The Burdekin’s rich past has been brought into sharper focus thanks to the work of photographer Lido Paganoni, whose striking images of Ayr, Home Hill and Brandon are now part of a treasured digital collection preserved by the Queensland State Library.
Born in Ingham, Lido spent many years between Ingham and Ayr before relocating to Brisbane in 1967. Throughout his professional career, he developed a deep passion for photography, using his lens to document everyday moments and significant sights across the region.
Among his most iconic images is a 1950s snapshot of Ayr’s Queen Street—bustling with vehicles parked in centre bays near the intersection where today’s roundabout now stands. Suspended above the crowd, a banner promotes a “Carnival and Dance,” hinting at the vibrancy and community spirit that has long defined the town.
Another popular photo, now digitalised by the Queensland State Library, shows students enjoying sports and social time on the Ayr State High School oval. The school, officially opened in 1937, holds fond memories for thousands of local families, many of whom recognise familiar scenes in Lido’s nostalgic image.
His 1950s gallery also offers glimpses into other corners of the Burdekin. From the grand facades of Brandon’s Imperial Hotel and Club Hotel, to the tidy gardens around Pioneer House, to a weatherboard home once part of the Lower Burdekin Sugar Experiment Station, each image speaks to the architecture, lifestyle and industry of the era.
In Home Hill, Lido’s photographs capture the infamous Malpass Hotel, a house on the corner of Sixth Street and Ninth Avenue, and the beloved Watson’s Theatre—landmarks that hold special meaning for many residents.
Thanks to the efforts of the Queensland State Library, Mr Paganoni’s work continues to preserve the stories of the Burdekin, offering both long-time locals and future generations a vivid window into the region’s past.
Ayr’s Queen Street in the 1950s
Students pictured on Ayr State High School’s oval
Multiple Home Hill businesses in the 1950s
Brandon’s Imperial Hotel and Club Hotel
The gardens surrounding Pioneer House in Brandon
A weatherboard house in Brandon
The Malpass Hotel in Home Hill
A house in Home Hill
Watson’s Theatre in Home Hill
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