The government of New South Wales left the new colony of Queensland "broke" with the equivalent of just six cents in its treasury coffers when the Sunshine State began in December 1859.

It could not even pay the small band of public servants who were then running Australia's fledgling state, Department of State Development historian Harold Thornton said.

Brisbane's Queen Street in 1859. Credit:State of Library of Queensland

In the first of a series of "little histories" of the birthplace of Brisbane, Fairfax Media and Mr Thornton will explain curiosities of Brisbane's early days.

Dr Thornton has his own story to tell.