Audience adult summary allows the reader to step back in time and see these buildings and street scapes as they once were, and to compare how they look now. Today we welcome author melissa fagan to share how she came to write about the family behind the iconic brisbane building, her own, in what will be worn. Catherine has 49 books on goodreads, and is currently reading what will be worn. The mcwhirters building is an iconic brisbane landmark and for fagan it is a touchstone throughout this book as she investigates her familys heritage and history, her forebears foibles, failings, successes and triumphs, and weaves it all together into a fascinating exploration of their lives. This building is the legacy of scotsman james mcwhirter, one of brisbanes leading retailers of the late 19th and early 20th century. What will be worn a mcwhirters story by melissa fagan. We have a great range of local history guides for areas in and around brisbane as well as books on queenslands heritage. Aug 24, 2018 the mcwhirters building is part of brisbanes built heritage but author melissa fagan has discovered her own family secrets in its history susan johnson, by susan johnson, the couriermail. The idea first came to her almost 20 years ago, in 1999, at her grandmothers funeral.
Mcwhirters is a heritagelisted former department store at wickham street, fortitude valley, city of brisbane, queensland, australia. Brisbane s longlost cloudland and the shortlived luna park next to it are two of the highlights of a new book delving into the citys art deco heritage. See more ideas about brisbane, history and brisbane queensland. The buildings date back to the early 1900s, when fortitude valley grew to become a retail heartland for brisbane, including institutional brisbane retailers tc beirne, mcwhirters and waltons. Brisbane s recorded history dates from 1799, when matthew flinders explored moreton bay on an expedition from port jackson, although the region had long been occupied by the yugara and turrbal aboriginal tribes. For all who know brisbane, mcwhirters, a once celebrated departm sometimes it seems the most invaluable stories can be found in the unlikeliest of corners. The history of mcwhirters is a story of endeavour, initiative and achievement which would do credit to the older countries of england or america.
Shop mcwhirters this heritagelisted centre has everything you need, all in the one place. Secrets of iconic building revealed in new book seniors news. This building is the legacy of scotsman james mcwhirter, one of brisbane s leading retailers of the late 19th and early 20th century. Mcwhirters, the valley, holds out a welcome to those bent on buying christmas tokens, toys from santa claus, books, cards, and table delicacies. At the close of world war two, thanks to multiple inheritances, my grandfather stirling mcwhirter was mcwhirters. Brisbanes longlost luna park part of art deco heritage. What will be worn, a mcwhirters story by melissa fagan. For all who know brisbane, mcwhirters, a once celebrated department store in fortitude valley, is an icon.
Restaurants in mcwhirters, brisbane zomato urbanspoonzomato. The brisbane courier newspaper, on december 1921, gave a wrapup of christmas sales at some of brisbane s stores, including mcwhirters. Stories of our built heritage is a charming and informative reference, and offers a colourful insight into brisbane s built heritage and the life and times of this dynamic city. Aug 21, 2018 the mcwhirters building is an iconic brisbane landmark and for fagan it is a touchstone throughout this book as she investigates her familys heritage and history, her forebears foibles, failings, successes and triumphs, and weaves it all together into a fascinating exploration of their lives. For melissa fagan it is also the starting point for this remarkable exploration of her mother and grandmothers lives, and a poignant reminder of the ways in which retail stor. It was added to the queensland heritage register on 21 october 1992. There is so much more to this book than meets the eye. History buildings australia queensland brisbane history pictorial works buildings queensland brisbane history pictorial works. James mcwhirters original brisbane outlet fronted anne st opposite the fortitude valley g.
Mcwhirters building on wickham st fortitude valley the races on the radio as it happens, it took the now brisbanebased editor and academic fagan many years to begin her book. Delving into the backstory of brisbane s iconic mcwhirters building, which fagan has a personal connection to, reveals so much more an intriguing family, a city in transformation, a snapshot into a particular time in australias history, all lightly stitched with. He came back here again in 1884, when he became associated with mr. He arrived in brisbane in 1880 and after several years in australia returned to scotland. It is the story of one small citys fight against the biggest outbreak of infectious disease in history. A very mcwhirters christmas 1951 state library of queensland. For melissa fagan it is also the starting point for this remarkable exploration of her mother and grandmothers lives, and a poignant reminder of the ways in which retail stores and fashion have connected womens lives across decades.
Th e event took place on board the beaver, which left kennedy wharf at 2pm, returning to town sh ortly after 8. Melissa has written lyrically in superb prose about her mothers family, the mcwhirters, headed by james mcwhirter, a scottish draper who came to brisbane in 1878, established the fortitude valley store and embedded his family into brisbane society and history. For the serious shopper mcwhirters published a christmas gift catalogue with a tempting assortment of products including lingerie, handkerchiefs, nylons, plastic tablecloths, toys, christmas confectionery and books. For all who know brisbane, mcwhirters, a once celebrated department store in. Discover the most popular car parks in fortitude valley and pre book with secure parking to save up to 20% on drive up fortitude valley parking rates.
With delicacy, flair and an everquestioning but never judgmental eye, fagan performs beautifully the dance of writing history, slipping. Melissa fagan sometimes it seems the most invaluable stories can be found in the unlikeliest of corners. If the pun collection fishing was to be expanded then i suppose this find could be described as landed one thissssss big. Brisbane river brisbane gold coast brisbane queensland brisbane city queensland australia property investor local history sunshine state historical photos north quay, brisbane. Centrally located for nearby resturants, bars and clubs such as the elephant hotel, the met, gpo, elixir rooftop bar and eleven rooftop bar. See brisbane as it was in the swinging 60s what was brisbane like in the swinging sixties. Car parking in fortitude valley, brisbane mcwhirters car park, warner and ballow streets, fortitude valley view details book now. Even though the mcwhirters facade is all that remains of its rich past the building is now home to small retail outlets on the ground floor and apartments above it it holds a significant place in brisbane, a standout landmark. Aug 26, 2009 heres a story of an early migrant who made good, one james mcwhirter, who arrived in brisbane from scotland around the year 1880. The debris of the old town hall sits in the foundations of a building at south brisbane. What will be worn melissa fagan cass moriarty author.
A very mcwhirters christmas 1951 john oxley library. It was published by transit lounge in september 2018. And a wonderful example of the pleasure and surprise of good creative nonfiction. From grocery stores, to fashion brands, dining venues and health stops, mcwhirters retail hosts more than 40 local, national and international shops and eateries running errands has never been easier. The mcwhirters building is part of brisbanes built heritage but author melissa fagan has discovered her own family secrets in its history susan johnson, by susan johnson, the couriermail. Car parking, fortitude valley brisbane secure parking. When my grandmother died in august 1999, i was asked to give a eulogy at her funeral. The building still stands today so we commissioned a field trip and have photographed the site and will publish the full details in part two of history lost and found. In part, it is a narration of social history, focusing on one family and the legacy they built in the form of mcwhirters, a once iconic department store in brisbane. This is a book for fans of brisbane, biography, and stories with soul. The town was conceived initially as a penal colony for british convicts sent from sydney. Mcwhirters is a heritagelisted former department store in wickham street, fortitude valley, city of brisbane, queensland, australia. Upon his arrival in brisbane for the second time in 1884 he was employed by brisbanes other retail mogul, the irish catholic tc beirne, until breaking out on his own in 1896 and becoming a rival.
The early struggles and consistency of effort, reveal close associations of men with set purpose and high ideals which could well read like a chapter from an interesting book. Tracing the family history comes with its own sense of intrigue and at. Queensland history state library of queensland shop. Heres a story of an early migrant who made good, one james mcwhirter, who arrived in brisbane from scotland around the year 1880. The story of the impact of the spanish flu in brisbane has been documented in this book about brisbanes experience during the pneumonic influenza epidemic in 1919. For melissa fagan it is also the starting point for this remarkable exploration of her mother and grandmother\s lives, and a poignant reminder of the ways in which retail stores and fashion have connected women\s lives across decades. Mcwhirters shopping guide xmas 1921 john oxley library. Dec 20, 2015 the brisbane courier newspaper, on december 1921, gave a wrapup of christmas sales at some of brisbane s stores, including mcwhirters. Mcwhirters building helps unravel familys dark secrets. Attract more customers by adding more content such as opening hours, logo and more yellow pages directory. Mcwhirters shopping guide xmas 1921 state library of. A compelling combination of family and local history, what will be worn.
The articles not only describe the aesthetic and architectural features, but also delve into the associated social history. I loved this aspect of the book, social history being a big interest of mine. Mcwhirters family 1893, and above, left melissa fagin wrote the family history of brisbane retailers the mcwhirters family. Dec 30, 2010 the mcwhirters building as it stands today despite its apartment conversion is in fact a collection of 3 buildings built over a period of 30 years. Melissa fagan is a writer and editor based in brisbane, where she also teaches and lectures in creative writing courses at the university of queensland and qut. A suitcase of old photos has been turned into a book which gives us a stroll down memory lane. Mcwhirters building helps unravel familys dark secrets the. Mcwhirters marketplace environment, land and water. The mcwhirters building as it stands today despite its apartment conversion is in fact a collection of 3 buildings built over a period of 30 years. In addition, youll find great book recommendations that may be of interest to you based on your search and purchase history, as well as the most wished for and most gifted books. Jan 21, 2014 see brisbane as it was in the swinging 60s what was brisbane like in the swinging sixties.
What will be worn is about my mothers family, the mcwhirters, who owned the. We have a great range of local history guides for areas in and around brisbane as well as books. Mcwhirters building history of brisbane must do brisbane. Beneath old victoria bridge is mv nirvana, which ran boat cruise to bishop island, at the mouth of the brisbane river. The john oxley library has two albums containing over 200 black and white photographs of building and construction projects that the queensland cement and lime company where. Queensland history would you like to find out more about the history of your suburb or city. Dec, 2016 john oxley library, state library of queensland for the serious shopper mcwhirters published a christmas gift catalogue with a tempting assortment of products including lingerie, handkerchiefs, nylons, plastic tablecloths, toys, christmas confectionery and books.
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