The Douglas Shire Historical Society recently played host to a group from Doctors and Lawyers Continuing Proffered Education group during their conference in Port Douglas.

The group of 15 held their afternoon sessions in the Port Douglas Court House Museum last week.

Doctors and Lawyers Continuing Proffered Education conference allows for those in the profession to come together and learn from each other. Their professions often overlap and the conference allows them to continue their education learning from each other and getting insight into the other job.

Part of the program was to study the trial of Ellen Thomson, the only woman hanged in Queensland, accused, perhaps falsely, of murdering her husband Bill Thomson at “Ellendale” via Mossman River, near Bonnie Doon. Also hanged was her ‘accomplice’, John Harrison.

Their committal trial before a Magistrate was held in the Port Douglas court house in January 1887, followed by a trial in Townsville where they were found guilty, and were hanged in Boggo Road gaol in Brisbane in June 1887.

The group was also interested to learn of the provenance of the heritage registered 1879 Court House building, which is today’s museum.

The Doctors and Lawyers group, headed by Barrister Lorenzo Boccabella, discussed the trial process and the outcome.

They viewed the filmed re-enactment of the committal, trial and execution made by the Historical Society, and heard an address by DSHS Life Member, Noel Weare.

The conference group is from all over Australia with the exception of those who were prevented by the Melbourne Covid-19 lockdown