History

An exhibition at the Museum of Brisbane shows the lengths people of the 1800s would go to when trying to capture an image of themselves that they wanted to share with the world.

Props, backdrops, costumes, animals and touch-ups were all used to create the perfect photo in the 19th century.

The exhibition — Sit. Pose. Snap. Brisbane Portrait Photography 1850-1950 — showcases more than 330 photos from one of Australia's most significant collectors of portrait photography, Marcel Safler.

The Queen Mother said it was "one of the wonders of our time".

But of all the nicknames Sydney's iconic landmark received in the past 85 years, the Iron Lung is one that echoes its significance for those who built it.

The construction employed 1,400 builders who were paid as little as four pounds a week at the height of the Great Depression.

More than 200 families living in the far New South Wales south coast town of Moruya were able to put food on their tables because they worked out of the quarries which provided the granite for the bridge pylons.

Some of the areas in the province were known for addressing law and order issues, he said during the opening of the Central Court circuit today.

Areas like Magarida in the Abau district; Sogeri as well as Tapini in Goilala are some areas that have contributed to that colourful history.

He said in the colonial days, Magarida was used as an area where trouble makers were hung as punishment for their wrongdoing.

Sir Hubert Murray, who was a judge and Lieutenant-Governor of Papua from 1908, resided at Sogeri and travelled into the city to conduct cases.

The wreck of the trader the Sydney Cove in 1797 put the area on the map — even before British navigator Matthew Flinders charted the islands in 1798.

From then on the local sealing and mutton bird industries boomed, and ships were regularly trading in the area.

The Furneaux Maritime History Association now wants to establish a permanent artefact display near the coast at Lady Barron.

To many who have heard dozens of adaptations, the song seems to bring together a random bunch of animals and people like "eight maids a-milking" and "11 pipers piping".

But the meaning behind the familiar and cheerful song may have been closely tied with religious teachings, according to historical theologian Associate Professor Bronwen Neil from the Australian Catholic University.

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