JAMES Cook University’s (JCU) Library is unveiling a fascinating tale of a pioneering scientific expedition to the Great Barrier Reef nearly a century ago.
The story, titled “Expedition to the Great Barrier Reef: The story of a ground-breaking scientific mission to Low Isles, Queensland in 1928-1929 and an overview of its legacies”, is now accessible as a free online eBook.
Authored by Trisha Fielding, a JCU Special Collections Library Officer, independent historian, and writer, the eBook recounts the experiences of British and Australian scientists who ventured to Low Isles near Port Douglas in 1928 to investigate the biological and geological intricacies of a section of the Great Barrier Reef.
The narrative is enriched with historical images from the collection, providing insights into the conditions and day-to-day life during the expedition.
The collection, which includes photo albums, rare books, and illustrations, was generously donated to JCU’s Special Collections by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in 2018.
The physical collection is currently on display at the Eddie Koiki Mabo Library in Townsville, offering visitors a glimpse into this remarkable chapter of northern Queensland’s history.
JCU Library’s Special Collections Manager Bronwyn McBurnie said the book has a vivid picture of what the scientists experienced as they investigated the Low Isles.
“This new eBook features fantastic historical images found in this collection and also highlights a few of the amazing/rare books also held,’’ she said.
‘‘The collection includes items such as photo albums, rare books and illustrations which have given us some of the very first insights into the conditions under which the reef existed and flourished at that time.
“They also show us what day-to-day life working and living on the Low Isles for the zoology, biology, hydrography, botany and chemistry experts was like.”
The eBook is tailored for a general audience and aims to promote the Sir Charles Maurice Yonge Collection, fostering wider awareness and appreciation for its historical significance –it can be accessed for free online through the JCU Pressbooks platform.
Ms McBurnie has extended an invitation to the community to explore the physical collection on display at the library before the exhibition concludes on Thursday, 28 March. Visitors can check the library’s opening hours on the JCU website.
For those eager to delve into the captivating narrative of this ground-breaking scientific mission, the eBook can be accessed here.
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