Bridal Memories

It was in 1937 that Ellen Campbell (McConachie St) as a young Bride came from the cloistered surrounds of Windsor, to the wilds of the poultry farm at Albany Creek.

The dual main arterial roads that we take for granted today, did not exist then and taking the (Mahaca Park) eggs to the Egg Board at the Normanby was a solid half-day trip.

It is interesting to note that “The Normanby” even in peak is now only some three quarters of an hour away and special promotion is now dedicated to “Travel Smart”. Apparently the aim is to get people to change their transport ways and revert to walking, car pooling, public transport or cycling (like the 1930s to 1960s).

It would have been unheard of in the youth of Ellen Campbell for a vehicle to be used to drop children to school. Even in my days in the 60’s, the only transport for Albany Creek was by walking or bike ride to the crematorium, catching one of the green and cream Mitchell buses which took you to Lutwyche Cemetery, where the world of Brisbane opened with access to all points of the City by the faithful and sustainable mode of transport – THE TRAM, with its reserved track and flowering adjacent rose gardens.

Ellen Campbell has been honoured by the Albany Creek National Seniors Inc, as a foundation member (originally Later Years) Ellen spoke of her early mode of transport, a Harley Davidson and a sidecar, which, with Ellen Campbell and three children aboard had to traverse the pot holes that were called a road from Wooloowin to Albany Creek. Ellen Campbell lived in the same Mahaca house in Albany Creek for almost 70 years and in December 2006 moved to a Carseldine Retirement Village, and died on July 11 2008.

Her late husband, Fred Campbell as a boy, rode his horse from Albany Creek to the Zillmere Station and picked up the rail to the closest high school that was on offer. The Brisbane State High School at South Brisbane. How many High Schools now exist between Albany Creek and South Brisbane- a sign of change.

Do you know of others who have lived in the same local property for 50 years or more, email me so their story can be told

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Peter Campbell - 0418 774 663