This book was printed with funding from a Warwick Shire Council R.A.D.F. grant. Visit them at  www.arts.qld.gov.au. "The Arts Queensland" web site.

“Diaries of Spencer Briggs 1879 – 1884”

 Spencer Briggs was a seventeen year old, English born, farm hand, when he started the diaries in 1879. His daughter, the late Miss Noel Briggs, presented the diaries to the Society in the 1970’s to use as they thought fit. Parts of the diaries were written in Spencer’s own devised code, and it was not until 2004, when the code was finally broken, that they could be transcribed and later published in book form.
The diaries hold a wealth of information about day to day life in Allora in the late 1800’s. They outline Spencer’s struggles to cope with life in a new country, which he does with good humour, in spite of having to cope with the substance abuse problems of his father, one of Allora’s first chemists. He is constantly frustrated in his search for land to take up under the family’s emigrant land order, by his father’s inability to make a decision on the matter.
In an early part of the diaries Spencer describes the loss of his much loved mother, and his extreme regret at not having been able to say goodbye to her prior to her death. He deals with the closure of the chemist shop and the forced sale of the house and land due to the non payment of rates and he describes his working life on local farms to earn money to keep his younger brothers and sisters together. At various times he worked at Rooney’s, Deacon’s, Rippingale’s, Shannon’s, and for J. B. O. Evans.
His descriptions of some of the important events in Allora’s history including the 1880 ploughing match (the forerunner to the Allora show), and the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are priceless. An amusing episode in the diaries is the time he spent in Brisbane and his encounter with the working girls and con men in the Valley.
The diaries conclude with Spencer working on “Daandine” in the Dalby district.
            Spencer returned to Allora and married Mary Jane Neale, a widow with four small children. He and Mary Jane went on to have six children of their own. With ten children to raise, Spencer, supplemented his income by working as a shearer as well as writing articles for the Allora Guardian and Brisbane Courier. He wrote a column in the Guardian called “Notes and Comments” under the pen name “The Angel”. Some of these writings, including his version of the 1862 marriage of Edward Sparksman and Lucy Ward appear in the book.
 In 1889, Spencer Briggs won an Australia wide poetry competition from a field of 1598 entries. His winning poem “The Shepherd’s Song” is printed in the book along with a sample of his other work.
 The launch will take place at 2 p.m. at the Old Shire Hall, followed by afternoon tea at the C. W. A. Rest Rooms. Members of the public are invited to attend. The book will be on sale from Historical Society members at a cost of $10.

Edited extract from The Allora Advertiser (local Allora newspaper, 31st. May, 2007.)

Sixty people attended the launch of the above book on Saturday afternoon.  Mr. Tom Briggs (Upper Freestone) spoke on behalf of the Brigg's family.  Peter Davie, a great grandson of Spencer Briggs, also spoke and told the interested audience that his branch of the family had released a book on the Briggs' family last year.  The mayor, Mr. Ron Bellingham, in launching the book, commented on the importance of recording local and family history

ALSO AVAILABLE.

ALLORA's PAST:

The Early History of the Allora District, Darling Downs, Queensland.  Incorporating "Forgotten Tales"- Sidelights...On the Early History of the Central Darling Downs as compiled by "Corbie Dhu".  $8.

ALLORA HISTORIC HERITAGE TRAIL: A guide to the walking trail around the small picturesque town of Allora.  $5.

PILTON.  IT'S HISTORY AND IT'S HALL:  $5.

ST. DAVID'S CHURCH CENTENARY: History of the Anglican Church in the Allora & District. 1888-1988.  $5.

TALGAI REVISITED 1902-1963.  $15.

EAST TALGAI AND IT'S ENVIRONS ( A series of beautiful water colour paintings & printed history). $25.

ALL AVAILABLE FROM A SOCIETY MEMBER OR AT THE 27 DRAYTON STREET, MUSEUM.