Considering Barellan Point’s serene beauty, have you ever wondered about the stories hidden where the Bremer River meets the Brisbane River? This is Barellan Point. It is a place where history and nature intertwine.
Barellan Point gets its name from an Aboriginal term. This term means meeting of the waters. It perfectly describes the area where the Bremer River flows into the Brisbane River. This tongue of land has been significant for centuries.
In 1864, John Petrie hired Joseph Brady. Brady was an Irish engineer. His task was to improve navigation on the Brisbane and Bremer Rivers. Brady designed a training wall at Barellan Point. This wall helped direct the river’s flow. It prevented sandbanks from forming. This was vital for ships traveling to Ipswich.
Step back in time to World War II. Barellan Point played a secret role. The RAAF Base Amberley built an emergency landing ground here. It was known as the Bremer River Landing Ground. It was also called Riverview Landing Ground. RAAF No 23 Squadron used it for training. They even flew their Moth Minor A21-7 planes from here. The airfield stretched from Dampier Street to Fifth Avenue. After the war, the land returned to farmland.
Today, a memorial stands at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Junction Road. It commemorates the Barellan Point Landing Ground. The Queensland Governor Paul de Jersey unveiled it on June 26, 2015. It honors the area’s aviation history.
Joseph Brady’s contribution didn’t go unnoticed. On July 12, 1988, Moreton Shire Council opened Joseph Brady Park. The park celebrates Brady’s engineering work. It was part of the Australian Bicentenary celebrations.
Take a stroll through Joseph Brady Park. Imagine the construction of the training wall. Picture the WWII planes taking off.
Barellan Point also offers several other parks. These include Faulkner Crescent Reserve and Findlay Park. There is also Hallett Park. Mitchell Street Reserve is there too. You will also find Riverside Avenue Reserve. Also Springdale Park and Third Avenue Reserve are there. Each park provides a space to connect with nature.
Today, Barellan Point has a population of 1,173 people. This was recorded in the 2021 census.
Barellan Point is more than just a suburb. It is a place where rivers meet. It is where history whispers. It is where community thrives. It is a reminder of the past.