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Forest Lake

History of Brisbane's Forest Lake

Forest Lake's history has been compiled by local historian, Mary Howell, as a part of the BRISbites community history project.

Aboriginal history

This region was the home of the Yerongpan clan of Oxley Creek who spoke the Yaggera dialect of the Turrbal language. Lost cedar cutters, Pamphlet, Finnegan and Parsons were the first white men to make observations of these people in 1823. They found two aboriginal canoes tied at the mouth of Oxley Creek (which they named Canoe Creek) for use by those wishing to cross the creek when travelling along the south bank of the Brisbane River.

In 1828 Cunningham and Fraser noted huts in the vicinity of Oxley or Inala. The only evidence of a bora ring is at the end of Kertes Road, Camira on the banks of Sandy Creek, which is just outside this study area.

By 1839 it was noted that an aboriginal living near Oxley Creek was dying of chronic pulmonary consumption. Tuberculosis and other diseases were rapidly reducing the Aboriginal population of the region. Smallpox had also taken its toll from as early as 1831.

The establishment of the penal colony’s cattle station at Cowper’s (Coopers) Plains from 1824, probably led to the local aborigines either moving away or tolerating the intrusion as it was reported in 1840, that there had been no animals lost to aboriginal destruction since the time of the establishment of grazing for the penal settlement in the areas from Limestone (Ipswich), Redbank and Coopers Plains.

Dr Stephen Simpson, who was Commissioner for Crown Lands from 1842-1855, was responsible for ensuring that the Aborigines were treated on an equal basis to the white population. He established a base at Woogaroo where he later built Wolston House. After about 1842 more evidence of Aboriginal resistance to the white invaders was evident. By 1843, Dr Simpson reported that there were only about 40 Aborigines living in the vicinity of Woogaroo, although the population in the Moreton Bay region was estimated to be about 5000. Interestingly, an escaped convict Bracefield, who had lived with the aborigines in the Wide Bay area, was assigned to Dr Simpson after his return to Moreton Bay in 1842. Other convicts assisted in the construction of a police post, house, stables and outbuildings. Bracefield later died on the Woogaroo property.

Aboriginal population declined over the next century due to diseases, relocation and other factors. Many were moved to mission stations well away from the city and children continued to be removed from their families until the 1960's.

However, many aborigines moved back into the city after WWII and lived in the old Negro servicemen’s area of South Brisbane. By the early 1960s many had moved to the new housing areas of Acacia Ridge and Inala. 160 families were interviewed in 1961, in this region, and many were found to be living in poor conditions. In 1963 the OPAL hostel was established which assisted with short-term accommodation, meals and welfare issues generally. By 1971, the census revealed that there were 3,200 Aboriginals in the Brisbane region; much less than in the 1840s.

Urban development

Forest Lake is a fully planned residential development. It represents a new type of development, which offers lifestyle along with the house and land package. The estate is divided into a collection of distinct villages around a neighbourhood park or square, with easy access to shops and schools.

The recreational lake was completed in 1994 and offers 3.5 kilometres of walking trails, bike trails, playgrounds, barbecues, and picnic facilities. The lake is used for aquatic sports.

The estate offers a community house, day-care centre, shopping village, and state and private schools.

When the Brisbane Wildlife Survey was undertaken in 1980-82, Doolandella/Forest Lake had an abundance of wildlife. 56 species of birds, 20 species of reptiles and 11 species of mammals were reported including echidna, bandicoot, koala, brush-tail possum, ring-tail possum, sugar glider, whip-tail wallaby, red-neck wallaby, and the introduced species of hares and foxes.

Notable residents

The Durack family pioneered this area in the 1880s. The original Archerfield homestead remained on the property until the 1930s when it burnt down.

The American Army established a camp here during World War II.

The development of the Forest Lake Estate is a relatively recent event. The estate was planned and marketed by the Delfin Property Group.

The first people to move into the estate were Irene and Tom (Fred) Allen, who moved from Durack into their new home in Lavender Court in 1991.

Over 17% of Forest Lake/Doolandella residents speak languages other than English.

Landmarks

Today the lake is the focal point of the Forest Lake Estate, however, there is one area that represents the history of the area - Homestead Way Park. Homestead Way Park is the site of the original Archerfield Homestead. The avenue of mango trees marked the track to the house. Cobb and Co coaches used to travel this route.

The original house burnt down in the 1930s, but a smaller house remained on the property until the redevelopment. This house was once used to accommodate the Kanakas who worked on Durack's property. During the 1960s it was used by local scout troops, who would often unearth live ammunition remaining from the ammunition dump that was on the site during World War II. The only reminder of the house is the rotunda in the park.

Reference: Mary Howell, BRISbites, 2000

More Forest Lake information

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