Eating the watermelon, Chinchilla, 2001
Group of fishermen looking pleased with their catch, Chinchilla
Chinchilla Shire Library
The Chinchilla Library has approximately 700 historic photographs with over 200 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.
Chinchilla is a town and shire which includes the villages of Brigalow and Kogan. It is located on the western Darling Downs about 300km west of Brisbane. The Chinchilla Shire Council (inaugurated in 1912) accepted responsibility for library services in 1967 after mixed fortunes with School of Arts and subscription libraries. Chinchilla Library has 4,000 members and is now located in its third premises, forming part of the Chinchilla Cultural Centre which was opened in December 1999.
Chinchilla Library works in happy 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 recently produced a publication on the explorer Leichhardt's travels in the Chinchilla district. Titled, From Jimba to Dried Beef Creek, the book is available at the library for $25 including GST.
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:
The Librarian
Chinchilla Library
80-86 Heeney Street
PO Box 42
Chinchilla 4413p: 07 4669 1990
f: 07 4669 1991
e: library@chinchilla.qld.gov.au
w: http://chinchillalibrary.chinchilla.org.au/
Last updated: 4th October 2007
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