Public Talks - Friends of South Brisbane Cemetery

'History Among the Graves' Public Talks

Information about our free public history talks in the cemetery.

Next ‘History Among the Graves’ talks:

Sunday 27 August
10.00-11.00 am
Meston’s Mystery Marsupial: A Century-old Cryptid Controversy

Our ‘History Among the Graves’ free public talks are held outdoors in the cemetery and are a great way to learn some interesting history in a beautiful setting under the trees. We aim to run a programme of varied talks with different speakers each year. The schedule will appear below.

The talks run for 45 minutes, followed by a Q & A session, and take place near the office in the centre of the cemetery. Find some space out in the open air, make yourself comfortable on a chair or blanket with a drink and nibbles, and sit back and enjoy the morning. History books, cemetery information and free tea and coffee will also be available from our stalls.

NEXT TALKS FOR 2023

Sunday 27 August
10.00-11.00 am
Meston’s Mystery Marsupial: A Century-old Cryptid Controversy
Presented by Liam Baker.

In 1920, accounts of a “bunyip hunt” at Cleveland, during which ‘conclusive evidence’ was garnered, went viral across the nation’s newspaper banner-heads – most amazingly, the protagonist (and ‘bunyip hunter’), was a renowned Queensland journalist, public servant, politician, naturalist and explorer, now interred within South Brisbane Cemetery. So… come along to learn more about the great 1919 “bunyip hunt” that spurred on a media sensation across Australia, and the man that lit the proverbial fuse…

This will be a hugely interesting examination of a bit of weird Australian folklore.

Facebook event page.

Please contact us if you have any queries about these events.

These Public History talks are not-for-profit ‘Real History’ events that respect historical accuracy.