Grantham, a quiet township nestled in Queensland’s Lockyer Valley, is no stranger to adversity. Known to many across Australia as the face of severe floods in January 2011, Grantham carries the weight of a single devastating event. But to those who call it home, Grantham is much more than its disaster history. It’s a place of rich heritage and extraordinary resilience.
Thanks to a $9,980 grant from FRRR’s Strengthening Rural Communities program, funded by Hand Heart Pocket – The Charity of Freemasons Queensland, the town has taken a small but powerful step to shift its narrative. Grantham District Community Inc used the funds to commission The Grantham Storyboard in a heartfelt, community-led initiative aimed at preserving and celebrating the town’s deep and diverse history.
Installed under the shade structure in McGarva Park on William Street, the three double-sided storyboards span 183 years of history, capturing Grantham’s journey from 1841 through to 2024. Featuring historical images, key events and powerful storytelling, the panels serve as a living tribute, not just to what has been lost, but to everything that’s been achieved, endured and rebuilt.
While the 2011 floods are part of that story, they are not the whole story. As the community gathered memories, photographs and moments to include, the focus remained clear: to honour the evolution of the township and remind residents that it was and is so much more than a single flood.
The project itself became a symbol of unity. When the park’s old and flood-damaged equipment was earmarked for removal, locals came together in March 2023 to preserve what they could. That momentum carried into a dedicated working group of twelve passionate residents who steered the vision for the storyboards. They consulted widely with locals, curated images and shaped a narrative that captured Grantham’s tale.
Support from the Lockyer Valley Regional Council made the installation possible, and the storyboards were brought to life by Prographics, a local family-run business. Their work, along with custom marketing materials, helped promote the opening of the installation in December 2024. This was a significant a moment of celebration and Mayor Tania Milligan and MP Jim McDonald were in attendance alongside the community.
Since its unveiling, the storyboard has done more than educate visitors; it’s sparked conversations and created connections. Newer residents have been astonished by the township’s heritage, while long-time locals have found fresh pride in sharing their memories.
Given the town’s relocation, creating a new centre of gravity for communal life has been invaluable. The installation at McGarva Park has become that focal point – a shared space for reflection, connection and healing.
The Grantham Storyboard is a testament to community strength, to the power of coming together and to the importance of owning and reshaping our own stories. The project is a reminder that for disaster-impacted communities, identity is something they can reclaim and celebrate.
