WEST END: Solving Its Greatest Historic Mystery

West End - hard working, humble, resolute and honest. A no-nonsense suburb where life goes on and people work to make the city happen. But there are some astounding historic marvels here that few are truly aware of, and that included me up until recently. And there is one burning question about its history I've always been keen to find the answer to...

#westend #brisbane #brisbanehistory

[dougwhiley]

I lived in West End in the mid 80s. Up until then, it had been mainly occupied by working class Mediterranean immigrants. As they became wealthier, they bought bigger houses in the outer suburbs. West End became undesired. That's when my unemployed punk mates and I moved in. I rented our house in Cambridge St for
$ 90 per week, as a 17 year old. Then more punks and goths moved into West End because rents were cheap and it was a short walk to the city.

[ronsmith]

Very good video. Along Grey St is now an aboriginal hostel called Yumbal. Before that it was the Baptist Theological College. I spent several years there where I met my wife. We were married for 51 years. She had MS for 26 years and has now passed. We used to walk along Orleigh Park among those large trees. Many memories. Thanks Rob.

[dptoohey]

Rob, You missed out on a mention of Rock-n-Roll George. He hung out at the corner of Boundary and Vulture and had his own seat at the corner Milk Bar ( Coorey's milk Bar - my Great Aunt and her three daughters owned it). It is now the Optometrist. I grew up in West End and my Grandfather came from Lebanon to West End in the 1920's. We had a factory in Drake St. ( the old Kodak building) and I have many stories and remember many places. If you are interested I can pass on my information.

[roryfunkedub]

1990s West End was dominated by migrant families and sharehouses. It was a slightly shabby but very warm place. The last 10 years or so has really challenged and disrupted that sense of community.

[HemiMogg]

This is one of your best ever as i grew up in West end and worked in the Local Vietnamese Butcher in Boundary street as the only white Aussie with my Great Vietnamese mates was a Lifetime of memories and walked most of those streets thanks, and remember the great struggles to Preserve a area of Nature as Known as the Gully was a great battle to save some of the remaining bushland in west end Highgate hill but sadly the the Bulldozers came and Bulldozed the last remaining bushland in the area probably around 1992 thanks

[ClintonLovell]

The Rialto Theatre in the '60s was also used by the Scouts for the Gang Show and Brisbane Grammar held their annual school concerts there. I was tangentially involved in both.
Thanks for the channel Rob.

[Bicketybam]

West End used to be a freaky place and I loved it. I used to be relief staff for Australia Post in the inner city areas from Annerley to New Farm to Hamilton and everything in between in the late 80's and 90's so I have gotten to see lots of different places.

_ONE_ of the weirdest memories I have was walking to the take-away for lunch (at 17:33 Jackpot Dining was the local takeaway and where the outside dining currently is was a loading bay laneway) and the laneway had the industrial bins. As I approached from Russell St. I noticed one of the bins lids was up and as I got closer one of the homeless people in the area popped up (like a jack in the box) with old food hanging from his bearded mouth and in very nice Queens English said to me _"How Now, Brown Cow"_ grinned at me and then as quick as he had popped up, he popped back down into the bin. I remember thinking... _"that was weird... hmmm West End!"_ Cheers for the content and the trip down memory lane mate.

[t-rocks]

Hey Rob, Great Video, I used to live in an Unit across the river from Orleigh Park. Like your Baskin Robbins, we could hear the Mr Whippy Van at Orleigh Park, So Close, yet so far away. T-Rocks😎

[Ducayneau]

I've just visited Brisbane. West End was always a favourite with its bohemian lifestyle. The commercial aspect has really heavily encroached on it and taken something from it. I was so sad to see the Three Monkeys now gone. It still has its charm though and I was happy to take a walk and be able to find somewhere to get some real vegetarian food. (As opposed to many other places in Brisbane where they still just serve a salad).

Those historic buildings around Brisbane do seem to have a nasty habit of burning down when they're wanted for development.

[enothewonderdog]

My wife's office is in the West End on Montague street. I dropperd her into work the other day for some meeting (She usually works from home) a month or so back and went for a walk up through the Harris Farms joint then wandered up to the Boundary Hotel. Windows open and I just sat there watching the world go past. It was grand! Fun to see some more information on the place.

[Greekstuffu]

Yes I’m greek and my grandparents migrated to west end. Was once a large Greek population. But we still get celebrated at the annual Paniyiri

[bigalsoutdooradventurescha]

Thanks Rob as a lover of Brisbanes and surrounding areas history I am really enjoying your videos. Thanks

[zigzaggreg]

Gidday Rob, once again love your work. On a side note Mappins, 04:21, has with it's art of famous rock stars from around the world, the late, great local legend, Rollo of Blowhard and many other Brisbane bands.
Thanks again

[sandramackin]

The Peters lane West Village development I never knew was there and look forward to making a visit. Love to see that some of the old buildings, houses are still there. Never thought that on the banks of the river there was farming going on. Thanks for the history lesson again.

[bimjan]

mate i loved this walking around my own suburb very cool

[BobbieEdes]

I really enjoyed that thanks Rob. My great-grandparents emigrated from Scotland in 1884 and they and their 9 boys and 2 girls lived in West End for many years. The Wilson boys were particularly active in early rugby league, cricket and rowing in the suburb.

[SmartMart-jhyb]

Brilliant video. Thanks! Further to your pondering about why a group of Scottish people would be thinking about London's West End, well there is another swanky West End... in Glasgow. It wouldn't be the only suburb in Brisbane named after a place in Glasgow (Kelvin Grove). Anyway a thought to add to the mix

[OldFellaDave]

When we first moved to Brisbane in 1985 we lived in the house where the backpackers building is today. From memory - that whole triangle block was owned by the same family who owned that magnificent old white house with a couple of chimneys on it that was very prominent up on Highgate Hill. The units at the corner of Browning and Besant street was a bit of a 'holding place' for Army families posted to Brisbane before the Army could find them a vacant married quarters in Stafford. Spent many an hour at that corner shop playing Pacman and Galaga and learning to smoke lol. My parents had 4 boys, so the units were a bit small for us: so we got the big house for about 3 months. My parents went to Stafford one day to take a look at the Army Married Quarters there and said 'no thanks'. I think they couldn't get over the houses built up so high and waist high chain link fences. We ended up moving into a private rental in Sunnybank Hills instead.

You missed the plaque for Billy Sing (William Edward Sing DCM) on Boundary Road. At the site of the Boarding House where he died, broke and alone in 1943, is a plaque for him. Billy Sing was the famous 'Gallipoli Sniper' decorated for his service at Gallipoli and then on the Western Front during WW1.

[herpderpherpd]

The thing I always find funny about your videos is I'm like "Oh I've bought weed near there!" so often.

[lesley]

Another great history lesson. Thanks Rob