Category: Built environment

Posts in this category focus on all man-made structures and buildings on the island, from any era of the island’s history.

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

Belinda DalyLeave a comment
Built environment, Colonial History, Environmental History, St Helena Prisoners, St Helena Warders

Landscapes shaped by lime

The turquoise waters and white rock faces of Walkerville are reminiscent of the Aegean Sea surrounding the Greek Isles. But standing in the southerly most point of Victoria, Australia, we’re 15 000 kms and a hemisphere away from the warm lazy waters of the ancient land of Greece. In Walkerville, the story of the landscape is written in limestone and the remnants of that story … Continue reading Landscapes shaped by lime

Belinda DalyLeave a comment
Built environment, St Helena Warders

A Swiss storekeeper for St Helena Island

St Helena Island was John Aebli’s first and last appointment to a Penal Establishment. He began a new career as a warder at St Helena in 1900 and finished his penal career 20 years later in the same place it began. John, it seems, was a late starter in many areas, being 37 years old when he married his wife Anna, 38 on appointment in … Continue reading A Swiss storekeeper for St Helena Island

Belinda Daly3 Comments
Built environment, Environmental History, St Helena Prisoners, St Helena Warders

100 years ago – celebrating the St Helena Island mothers

Bob Jnr and Fred Murrie’smother Charlotte (nee McMunn) was one of the few women on St Helena Island in the 1910’s. Becoming Senior Warder in 1913 meant Bob Murrie Senior was allocated a small cottage, and was one of the few warders given permission to have his wife and children living with him on St Helena Island. This Mother’s Day, let’s celebrate the contribution of … Continue reading 100 years ago – celebrating the St Helena Island mothers

Belinda Daly1 Comment
Built environment, Environmental History, St Helena Prisoners, St Helena Warders, Today's Community

‘We could go anywhere here, we were only youngsters.’ Bob and Fred Murrie.

“We could go anywhere, we were only youngsters. We couldn’t go in the stockade, but if there was a warder with you, you could go in. My father’s job…at 9 o’clock at night, he used to go in to the prison and make sure everything was locked up and under control, and I’d go in with him sometimes… we’d go in the front Number 1 … Continue reading ‘We could go anywhere here, we were only youngsters.’ Bob and Fred Murrie.

Belinda Daly4 Comments
Built environment, St Helena Warders, Today's Community

The St Helena Island jigsaw… finding the pieces and creating the whole picture

The St Helena Community is made up of people. People from 150 years ago and people that I spoke to yesterday. Everybody has a story and this blog has provided the forum for the past and present members of the St Helena Community to discover and piece together stories that are currently fragmented or lost. I’ve been swamped with people lately searching for these stories … Continue reading The St Helena Island jigsaw… finding the pieces and creating the whole picture

Belinda DalyLeave a comment
Built environment, Colonial History, Environmental History, Moreton Bay history, Noogoon / Indigenous, St Helena Prisoners, St Helena Warders, Today's Community

Take a walk on the wild side… with a ‘Belinda tour’of St Helena Island.

Being an island means that St Helena is not a simple day’s journey for a quick visit. The lucky few have their own small boat and can access the long jetty in between carefully timed tides. For the rest, it takes an organised tour to access the restricted zone surrounding the Prison Stockade and Warder’s Row. I’m pleased to say that the first annual St … Continue reading Take a walk on the wild side… with a ‘Belinda tour’of St Helena Island.

Belinda Daly3 Comments
Built environment, Colonial History, St Helena Prisoners

Queensland’s Ned Kelly imprisoned at St Helena Island

Strength of character often means having qualities such as resilience, determination, consistency, focus and passion. If this definition is applied to many of the prisoners within the St Helena Penal Establishment, many of them clearly display strength of character. Prisoner Walter O’Hara had all the above qualities, giving him every opportunity in life.   I believe if Prisoner Walter O’Hara’s drive, tenacity and determination was … Continue reading Queensland’s Ned Kelly imprisoned at St Helena Island

Belinda DalyLeave a comment
Built environment, St Helena Prisoners, St Helena Warders, Today's Community

St Helena Island Prison – Birdcage of the Bay

“Liberty is sweet. If you open the cage door, the bird is sure to fly out.” So said Frederick Hamilton, St Helena Penal Establishment prisoner and would-be escapee. He certainly flew… well, paddled at least, first in a bathtub and then a makeshift raft on his way to Fisherman Islands and ultimate freedom. With 200 yards to go, he nearly made it. The St Helena … Continue reading St Helena Island Prison – Birdcage of the Bay

Belinda Daly5 Comments