Passing Time with John Prpić

A few years ago, we met the delightful John Prpić, who runs the fabulous Brisbane history page, Passing Time. This vibrant and dedicated histographer can be found cycling though the streets of South-East Queensland towns taking photographs of pubs and heritage buildings so he can make beautiful before-and-after collages using original pics from local councils, libraries and archives. He has over 32000 followers, and does what he does for the love of history and community.

We here at Paddington Then & Now absolutely love his work, and will be nominating him for the John Oxley Library Award in 2023 because of his passion and dedication. He has been working closely with us in the Paddington District, providing information for our own research projects, and has recently joined forces with our very own Mike Hilberger, to start the Booze, Boots and Broads Historic Pub Tour for this year’s Paddington Now and Then Festival. This is a free event, and promises to be awesome… especially since it starts and finishes at two of Brisbane oldest pubs… the grand old Lord Alfred Hotel in Caxton Street past the ever-present and beloved Paddo Hotel and finishing at one of our favourites, the Hope & Anchor pub in Given Terrace.

Finances for volunteers like John are always a problem, so we’ve been discussing ways he can turn his work into a book, and doing what he does commercially for businesses and individuals... At the very least, we believe he should have a dedicated website where he can keep all of his work safe in his own space, while still sharing it with the world.

John has a Patreon Page to help support him but it needs a boost to be honest ($8.32 a month won’t even buy this postie a book of stamps!). John gives so many people so much joy, it’s shouldn’t be hard for each of us to provide him enough for a cuppa once a month!

John has a few words for you…

Hello all! While most of you know that my name is John Prpic, not many actually know me. I’ve decided to reveal a little about myself, explain where I have been and the direction that I would like to see this page go in.
Firstly, people are surprised when they learn that I am not a retiree. I am 38 years old and the time that is spent researching for Passing Time is done around my full-time work hours.
There is a misconception that one must be older to be interested in history. I’d like to think that I have proved that incorrect and have noticed many younger people following my postings.
I have always had a passion for history and architecture, which led me create my first comparison photograph in late 2017.
A couple weeks later I created this page and since then it has grown to over 32000 followers as I report daily on our city’s ever changing history.
It was once suggested to me that I create a Patreon account which allows my followers to reward and support my hard work.
I have done this, though I would like to first point out that this is optional and if you feel you would like to support me, I would be so grateful.
I would love to buy a drone and publish a book. I have thousands of completed images that I could easily fill one or more books.
There is also the increasing cost of the cloud storage for my 80,000+ photographs, which expand every day.
Now, these are all dreams that I hope one day I could achieve, but am happy to push on regardless.
Having said that, if you feel you would like to support my page with either a one-off donation, or a recurring one. Please click the link below.

https://www.patreon.com/PassingTime

Thank you for your time and I look forward to exploring more history with you.

John P.

*The time and effort put towards compiling these articles are unpaid. Any brands or business depicted in my postings are purely coincidental and are done without remuneration. The information supplied in my articles are sourced from a variety of locations, such as newspaper archives, State Heritage Register, Council Heritage Registers, current newspaper articles, QImagery, word of mouth and many more locations.

John can sometimes be heard on ABC Brisbane Radio, and can be seen pedalling all over Brisbane… if you see him taking photos, make sure you stop and have a chat. He’s a top shelf social historian and everybody who knows his work, believes the same…

Kez Beeton I no longer live on the city, but visit a few times each year. Your work bring me so much joy when I see the Brisbane where I grew up. Please keep it up as it is educational and so very interesting.

Susan H Nice to put a face to the name!

Therese John, thank you for your passion. You remind me of my dad, who worked for Wonderlich (Building Company), and we would walk around the city, and he would tell us, stopping randomly at any building, who the architect was, builder was, etc etc! Thank goodness I listened to a bit of his monologues as every now and then I remember something of what happened as Brisbane grew! Thank you for your service to our city. Cheers

Julie-Anne H I love your work John. Great work

Yuri D John Prpić you are a legend!

Pat R Your work is so enjoyable. Love the interesting bits and pieces you find. And all on a bike! Thank you.

Jim T John, I grew up early fifties at Rocklea. Had my pony early sixties where Bunnings is now and then where Calamvale pub is when Compton Rd didn't go through and was terrible dirt. Might be able to help. Shame not to pass any knowledge on. The quarry in Mortimer Rd that got the material for the Archerfield runways and the storm drains from the airport that still go down to Stable swamp CK. We used to play in them as kids well over 60 years ago.

The Rocklea corso, the Blunder swimming hole, hope you've got them all. Stan Moffat's sale on Paradise Rd Acacia ridge and his cattle sales at Moffat's sale yards where Marsden high school now is with Moffat street at the back. Or on the corner of Beaudesert and Compton Rd right under Big W, now closed, Was Ted Horns well and dam. He dug the 30ft well by hand digging a foot a day after work till he got the water at 30ft. He devined it and taught me how. An English electrician went through the London blitz. Wife Ivy was a milliner for the Queen. My stables, a converted milking shed was right now where the pub bottleo is.

Chrissy B Love your work John

Jessamy R I’m proud to support John’s work on Patreon. if you love his work, please consider joining me. I shout him the price of a cup of coffee each month - money well spent for the enjoyment his posts bring.

Annette E One of your many dedicated followers here. Your work is amazing

Chris K Love John’s work and appreciate the detail and insight of his posts.

Sally R John, you are remarkable - and thank you x

Nellie S Love your work!