50 Treasures

Celebrating 50 years of James Cook University

Take this unique opportunity to explore the people, places and events that have shaped North Queensland and the Tropics through a stunning selection of the most rare and precious artefacts, including original manuscripts and artworks, drawn from the JCU Library Special Collections.

Journey through 150 years of history as you encounter explorers and creators of all kinds and gain insights into life — on the land, in our towns and on the Great Barrier Reef.

The 50 Treasures exhibition (Perc Tucker Regional Gallery 30 October 2020 – 10 January 2021) can still be viewed through the virtual tour. Don't miss the Curator's talk by Bronwyn McBurnie. The exhibition catalogue contains the work of 40 invited authors as they write to the significance of each treasure. Longer essays may also be found on the JCU Library News Blog under the 50 Treasures blog post series.

Behind the scenes, detailed work such as conservation of these precious treasures is captured in an additional trove of short videos. See them on our JCU Library YouTube Channel.

Sir Oswald Brierly's Sketches

Sir Maurice Yonge's Return to the Reef

Great Barrier Reef Expedition Photo Albums

The Bay by Ron Kenny

Movement for Responsible Coastal Development

Talbot's Droving Diary

Cummins & Campbell's Monthly Magazine

NQ Tourism Publications

Cottage Gardening

Marzik's T150 Artist Portraits

John Coburn's Studio by Ron McBurnie

Coburn's Sentinel

Percy Trezise's Diaries

Goobalathaldin Dick Roughsey's Bark Painting

Crooke's Last Light, Normanton

Drysdale's Figures in a Landscape

Sir Russell Drysdale's Gift of Rare Books

Ancient & Primitive Flowering Plants

William Hann's Diary

Map of Kennedy, 1860

Laurie Bragge's Photo Albums

Fragments by Gerty Page

The Cassady Notebook

Under the Act

Eddie Koiki Mabo Lecture

Jean Devanny's Manuscript

S'labicated Monument 1 & 2

Birrell Photographs

Val Russell's Sketchbook No. 6

Custom House Plans

Townsville Architects

Milpurrurru's Bark Painting

JCU Mace

JCU Armorial Ensigns

JCU Development

Reverend Hall's Cameras

The Investigator (maquette)

burning ghosts by Judy Watson

Marjorie Green's Writing Desk

Townsville Hospital

Rose Popham's Autograph Album

British Marine Algae

Bill Baillie

Croydon Miner

JCU's Lectures on North Queensland History

James Morrill's Sketch

Charters Towers Stock Exchange Minutes

Amalgamated Society of Engineers Minute Books

Victorian Lady's Sketchbook