The Queensland War Council was established on 25 September 1915. With the right to establish other sub-committees throughout the state, its role was to:
- collect and administer funds
- manage initiatives to employ and settle returned soldiers
- assist and advise dependents of those killed.
The council was comprised of the Premier, other Ministers, aldermen of the Brisbane local authorities, the President of the Chamber of Manufacturers, and the Director of Labour.
Sub-committees of the council were established and expanded or changed over time. They included the:
- Medical Committee
- Employment Committee
- Land Settlement Committee
- Education Committee
- Anzac Cottages Committee
- Administration of the Discharged Committee
- Maimed and Wounded Soldiers Fund Committee.
The council in our collection We have eight Queensland War Council minute books from 29 September 1915 to 5 September 1921 in our collection. They’ve been digitised for you to read, and give a great insight into the meeting-by-meeting operations of the council and its committees. The minutes were typed and then pasted into a book, and there’s usually a confirmation signature by the chairman of the Queensland War Council, who at the beginning was Premier T J Ryan. There are two indexes covering books 5-8 only, and these have also been digitised. Take a look and let us know what you think. Minute Book No.1 – Queensland War Council, 29 September 1915 – 25 September 1916 Minute Book No. 2 – Queensland War Council, 9 October 1916 – 29 January 1917 Minute Book No. 3 – Queensland War Council, 10 February 1917 – 14 May 1917 Minute Book No. 4 – Queensland War Council, 26 May 1917 – 3 September 1917 Minute Book No. 5 – Queensland War Council, 26 May 1917 – 3 September 1917 Minute Book No. 6 – Queensland War Council, 26 May 1917 – 3 September 1917 Minute Book No. 7 – Queensland War Council, 26 May 1917 – 3 September 1917 Minute Book No. 8 – Queensland War Council, 26 May 1917 – 3 September 1917 Index to minutes of meetings of the Queensland War Council, 17 September 1917- 18 February 1918 Index to minutes of meetings of the Queensland War Council, 4 March 1918 – 5 September 1921
