Memories of ocean Queens sail through Warwick

WARWICK aged care residents took a trip down memory lane on August 29 when Bethanie hosted a maritime history presentation.

Led by internationally published historian Chris Frame (pictured) the presentation was themed The Great Queens – Cunard’s Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth.

“I present on maritime history all over the world but it’s always so special to speak to a group of people over 55 years old where they are able to reminisce about significant times connected to passenger ship travel,” Frame said.

“A large number of Bethanie residents have fond memories of travelling by passenger ship, whether it be coming to Australia as part of the assisted passage scheme or awaiting the arrival of a loved one returning from World War II.”

The presentation covered the changing shape of passenger ships across a period residents would remember, touching on ships like Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth that took Australian troops to war.

The presentation also covered the first wave of cruise ships from the 1960s to 1970s, which Bethanie residents remembered seeing in Australian ports such as Canberra and Fremantle.

Frame ended the presentation with a look at the ships of today.“The final part of the presentation came as a real shock to residents as they couldn’t believe how much ships have changed over time. These changes prompted a surprisingly long question and answer session,” he said.