The Bongaree Heritage Trail signs record those few residents who, in 2005, were still living on Bribie Island after 50 years or more continuous residence. Each, in their own way, has made a lasting contribution to the island's community. Sally Brennan nee Herbert, Ted and Patricia Clayton, The Kling Family, Frank Lee, Betty Lougheed, Stella Ray, Ivan and Clare Tesch and Margo Whitney.
The following excerpt is from the Program for the Official unveiling "50 years on Bribie" Heritage Trail Sign, Wednesday 7 November 2007, Brennan Park, Bongaree.
Sally
Brennan
 |
| 50 years on Bribie - 2005 - Sally Brennan Photo: Barry Clark |
In 1910, Sally’s father Fred Herbert
worked on the oyster cutters, ferrying bags of oysters for Tripcony around
Bribie Island. Sarah (Sally) Herbert was
born in a hotel at Sandgate in 1920 where the family were the publicans. They later moved to other hotels in South
East Queensland. They moved to Bribie in
1932 and then to Mt Mee in 1934. Sally
married Bernie Brennan at Goondiwindi in 1940 and they settled on Bribie in
1941.
After the War in 1945, they opened
“Brennan’s Store”, converting a small wooden house they purchased in Toorbul
Street. This general store served the
basic needs of the few residents and thousands of tourists and campers who came
to the Island by boat at weekends and holidays.
The foreshore at Bongaree was always covered with white canvas tents and
the smell of campfires. The shop sold a
wide variety of goods and produce and in 1958 became the Island’s first Golden
Casket Lottery agency. In 1965 Brennan’s
Store sold the winning first prize ticket to a local Bribie resident.
The three Brennan sons grew up on the
Island but it was Sally and her late husband Bernie, who were involved in
running the shop for a total of 33 years until 1978.
When camping was stopped on the
foreshore in front of the shop, the beautiful tree lined area was named
“Brennan Park” as a tribute to their many years of community service.
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