Queensland State Archives

02/06/2026

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this post contains the name of a deceased person.

Today on we honour Mer Island man Eddie Koiki Mabo and his extraordinary legacy.

His 1992 victory in overturning "terra nullius" laid the foundation for future native title claims.

This led to the creation of the Native Title Act 1993, establishing a legal framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to reclaim their traditional lands.

The case took over 10 years to be heard, but tragically, Eddie Mabo passed away before the High Court’s decision. His courage and determination continue to inspire the ongoing journey towards justice and reconciliation.

Learn more about how Mabo transformed land law in Australia: https://bit.ly/3GRqI8h

02/06/2026

📢 Uncover the Hidden Stories of St Helena Island!

Join us for our next as researcher and Harry Gentle Visiting Research Fellow, Belinda Daly, shares the untold history of the women and children who lived on St Helena Island alongside the warders of the Penal Establishment (1867–1932).

Discover how 47 families overcame isolation and societal barriers to create a thriving community on this remote island.

📆Thursday 25 June 2026
⏰ 11.00am–12.30pm
📍 Queensland State Archives, Runcorn
🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/3R4GG84

01/06/2026

Step into Queensland’s history with our next in this free hands-on Letterpress Printing Workshop, as part of our Printed & Bound exhibition! 🎨✨

Discover the fascinating world of Queensland’s historic livestock branding system. Guided by the talented team from Moveable Type Studio, you’ll:
🖋️ Learn about the history and visual language of livestock brands.
🖨️ Design and print your own unique brand mark using traditional letterpress techniques.
📖 Contribute to a collaboratively printed and bound “brand register” that ties together law, land, livestock, and typography.

📆Saturday 13 June 2026
⏰9am – 12pm, or 1 – 4pm
📍 Queensland State Archives, Runcorn
🔗Register here: https://bit.ly/4wKhl3J

28/05/2026

Fresh records, same incredible exhibition! ✨📜

This week, we’ve swapped over some of the records in our Printed & Bound exhibition to ensure their preservation and integrity. 🛠️📖

If you haven’t had the chance to visit yet – or if you’re keen to explore the newly displayed records – now’s the perfect time to stop by! 🌟

Printed & Bound will be here until 10 October 2026, so don’t miss your chance to experience this fascinating showcase of history and craftsmanship.

📅 Plan your visit today: https://bit.ly/4dRwWY7

26/05/2026

Queensland State Archives is All In for National Reconciliation Week 2026. 🤝

This year’s theme, All In, reminds us that reconciliation is not a spectator sport. It’s a call to action for all Australians to stand together and take meaningful steps toward reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. ⚫☀️🔴🔵🟢⚪

At Queensland State Archives, we’re committed to walking this journey together by:
✅ Recognising and protecting Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) in our archival collections.
✅ Adopting inclusive practices that centre First Nations perspectives.
✅ Guiding our staff on ICIP protocols to ensure respectful and ethical use of records.
✅ Strengthening partnerships with First Nations communities to enhance access to and understanding of our shared history.

Reconciliation is a collective effort that requires all of us to listen, learn, and act. Together, we can create a more united and equitable future.

25/05/2026

Today, on National Sorry Day, we pause to reflect on Australia’s history and acknowledge the profound grief and trauma experienced by the Stolen Generations.

The first National Sorry Day in 1998 followed the release of the Bringing Them Home report, which highlighted the vital role archives play in helping people reconnect with their histories. At Queensland State Archives, we are committed providing access to records that can help individuals uncover their family stories, traditional place names, and connections to language groups.

While these records are invaluable, they can also be distressing, as they often contain personal and culturally sensitive information or language that reflects outdated and offensive views. If you are considering researching your family history, we encourage you to approach these materials with care.

If you are looking to explore your family history and find your mob, learn how to use ArchivesSearch to find records that matter to you in this video:

00:00 Introduction00:20 Search by name in the ArchivesSearch catalogue03:27 Search by place name04:54 Search by languageAre you curious about uncovering your...

21/05/2026

📢 Join us for our next !

Discover the untold stories of St Helena Island in ‘Warders, wives and children – The families of St Helena Penal Establishment’, presented by researcher and Harry Gentle Visiting Research Fellow, Belinda Daly.

While St Helena Penal Establishment is known as an all-male prison, women and children also lived on the island between 1867 and 1932 as part of the warders’ families. Belinda’s research shines a light on their lives, challenges, and contributions, restoring them to the historical narrative for the first time.

Learn how 47 families overcame isolation, class, and gender barriers to build a vibrant community on the island.

📆Thursday 25 June 2026
⏰ 11.00am–12.30pm
📍Queensland State Archives, Runcorn
🔗Register here: https://bit.ly/3R4GG84

18/05/2026

Happy National Volunteer Week! 🌟

From 18 to 24 May we’re celebrating National Volunteer Week, Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering. This year’s theme, Your Year to Volunteer, honours the incredible contributions of volunteers and inspires others to get involved in ways that work for them.

Here at Queensland State Archives, we are so fortunate to have an amazing team of volunteers who help us preserve Queensland’s history, enhance our records, and improve access to our collection.

To our volunteers: thank you for your dedication, passion, and hard work. You make a lasting difference, and we are so grateful for everything you do to keep Queensland’s records alive and connected to all of us.

Would you like to join our online community, and rewrite history, or at least transcribe it? Jump over to the From the Page site, where you can help transcribe Queensland’s historical records: https://bit.ly/42A9Yhg
👏🩷

15/05/2026

All aboard! Dive into QSA’s newly digitised records! 🚂

Last month 95 gems from the Rail Audiovisual and Photographic Collection were added to our ArchivesSearch catalogue. And one features none other than Ernie Dingo!

In the Workplace Health and Safety video the Yamatji man and beloved TV personality encourages Queensland Rail employees to look out for each other, a message that’s just as important today!

📸 Love trains and stations? Check out our Full Steam Ahead Flickr album, featuring 160+ photos of Queensland’s railway history: https://bit.ly/4ddjBIU

Explore the past and discover something new today!🚉

A Queensland Rail video created in 2002 encouraging Coal and Freight Services employees to look after one another with a focus on Workplace Health and Safety...

14/05/2026

in 1867, history was made on St Helena Island! 🏝️🔒

Over 150 years ago, the first prisoners arrived at the isolated St Helena Island Penal Establishment, a fortress surrounded by the treacherous waters of Moreton Bay. Despite its remote location and fortified walls, that didn’t stop daring prisoners from attempting bold escapes! 🛶🏃‍♂️

Want to uncover the fascinating stories of this historic island? Dive into its rich past and explore the buildings, plans, and photographs that bring its history to life.

📖 Read more here: https://bit.ly/4dKH0lI
📢 Sign up for our next ‘Warders, wives and children – The families of St Helena Penal Establishment’ here: https://bit.ly/3R4GG84
📸 Explore our St Helena Island album here: https://bit.ly/4cv83PI