this paper? WOMEN. Too often, when we research the history of our ancestors, or want … Continue reading Belinda’s talk on St Helena’s women and children is this Thursday 25th June – Come and join me!

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Colonial History, St Helena Warders, St Helena Women and Children, Today's Community

Join Belinda for her presentation on the 25th June @ QSA!

If you are keen to know the answers, then Belinda Daly’s presentation at the Qld State Archives on the 25th June 2026 is for you! Over the last year, Belinda has been busy researching and writing a paper as part of her Visiting Fellowship for Griffith University. The focus of this paper? WOMEN. Too often, when we research the history of our ancestors, or want … Continue reading Join Belinda for her presentation on the 25th June @ QSA!

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St Helena Prisoners, St Helena Warders, Today's Community

Are your ancestors connected with the Penal Establishment of St Helena Island? We need to hear from you!

We are searching for Warders’ families that lived on St Helena Island during the Penal Establishment years. Is that you? We need to hear from you! The St Helena Island Community is regularly contacted by individuals exploring their family tree and who have unearthed information that they have a St Helena prisoner or warder amongst their relatives. Others know their ancestor was on St Helena … Continue reading Are your ancestors connected with the Penal Establishment of St Helena Island? We need to hear from you!

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Colonial History, St Helena Warders, Today's Community

We’ve received a Harry Gentle Resource Centre Visiting Fellowship at Griffith University!

The St Helena Island Community is excited to announce that we have received from Griffith University, the Harry Gentle Research Centre’s Visiting Fellowship. We look forward to conducting in depth research into the wives and children of St Helena Island. Continue reading We’ve received a Harry Gentle Resource Centre Visiting Fellowship at Griffith University!

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Built environment, Moreton Bay history, Today's Community

Roland Dowling – custodian of St Helena Island

A significant event occurred on the 31st January 2025 that marks the end of an era for St Helena Island. That’s the retirement of Ranger-In-Charge Roland Dowling – mentor, guru, expansive thinker, protector of rangers and the environment in equal measure, lover of heritage, friend and all-round great person. When Roland first stepped into the role of managing Fort Lytton National Park in 1991 (and … Continue reading Roland Dowling – custodian of St Helena Island

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Colonial History, Moreton Bay history

New arrivals, new stories and old mysteries – 1862 was a busy year.

SHIP: ‘Chatsworth.’ 1037 tons, departed Liverpool 5th April 1862, Arrived on the 6th August 1862 in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. Deaths at Sea: 12. Deaths on St Helena Island: 7 Our last story ‘New arrivals, new stories and old mysteries – 1862’ gave us new insights into the burials on St Helena Island, Moreton Bay, Queensland when the ship ‘Erin-Go-Bragh was quarantined there in 1862. … Continue reading New arrivals, new stories and old mysteries – 1862 was a busy year.

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Colonial History, For Schools, Moreton Bay history, Primary Schools

New arrivals, new stories and old mysteries – 1862

10 years passed between the burial of Johanna Goodwin and her infant on St Helena Island and the next woman to die and be buried there also. My last blog post in this series ‘New arrivals, new stories and old mysteries in 1852’ detailed the arrival of the immigrant ship ‘Maria Soames’ and the first immigrant burials recorded on St Helena Island, Moreton Bay. Fast … Continue reading New arrivals, new stories and old mysteries – 1862

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Colonial History, Environmental History, Moreton Bay history, Secondary Schools, Today's Community

New arrivals, new stories and old mysteries in 1852

While our focus is often on the prison era of the St Helena Penal Establishment from 1867, the previous 15 years saw St Helena Island used as a quarantine site. Moreton Bay settlement was opened up to free immigrants in 1842 and in doing so it became exposed to outbreaks of disease the immigrants brought with them on the ships. The story of these immigrant … Continue reading New arrivals, new stories and old mysteries in 1852

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