Above: Illustrated front cover from The Queenslander, November 8, 1934
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Eating the watermelon, Chinchilla, 2001
Group of fishermen looking pleased with their catch, Chinchilla
Chinchilla Library
The Chinchilla Library has approximately 700 historic photographs with 100 available online via Picture Queensland. Chinchilla's prosperity is still based on agricultural and grazing industries, so crops, cattle and people at work and play feature prominently in these photographs of rural life from the turn of the 20th century. Battles with natural disasters including fire, flood and the ravages of the prickly pear haunt these snapshots of time. Changing street scenes and the developing businesses show a bustling town, and the portraits of individuals and families are a testament to time and fashion. Future images will document current changes as Chinchilla hosts the development of two power stations in the area.
The town of Chinchilla is located on the Darling Downs about 300km west of Brisbane. The Chinchilla Shire Council (inaugurated in 1912), now part of the Western Downs Regional Council, accepted responsibility for library services in 1967 after mixed fortunes with School of Arts and subscription libraries. The Chinchilla Library is one of nine branches making up the Western Downs Regional Council Libraries.
The Chinchilla Library works in co-operation with the Chinchilla White Gums Gallery, the Chinchilla Museum, the Chinchilla Field Naturalists' Club and local schools and organisations. A small group, of which the librarian is part, has produced a publication on the explorer Leichhardt's travels in the Chinchilla district. Titled, From Jimba to Dried Beef Creek, the book is available for purchase at the library.
As well as all the usual library services, Chinchilla Library has an excellent local and family history collection including:
- The Chinchilla News 1930-present
- clippings files from the newspaper
- family history booklets
- histories of local schools, churches and other organizations
- maps
- works by local authors and composers
- works about the Chinchilla district
- microforms of births, deaths and marriages
- Post Office records and regional gazetteers
- ephemera and photographs.
Copying images for publication or commercial use is not permitted without written consent. Print copies of images may be obtained by contacting the Chinchilla Library.
Contact details:
Chinchilla Library
80-86 Heeney Street
PO Box 42
Chinchilla Qld 4413
p: 07 4669 1990
f: 07 4669 1991
e: chinchilla.library@wdrc.qld.gov.au
w: http://www.wdrc.qld.gov.au/services/library_services.shtml
Last updated: 5th January 2012
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