At Queensland State Archives (QSA), we’re passionate about sharing Queensland’s rich history. From tales of prominent figures and pivotal political moments to family histories, government decision-making, First Nations histories, fascinating titbits, and intricate discoveries, we’ve explored countless stories. But one story we’ve yet to tell is our own – the unique journey of the State Archives itself.
For many past and present QSA employees, a small yet significant book holds a special place in the organisation’s history. Queensland State Archives: The First Thirty Years – written in 1989 by former beloved staff member Fiona Gaske – has often found its way onto the desks of new employees. The book captures the early history of the institution, culminating in its relocation to Runcorn.
In the book’s preface, Gaske wrote: “The State Archives is about to move into a new phase of its development with the completion of a major building in 1992. This will bring opportunities for growth and expansion of services, as well as vastly improved facilities for researchers… After the difficult years of the 1980s, the future of Queensland State Archives is looking good.”
And indeed, the future has looked bright. More than 35 years after the book’s publication, QSA has evolved to meet the demands of modern archival practices, embracing new technologies and approaches. But before we delve into what QSA looks like today, let’s take a step back in time. Drawing on Ms Gaske’s invaluable work, we’ll revisit the early days of the Archives and explore how it all began.
Early days (1910s–1960s)
We owe a debt of gratitude to our friends at The Historical Society of Queensland (now known as The Royal Historical Society of Queensland) for initiating discussions about the need to properly deal “with the archives of Queensland.” At the time, government records were often stored in inadequate conditions, leaving many at risk of destruction through shredding or, worse still, being sent to Sydney (a truly alarming prospect!).
The following decades saw lively debate among academics and politicians about the importance of preserving Queensland’s public records. However, it wasn’t until 1954, when Dr T.R. Schellenberg, Director of Archival Management at the National Archives in Washington D.C., visited Queensland, that the establishment of an official archive became a priority.
During this interim period, many public records were safeguarded by the History Department at The University of Queensland or the State Library of Queensland. Finally, on 31 July 1958, Part IV of The Libraries Act 1943 to 1949 came into effect, officially granting the State Librarian authority over archival matters.
In 1959, Robert Sharman was appointed as Queensland’s first Archivist, and Queensland State Archives began its operations in the historic Commissariat Store building on William Street. Shortly after, public records held by the State Library were transferred to the new Archives, and within the first month, the monumental task of sorting, arranging, and describing an initial 36 feet of records began.
Establishing the collection (1960s)
Following its official establishment, QSA quickly became the designated repository for significant government records. Authorities took the opportunity to transfer large quantities of documents to the William Street location, and historically important records soon followed. Among these were immigration records from the Registrar-General’s Office, correspondence from the Colonial Secretary’s Office, and records from the Governor’s Office.
In 1961, QSA began conducting fieldwork, with staff travelling to North Queensland to facilitate the transfer of additional records to the archives. However, the rapid influx of materials soon overwhelmed the William Street facility. By 1962, just four years after its opening, the location had reached full capacity. To accommodate the growing collection, QSA expanded into additional spaces at the Anzac Square government buildings and the old Lady Bowen Hospital.
Despite these measures, it became clear by the mid-1960s that the existing facilities were inadequate for the Archives’ needs. Fiona Gaske noted, “All available space was taken, termite infestations were becoming a serious problem, and it was impossible to provide a stable environment for the records.” Temporary relief was found in the Old Chest Clinic on Wickham Terrace, but it was clear that a more permanent solution was required. By 1966, plans for a new purpose-built facility were underway.
Our first proper home
In July 1968, QSA relocated to its first purpose-built facility on Annerley Road, Dutton Park. The move took three weeks to complete, with staff described as “efficient and enthusiastic” about the transition. While we finally had a dedicated space to call home, some storage continued to be maintained at the Anzac Square government buildings and Lady Bowen Building.
In the early 1970s, QSA shifted its focus to the conservation of records, introducing fumigation chambers at the Dutton Park facility to combat issues such as insect damage and mould. By 1974, QSA had expanded its capabilities, boasting a Public Search Room, a Repair Room, a dedicated conservation space, a Microfilm Storage Vault, and the expertise of a Document Repairer and Bookbinder.
However, the growing volume of historical, civil rights, and personal enquiries presented significant challenges for the organisation. Staff were frequently diverted from processing archival records to assist with public requests. Gaske said, “As a result, accessioning of archival records suffered, and a backlog began to build. Unfortunately, this backlog has remained a feature of life at Queensland State Archives”. While similar challenges persist today, QSA now benefits from more robust resources, including specialised teams and dedicated archivists who manage customer enquiries.
By the late 1970s, QSA began consolidating its storage facilities. Records previously housed at the Lady Bowen Hospital were transferred to the Dixon Building in South Brisbane, while those stored at Anzac Square were returned to the relevant government departments. This marked another step in QSA’s ongoing efforts to manage and preserve Queensland’s archival heritage.
Challenges, changes and growth
The 1980s were a period of significant growth and transformation for QSA, marked by increasing public demand, operational challenges, and important legislative advancements.
In the early 1980s, the Public Search Room expanded to include a second microfilm reader to manage the growing number of enquiries. However, demand continued to rise, with customers requesting photocopies and submitting enquiries via mail and telephone. In 1983, the Public Search Room was temporarily closed for renovations, which led to a surge in written and phone enquiries. To manage this influx, QSA suspended its written reference service for interstate and overseas enquiries. Even after the Public Search Room reopened later that year, the number of in-person researchers increased significantly. This prompted QSA to limit the reference service to one enquiry per person per year, before suspending it entirely in June 1985.
To address storage constraints, QSA acquired a modern warehouse in Acacia Ridge in 1983, where records from the Dixon Building were relocated. However, no additional staff were hired until 1986, leaving the organisation to grapple with ongoing resource challenges. In response to the growing demand, QSA introduced a self-service approach in the mid-1980s, providing Brief Guides and Search Procedures, which focused primarily on genealogical records. Despite these efforts, QSA acknowledged its struggles to meet the service expectations of both the public and government departments.
In the late 1980s, plans for a new purpose-built facility began to take shape. In 1987, the conservation laboratory underwent a much-needed refurbishment, enhancing QSA’s capacity to preserve its growing collection.
To address the mounting backlog of conservation work, QSA partnered with the Prisons Department in the late 1980s on a pilot program that utilised prison labour. This initiative proved highly successful, resulting in the cleaning and encapsulation of over 19,000 maps and the resewing of more than 275 registrars.
The decade concluded with a significant milestone: the passage of The Libraries and Archives Act 1988. This legislation marked a turning point for QSA, granting the State Archivist increased authority, including the power to inspect public records and provide advice on their preservation. This legislative change represented a major step forward in QSA’s mission to safeguard Queensland’s documentary heritage.
Turn of the millennium
As QSA entered the 1990s, the story chronicled by Fiona Gaske came to an end. In her publication, Gask optimistically noted, “[QSA] looks forward to an interesting and challenging future. A new building is in the design stages, and planning for new and expanded services is underway… The future of Queensland State Archives in a brand-new building is looking bright.”
That bright future became a reality in 1993 when QSA moved into its current, purpose-built home at Runcorn. Completed in 1992, the state-of-the-art facility was designed with environmental sustainability in mind and was even nominated for an architectural award. It featured purpose-built repositories designed to maintain optimal conditions for the long-term preservation of records.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, QSA continued to grow. Increased resourcing allowed the organisation to manage a rising number of public enquiries and to accommodate the steady transfer of records from government agencies. In 2002, the Queensland Government introduced the Public Records Act 2002, replacing the Libraries and Archives Act 1988. This new legislation provided a modern framework for the management of public records and granted the State Archivist greater authority, marking a significant shift in QSA’s role and reinforcing its position as the custodian of Queensland’s documentary heritage.
As the early 2000s progressed, the Runcorn facility began to reach capacity due to the continued growth of the collection. To address this, a new building was constructed adjacent to the original facility. The expanded facility opened on 10 November 2008 by hosting a Community Cabinet meeting, followed by a Family Fun Day for the local community. QSA’s total floor area increased to 23,322 square metres and capacity increased to approximately 90 linear kilometres of storage. The additional repositories were designed to accommodate records for approximately 500 Queensland public authorities for the next 10 to 15 years.
The new building was designed to complement the original structure while incorporating environmentally sustainable features. This included water harvesting from roof areas and car park surfaces for irrigation, recycling water from cooling tower operations, and energy-efficient air-conditioning systems. Wherever possible, recycled or recyclable materials were used in the construction.
Pictured above: Queensland State Archives, building expansion, 2008 and Public Open Day, 2008.
Embracing technology and navigating challenges: QSA in the 2010s and beyond
The 2010s marked a transformative era for QSA as we embraced new technologies, navigated global challenges, and continued to grow as the custodian of Queensland’s documentary heritage.
A key focus during this period was the digitisation of records, making Queensland’s history more accessible than ever before. For many years, QSA relied on ArchivesOne as its primary archival management system for both physical and digital records. However, as the system aged and became unsupported, we transitioned to a new, integrated platform in mid-2020. This modern system, ArchivesSearch, marked a significant milestone, allowing QSA to accept the digital permanent records of government.
A renewed focus on public engagement through social media, regional projects, digital interactivity and online platforms also occurred during this period. This digital outreach allowed more people to connect with Queensland’s history, bringing the Archives’ resources to a wider audience.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges for QSA. Restrictions on in-person access to the Reading Room and limited on-site staff availability required the organisation to adapt quickly. During this time, QSA remained committed to providing access to public records and supporting researchers, demonstrating resilience and innovation.
QSA has continued to evolve in the 2020s, culminating in the introduction of the Public Records Act 2023. This new legislation further strengthened QSA’s role and the role of the State Archivist, providing a contemporary framework for managing, preserving and accessing Queensland’s public records.
We believe that Fiona Gaske and all the staff who came before us would be proud of how far QSA has come. With a modernised infrastructure, a focus on digital innovation, and strong leadership, we remain dedicated to preserving Queensland’s history and making it accessible to all.
We hope you’ll visit us soon to explore our incredible records and experience the unique charm of our Runcorn home for yourself!
