From the headlines…..A Bright Day for Prisoners!
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year from everyone here at Boggo Road Gaol!
We hope that 2018 is a safe and prosperous one for you all.
A new year brings new things! Look out here for some new articles and interesting tid-bits over the coming weeks! We are excited to continue creating new and exciting experiences for our readers and our guests. So that said…
Ever wonder what did the prisoners in Boggo Road do on New Year’s Eve?
Safe to say there was no champagne or fireworks!
But what did they do?
Read on to find out!
From the headlines…Daily Mercury: Monday 3rd January 1938 Page 6.
“BRIGHT DAY FOR PRISONERS” Daily Mercury: Monday 3rd January 1938 Page 6.
James Francis Whitney
BRIGHT DAY FOR PRISONERS.
COMMUNITY SINGING AT
BOGGO ROAD.
BRISBANE, Jan. 2. — Community singing in which the long service men joined with zest was a feature of the New Year party given In No. 2 prison of Brisbane gaol on Saturday afternoon. Archbishop Duhig was present.
The Comptroller-General (Mr. J. F. Whitney) welcomed the Archbishop, and thanked the Roman Catholic chaplain, Father J. Butler, and his sister, Miss Butler, for arranging the party.
Archbishop Duhig commended the Government and the Comptroller-General for extending humane treatment to prisoners, ‘which, he said, was’ more beneficial than the old system of durance.
Archbishop James Duhig
The community singing was led by Mr. E. Sheridan. Mrs. Sheridan played piano accompaniments and marches, and Misses Nancy and Babe Bridges and Mr. Clifford Bridges Introduced varied entertainment. Refreshments provided by Miss Butler were distributed. The huge hamper contained 1000 home-made, cakes, 301b of peanut toffee, and seven cases of fruit.
Archbishop Duhig spoke to inmates individually, and wished them a happy New Year.
Mr. R. Rapson, acting superintendent of the gaol, supervised the arrangements.
Want to hear more amazing stories about life inside Boggo Road? Our experienced guides would be delighted to lock you up for a while! Visit us for our History Tour
This article was contributed by Research Coordinator Sue Olsen as part of the ongoing research program for Boggo Road Gaol Pty Ltd. The aim of the program is to bring to light and share articles relating to Boggo Road for the purposes of review and study. Do you have a story to share or something you would like us to know about? You can contact the research team here