1950s Corner of Upper Brookfield and Rafting Ground Roads at Brookfield showing
Gramenz's cows, creek crossing and the Showground
“Brookfield is a place of many moods. It is the tranquillity of a stream, the call of bellbirds, the clear shining after a storm. It is the smell of eucalypts and the myriad colours of wattle, hovea and dogwoods. It is equally the breathlessness of a bushfire and the roar of swirling winds. It is cicadas singing on a hot summer’s afternoon and the dismal damp of prolonged wet weather. It is ancient rocks and a glimpse of hidden wealth. It is isolation and protectiveness, dense scrubs and hungry soils, past memories and future hopes.”
This quotation from Libby Wager's Different Tracks succinctly summarises the endearing character of the Brookfield area.
In the 1840s, the McGraths owned a substantial portion of land in the district that was known as “Moggill Creek” (the name Moggill being adapted from “magil”, the water dragon lizard, in the dialect of the traditional owners, the Jagara Aborigines). Sheep and cattle grazed mainly along the Creek. Little changed over the next 20 years, but as Brisbane grew, the need for timber also increased. It has been claimed that the pine, cedar, silky oak and eucalypts, cut in Brookfield, built Brisbane. The logs were hauled to what is currently known as Rafting Ground Park where they were tied together and floated downstream at high tide to Brisbane’s sawmills. Apart from the McGraths, another noteworthy early arrival was Patrick Pacey and his family. He selected land in what is now known as Moon’s Lane and later held 1,280 acres across Upper Brookfield and Gold Creek.
The area was opened up in the 1860s for agriculture. A small farming community developed that was concerned with establishing homes, properties, places of worship and education.
By the 1870s, dairying was the favoured industry. To avoid confusion with Moggill, the name “Moggill Creek” was changed to Brookfield around 1870-71.
Although these pioneers endured many hardships, including droughts, floods, depression and bushfires, many settlers remained in the district. There are many stories to be told of the trials and tribulations endured by these pioneers. Few changes occurred until the 1950s, when newcomers discovered in Brookfield an opportunity for a rural or semi-rural lifestyle, which was attractive in our ongoing frenetic way of life.
Although many subdivisions have occurred, the area has retained its essentially semi-rural character. Descendants of many pioneering families still reside in the area and are very proud of their heritage.