Public Notice - BIRDSVILLE COURTHOUSE

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The Diamantina Shire Council are refurbishing the Courthouse, and in 2021 will open a

new visitor attraction there. The Birdsville Courthouse Experience will interpret the many

facets of maintaining law and order in outback Queensland, with particular focus on the

stories of the police and magistrates who worked at the site. The main attraction will be a

hologram show where virtual magistrates will hold court sessions, giving participants

insights into the kinds of misdemeanours and felonies Birdsville has witnessed.

To fit out the Courthouse, special items are being sought to help tell the history of outback

law and order. AND, you can help us make this attraction be the best it can be!

Council would like to thank you in advance for your help and contributions.

The Birdsville Courthouse is a beautiful stone building constructed in the late 1800s. For

almost a century the Birdsville Courthouse was a base for police and magistrates as they

worked in this frontier location.

Help Needed

The Diamantina Shire Council is seeking donations or long term loans of the following

items. These items will help visitors understand what it was like working at a frontier

police station and courthouse in the 19th and 20th centuries. If you have something that

you believe will help interpret the law and order history of Birdsville that isn’t on this list,

please bring it to our attention. If it fits with the themes and stories we are telling, we may be able to use it!

 Official issue Queensland police saddle, anytime 1890s to the 1950s.
 Official issue Queensland police uniforms, 1890s to 1970s.
 Official issue Queensland Police leather ammunition belts, 1890s to 1940s.
 Official issue magistrate capes/wigs, late 1890s to 1970s.
 A writing desk, that is either made in the 1890s to 1930s, or is a replica of this period. See attached photo for an example of what the police used in the 1930s.
 A writing set (ink well, writing implements) that is either made in the 1890s to 1930s, or is a replica of this period.
 A typewriter, preferably an Underwood or Remington, circa 1890s to 1930s.
 Basic writing chair, circa 1890s to 1930s.
 Indoor kerosene lamps, circa 1890s to 1940s.
 Fire place grate, 1920s to 1940s.
 Fire place cover, 1920s to 1940s.
 Small bedside table, 1920s-1940s.
 Small sitting room chair, 1920s – 1940s.
 Basic timber pews, enough to seat up to around 16 people. Must not be identifiable

(for example not church pews that have crosses and religious iconography on them).