National Archeaology Week
National Archeaology Week aims to increase public awareness of Australian archeaology and to promote the importance of protecting Australia’s unique archeaological heritage. Held from the 16th to the 22nd of May 2010, this exciting nationwide program of events and activities will include public lectures, seminars, exhibits, demonstration excavations and displays.
Panorama 1880s - Cootharaba mill settlement, circa 1880s. Photo courtesy of Queensland Women's Historical Society.
THE REMAINS of one of the Sunshine Coast’s earliest European settlements lie hidden amongst the trees south of Cooloola in the Great Sandy National Park.
The Cootharaba sawmill and its surrounding settlement existed from 1869 until 1892 generating huge amounts of timber for the housing and construction boom of the late 19th century Brisbane.
Over 100 workers and their families resided on the shores of Lake Cootharaba at what is now known as Mill Point. Archeaologists from the University of Queensland have been investigating the site for more than five years and have discovered interesting insights into the ways that the families lived their everyday lives at this frontier settlement.
You are welcome to join UQ archeaologists on a free guided walk of the site and learn about its history and archeaology. Meet at 1:00pm on Sunday 16 May at the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Elanda Point office, Cooloola section, Great Sandy National Park, 5km north of Boreen Point.
Remains of a chimney at the site of the 19th century Cootharaba mill propietors house, and a lter 20th century farmhouse, Mill Point, Great Sandy National Park.
Remains of ceramic plates and cups from the Cootharaba mill residents recovered by archeaologists at the Mill Point Settlement Site.
Discover your community heritage
You’re invited to come along to a presentation about community heritage by Cultural Heritage Consultant Steve Chaddock at Maleny RSL Hall on Tuesday May 18 from 1pm.
Steve will cover the history of local State Heritage listed Pattemore House, a lowset timber dwelling constructed of Beech in 1907, and consider how new information might help shape the future of this important dairy farming residence.
For more details about these and other events visit www.archeaologyweek.com
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