Moreton Bay History Seminar 2026 - Morayfield Sport and Events Centre

In this presentation, Lyndon and his son, Zeke, reflect together on the sharing of knowledge, stories, and cultural responsibilities passed down through family and community.

They explore how this intergenerational transmission has adapted over time, shaped by changes to landscape, language, and cultural practice, while continuing to hold strong connections to Country.

Through the voices of two generations, this presentation offers insight into continuity, resilience and the ways knowledge is shared.

Dr Barrowcliffe's research with Macquarie University and Queensland State Archives focuses on improving the discoverability and access of record for Indigenous peoples.

Drawing on her professional and lived experience, this talk will explore how archival collections can be used as a tool for truth-telling.

Her talk will share ways she has worked with collecting institutions, universities and Aboriginal communities to improve accessibility. She has also centred respect for Indigenous knowledge authority into everyday practice.

This session offers valuable insights for anyone passionate about inclusive history and shared custodianship of our records and stories.

Drawing from on-the-ground filming, archival images, maps, and public records, Rob shows how platforms like YouTube can uncover and present everyday traces of local history still embedded in the streetscapes today.

By retracing history through short videos, locations, and visual narrative, Rob discusses public history and digital storytelling, and how new media is changing the way local histories are researched, interpreted, and shared.

An introduction to how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping historical research, archaeology, and storytelling.

This session explores the evolution of AI, real examples of its use in uncovering and preserving the past, and the emergency tools that will influence the future of archives and heritage work.

The talk also demonstrates how AI can enhance narratives, restore historical photographs, and support public engagement, followed by an open Q&A.

Conway (Con) Searle reflects on his life growing up on the Redcliffe Peninsula and the experiences that shaped his connection to Moreton Bay.

He started out attending Humpybong and Clontarf Beach State schools and becoming a foundation member of the Scotts Point Lifesaving Club. Now he is building a successful business career, Con's story highlights the City's growth and change over the past eight decades.

Con's reflections offer a unique perspective on the people, places and events that have helped shape Moreton Bay's history.

Lyndon Davis is a Gubbi Gubbi artist, educator and cultural performer.

Raised on the Sunshine Coast-Gubbi Gubbi country by his grandmother, Lyndon’s arts practice represents his deep connection to Country and depicts stories of his region’s flora and fauna and creation stories.

He is involved in delivering cultural awareness to schools throughout the area. Lyndon also founded the Gubbi Gubbi Dance Troupe in 1996. He brought together family members and local Indigenous youth to celebrate and share the traditional dances of their homelands.

Dr Rose Barrowcliffe is Butchulla researcher based on Kabi Kabi Country. She is a 2026 Macquarie University Lighthouse post-doctoral research fellow and the State Library of Queensland’s Monica Clare Research Fellow.

Rose’s research examines the rights and representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in archives and their collections.

She works collaboratively with large collecting institutions including the Queensland State Archives, CSIRO and the New York Botanical Garden.

Her projects include the Right to Know project, which reviewed the state records that relate to Mamu and Girringun managed Country (in partnership with the Mamu Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC, Girringun Aboriginal Corporation, and the Queensland State Archives); and the Reconnecting Indigenous Data to Country project (New York Botanical Gardens).

Rose’s current project involves building a national finding aid for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander data held in major Australian collecting institutions, and telling the story Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander place names around Queensland during the Protectorate era.

Though originally a Sydneysider, Rob has spent many years living in South-East Queensland and has probably seen more of it than those born here!

After obtaining his Bachelor of Visual Arts in Film and Television degree, Rob went on to work on such shows as the Great South East at Channel 7 as an associate producer, and Big Brother as a story consultant and associate producer.

From there he went on to direct State and federally funded short films, with the film True Love going on to win a slew of awards including Best Film, Best Drama and Best Director at the Picture Start Film Festival in New York City, as well as the Best Director and Best Film at the Brisbane International Film Festival.

Since then, he wrote and directed the science fiction movie Horizon One about the last man on earth starring Dan Ewing from Home & Away. The film can currently be seen screening on Amazon Prime.

Through his YouTube channel WalkaboutWithRob, he covers the local history of South-East Queensland (and beyond), delving into little known stories and details.

At the time of writing the channel has 45,500 subscribers and nearly 5 million views. With more than 260 videos and a loyal fanbase, Rob continues to showcase the often-unknown history that is all around us.

Dave and Malou are digital storytellers who combine history, travel, and emerging technology to uncover and share forgotten stories.

Through their growing social media presence, they use AI tools, archival research, and on location exploration to bring the past to life in fresh and engaging ways.

Con Searle, born in 1942, grew up on the Redcliffe Peninsula after his family moved to Clontarf in the mid 1940s.

His early years were shaped by the coastal community, living beside his grandparents on North Coast Road (now Elizabeth Avenue, Clontarf Beach) and later at “Brucot” on the Hornibrook Highway, a landmark property built in the late 1930s.

Con attended Humpybong State School, travelling by the local Elson “Red Bus” and in 1950 was among the first students enrolled at the newly opened Clontarf Beach State School.

A keen surf lifesaver, Con became a foundation member of the Scotts Point Lifesaving Club in 1957.  Con began his career with the National Bank in 1960, working across Queensland before leaving in 1967.

Following a period in the shearing industry in New South Wales, he returned to Queensland and in 1969 embarked on business ventures that would define his career.

He founded organic fertiliser enterprises that ultimately grew into Searles Garden Products, established on the Sunshine Coast in 1978 and relocated to Kilcoy in the early 1990s.

Over three decades, the company expanded to employ up to 95 staff and distribute products throughout Australia and internationally before its sale in 2023.

Alongside his business pursuits, Con has maintained a lifelong involvement in the racing industry as a bookmaker and racehorse owner.