Bonnybrae built in the 1890 period was the first home for Robert L. Stewart and his new bride. The first reference to the home is in a newspaper of 1896 notifying of a social event to be held at the home. Today the home appears to be in some form of renewal but from all appearances still maintains the precense of a grand home situated in one of Brisbane's most scenic positions. The city skyline of today would not have been a feature in 1896. For those who were seated or standing on the grand verandahs of Bonnybrae they would have had views across the river and town. The backdrop of the hills to the west would have definitely been a feature of the entertainment evenings at sundown.
Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Saturday 26 September 1896, page 6
LADIES COLUMNS.
SOCIAL DOINGS
Bonnybrae, the pretty riverside residence of Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Stewart, Galloway's Hill, was on fete, on Tuesday evening, the occasion being the third anniversary of their wedding day. The spacious verandas were enclosed and formed admirable dancing and supper rooms. The decorations, in excellent taste, were of ferns, palms, festoons of flowers, and fairy lamps. The guests assembled early in the evening, and were entertained at a good old fashioned high tea. Dainty refreshments were also provided at intervals during the evening. Music and other amusements occupied those who did not indulge in dancing. Mrs. Stewart, the hostess, wore a very pretty cream crepon frock with berthe of real lace. Mrs. Walker, black dress, handsome trimmings in strawberry silk and gimp; Mrs. J. Stewart, very handsome gown of white surah with black lace trimmiugs ; Mrs. Fleming, black skirt, blouse bodice of white Indian muslin ; Mrs. Carr, black costume ; Mrs. W. Ewart, blank skirt, blouse of white Indian muslin, pretty crossed fichu of black chiffon ; Mrs. W. Young, black silk skirt, blouse of pink mousselline de sole, lace collarette ; the Misses Stewart, twin sisters, were dressed alike in pretty cream costumes ; Miss Hunter, black serge skirt, pretty blouse of cream Indian muslin and lace ; Miss Macdonald, handsome black silk dress with white silk trimmings ; Miss Carr, black skirt, effective lace silk blouse ; Misses F. and E. Brown, black skirts, pretty light-coloured bodices. Cheers for the host and hostess, and “Auld Lang Syne" heartily sang in orthodox Scotch fashion, terminated this most enjoyable social function.
The story of Bonnybrae starts with John Stewart the father of Robert L. Stewart.
John Stewart
A scottish farmer from Ayr in Scotland he started a dairy at Eagle Farm in 1878. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Queensland Dairy Association in 1888. He was a prominent member of the East Moreton Farmer's Assocoiation which evolved into the (Royal) National Association in 1875. The event we today know as the "Ekka" had its first roots in the East Moreton Farmer's Association.
Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Tuesday 13 August 1935, page 21
60 YEARS' RECORD OF PROGRESS
History of Association HALLMARK OF SUCCESS
The Jubilee Year of the Royal National Association will be celebrated officially by a commemoration dinner on the Tuesday of Exhibition Week. This glorified birthday party of an association, which began its career of useful endeavour in the interests of the State in 1875, will provide a happy meeting ground for exhibitors and officials of many years' standing, and will set the seal and hallmark of success on a continuous record of progress and achievement by an organisation that has played a notable part in the development of Queensland's primary and secondary resources.
FORMATION
In 1875 the history of the Royal National Association may be said to have actually begun in 1866, the date of the formation of the East Moreton Farmers' Association, with which body the National Association amalgamated and subsequently absorbed. When it became known that there was a likelihood of the East Moreton farmers' Association winding up a neeting of delegates from several disrict societies was held in the Town Hall in 1875 under the presidency of Governor Cairns, at which it was decided to form an association with the object of encouraging and fostering agricultural, pastoral, and industrial development. Such were the relatively humble beginnings of the association, which staged its first show at Bowen Park in August 21, 1876. It was somewhat grandiloquently called 'the In-er-Colonial Exhibition.' There were 17,000 persons present when Governor Cairns officially opened the show, and the first day's receipts from the gates amounted to between £800 and £900. The building erected to house the first year's exhibits was found to be altogether inadequate, and two roomy temporary annexes were promptly built. So rapidly did the show increase in popularity that in 1887 additions had to be made to the Exhibition Hall, and 100 stalls were erected for the accommodation of horses and other live stock. Within a, very few years £15,000 had been spent on improvements, which included the construction of a huge pipe sewer through the ground, permitting the reclamation of all that land now comprising the oval, and also the erection of a secretary's residence and many stalls for the housing of cattle and horses.
AREA GROWS The original area of Bowen Park allotted to the association amounted to little more than 17 acres, and extended from Bowen Bridge Road to Brookes Street. Owing to the swampy creek which passed completely across the grounds only two-thirds of this land was available for exhibition purposes, but the ground was filled in and levelled at considerable cost, and the council laid the foundation of a show ring and sports oval unsurpassed in the Commonwealth. In later years more grounds have been added, until to-dav the total area is 45 acres.
Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Saturday 18 December 1886, page 7
AYRSHIRE DAIRY.
I beg to thank my numerous Customers throughout the City and Suburbs for their liberal support during tho past 2 and a half years, and having recently added to my stock of Prize Ayrshire Cows a fresh lot Imported from New Zealand, I take this opportunity of assuring them that they may rely as previously on a continual Supply of Good MILK. Thanking the inspectors for their efforts to establish a legitimate trade in milk.
(Signed) JOHN STEWART. Eagle Farm,
18th December, 1880.
Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Wednesday 22 February 1888, page 2
Queensland National Association.
The Editor.
Sir,— In a recent issue of your paper ' Committeeman ' very ably brings before the reading public a few facts aboutt the working of the Queensland National Association which will, we trust, be a profitable subject of discussion to that august body. It really i ssurprising that abody that professes to help forward the cause of agriculture, the mainstay of the colony, should reject with such contempt the propositions of Mr. McAndrew, as representative of the East Moreton Farmers' Association. All we wish is to have the agricultural community represented on the committee of the Queensland National Association by a few practical, energetic men like Mr. McAndrew, and we should then have farming interests taking the place in their discussions which they deserve if we are to compete successfully with the southern colonies and New Zealand iu dairy products, a little more encouragement must be given to our struggling farmers, in the form of substantial prizes for tho best managed farms, stock, etc , on tho lines recently initiated by the East Moreton Farmers' Association. I notice with plensure that a special prize has been awarded by the East Moreton Farmers' Astociation to Mr. John Stewart, of Eagle Farm, for the best managed dairy, and I think this gentleman quite deserving of this favour for his really excellent stock of Ayrshire cattle. Sir Thomas McIllwraith, with his usual generosity, presented a special prize at the last exhibition for the best Ayrshire heifer, bred in Queensland ; and now that he has been elected chairman of the Queensland National Association, I trust that the real excellence of this Emperior breed of cattle will be fully recognised, and agricultural interests in general have a greater share of the attention of the committee. — Yours, &c., Dairy Farmer
Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Wednesday 4 December 1912, page 6
FUNERAL NOTICES.
FUNERAL NOTICE.—The Friends of the late JOHN STEWART, sen., are respectfully invited to attend his Funeral, to move from his residence, Riverview, Heckelmann street, Eagle Farm, TO-MORROW (Thursday) AFTER-noon, at 2 o'clock, for the South Bris-bane Cemetery. By request, no flowers. JOHN HISLOP & SONS, Funeral Directors.
Robert L. Stewart
R. L. Stewart became the next generation of children raised with a farming background and in this case specifically dairying. He turned his family background into his future life and business ventures. Robert's brother John Stewart Jnr. continued on the Stewart dairy business after John Stewart senior's death in 1912.
Robert L. Stewart or R. L. as he was commonly known in the newspapers went into partnership with his brother in law Robert Walker to create the produce business known as Stewart and Walker. Their specialty was dairy products and for more than 30 years were the agents for the world famous Pittsworth cheese made under the control of the Pittsworth Dairy Company on the Darling Downs. In 1934 the firm of Stewart and Walker was dissolved with retirement for the principal players being on the horizon. Sadly in 1935 Robert L. Sturt died in Fremantle on return from his fifth overseas trip.
Daily Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1903 - 1926), Friday 29 February 1924, page 20
STEWART & WALKER.
Queensland is now the leading State of the Commonwealth for the production of cheese. The firm of Stewart, and Walker. handles the output of the Pittsworth Dairy Company's six up to date factories, two of which have the latest pasteurizing plants. The quality of their product grades high, and is well-known in all .the leading markets of the world. The large 1 1/2 ton cheese in the Queensland courts of the Empire Exhibition was made by this company. Production in Queensland will forge ahead now that a good season is assured, and cotton respectfully will be reported in over increasing quantities. One of the firm, Mr. Walker, hopes to visit the Exhibition about the middle of May.
Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Saturday 14 July 1934, page 18
EMPLOYEES ENTERTAINED BY PRINCIPALS
Bonnybrae, the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Stewart, at Norman Park, was the scene of an interesting gathering when the employees of the firm of Messrs. Stewart and Walker were entertained at a high tea on the occasion of the principals' retirement from business. The guests were received by Mr. and Mrs. Stewart and Mr. Walker, Mrs. Walker being unable to attend through illness. Mr. Stewart, in the course of a brief speech, reviewed the history of the firm, which was founded in 1887, and expressed appreciation of the services of the employees, one of whom had been with the firm for 37 years. At his request Mrs. Stewart presented to each employee a sealed envelope containing a cheque. Mr. Walker, in happy vein, recalled memories of the days when horses and carts did duty for the motor vehicles of to-day. He also expressed appreciation of the services of the employees. Each employee in turn expressed regret at the termination of the old firm, and wished the retiring employers many , happy years in the future. Toasts were drunk with musical honours. The house was decorated with marigolds and Iceland poppies.
Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Tuesday 18 June 1935, page 25
Obituary
Mr. Robert L. Stewart
A wide circle of friends in country districts, Northern towns, as well as in Brisbane and England, will regret to hear of the death of Mr. Robert L. Stewart, of 'Bonnybrae,' Norman Park, at a private hospital in Freenantle. Only a few weeks ago Mr. and Mrs. Stewart left Brisbane on their fifth trip abroad. Mr. Stewart became seriously ill after leaving Fremantle, and he and his wife landed at Colombo and embarked by the Otranto on the return journey. His illness developed rapidly, and he died on May 29 a few hours after Fremantle was reached. When radio messages were received in Brisbane of his condition, Mr. Charles Stewart (manager of the Union Trustees) travelled by air and train 3500 miles in four days, and was in time to meet his brother. The funeral took place on Friday morning from St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, of which he had been a member for 50 years, and an elder for many years. The service was conducted by the Rev. J. Sinclair, Dr. Gibson, and the Rev. W. C. Radcllffe. Mr. Stewart's early business training was received in a large- firm in Glasgow, and some 50 years ago he obtained a position with the late George Harris, a prominent figure in the Brisbane business community, remaining with Mr. Harris as confidential clerk until the death of that gentleman. He then entered into partnership with his brother-in-law, Mr. John Walker, as Stewart and Walker, dairy produce merchants, retiring a few months ago after 47 years' partnership, when the firm ceased business. Mr. Stewart was of a retiring disposition, and took no part in public affairs, although a keen student of world problems. In his young days he was a cyclist, competing successfully on the old snorts t?round at Toowoner, and will.be kindly remembered bv many athletes of the old brigade. In more recent years he became a bowler, and was an esteemed member of the Balmoral Club. He was a son of the late Mr. John Stewart, who was a well-known breeder and successful exhibitor of Ayrshire cattle at (he Brisbane shows some 20 vears ago. In addition to his widow, two brothers and a sister survive.
Bonnybrae to those who observe it today stands as a reminder of those grand colonial Queensland homes that once were the property of the wealthier Brisbane citizen. If those timber walls could speak there would be an amazing dialogue of the social entertainment that took place. If it was built in 1893 Bonnybrae would have had a "front row" seat to the floods of that year. This Stewart family played an integral part in the early dairy industry of Queensland. Bonnybrae's precense today is a reminder to the history of the dairying industry. The house provided a home for this family of Scot's known as Stewart and the part they palyed in Queensland's early dairy industry.
