The History Of Brisbane City Quiz!
How well do you know Brisbane?
Questions and Answers
- 1.
John Oxley was the first European to chart the Brisbane River
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
In 1823, John Oxley discovered, named, and explored the Brisbane River.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Brisbane was originally named Edinglassie by a local Judge, a word thought to have come from combining the names of the Scottish cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
In 1825, Chief Justice Forbes gave the new settlement the unofficial name of Edinglassie, it proved unpopular and before long the name was changed to Brisbane.Rate this question:
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- 3.
There was a prison, a lazaret, and a benevolent asylum, all operating on different islands at the same time in Moreton Bay in the 1800s.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Peel Island was used as a leprosarium - a hospice for people suffering from Leprosy (also known as Hansen's Disease). St Helena Island was a prison and North Stradbroke Island contained a benevolent asylum.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Who was Brisbane's first Lord Mayor?
- A.
Clem Jones
- B.
Edmund Barton
- C.
William Jolly
- D.
Alfred Deakin
Correct Answer
C. William JollyExplanation
William Alfred Jolly CMG was the first Lord Mayor of Brisbane City Council from 1925 to 1931.Rate this question:
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- 5.
In 1925, Brisbane City Council's motto was "Conjunctis Viribus". What does this mean in English?
- A.
With United Powers
- B.
One For All
- C.
Look To The Future
- D.
Teamwork and Cooperation
Correct Answer
A. With United PowersExplanation
The correct answer is "With United Powers". The motto "Conjunctis Viribus" in Latin translates to "With United Powers" in English. This phrase signifies the idea of coming together and combining strengths to achieve a common goal. It emphasizes the importance of teamwork and collaboration in the pursuit of success.Rate this question:
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- 6.
World Expo was held in Brisbane in which year?
- A.
1992
- B.
1996
- C.
1981
- D.
1988
Correct Answer
D. 1988Explanation
The $625 million fair was the largest event of the 1988 Bicentennial celebrations of the European settlement of Australia. Expo '88 attracted more than 15,760,000 visitors who bought tickets worth $175 million. The mascot for Expo '88 was a Platypus named Expo Oz.Rate this question:
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- 7.
What is the floral emblem of Brisbane City Council?
- A.
White Rose
- B.
Wattle
- C.
Bottlebrush
- D.
Poinsettia
Correct Answer
D. PoinsettiaExplanation
When Brisbane City Council was formed on 1 October 1925, the red poinsettia was chosen as the floral emblem. Although native to Mexico, the poinsettia grows perfectly in Brisbane, bringing a splash of color to winter gardens.Rate this question:
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- 8.
There are approximately 365 islands in Moreton Bay.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Depending on the tide, there are 365 islands in Moreton Bay. At high tide many of these island disappear underwater only to reappear hours later as the tide drops.Rate this question:
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- 9.
General Douglas ______ was an American General stationed in Brisbane in WWII. He was in command of the Allied Pacific Forces.
- A.
Jardine
- B.
Macarthur
- C.
Smith
- D.
Ironside
Correct Answer
B. MacarthurExplanation
General Douglas MacArthur’s arrival in Australia in March 1942 after a harrowing escape from the Philippines through the Japanese forces made headlines around the world. In contrast, when he moved his GHQ (General Headquarters) to Brisbane in July, he arrived without fanfare.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Greater Brisbane's population is greater than the combined populations of Tasmania, the A.C.T and N.T combined.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
'Greater Brisbane' generally refers to the area encompassing Brisbane City Council as well as the surrounding ten councils. The population is approximately 3.05 million, and covers an area of 22,420 square kilometres.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Brisbane was first settled by Europeans in 1724.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
After John Oxley discovered the Brisbane River in 1823, the first convict colony was established at Redcliffe Point by Lieutenant Miller in 1824.Rate this question:
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- 12.
The Clock Tower at Brisbane City Hall is based on the Bell Tower of St Marks Basilica, in Venice, Italy.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
St Mark's Campanile (Campanile di San Marco in Italian) is the Bell Tower of St Mark's Basilica in Venice, Italy, located in the Piazza San Marco. It is one of the most recognizable symbols of the city.Rate this question:
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- 13.
The four clock faces on the Clock Tower of Brisbane City Hall measure almost 5 metres in diameter, and are the largest public clock faces in Australia.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The statement is true because the four clock faces on the Clock Tower of Brisbane City Hall are indeed almost 5 meters in diameter, making them the largest public clock faces in Australia.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Ipswich was the capital city of Queensland in 1859.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
On 6 June 1859, Queen Victoria signed the Letters Patent to form the separate colony of what is now Queensland, separating it from New South Wales. Brisbane was appointed as the capital city, although Ipswich was considered a very strong contender at the time.Rate this question:
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- 15.
The Commonwealth Games were held in Brisbane in which year?
- A.
1992
- B.
1988
- C.
1972
- D.
1982
Correct Answer
D. 1982Explanation
The 1982 Commonwealth Games were held in Brisbane from 30 September to 9 October 1982. The Games were famous for introducing Matilda, the giant winking kangaroo. The Games were closed by Queen Elizabeth II.Rate this question:
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- 16.
What is the name of the person Brisbane is named for?
- A.
Lord Alfred Brisbane
- B.
Sir Thomas Brisbane
- C.
Edward Brisbane
- D.
Sir Geoffrey Brisbane
Correct Answer
B. Sir Thomas BrisbaneExplanation
The City of Brisbane was named for Sir Thomas Brisbane, whose official name and title was:
Major-General Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane, 1st Baronet, GCH, GCB, FRS, FRSE.Rate this question:
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- 17.
The population of Brisbane City Council is more than 1 million people.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
In the last census in 2011, Brisbane City Council's population was listed as 1,079,392.Rate this question:
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- 18.
In what year did Sir Charles Kingsford Smith become the first person to cross the pacific ocean (from California to Brisbane) in an aircraft?
- A.
1938
- B.
1928
- C.
1919
- D.
1922
Correct Answer
B. 1928Explanation
At 8.54am on 31 May 1928,Kingsford Smith and his 4-man crew left Oakland, California, to attempt the first trans-Pacific flight to Australia. The flight was in three stages. California to Hawaii, Hawaii to Fiji, and Fiji to Brisbane. The flight was 11,556km long, and took 10 days.Rate this question:
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- 19.
The current motto of Brisbane City Council is 'Meliora Sequimur' which means 'We aim for better things'.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The given statement is true. The current motto of Brisbane City Council is 'Meliora Sequimur', which translates to 'We aim for better things'. This motto reflects the council's commitment and dedication to continuously strive for improvement and progress in their actions and services for the city and its residents.Rate this question:
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- 20.
Fortitude Valley is named after a ship.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Fortitude Valley is named for the HMS Fortitude. HMS Fortitude was launched in 1807 as the 74-gun HMS Cumberland. She became a convict ship in 1830, was renamed Fortitude in 1833 and was sold in 1870.Rate this question:
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- 21.
Brisbane's highest peak is Mount Gravatt Lookout, with a height of 235 metres.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Brisbane's highest peak is Mount Coot-tha, 287 metres above sea level. The traditional owners of the land are the Turrbal people, and in their native language 'Coot-tha' means 'place of honey'.Rate this question:
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- 22.
Moreton Bay was originally named 'Morton's Bay' by which famous explorer?
- A.
Matthew Flinders
- B.
John Oxley
- C.
Captain Cook
- D.
Bungaree
Correct Answer
C. Captain CookExplanation
The name Morton's Bay was given by Captain Cook when he passed the area on 15 May 1770, honouring Lord Morton, president of the Royal Society. The spelling Moreton was an error in the first published account of Cook's voyage.Rate this question:
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- 23.
Moreton Bay's Aboriginal name is Teerk Roo Ra.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
Teerk Roo Ra is the Aboriginal name for Peel Island. Quandamooka is the Aboriginal name for Moreton Bay. The Aboriginal Quandamooka people are made up of the Noonuccal, Goenpul and Ngugi tribes.Rate this question:
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- 24.
There is a 40 kilometre long crater on the moon named Brisbane.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The crater, named after Sir Thomas Brisbane, is in the southern hemisphere of the moon at 49.10°S and 68.50°E.Rate this question:
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- 25.
Many of Brisbane City's streets are named after members of the Royal Family. What was Turbot Street named for?
- A.
Duchess Turbot of York
- B.
A species of fish
- C.
The Turrbal Aboriginal people
- D.
John Turbot - Mayor of Sandgate
Correct Answer
C. The Turrbal Aboriginal peopleExplanation
It is believed the name originates from the Turrbal Aboriginal people who occupied the inner Brisbane region prior to European settlement. They knew the area that is now Brisbane as Meanjil. In 1823, three castaways (Pamphlett, Parsons and Finnegan) had a rather tense encounter with some of the Turrbal people in the vicinity of the present day central business district.Rate this question:
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- 26.
The white marble used throughout Brisbane City Hall is from the same quarry in Carrara, Italy, that Michelangelo used to make his famous statue 'David'.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The statement is true because it states that the white marble used in Brisbane City Hall is from the same quarry in Carrara, Italy, that Michelangelo used to make his famous statue 'David'. This implies that the marble used in both cases came from the same source, which suggests a connection between the two.Rate this question:
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Quiz Review Timeline +
Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.
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Current Version
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Aug 19, 2023Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Apr 15, 2014Quiz Created by
Museumofbrisbane
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