10. Thiesfield St is typical of a
number of streets in the pocket in that it takes its name from an
early family of settlers. Brisbane (or, more precisely, Moreton
Bay) became a penal colony in 1824, but wasn't opened to free
settlement until 1842. Early in the 1860's, the lower part of the
pocket, which was rich in alluvial soil and covered with dense
rain forest, was surveyed into portions of about fifteen acres. On
the higher and more opened forested land, the average was about
twenty acres. Early timber-getters, such as George Logan, hauled
timber from here, but soon thirty or so small farms were occupied
by families who formed a compact community.
Settlers came especially from
Ireland, England, Scotland and Germany. As many of the settlers
came out on the same ships, the six month voyage created lasting
friendships. Because these "shipmates" settled in the
same area, the basis of a community was already in existence.
Early property owners are indicated in a list on the poster. Names
such as Thiesfield and Sprenger have provided us with some of our
street names.
11 . One of the most famous old
homes in Fig Tree Pocket is "Spinkbrae". It was so named
by the Gibsons because it stood on the "brae" (brow) of
a hill covered with little pink primrose-like flowers, which
reminded them of the "spinks" of their Scottish
homeland.
A Scottish wheelwright, William
Martin Gibson had arrived in Australia in 1854 . When gold was
discovered in Gympie in 1867, he went to try his luck. At first he
was not very successful so he took up his trade again, investing
his savings in reefing ventures. These were so profitable that he
was able to give up his trade, although he kept up his business
investments. In the early 1870's he acquired the Johnson property
and cottage at Fig Tree Pocket, although the Gibsons continued to
move between Brisbane and Gympie for several years.
The original cottage, built in the
1860's, became the kitchen for the new Gibson home,
"Spinkbrae". Their furniture was taken from Gympie to
Noosa by bullock wagon, from whence it was shipped to Brisbane.
When William Gibson had lived in the Gympie area, Aborigines had
been fighting to try to keep their land. Homesteads were therefore
often built like forts. This was probably why, in Fig Tree Pocket,
he built a solid stable with loopholes for rifles. Such
precautions were never needed.
(Tell the Next Generation, pp.35-6)
12. Breakneck Gully is the gully
within the curve of Fig Tree Pocket Rd at its intersection with
Kenmore Rd. It is so named because of an accident there when a man
drove his horse and buggy into the gully, breaking his neck in the
process.
13. The house at 353 Fig Tree
Pocket Rd has been the residence of the Japanese Consul-General
since 1978. Through the gates one can see on the wall beside the
doors a circular metallic chrysanthemum. This is the emblem of the
Japanese Imperial family.
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