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State Library of Queensland

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The State Library of Queensland is the main reference and research library provided to the people of the State of Queensland, Australia, by the state government. The Library is governed by the Library Board of Queensland, which draws its powers from the Libraries Act 1988.[1][2] It contains a significant portion of Queensland's documentary heritage, major reference and research collections, and is an advocate of and partner with public libraries across Queensland. The Library is at Kurilpa Point, within the Queensland Cultural Centre on the Brisbane River at South Bank.

State Library of Queensland
Exterior of State Library
LocationSouth Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
TypeState Library[note 1]
Established1896; 128 years ago (1896)
Other information
Websitewww.slq.qld.gov.au
Building details
Map
Former namesThe Brisbane Public Library The Public Library of Queensland
Alternative namesSLQ
General information
TypePublic Building
AddressCultural Precinct, Stanley Place, South Bank, South Brisbane, Queensland
Construction started2004
Completed2006
Inaugurated25 November 2006
Technical details
Floor count5
Floor area28000m2
Design and construction
Architecture firmDonovan Hill, Peddle Thorp
Awards and prizesRAIA Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture, 2007 RAIA Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture, 2007

History

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The Brisbane Public Library was established by the government of the Colony of Queensland in 1896, and was renamed the Public Library of Queensland in 1898.[3] The library was opened to the public in 1902.[3]

In 1934, the Oxley Memorial Library (now the John Oxley Library),[4] named for the explorer John Oxley, opened as a centre for research and study relating specifically to Queensland. The Libraries Act of 1943 established the Library Board of Queensland to manage the Public Library of Queensland; three years later, under the terms of The Oxley Memorial Library of Queensland Act,[5] it took over management of the Oxley Memorial Library as well.

 
The old State Library with extension, built in the late 1950s
 
Vicki McDonald in 2023

In March 1947, James L. Stapleton was appointed Queensland's first State Librarian.[6][7] Stapleton advocated for a new building for the library and that library services should be free to the public.[8] He remains the longest-serving CEO (1947–1970),[9] and has been followed by five others: Sydney Lawrence (Lawrie) Ryan 1970–1988, Des Stephens 1988–2001, Lea Giles-Peters (the first woman to be appointed to the position),[10] 2001–2011, Janette Wright, 2012–2015 and from 2016, Vicki McDonald OA FALIA.[3][11]

In 1971, the "Public Library" became the "State Library". The following year, the Public Library Service was established to liaise with Queensland local authorities regarding their public libraries; a subsidy for employing qualified staff in public libraries was also established. A few years later the Country Lending Service was established to provide book exchange and other services to public libraries in Queensland's smaller local government areas. Under the new name of Rural Libraries Queensland, the service is still going strong today, administered by the State Library's Public and Indigenous Library Services program.[citation needed]

In 2003, the State Library began a new mission of establishing Indigenous Knowledge Centres (IKCs) in the Cape York and Torres Strait areas. There is now a network of 22 IKCs in remote and regional communities: across Cape York, the islands of the Torres Strait, Central Queensland and at Cherbourg in South East Queensland.[12]

In early 2011, the library donated 50,000 pictures to Wikimedia Commons.[13]

Collection and services

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The State Library holds general collections, including books, journals and magazines, newspapers, audio-visual items, family history, maps, music, ephemera, Internet and electronic resources. There are research collections and services – including the John Oxley Library and the Australian Library of Art.[14]

State Library's collection holds 7 significant collections, recognised for their importance by UNESCO's Australian Memory of the World Register:[15]

State Library holds a number of significant collections of material documenting Queensland history;[30]

Services

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  • Access to collections, including access to 50,000 Copyright-free Queensland images through Wikimedia Commons[34]
  • Provides books and other resource material to public libraries throughout Queensland.[35]
  • Specialist services to public libraries in a number of areas, including services to young people and multicultural communities [35]
  • Public programs and exhibitions, including exhibition loans to schools, museums and other community organisations.[citation needed]
  • Outreach programs in reference, research, information literacy, Internet training and digitisation throughout Queensland for public library staff and the general community.[citation needed]
  • Library services to Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders including the establishment of Indigenous Knowledge Centres primarily in Cape York and Torres Strait regions and increasing the employment and training opportunities for Indigenous peoples in the library industry.[citation needed]
  • A digital culture centre called The Edge, for young people.[36]
  • A free coworking space, the Business Studio, supports startups, entrepreneurs and small business.[37]
  • kuril dhagun Indigenous Knowledge Centre
  • The Corner, an activities area for children under 8, their parents, carers, educators and friends.
  • a free 'Ask a Librarian' enquiry service [38]

Exhibitions

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The library has hosted a number of prominent exhibitions, including:

  • 100 not out: a century of Queensland sporting memories (3 August - 17 November 2002)[39]
  • A Few of our Favourite Things (25 November 2006 – 11 March 2007)[40]
  • Bold but Faithful: John Oxley Library at work (4 April - 11 October 2009)[41]
  • Transforming Tindale (6 September 2012 - 9 December 2012)[42]
  • Hot Modernism (9 July – 12 October 2014)[43]
  • Islands: hidden histories from Queensland Islands (30 Jun 2018 – 27 January 2019)[44]
  • Home: A Suburban Obsession (7 December 2018 – 14 July 2019)[45]
  • Plantation Voices (16 February - 8 September 2019)[46]
  • Legacy: Reflections on Mabo (28 May 2022 – 9 October 2022)[47]
  • Working Country (24 June 2023 – 28 January 2024)[48]
  • Purpose Built: Architecture for a better tomorrow (2 September 2023 - 14 April 2024)[49]

Tours

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Free guided tours of the building are available.[50] In 2010, a total of 3730 school students participated in a tour.[51]

Rural Libraries Queensland

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Rural Libraries Queensland (formerly the Country Library Service) is a collaboration between the State Library of Queensland and approximately 30 of the local government councils to provide library libraries to rural communities.[52]

National edeposit (NED)

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As a member library of National and State Libraries Australia, the organisation collaborated on the creation of the National edeposit (NED) system, which enables publishers from all over Australia to upload electronic publications as per the 2016 amendment to the Copyright Act 1968 and other regional legislation relating to legal deposit,[53] and makes these publications publicly accessible online (depending on access conditions) from anywhere via Trove.[54]

Architecture

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Northern end of the State Library of Queensland
 
Interior of the State Library

The Brisbane Public Library moved into the Old State Library Building in William Street, Brisbane in 1899. This building had formerly been occupied by the Queensland Museum.

The Library originally shared accommodation in the building with an art gallery. In the late 1950s, an extension, with a distinctive tiled mural by Lindsay Edward on the exterior, was built onto the building to provide more space. The mural was the winning design in a national competition held in 1958.

In 1988, the year of Brisbane's World Expo 88, the State Library of Queensland moved to a new home within the Queensland Cultural Centre at South Bank, near the Queensland Museum and the original Queensland Art Gallery,[3] on the site of the former St Helen's Methodist Hospital, South Brisbane.[55][56] This new building, a C-shaped edifice of straight-faced concrete and glass[57] built around a mature Poinciana tree overlooking the Brisbane River, was the work of architectural firm, Robin Gibson and Partners,[58] and marked the completion of Gibson's ambitious Queensland Cultural Centre project.[59]

In 2004, work began on the Millennium Library Project - a major redevelopment of the existing State Library building.[60] After three years of extensive redevelopment, the South Bank building officially re-opened on 25 November 2006 as "a new cultural and knowledge destination" and a fitting showcase for the collections.

This major redevelopment was the work of Brisbane-based architecture firms Donovan Hill and Peddle Thorp. Their work earned them several awards - the prestigious RAIA Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture, 2007 (award for best public building in Australia),[61] the RAIA Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture, 2007,[62] the RAIA Queensland Architecture Award for Brisbane Building of the Year 2007, the RAIA FDG Stanley Award for Public Buildings Architecture 2007, and the AIB Queensland Award for Project of the Year + Sustainability Commendation, 2007.[63][64]

The Donovan Hill/Peddle Thorp additions transformed the State Library building, reconfiguring the entrance, adding another level and doubling its size with an additional 12,000 sqm of new space.[65][66][67] Although the elements of the original Gibson scheme were preserved in the renovation, the building was deemed too altered to be included in the 2015 State Heritage Listing of the Cultural Centre.[65][68]

The State Library building has since been described as an “open, generous knowledge place,”[57] and one of Australia's "most cherished public living rooms".[69]

The building faces the Brisbane River and overlooks Stanley Place between the Queensland Art Gallery and the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art.

Governance

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The State Library of Queensland is governed by the Library Board of Queensland, which draws its powers from the Libraries Act 1988.[2][1] The Library comprises the following program units:

  • Content Development
  • Queensland Memory
  • Discovery
  • Information Communications and Technology Services

Regional Access and Public Libraries

  • Literacy and Young People
  • Public Library Development
  • Regional Partnerships
  • SLQ Cairns

Engagement and Partnerships

  • Indigenous Services
  • Visitor Experience
  • Learning and Participation
  • The Edge
  • Asia Pacific Design Library
  • Business Studio
  • Government Research and Information Library

Corporate Services

  • Finance, Facilities & Administration
  • HR Consultancy
  • Strategic Reporting
  • People and Planning

Office of the State Librarian

  • Communications
  • Queensland Library Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation which raises funds for the library's projects[70]

Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame

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In 2009 State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Library Foundation and QUT Business School at Queensland University of Technology collaborated to establish the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame initiative.[71] The QBLHOF recognises outstanding contributions made by organisations, companies and individuals to develop the Queensland economy and society, both contemporary and historical. A governing committee determines a list of inductees based on a set of criteria including:

  • Sustained leadership
  • Major financial contribution
  • Pioneering
  • Outstanding contribution
  • Achievement of iconic status

The inductees are announced each year in July at a gala event. Since 2014 the QBLHOF has also awarded an annual Fellowship, to recipients working on a research project that utilises the resources of the John Oxley Library to produce new interpretations of Queensland's business history.[71]

Queensland Memory Awards

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State Library hosts the annual Queensland Memory Awards. The program recognises contributions to the documentation, preservation, and celebration of Queensland’s memory – past and present – through fellowships and awards.  [72]

Fellowships support researchers and creatives of all kinds to interpret the significant collections of the John Oxley Library. Through deep engagement and interaction with the collections, these interpretations provide new insights into the collection and contribute new knowledge about Queensland’s history. The premier fellowship, the John Oxley Library Fellowship has been awarded since 2004.[73] Other fellowships with a historical focus include:

  • Monica Clare Research Fellowship (First Nations history)
  • Rainbow Research Fellowship (LGBTIQA+ history)
  • Queensland Heritage Register Fellowship (Built heritage)
  • Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame Fellowship (Business and economic history)
  • Digital Collections Catalyst (Use of digital collections and data)
  • Christina Boughen OAM Fellowship (Use of the Robert Boughen OBE and Christina Boughen OAM Collection)
  • Letty Katts Fellowship (Music history)

Research outcomes are published on the John Oxley Library blog.[74]

The John Oxley Library Awards recognise outstanding contributions of individuals[75] and organisations[76] in the advancement of our understanding of Queensland’s cultural heritage. Some notable past recipients include: Dr Robert (Uncle Bob) Anderson OAM, Jackie Huggins, Richard Stringer, Matthew Condon, Professor Raymond Evans.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Library Board of Queensland". State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Libraries Act 1988". Queensland Government Queensland Legislation. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d "History – State Library of Queensland". Archived from the original on 24 November 2013.
  4. ^ John Oxley Library Archived 11 April 2019 at the Wayback Machine. State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  5. ^ "Oxley Memorial Library of Queensland Act 1946" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 March 2016.
  6. ^ "Took Year To Get Librarian". The Courier-mail. No. 3221. Queensland, Australia. 21 March 1947. p. 3. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "NEW LIBRARIAN'S 25 YEARS ON JOB". The Courier-mail. No. 3223. Queensland, Australia. 24 March 1947. p. 6. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "IF AUSTRALIA IS TO KEEP ABREAST OF THE TIMES". The Courier-mail. No. 3327. Queensland, Australia. 24 July 1947. p. 2. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ McCorkindale, Shirley. "Stapleton, James Lawrence (1904–1979)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  10. ^ Houghton, Des. "Building a better, bolder lifestyle". The Courier Mail. 9 May 2006: 30.
  11. ^ "State Librarian and Chief Executive Officer". State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  12. ^ Indigenous Knowledge Centres Archived 26 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine. State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  13. ^ Claire Connelly (5 January 2011). "State Library of Queensland donates 50,000 photos to Wikimedia Commons". news.com.au. News Limited. Archived from the original on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  14. ^ "A brief history of the Australian Library of Art | State Library Of Queensland". www.slq.qld.gov.au. 23 April 2021. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  15. ^ "The Australian Memory of the World Register". National Committee of Australia Memory of the World. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  16. ^ "Margaret Lawrie Torres Strait Island Collection | Australian Memory of the World". www.amw.org.au. Archived from the original on 29 March 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  17. ^   This Wikipedia article incorporates text from Margaret Lawrie Collection of Torres Strait Islands 1964-1998: treasure collection of the John Oxley Library (24 February 2021) by Lynn Meyers published by the State Library of Queensland under CC BY licence, accessed on 20 April 2023.
  18. ^ "Manifesto of the Queensland Labour Party, 1892 | Australian Memory of the World". www.amw.org.au. Archived from the original on 29 March 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  19. ^   This Wikipedia article incorporates text from Charles Seymour Papers 1880-1924: Treasure collection of the John Oxley Library (8 November 2021) by Anne Scheu published by the State Library of Queensland under CC BY licence, accessed on 20 April 2023.
  20. ^ "The Convict Records of Queensland 1825-1842 | Australian Memory of the World". www.amw.org.au. Archived from the original on 29 March 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  21. ^ "Moreton Bay Penal Settlement 1824 to 1842 | State Library Of Queensland". www.slq.qld.gov.au. 12 June 2014. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  22. ^ "James Tyson Papers | Australian Memory of the World". www.amw.org.au. Archived from the original on 29 March 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  23. ^   This Wikipedia article incorporates text from UNESCO listing for JOL collection (15 February 2017) published by the State Library of Queensland under CC BY licence, accessed on 20 April 2023.
  24. ^ "Anzac Day Commemoration Committee Minutes and Suggestions 1916-1922 | Australian Memory of the World". www.amw.org.au. Archived from the original on 29 March 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  25. ^   This Wikipedia article incorporates text from Anzac Day minute book added to the Australian Memory of the World Register by Dianne McKean published by the State Library of Queensland under CC BY licence, accessed on 5 March 2019.
  26. ^ "The Johnstone Gallery Archive 1948 - ca 1992: treasure collection of the John Oxley Library | State Library Of Queensland". www.slq.qld.gov.au. 24 February 2021. Archived from the original on 15 March 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  27. ^ "Johnstone Gallery Archive 1948-c1992 and Arthur Davenport Photographs 1955-1992". National Committee of Australia Memory of the World. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  28. ^   This Wikipedia article incorporates text from Children’s art recognised by UNESCO (14 April 2023) by Anita Lewis published by the State Library of Queensland under CC BY licence, accessed on 20 April 2023.
  29. ^   This Wikipedia article incorporates text from Dr Barbara Piscitelli AM Children’s Art Archive 1990-2020: Treasure collection of the John Oxley Library (15 November 2021) by Stella Read published by the State Library of Queensland under CC BY licence, accessed on 20 April 2023.
  30. ^   This Wikipedia article incorporates text from Treasures of the John Oxley Library blogs (2021) published by the State Library of Queensland under CC BY licence, accessed on 3 February 2023.
  31. ^ Emma Sykes (16 March 2012). "What to do with those 'How to Vote' cards after polling day". 612 ABC Brisbane. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 27 May 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  32. ^ "Home: a suburban obsession". School of Architecture. University of Queensland. Archived from the original on 10 August 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  33. ^   This Wikipedia article incorporates text from Significant Queensland architectural heritage collection donated to State Library (15 October 2021) by Catherine Cottle published by the State Library of Queensland under CC BY licence, accessed on 3 February 2023.
  34. ^ "Slq.qld.gov.au" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  35. ^ a b "Public Libraries Connect". Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  36. ^ "The Edge, SLQ". The Edge. Archived from the original on 23 January 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  37. ^ jurisdiction=Queensland, corporateName=State Library of Queensland. "Business Studio". Archived from the original on 19 March 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  38. ^ "Ask a Librarian". State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  39. ^ "100 not out: a century of Queensland sporting memories". State Library of Queensland. Archived from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  40. ^ "A few of our favourite things : 10 Queenslanders explore the State Library of Queensland's collections". State Library of Queensland. Archived from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  41. ^ "Bold but faithful: John Oxley Library at work". State Library of Queensland. Archived from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  42. ^ "Transforming Tindale". State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  43. ^ "Hot modernism Cool resource". University of Queensland. Archived from the original on 10 April 2019. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  44. ^ "Islands: Hidden histories of Queensland islands". 11 April 2021. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  45. ^ "Home: a suburban obsession — State Library of Queensland". State Library of Queensland. 9 January 2020. Archived from the original on 9 January 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  46. ^ "Plantation Voices: Contemporary conversations with Australian South Sea Islanders". State Library of Queensland. Archived from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  47. ^ "Legacy: Reflections on Mabo". State Library of Queensland.
  48. ^ "Working Country". State Library of Queensland. Archived from the original on 8 October 2023.
  49. ^ "Purpose built". State Library of Queensland.
  50. ^ "Calendar – tours". State Library of Queensland. Archived from the original on 6 June 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  51. ^ Tim Lohman (4 July 2011). "State Library of Queensland building virtual tour". CIO. IDG Communications. Archived from the original on 27 July 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  52. ^ "Rural Libraries Queensland". State Library of Queensland. Archived from the original on 21 May 2017. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  53. ^ "What is legal deposit?". National Library of Australia. 17 February 2016. Archived from the original on 21 April 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  54. ^ "What is National edeposit (NED)?". NED. Archived from the original on 7 March 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  55. ^ "Wesley Hospital, Auchenflower". Your Brisbane Past and Present. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  56. ^ Love, W.R.F. (1975). "ST. HELEN'S HOSPITAL HAS PLAYED A LIVING ROLE". Journal of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland. 9 (6): 78–88. Archived from the original on 4 November 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022 – via Text Queensland.
  57. ^ a b Thomson, Sheona (2011). "State Library Queensland". Architecture Australia. 100 (5): 93. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023 – via QUT ePrints.
  58. ^ Van der Plaat, Deborah; Jones, Lloyd, eds. (2022). "The Queensland Cultural Centre". Light, Space, Place: The Architecture of Robin Gibson. Melbourne: Uro Publications. p. 155.
  59. ^ "State Library of Queensland". Constructional Review. 61 (4): 20. November 1988.
  60. ^ "Timeline of State Library of Queensland history". Archived from the original on 24 November 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
  61. ^ 2007 RAIA National Architecture Awards: Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture: State Library of Queensland Architecture Australia Vol 96 No 6 Nov/Dec 2007 pp 74–75 Archived 21 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  62. ^ 2007 RAIA National Architecture Awards: Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture: Architecture Australia Vol 96 No 6 Nov/Dec 2007 pp 86–87
  63. ^ "Peddle Thorpe. State Library of Queensland". Archived from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  64. ^ "National Architecture Awards Winners 1981-2019" (PDF). Australian Institute of Architects. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  65. ^ a b van der Plaat, Deborah; Jones, Lloyd, eds. (2022). "Queensland State Library". Light, Space, Place: The Architecture of Robin Gibson. Melbourne. p. 201. ISBN 978-0-6486858-3-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  66. ^ "State Library of Queensland". Peddle Thorp. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  67. ^ "State Library of Queensland celebrates 120 years by offering behind-the-scenes access". ABC Radio Brisbane. 10 June 2022. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  68. ^ "Queensland Cultural Centre". Queensland Heritage Register. Archived from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  69. ^ "Revisited: State Library of Queensland". Architecture Australia: 70–79. 23 January 2023.
  70. ^ "Queensland Library Foundation". State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  71. ^ a b "Queensland Business Leaders Business Leaders Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
  72. ^ "Queensland Memory Awards". State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  73. ^ "Past John Oxley Library Fellows". State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  74. ^ "John Oxley Library Blog - Queensland Memory Fellows". State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  75. ^ "John Oxley Library Award". State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  76. ^ "John Oxley Library Community History Award". State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
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