Glimpse of South East Queensland past at The Workshops Rail Museum

Visitors to The Workshops Rail Museum will be able to view images of South East Queensland's fascinating past at the Scenes from a New Australia exhibition, 10 October- 8 November.

Curated by Queensland Museum's Cobb+Co Museum in Toowoomba, Scenes from a New Australia features over 40 glass plate negative photographs by Ipswich local A.E. (Bert) Roberts.

The photographs capture events, people and places from the beginning of the 20th century to World War 1 with highlights including images of a horse-drawn hearse, a family picnic on the banks of Moreton Bay and a boy running towards the Triumphal Arch built for the Duke of York's visit to Brisbane in 1901.

Director of The Workshops Rail Museum, Mr Andrew Moritz said The Workshops Rail Museum was a fitting venue to host an exhibition by a photographer with such special links to Ipswich.

"Bert Roberts was an Ipswich resident and former coachbuilder who captured his many interests such as modern technology, nature, geology and aboriginal culture through his photography," Mr Moritz said.

"The photographs featured in this exhibition are a wonderful reflection of his talent, passion for life and memories of a happy and carefree life in Southern Queensland."

Scenes from a New Australia is on loan from Cobb+Co Museum and was made possible with the assistance of George Roberts, Graham Burstow and Syd Owen.

Entry to the display is free after general Museum entry, which is $18.50 for adults, $15.50 for concession card holders and $10.00 for children aged 3 to 16.

The Workshops Rail Museum, part of the Queensland Museum, is the winner of the 2008 Queensland Tourism Award for Heritage & Cultural Tourism. For further information, visit www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au or phone (07) 3432 5100.

Media Contact: Glenn Price 3432 5100 or 0407 128 995