For the love of time, place and true memory

By Sheree Hoddinett 

If you have ever been lucky enough to cross paths with Karen Wallwork, you would be familiar with her passion for uncovering history, particularly that of Beachmere. 

Her lifelong fascination with the past began early, sparked by a curiosity about how cultures evolve and endure. 

“As a child, I was captivated by stories of India, reading about British surveys of ancient sites,” Karen said. “Years later, walking those very places on pilgrimage created a powerful sense of connection, an experience that affirmed history as something deeply felt, not just studied.” 

That understanding now shapes Karen’s work in Beachmere. Although she is not a lifelong resident, her connection to the area stretches back decades. From the opening of the Bribie Island bridge, Beachmere became a place of weekends and holidays, with her family’s holiday home still standing on Wattle Avenue.  

In 2018, after closing her natural therapies practice to care for her parents, Karen began spending more time walking Beachmere, through its village and surrounding bushland. With time to reflect came conversations and with those conversations came questions. One photograph, capturing a Sandgarden Competition, proved pivotal. What else had been forgotten?  

What followed was an eight-year journey into Beachmere’s collective memory. Karen began listening closely - recording, researching and gently gathering fragments of Beachmere’s past before they disappeared. Her purpose was never ownership, but restoration: returning forgotten stories to the community they belong to. Among her most meaningful findings is “Gibunba,” a possible First Nations place name for Beachmere prior to European settlement, reconnecting the present-day town with a much older narrative - it adds continuity to the area’s history. 

Beachmere itself is central to Karen’s devotion. She speaks warmly of its unhurried pace, its remarkable biodiversity and the generosity of those who call it home.  

“We are truly blessed here,” she said, a belief reflected in her care for both place and people. 

One would think that diving into historical research and writing would keep you busy enough, but Karen certainly leads a fulfilling and enriching life. She and her husband volunteer with Wildlife Rescue Queensland, helping transport sick and injured native animals to Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital and then on to carers or back into the wild. Each week, they also visit the Garden of Enlightenment at Chenrezig Institute to care for the stupa and Karen also serves as a monthly tour guide there. Closer to home, she is involved in Healthy & Active Heritage Walks in Beachmere and monthly podcasts on local radio. 

In February, Karen’s work comes together in a museum exhibition, a three-month display that represents the culmination of years of quiet dedication, trust and collaboration with local residents. This beautifully curated exhibition invites viewers to slow down and engage with story.  

“I always knew there were stories to tell,” she said. “To now see them displayed so thoughtfully is incredibly moving.” 

Her work is far from finished. Karen is currently writing her fourth book in the Beachmere series, Stories of Service (working title), which she hopes to complete by the end of the year. She also has plans to explore local seasonal native plants, their traditional uses, and their place in modern cuisine, continuing her commitment to honouring both past knowledge and living culture. 

Above all, Karen remains humble about her achievements. She speaks with gratitude for the people who have supported her and trusted her with their memories, photographs and stories.  

“This has always been a collective effort,” she said. “It belongs to everyone who has contributed.” 

Through careful listening and deep respect for place, Karen reminds us that history is not only about where we have been, it is about how we remember and how those memories shape who we are. 

Beachmere: The collective memories of a seaside village  

Exhibition opening  

Saturday February 14, 10.30am – 12pm 

Bribie Island Seaside Museum, 1 South Esplanade, Bongaree. 

For further event information, visit www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Galleries-Museums/Events/BISM/Exhibition-Opening-Beachmere