Thom Blake Historian
Yes, a historian. But probably not quite what you think - working away in dusty old archives, a semi-reluse. It's not quite like that at all. What do historians do? Yes research and write history. But more than that.
This website has modest ambitions - a means of sharing some of the results of my research and projects. During the course of my work I have travelled extensively throughout Queensland - it is also about sharing some of the interesting, unusual and fascinating places I have visited.
Find out what I can do - and examples of my work.
The projects I have worked on have varied greatly over a decade. They have ranged from a heritage study of the Peel Island Lazaret, to histories of local communities and organisations to curating museum exhibitions.
My work has taken me to many parts of Queensland and I have often found unusual or fascinating places. Have a look at some examples.
Toolbox for historians - bits and pieces I find useful working as a historian. Check out link to Historical value calculator.
Snippits
Cacoory homestead is located 80 kilometres north of Birdsville. It was built in the late 1870s and abandoned in the early 20th century. The ruins have survived remarkably well and reflect the pastoral expansion along the Diamantina River
Windmills are everywhere in rural Queensland. For more than a 150 years pumping water from below. But more and more they are have become local for rural towns - Taroom, Springsure, Wandoan, Toowoomba, Hughenden and more.
A unexpected find. Beneath the Rockhampton City Council chambers is a quite intact World War II bunker with seats and sandbags in situ. It was built in later 1941/early 1942 soon after the bombing of Pearl Harbour which prompted the construction of air raid shelters throughout Queensland.
Check out significant events on
30 July