Off The Shelf

Researched and written by Gympie Family History member and in collaboration with the Irish Club of Gympie, this valuable resource traces the lives of Irish immigrants who made Gympie home.

From John Flood who was a notorious Fenian and convict to present day business men, this is a romp through history through the eyes of some born “beneath the shadow of the shamrock.”

This book traces the historical events that lead to the formation of new roads into the Mary Valley and the surrounding areas, culminating with the discovery of gold at Gympie in 1868. The tracks to and from the goldfields opened up the area, allowing for closer settlement by the agricultural and pastoral industries.

Well illustrated with maps, it also contains interesting reproductions of many interesting letters written by the men who explored the country.

Jeff gives an insight into the conditions and difficulties of the time.

An historical reference compiled by Joy King

“What a Lady she was – The main house consisted of four bedrooms with verandahs on three sides.  Floors of beech and walls of hand planed tongue and groove white cedar.  The studs were silky oak and cedar.  The original shingle roof was replaced in 1925 with galvanised iron.  An inscription was found in the rafters “re-roofed by Charlie Mitchell, 1925’.”  

This is just a part of the description of the “The New Imbil Station” which can be found in the pages of this lovely book. Filled with early photographs and eyewitness, accounts it is extremely readable whilst maintaining historical credibility. Compiled by Joy King in 1997 it is a valuable research resource.

For the family historian, a list of Families Who Created our History is included as well as a detailed index.

by Ian Pedley

This book was commissioned by the Widgee Shire Council and published by the Gympie Times in 1979. As the title indicates, it traces Widgee history from the first white settlement to the present which was 1979 when published.

This is a detailed history of the Shire from Noosa across to Kilkivan and from Conondale to Gympie. It is a must read for anyone researching either the area or the families who were early settlers.

It has also been meticulously indexed by the library staff of the Gympie Family History Society which makes not only a valuable resource but one that is easy to access.

A collection of stories of the Chinese people who lived and worked in Gympie and surrounds from 1868.

Volume 1

Compiled by the Gympie Family History Society 2015

It is only in recent times that the rich history of the Chinese in Australia and their contributions have been recognised. This book was published to coincide with the placement of a plaque in the grounds of the Gympie Cemetery on 4 March 2015 which acknowledges such contributions to Gympie.

The information presented in the book is a compilation of mentions, memories and newspaper reports gathered from previously unavailable sources. The information was compiled from library sources, internet sites and family stories. It also acknowledges the work of Ailsa Dawson in her book Chinese in the Gympie District. From these was learned the valuable and rich history of these early pioneers so far from home. It is necessary to take into account when reading some of the reports that they contain the language of the day and that this today would be considered offensive.

By Dennis Long and the Long Family

“Longing for the Chatsworth” tells the stories of William and Sarah Long, a pioneering family of the Chatsworth near Gympie, Queensland, most of their family of seventeen many other descendants. There are stories written by some forty direct descendants of William and Sarah and/or their spouses.

The book recaptures vividly the triumphs and tribulations of this pioneering family. It contains humour and pathos but above all demonstrates the strength in adversity of this typically Australian family.

Packed with historic photographs, this is a great read and a valuable historic document.