Three University of Queensland history students are contributing to a deeper understanding of Camp Columbia through research into its wartime political role, postwar migrant experiences and the evolution of its buildings and landscape.
During the second semester of 2026, Joshua Suchunow, Kahlia Mills and Liam Edge are working with Associate Professor Geoff Ginn and the Camp Columbia Heritage Association (CCHA) as part of UQ’s third-year advanced history course, WRIT3613 History in Action.
Their projects build on previous research and resource collection. Each approaches Camp Columbia from a different perspective, bringing together historical investigation and practical resources for education and heritage interpretation.
Governments-in-exile and the Netherlands East Indies
Joshua Suchunow is investigating governments-in-exile as a political phenomenon during World War II. His research places the Netherlands East Indies case within this broader international setting.
This approach offers an opportunity to consider Camp Columbia’s political significance alongside its military history, examining how the Netherlands East Indies government-in-exile fitted into the wider wartime experience of displaced governments.
Migrant experiences and educational resources
Kahlia Mills is developing teaching and learning resources focused on postwar migrant experiences at Camp Columbia, drawing on oral history testimonies.
Her work brings personal experiences into the interpretation of the site, helping audiences explore its postwar history through the accounts of people who lived there. The resources are being developed with the needs of the National Trust’s Wolston Farmhouse educational programme in mind.
This project connects historical research with opportunities for students and visitors to learn about migration and Camp Columbia’s changing role after the war.
Mapping the changing landscape
Liam Edge is building on earlier mapping research and the collection of historical records to develop a detailed digital map using QGIS, a geographic information system.
His project traces the evolution of camp features and built structures from the colonial period to the early 1950s. By bringing this information together geographically, the map will help show how the site changed over time and provide a resource for future research and interpretation.
Resources for future heritage work
The three projects are expected to be completed and assessed in November 2026. Each will comprise around 3,500 words or an equivalent output, after which the research and collected resources will be available to CCHA for use in future applications and projects.
Together, the projects will strengthen the documentary record and expand the resources available for explaining and promoting Camp Columbia’s significance.
The work may also support future investigations involving students in Historical Archaeology and Architecture. These possible next stages would build on this year’s history research, connecting documentary evidence, personal testimonies and mapping with further study of the site.
The student projects represent a practical step in the developing partnership between UQ and CCHA, linking university learning with community efforts to preserve and share Camp Columbia’s history.
Related article: UQ and Camp Columbia: Building a long-term partnership for Brisbane’s WWII heritage
Based on a project update provided by Associate Professor Geoff Ginn, University of Queensland, October 2026.