Secondly, about a week after I read the first item about Ms Hanson, I read that she was about to announce that she would be campaigning for a seat in the State Parliament in the election that has just been called in Queensland. By the time you read this, she might be running. I hope that she is indeed running - far away! I am afraid I have no time for her xenophobic perspective on my country.
Anyway, here is a picture of the Woolloongabba Post Office, on the corner of Stanley and Hubert Streets, from the year 1906. How's that for a segue?
(Photo: State Library of Queensland and John Oxley Library; #19335)
When I was in my first few years at primary school, we lived at Annerley, and visits to the Gabba were quite frequent. There were a couple of large department stores there, and the Gabba cricket ground was an attraction too. The first cricket match I can recall seeing there was a Queensland v NSW game that my mother took me to, because the charismatic Keith Miller was playing for NSW. Unfortunately Miller broke down with a sore knee and wasn't able to play on the day we were there. I'm not sure who was more disappointed - me or Mum!
Another great reason to go to the Gabba was to buy the world's best fish and chips: Jack's fish and chips shop, according to my father, made the best fish and chips in Brisbane, if not the world. I hadn't tasted too many others at that time, but I was happy to agree with him! The owner of that fish and chippery was Jack Seccombe, the father of Pauline Hanson.

The Gabba Post Office building still stands at 765 Stanley St (see picture above - click on it to see it in a larger size), and still does Australia Post business. The ornate emblem in the front wall says "Post & Telegraph Office", but I don't suppose there is too much telegraphing in these internet and email days. The Gabba is now quite different to my childhood memories - no fish and chip shop that I could see, and certainly no sign of Pauline Hanson. Thankfully.
Click here for a Google Map.
tff
Next: Who's got gas?
Just thought I better let you know...this building does not do Australia Post business. The post boxes outside are misleading. The building now houses the community housing organisation 4 Walls Ltd, and prior to that it was called MATCH. I actually work just a little down from the building, in a building that used to be Westpac, and then a restaurant, before Queensland Justices Association moved in in 2002! The building even has a vault.
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