Upper Brookfield

What if I told you this tranquil, mountainous landscape of Upper Brookfield was once a hub for aspiring fruit farmers? Upper Brookfield. It’s a name that echoes through the hills, a testament to its connection to the neighboring suburb of Brookfield. The name itself didn’t officially grace the maps until 1975. However, whispers of “Upper Brookfield” had danced on the wind since around 1910. Imagine, in 1914, a flurry of activity as 23 fruit farm blocks went up for sale. These plots, near the intersection of Upper Brookfield Road, Kittani Street, and Pacey Road, were advertised as the “Brookfield Fruit Farms Estate.” W.R. Moon, the man behind the sales pitch, painted a picture of “virgin scrub” transforming into a paradise of bananas, pineapples, and vegetables. This very land where you stand, once envisioned as a fruit-growing utopia. The dream of a thriving community took root with the establishment of Upper Brookfield State School in 1916. Sadly, the school closed briefly in 1921 due to low student numbers. It reopened in 1923, a testament to the resilience of the community. Fast forward to 1933. The community rallied together to build a public hall. Fred Meilandt generously donated the land. Others chipped in with timber and cash. A working bee on June 24th, 1933, marked the start of clearing the land. By September, construction of the hall was underway. Years later, in 1952, a Methodist church arose next to the hall. This was a significant moment for the local congregation. They had gathered in various locations for 17 years before finally having a place to call their own. This Methodist church eventually became the Upper Brookfield Uniting Church in 1977. It served the community until 2001, when it closed its doors. The building itself embarked on a new journey in 2003, relocating to Moreton Bay College in Manly West to become their Centenary Chapel. Upper Brookfield. From “virgin scrub” to a close-knit community. A place where dreams of fruit farms mingled with the reality of a mountainous, rural existence. A place where schools opened, halls were built, and churches found their home. Upper Brookfield: a testament to the enduring spirit of community in the heart of Brisbane.