The Cardwell & District Historical Society (CDHS) has a reputation for excellence and innovation in the recording and documenting of history. In June 2012 it won the prestigious John Oxley Library Community History Prize.
This award recognised the intensive work by members of the society in retrieving valuable collections in Cardwell’s J. C. Hubinger Museum from among the debris after cyclone Yasi on February 3, 2011. The society’s successful endeavours in rebuilding the local history collection and re-establishing a public museum in Cardwell were highlighted.
Also featured was the work of recording oral histories so soon after the traumatic experience and devastation of cyclone Yasi, which was rated by the Bureau of Meteorology among the four most intense cyclones in Queensland’s recorded history.
Three members of the CDHS, president Anne Mealing, vice president Stephanie Berger and treasurer Dianne Smith jointly accepted the award from noted scholar and author, Dr Dale Spender, acting chairperson of the Library Board of Queensland at the 2012 ceremony held in the John Oxley Library beside the Brisbane River.
- Acceptance speech
- Presentation to Dr Spender
- CDHS members & Dr Spender
- Qld Memory Awards night