A Bridge Through Time: A Brief History of Bundaberg’s Iconic Bridges is one of the first exhibitions to be displayed at Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery when it reopens on Saturday, 29 August.
The exhibit celebrates two of the Bundaberg Region’s heritage-listed bridges, the Burnett Traffic Bridge and Kennedy Bridge.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Wide Bay Burnett District is hosting the exhibit.
Senior cultural heritage officer Tanja (TJ) Harding said it complemented the 120th anniversary of Burnett Bridge, which was opened in 1900.
“The exhibition actually coincides with the 120-year opening of the Burnett Bridge. Kennedy Bridge was actually opened a year earlier in 1899,” Ms Harding said.
“From the Department of Transport and Main Roads perspective we think the bridges are very important, because they are a connection to our local heritage and to our state heritage.
“We take the preservation of these bridges very seriously, and that’s one of the main reasons we’ve decided to showcase the bridges to the public, and give a little bit of an understanding into the works involved by the department to maintain these structures for the local community.”
A unique design
The exhibition includes a group of photographic prints and historical artefacts that delve into the history of Bundaberg Region’s heritage listed bridges.
“It’s Mr Alfred Barton Brady architectural design that makes these bridges so significant and is part fo their heritage listing,” Tanja said.
“The Burnett and Kennedy bridges were both designed by Alfred Barton and he is a very well-known architect, as he worked for Queensland Government as a senior bridge engineer and architect and both Burnett and Kennedy Bridges are some of the few examples of hogback/bowstring lattice truss bridges that survive from this era in Australia.”
Heritage value
Tanja said that most notably, the work in this exhibition offers an insight into how time and significant events have vastly changed the physical and societal makeup of the Bundaberg Region, while these historical bridges stand still, seemingly unaffected by the changing world around them.
“The most amazing thing from having put this together is the local history value,” Tanja said.
“It’s been two years in the making and while I’ve only been here 10 years I had this moment of nostalgia looking at all these photographs and i imagine for people who have lived here longer seeing these photos would be quite profound.”
“I really encourage people to come along and see it.”
The Bundaberg Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery reopens on 29 August and entry is free.
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