My last blog article looked at some of the wonderful comments left by people on our petition for a better (non-privatised) future for Boggo Road Gaol.
The signatures have kept coming, giving us a really good start as we begin campaigning in the community. Once again though, a highlight has been the support expressed through the comments section under the online petition. A few of these people I do know, but the vast majority are strangers to me and it is that fact that really encourages me and the historical society. The basic idea of community groups getting a fair go at Boggo and being allowed to present affordable and better tours for the visiting public is hard to argue against. The idea of volunteers being required to work for the financial benefit of a private business is hard to defend.
As with that last article I will reproduce most of the latest comments here by way of thanks (I should add that not every single sentence necessarily reflect my owns views!)
Lee Potter PORTLAND, OR
This happens a lot and there is no need for a private business to get involved. Unless there is a profit. Historic Boggo Road Goal museum and others alike are handed over to the private sector to easily with a lot of regret in the future.
John Burns AUSTRALIA
As member of a not for profit museum I have seen the benefit to the community that volunteers can do for the public good. It gives active older citizens an outlet to assist in imparting the history of the area
Roz Kuss AUSTRALIA
Heritage-listed public assets should be protected, not handed over to commercial businesses. Let the not-for-profit organisation be in control for the benefit of ALL who revere our history.
Brendan Palmer AUSTRALIA
I am involved in several Historical Organisations and consider Boggo Road Gaol a historic site and wish to see the volunteers continue to provide their services to the Public who visit this site.
Graham Kluver AUSTRALIA Volunteers are just that!! They give their time and effort for the good of the community. Providing benefit for a private enterprise is tantamount to slave labour with no benefit to the community, only the money making of private concerns!!!
Patrick & Lois O'Shea VIRGINIA, AUSTRALIA
Boggo Road is part of our heritage and a reminder of how bad things once were.
Peter Haycock AUSTRALIA
I am a member the BRGHS and an ex Prison Officer at that Gaol. It should be kept in good repair it is part of our Heritage!
Marleen Paff AUSTRALIA
The stories from the gaol as told by the pople who actually worked there are intriguing, entertaining, and historically accurate... as opposed to a Jack (why let the truth get in the way of a good story) Sim Tour. Shame, Campbell Newman, SHAME.
Megan Symes WENDOUREE, AUSTRALIA
This should be a public visit place australian history is important for everyone especially for our future generations to come, there are places in Australia where other cities live underneath the current city. I live in Ballarat Victoria a well known historical town. Allowing this to become public would increase township sales and tourism and that would make more jobs and help out Australia. I urge you for the sake of our people our communities and the history of our ancestors, to make this public for all to enjoy. Even if you have to make an entry fee, this place would be a wonderful place to visit. I know id spend my money in your town for your locals to help me get a grasp of what it was like back then and how good we all have it now. Please this is all we ask. Thank you
meryl parr PALMWOODS, AUSTRALIA
This place holds a very special place in my heart. Please don't let them take it over.I like to go and there and just think as i walk around the premises.
Stanislav Bernat AUSTRALIA
It's a historical site, that belongs to public and not for business greedy enterpreneurs. Brisbane can't afford to loose this one. There is not to many left.Many invisible life stories are written in those walls.
Katharine Stenhouse BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA
It is an important part of Queenslands' history and should be accessible for all, not just to those who pay. In order for our community to thrive in the future, we need to know our past. This is a disgrace!
Andrea Davison AUSTRALIA
Because we should protect Australian historical sites and our heritage
Craig Bradley AUSTRALIA
There are only so many things that can be sold off to overseas owners before its all gone. This is yet another Australian icon that would be definitely be owned by non Australians.
Elisha D'Antonio LENEVA, AUSTRALIA
I think it's very important for future generations to keep historical sites like this alive!!!
kade jones AUSTRALIA
this is a site that needs to be and should be used as an educational facility. The history of this site and what it means to people is important to share. Why should the govt and a certain Mr Jack Sim be using it as a money grab and using it for the wrong purposes? This site should be open for all, invest in the future, turn it into a living museum.
Louise Thomson AUSTRALIA
People need to know the history of this heritage listed public asset and not have someone reap in money into their own pocket.
For the people!!!!!!
Georgia Dawson AUSTRALIA
We don't need another privatised organisation
Matthew Mulroney AUSTRALIA
History is for the people
Martin Slack AUSTRALIA
I love history and in particular Brisbane. This is an important piece of history for the people and should not be sold off as with our other assets.
Liam Baker AUSTRALIA
Boggo Road Gaol is an invaluable historic, social & educational resource owned by the people of Queensland - to allow a commercial enterprise to control this resource, wholly for personal profit to the detriment of the greater community, is an absolute travesty.
Simon New AUSTRALIA
Historical sites like this should remaining in public hands not not private business.
Ros Kelly AUSTRALIA
Allow all the public to enjoy and learn from our wonderful past.
Lucy Bick AUSTRALIA
I think that the government should keep heritage properties and maintain the litlle bit of history that still remains in Brisbane. If only the government appreciated the history of Boggo Road gaol as much as the City Halls history.
Mike Vickers BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA
because being charged $25 to see 1 cellblock is a straight out rip off. get them out of there
Deborah Finney AUSTRALIA
Should be run by historical society. They are dedicated to our history and not ruled by the almighty dollar.
Simone Vinton JENSEN, AUSTRALIA
Privatization generally means destruction. We will hav enothing left if you keep fucking selling everything off.
Ian Smedley COORPAROO, AUSTRALIA
Why should our State's history be denied to us by way of greed?
David Brady AUSTRALIA
History should be accessible to anybody.
Ken Heelan AUSTRALIA
It is a part of our Heritage.
Emily Mayes DUTTON PARK, AUSTRALIA
The history of Australia belongs to its people! Not to a private owner!
Rob Pensalfini FAIRFIELD, AUSTRALIA
I live locally, and have a professional interest in prison history and prisons.
Pam Maegdefrau MONTVILLE, AUSTRALIA
Our Heritage sites need to be protected and maintained... not put in private hands or bulldozed at the wim of politicians
Graham Garrett AUSTRALIA
Keep this public , because once private enterprise gets their hands on it , they will be driven by profit only , which will then deny a lot of people the opportunity to visit .
Terry Elliott AUSTRALIA
Give everyone a chance to access Historic buildings
Rebecca Jamison-Jones AUSTRALIA
Because we should protect Australian historical sites.
James Small AUSTRALIA
Its a piece of history that should be for the people to enjoy.
Neil Degney BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA
Another Newman decision that lacks transparency and accountability and for which no tender process was undertaken.
Greg Brown AUSTRALIA
As an important historical site, it should me managed in a way that returns the best availability and access to the people of Queensland and tourists alike.
Jacinta Bull CORNUBIA, AUSTRALIA
The Queensland government's lack of transparency in handling heritage sites is appalling. Brisbane in particular is renowned world-wide for destroying buildings of great cultural & historical significance. History is a public domain thus "museum sites" such as Boggo Road Gaol should remain under public not private control. This would ensure all monies generated by the public asset go directly into maintenance and protection of the site for future generations as opposed to private profit.
Hayley Attard AUSTRALIA
Boggo Road is an important historical site. Too many historical sites are being lost to privatisation
Shane Russell DEAGON, AUSTRALIA
Would love to tour it, but at $25/Adult...no thanks.
Brian Menzies WOOLLOONGABBA, AUSTRALIA
Surely there is a dark dungeon there to put Campbell Newman for the rest of his natural life.
Bridget Jane FOREST LAKE, AUSTRALIA
Public good, what more do we need to say!!!
Noeleen Neate NOOSA HEADS, AUSTRALIA
It OUR History, not the LNP's to sell off!
Many thanks to you all!