The Great Barrier Reef Expedition's “Coral Corroboree”, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 10 July 1928: an historical portent

Abstract

On their arrival in Brisbane from Great Britain, biological members of the Great Barrier Reef Expedition were invited to a welcoming dinner on 10 July 1928. The copy of C. M. Yonge's (the expedition's leader) dinner menu survives and is signed by, presumably, all attendees. At first glance, the menu appears to comprise exotic Australian seafood courses but closer examination suggests these are mostly amusing epithets for basic fare perhaps to create bonhomie. Queensland interest in the expedition's aims was concerned with the fisheries potential of the reef and its waters and the dinner menu may thus have also represented a more subtle enjoinder to the British guests. Other guests at the dinner hosted by H. C. Richards, Chairman of the Great Barrier Reef Committee, have been identified from their signatures and, in addition to expedition members, comprise representatives of the committee, senior scientists from the University of Queensland, State officials and local dignitaries. Expedition members departed for Low Isles on the following morning.