Dunholme - A Ferryman's Rest

John Gibbins ferryman, ship owner and oyster farmer at one point in time had an acre of land on the corner of Cairns and Lambert Streets, Kangaroo Point. This area of land was originally known as the Shafston Estate.

The first newspaper records of a John Gibbins in Brisbane is in 1866 when a John Gibbins seeks to rent the Market Reserve. This is the area around Market Street and Eagle Street in Brisbane. This John Gibbins then erected his own timber building on the reserve. He did not obtain a lease or permit. He was then ordered by the Brisbane Town Council to remove it. It could be assumed that this same John Gibbins then became a merchant and shipping agent in Eagle Street. In 1869 John Gibbins advertised for the sale barley, bran, oates and lucerne hay unloading from the schooner Alpha.

John Gibbins traded in grain produce coming into Brisbane and solely from the schooner Alpha. In December of 1869 the Alpha was docking at the A. S. N. and Company's new wharf at Eagle Street. In the 1870's the clipper schooner Alpha was plying its trade along the Queensland coast for produce merchant John Gibbins of Eagle Street. By 1873 John Gibbins had expanded his produce business to be now in Maryborough and other colonies.

In October of 1874 John Gibbins entered the oyster farming industry when the Queensland Government under the new Oyster Act put up for lease oyster dredges in Moreton Bay. John Gibbons was successful in obtaining lease lot 34 at fifteen pound per annum for seven years. Under the act the lease had to be manitained and improvements undertaken. In February of 1875 John Gibbins put a notice in the newspapers notifying the owners of his neighbouring properties at Kangaroo Point that he intended to fence his property. This notice fits the timeline of the house Dunholme being built.

July 6 1875 Advertisement in the Telegraph Brisbane

In August 0f 1876 John Gibbins places his complete business with stores in Eagle Street, stock and mill  all up for auction as he is notifying he is retiring from business. The cottage in Eagle Street that he had occupied with his family was also up for rent by the A. S. and N company in Ausgust 1875. Gibbins could have been renting this cottage from the A.S.N shipping company. John Gibbind retired from that business as a produce and shipping merchant to for a short time shipping agent for the schooner Fearless as she was advertised for charter from the Government's new wharves in 1877. In 1878 John Gibbins nmow has a lease on the Alice Street ferry.

Brisbane Courier February 16 1878. 

John Gibbins, lessee of the Alice-street ferry, was charged with delaying a passenger. The evidence of Mr. W. Clarke showed that he arrived at the ferry on the Kangaroo Point side to cross to town, the ferry boat at that time being on the point of leaving the south side stage, and containing one passenger les than the boat was entitled to carry. There was conflicting evidence on this point, but the balance of evidence being against the defendant he was fined 20a. and costs.

 He had continued to lease his propert and store in Richmond Steet, Maryborough until placing it for sale in April of 1883. 

Possibly from the Maryborough sale he purchased the cutter Henrietta as he advertised for a master to captain the ship in August of 1883. In November of 1883 he placed his property in Cairns Street, Kangaroo Point up for sale or let.

On Monday December 3, 1883 the furniture, household goods, fittings and out house implements were placed for auction with . E. Hooker and Son without reserve as John Gibbons was leaving the colony.

John Gibbons continued in business from his Cairns Street house Dunholme dealing with his oyster lease and land speculation. The notice below appeared in the Brisbane Courier, January 10 1885.

Kangaroo Point still existed as a shire or town until the amalgamation of the nineteen town councils and shires that made up the greater Brisbane area. The Government of Queensland created the City of Brisbane with a view to uniting the then Brisbane metropolitan area under a single planning and governance structure. The City of Brisbane Act 1924 received assent from the Governor on 30 October 1924. On 1 October 1925, 20 local government areas of various sizes were abolished and merged into the new city. While the Kangaroo Point of today bears very little resemblance to 1925 if you look there are still examples of the early colonial era. 

The following information on Dunholme is taken from the Brisbane City Council's Heritage Register.

This timber cottage was constructed for ferry proprietor John Gibbins between 1876 and 1878. It was one of the first houses to be built in Cairns Street and is one of five nineteenth century houses that survive in the street, providing a unique link to the past. After Gibbin’s death in 1885, his estate was placed in trust and later divided among members of his family. The house has since had a number of different owners

This cottage is located on land which was originally purchased by Robert Cribb and former Collector of Customs, William Thornton in 1851. It was not until the Shafston Estate was offered for sale by the then owner, notable sugar planter and miller the “Honourable” Louis Hope, in 1874 that land became available for building. At the time of sale the entire estate covered over forty four acres.

Evidence from the title deeds in conjunction with the Post Office Directories (PODs) indicates that John Gibbins purchased one rood of land in October 1875 and that by 1878-1879 he was one of two people living on the “West Side” of Cairns Street. His occupation is given as “Ferry Proprietor”. The POD of 1876 fails to list Cairns Street.

In January 1885 John Gibbins died, his occupation at the time of death given as “gentleman”. He left, among other properties elsewhere, his Cairns Street house in trust. James Beech and William Hooker were the nominated trustees of the estate. Members of the Gibbins’ family lived in the house to the early 1890s, where upon the house appears to have then been rented out. In 1895 the estate was divided among four people, presumably John Gibbins’ children.

In May 1903 the Gibbins Estate, on the corner of Cairns and Lambert Streets was offered for sale. There were 9 blocks offered for sale, ranging in size from 16 perches to 19½ perches. Thirty two perches remained with the house. The house was eventually purchased by John Helsdon in July of the same year.

The house has had several owners since that time. Applications were made to the Brisbane City Council in 1946 and 1951 for “Dwelling Alterations”. The house is one of the earliest residences still existing along Cairns Street, and forms an important early link as part of a group of 19th century cottages remaining in the street which development from the mid 1870s onwards.

 

Thongabel A Link to Brisbane's Early History

Ralph Moreton White an accountant had progressed through the realms of Brisbane's commercial world to become by 1934 manager of the Brisbane Milling Company. Later he was to become general manager of the Queensland Milling Association. This was the milling of wheat to produce flour. He and his wife were well known in Brisbane's elite social scene. Newspaper references abound in social activities involving the couple with political and and other well know business identities. Very heavily involved in the Methodist church R. M. White acted as treasurer at one point in time.

R. M. White's wife Elsie was the grandaughter of John McMaster the well known former politician and Queensland identity of the second half of the 19th. century. John McMaster was the mayor of Brisbane five times throughout his long involvement in civilian life. Elsie Moreton was formerly Elsie Dath whose other grandfather was Robert Dath of the timber industry and sawmill of what we now know as Teneriffe. Elsie grew up in Kent Street, New Farm where the McMaster and Dath families were well known identities. Mary Jane McMaster was the daughter of John McMaster and in her later years lived with her niece Elsie and husband Ralph Moreton White.

In 1934 Ralph and Elsie White commissioned the well known and highly respected architect Eric P. Trewern to design a home for them in Welwyn Crescent, Coorparoo. The home at Welwyn Crescent was not of the usual, Californian, Spanish or Tudor design of Trewern but in the Georgian style. Welwyn Crescent runs along a ridge which today still commands substantial city views to the north. Thongabel the White's residence in 1934 has been joined by a number of prominent architetural designed homes that were built prior to the second world war. 

Sunday Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1926 - 1954), Sunday 11 February 1934, page 13

________________________________________

AN UNUSUALLY CHARMING GEORGIAN HOME AT COORPAROO

Situated at Welwyn Crescent, Surrey Hills, Coorparoo, 'Thongabel' commands extensive panoramic views views of the city and surrounding hills.

Of Georgian derivation, this stucco house possesses much in originality and charm of design. In a setting of well kept lawn and colourful garden beds, 'Thongabel' is enhanced by reason of its elevated site, which makes possible the introduction of an attractive stone wall of multi-coloured pastel shades, into which are knit the brick entrance piers and garage.

Thongabel, a charming stucco residence of Georgian Inspiration. The interesting roof lines, well proportioned windows, and entrance porch of classic motif contribute in producing a home of exceptional attractiveness.

Note the stone wall of multi coloured pastel shades, shades, into which is kept the thick piers of the entrance gates. (Eric (Eric P. Trewern, P.R.I.B.A., Architect.)

John McMaster the grandfather of Elie White (nee Dath)

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Friday 29 February 1924, page 2

Second Edition

Late Mr. McMaster

Long, Interesting Career Picturesque Figure Gone

The late Mr. John McMaster, whoso death wns reported in our first edition, had been ailing since last August, and was confined to his bed for the last month. He suffered considerable pain until about a week ago. but was conscious, and conversed with relatives and friends almost to the last. The veteran passed away at the home of his grand-daughter, Mrs. A. M. White, in Kent Street. New Farm, with whom he had resided since the death of his second wife in December, 1922. There were with him in his last moments his daughter, Miss McMaster, and his grand-daughter ( A. M. White) nnd intimate friends of the family. The funeral will leave Mrs. White's residence in Kent street, New Farm, tomorrow, at 10.30 a.m. The remains will be laid to rest in the Nundah cemetery. 

BORN A HIGHLANDER. 

It would be a long biography which would adequately portray the long, interesting life of the late Mr. John McMaster. He was born in the island of Islay, Argyleshire, in 1830. At an early age he left the island for Helensburgh, near Dunjbarmton, where ho commenced a farming career. He arrived here in the sailing ship William Myers in 1855, and obtained employment on a 4 -acre farm of one of the German missionaries at Nundah, or German station, as it then was called. 

THE PUBLIC INTEREST. 

It was at this early stage that there stirred into activity that public spiritedness which characterised Mr. McMaster throughout the whole of his life. A school was wanted, and the young Highlander took up the advocacy with such ardour that before long a compromise was arrived at between rival claims from Eagle Farm and German Station. The Nudgee road school resulted. Subsequently Mr. McMaster undertook to raise the £105 required for the building of a school at Nundah, and he carried out his task. Denied education himself, and being unable to speak English as a child, he was determined that his own children and others in this new land should have whatever instruction could be afforded to them.

TRANSPORT DIFFICULTIES. 

If motorists and others complain of the character of the roads around Brisbane today, what would they have thought of them in those early days? Mr. McMaster had experiences of the route between the present Nundah and tho infant city. On one occasion he set out in a spotless white suit, the pride of his first wife, with a drayload ot pineapples, but finished up in a sorry plight after having been bogged axle deep in mud. Brisbane was not reached that night, although the missionary who accompanied Mr. McMaster endeavoured to pilot him by way of Three Mile Scrub Road, Kelvin Grove way. In passing the missionary pointed out to Mr. McMaster a spot at Albion where Mr. Robert Blane, gardener to Captain Wickliam, (New South Wales Government Resident) was about to build the first house in that then lonely locality. 

NEW CHUM "BULLOCKY."

Having accumulated a little money as a farmer on his own account, Mr. McMaster was induced by his brother-in-law, Mr. Thorns, of Caboolture, to invest in a bullock team. His first trip was to Barambah, to which place he took a load of sugar, returning with tallow, encased in sheep's paunches. He received £25 a ton for carrying the sugar, and half that sum for transporting the tallow, and averaged £1 a day. Mr. McMaster never was given to profanity, and he found that he was able to manage that string of bullocks, new chum and all as he was, and Gaelic new chum at that, without resorting to the profanity which has become traditional in connection with bullock driving. 

STORE KEEPING DAYS. 

In 1879 the young Scotsman commenced business as a grocer and produce merchant, at the corner of Ann and Warner streets. Fortitude Valley. Those were the days of late shopping, especially on Saturday, and Mr. McMaster's shop was the rendovous at which public questions were freely discussed by leading citizens in those days in which the Valley was making its first bid for commercial supremacy. The late Mr. Thos. Finney, his partner, the late Mr. Isles, also the late Mr. Moses Ward, chemist, the late Mr. Samuel Maxwell, master painter, and others regularly gathered there. 

ALDERMAN AND M.L.A. 

These conversions led up to a request to Mr. McMaster to represent the Valley ward in the Brisbane Municipal Council. That wns acceded to in 1873. Twelve years later, the late Sir Samuel (then Mr.) Griffith asked the storekeeper-alderman to contest the newly created Valley seat in the Legislative Assembly for his party, the Liberals. Mr. McMaster had taken some persuading to enter the council, and he was very reluctant to enter Parliament, because of his lack of education. But Mr. Griffith saw beneath that rugged exterior a genuineness and an ability which would mean much to his party in that particular direction, and so it came about that Mr. McMaster became the first Parliamentary representatives of that part of Brisbane with which he was associated with throughout the remaining of his long life. And the great Liberal statesman's insight proved a correct one, for surely there never was a more conscientious or persistent representative of any seat, Parliamentary or municipal, than that of Mr. McMaster as a member of Parliament and alderman for the Valley. 

VALLEY RAILWAYS.

It was John McMaster who foresaw the necessity for a Valley railway, and who fought for it in season and out of season with his dogged Scotch pertinacity until the line was built. It has been reserved for a later generation than those who laughed at the scheme to see what it has meant to the Valley. Before that branch line which now ends at New Farm refinery, was built, the line, of course, wus extended to Sandgate, but political chicanery first took it around through Victoria Park, so as to spite the Valley for not endorsing Mr. Pring, who had accepted the Attorney-Generalship. The late Sir Arthur Palmer wus Premier at the time. Sir Samuel Griffith afterwards put £175,000 on the estimates for the extension of the line Valleywards. That sum was not sufficient to carry the line through from Roma street to the Valley, erecting a substantial station at the central point and completing the long tunnel.It was at the suggestion of Mr. McMaster, therefore, that a temporary station wns built at the central, and the line was pushed on to the Valley end without delay. For 14 years Mr. McMaster .represented the Valley in the Legislative Assembly. 

ALDERMANIC ACTIVITIES. 

As Mayor of Brisbane, in 1884, Mr. McMaster drove tho first spike of the old original horse tramway system. In 1893 he rendered valuable assistance in administering the flood relief fund. As is generally known, he was a strong advocate of the Valley site for the Town Hull, but that was a scheme in which he was not successful. Nor has he lived to see the completion of the new Town Hall. Neither was he permitted to sec the inauguration of the muli talked of Greater Brisbane scheme. He was defeated at the first election under the new Local Authorities Act, which extended the franchise to the whole of the electors. He then was 90 years of age. and had served two generations of Valley residents in a way in which he had gained the greatest of rewards, the universal respect of his fellow men whether political or municipal friends or foes. That esteem was manifested few years ago by a handsome presentation. Tho second Mrs. McMaster predeceased her husband by several years.

For further information on John McMaster the Wikipedia reference is below.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McMaster_(mayor)

Lynford Tudor Splendor

 Lynford Fine English Tudor 

The following is taken from the Brisbane Council Heritage Register.

This fine Tudor Revival home is possibly the best example of this style of house in Brisbane. Designed by notable architect, E.P. Trewern, it was constructed in 1928 for successful businessman, James W. Clifford Isles, of Isles, Love & Co. At this time the suburb of Hamilton, established as the locale for large estates of wealthy settlers, was subdivided and became the desired address for Brisbane's successful middle classes.

Eric Trewern is referred to by most architectural historians as the person who introduced the Spanish Mission style and Tudor style house to Brisbane in the years between the two world wars. Casa Ana at Hamilton and Santa Barbara at New Farm are two of his finest examples. Lynford is the first of his Tudor style homes and still stands today as Brisbane's finest original example. Pictures do not do justice to this superbly maintained example built almost 100 years ago. Eric or E. P. Trewern's designed homes demand a premium today firstly for the role they played in Brisbane's housing architecture and secondly for the innovative designs that Trewern incorporated for his discerning clients. 

The following is taken from John W. East's document "Suburban Eclecticism - The Brisbane Architect Eric Percival Trewern (1895 - 1959) and his work" 

Lynford, the house with which Trewern introduced the Old English style to Brisbane, was erected in 1927-28 at Hamilton for James W. Clifford Isles, director of the auctioneering firm of Isles, Love and Co. He was a man of considerable means, and the contract price of £4,200 exceeded even that of Santa Barbara. With this budget, Trewern was able to design a building which exemplified all the fine craftsmanship which is one of the abiding charms of Brisbane's Old English houses.

A multiplicity of building materials makes the exterior particularly interesting. The ground floor is mostly in face brick or quarry-faced porphyry. The upper floor is a competent imitation of traditional English half-timbered construction, with dark adzed beams standing out against the pale stuccoed walls. A large double chimney dominates the front elevation, with a prominent (and no doubt purely decorative) S-shaped tie-bar set into it. The roof of red Marseilles tiles is steeply pitched, with numerous gables, these being half-timbered, or weatherboarded, or simply stuccoed. There is an oriel window at the side, and one of the upper rooms at the front is jettied out above the ground floor. All of this makes for a complex and varied composition.

The solid oak door opens onto a stair-hall panelled in oak, with a wide oak staircase incorporating twisted newel posts. The lounge which opens off this has at one end a large brick fireplace, with a freestone surround rising to a Tudor arch. The walls have a panelled wainscot and the ceiling is heavily beamed. One side of the lounge opens into an enclosed sun-porch, with windows on all three sides, overlooking the garden. At the rear, the lounge opens onto a stone-paved piazza and so gives direct access to the garden. The lounge also connects via sliding glass doors to the dining room, which is panelled to the level of the platerail, and lit by a large window with deep reveals. On the upper floor are the bedrooms and bathroom and a large sleeping porch, with views to Moreton Bay.

James W. Clifford Isles

J. W. C. Isles was a third generation Brisbane businessman with his grandfather being James Isles of Brisbane and Queensland's Finney Isles Drapery business. Born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on 23 May 1894 to James Thomas Isles and Henrietta Love. James William Clifford Isles married Jocelyn Vyvyan Salisbury and had 2 children. He passed away on 10/05/1967 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. His father James Thomas or J. T. Isles founded the auction firm Isles Love in conjunction with James Love. The following taken from the Courier Mail of 1934 provides the background to the firm Isles, Love and Company who James W. Clifford Isles was a director. 

James Thomas Isles - Founder of Isles Love and Company Auction House

Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Wednesday 5 December 1934, page 25

MR. J. T. ISLES DEAD

Noted Business Man SERVICES TO CITY

Mr. J. T. Isles, a director of Isles, Love, and Co., Ltd., died yesterday at his home In Charlton Street, Ascot. He had long been a prominent member of the Business community of Brisbane, and was identified with movements for the welfare and progress of the city, and for benevolent objects, until five weeks ago he had been engaged in the activities of his firm. His last illness then supervened on a stroke. In his youth Mr. Isles was associated with many other young men then notable for their athletic prowess, and some later to be well known in civic or commercial life. Among them were his partner (Mr. James Love), his three brothers, and Messrs. T. Welsby, E. Markwell, Stombuco, J. E. ('Did') Harris, Mark Harris, F. Trimble, and E. Colclough. The friendships of those days were maintained by Mr. Isles throughout the years. Mr. Isles was born in Fortitude Valley in April, 1866. In childhood he accompanied his parents to England, and he received his early education at the famous Bluecoat School, in London, and in Scotland. On their return to Brisbane he attended the Brisbane Grammar School. His father (Mr. James Isles) was a co-founder with Mr. Thomas Finney, of the firm of Finney, Isles, and the young J. T. Isles, after experience with Farmer's, in Sydney, joined that business. In October, 1889, he joined Mr. James Love in partnership in the firm now known as Isles, Love, and Co., Ltd. In subsequent years he became a director of the City Electric Light Co. and Clifford Love and Co. (Sydney), and he had copra interests in the Solomon Islands. 

PUBLIC INTEREST 

He was recognised as an authority on taxation and real estate, and was vigorous in championing any public question or cause that he took up, par-ticularly those he regarded as relat-ing to the interests of the city or the State. A friend and business asso-ciate said yesterday that 'he placed the city before himself.' In discussion of public matters he assumed always the role of the constructive rather than of the destructive critic. He never entered parliamentary or civic life, but he was accepted as a strong influence in moulding public opinion, and in the development of Queensland and Brisbane. He was a former chairman of the Brisbane and South Coast Hospitals Board, and a member of the Y.M.C.A., Royal National Association, Rotary and Constitutional Clubs, and the Tax-payers' Association. He held the Diplomas of the Commonwealth Institute of Valuers (Incorporated) and the Real Estate Institute (Incorporated). A keen business man, he was revered also as one who held the confidence of the business community, and was ever ready to advise and help young men with their feet on the first steps of the ladder of life, and assist the distressed. In 1890 Mr. Isles was married to Miss Henrietta Love, a sister of Sir Clifton Love, of Sydney. He is survived by her and their two sons, Messrs. J. W. C. Isles, a director of Isles, Love, and Co., Ltd., and L. L. Isles, secretary of Clifford Love and Co., Sydney, and by a brother (Mr. S. J. Isles). Two brothers (Messrs. J. A. J. and L. H. Isles) predeceased him.

 CHAMPION ATHLETE 

On the old Toowong sports ground, more than 40 years ago, Mr. Isles won footrunning championships and broke records, and in one day won important 150, 250, and 440 yards races. His brother (Mr. J. A. J. Isles) , Mr. James Love, Mr. F. Trimble, and he won the under 20 fours, with Mr. Mark Harris as cox, as members of the Commercial Rowing Club; Mr. E. Colclough's crew being second. He won many cycle races on the old 'high' machines. With the Fireflies Football Club he had many strenuous matches against the Wasps  both are famous old teams, recalled by surviving players. Mr. Isles's greatest service through the Rotary Club was in connection with the crippled children's movement. He was the first president of the Queensland Society for Crippled Children, a position he held until his death, and he assisted greatly in the establishment of the Montrose Home. After a service at St. Augustine's, Hamilton, at 3.30 p.m. to-day, the funeral will leave for the Toowong Cemetery.

James Isles The First Genertaion Isles in Brisbane

The story of Lynford would not be complete without reference to James Isles the founder of the company Finney Isles in partnership with Thomas Finney and certainly the start of the financial opportunuties available to later generations of the Isles family.

James Isles was born in Kinloch, Pershire Scotland on 16 May 1837, the son of Agnes and James. He married Isabella Jane Jackson on 29 September 1862 in Dublin, Dublin. They had five children during their marriage. He died on 3 November 1888 in Brisbane, Queensland, at the age of 51, and was buried there. He arrived in Brisbane in October 1862 on the ship "Flying Cloud". James Isles had met Thomas Finney in Dublin whilst on business there. They both sailed on the "Flying Cloud" and started the firm Finney Isles and Company in the Fortitude Valley. 

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Saturday 3 November 1888, page 4

Death of Mr. Isles

About 10 days ago Mr. James Isles, of tho well known firm of Finney, Isle, and Co. was seized with an attack of apoplexy, whioh was of such a nature as to confine him to his room. He was attended by Dr. Taylor and Purcell, and seemed to get bettor uuder their treatment, but still he was not able to get about. It was not thought that the end was so near, but this morning at 2 o'clock he died suddenly at his residence, at Clayfield. The deceased gentleman, who was well known and respected, was born at Scone, Scotland, in 1837, and was therefore 51 years of ago at the time of his death. He and Mr. Thomas Finney were in business in Dublin 30 years ago, and they have been associated ever since. After some four or five years in Dublin they came out to Queensland together, and in 1864 commenccd business in the Valley. Six years later they removed to a portion of the present premises now occupied by the widely known firm of Finney, Isles, and Co. The business gradually extended until now it is by far the largest drapery establishment in the colony. Some weeks ago a portion of a block of buildings in court of erection for the firm was completed, but the deceased gentleman has not lived to see the completion of that wharehouse which will ever form a monument of the energy, perseverance, and business tact, which have been the characteristics of the firm. Mr. Isles leaves behind him a widow and four sons, the majority grown up, and for whom much sympathy has been expressed in town this morning. The deceased gentleman took little interest in public affairs, the only appointment lie ever held being that of a justice of the peace. His funeral will take place at 2 o'clock on Sunday.

The Finney Isles and Co Building

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finney_Isles_%26_Co_Building

The first building referred to at the time of the death of James Finney was at the corner of Edward and Adelaide Streets and was known as "The City Exchange Building" built in the mid 1880s. The current Finney, Isles or "Big Block" building was not constructed until 1909.

Ardon The Centre of a Racing Dynasty

Ardon still stands today just as it did when built 1897 - 1898. Heritage listed with the Brisbane City Council the heritage details can be found here. https://heritage.brisbane.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/citation/ardon-_871.pdf

For over fifty years Ardon and the Ardon Stables were the home of the Tucker family. William Tucker or "Old Bill" Tucker or W. J. Tucker is now one of those legendary figures in Queensland's horse racing history. Built for the Tucker family the stables must have been adjoining or very close by in Bowley Street, Hendra. In 1952 when the estate was put up for sale there were two separate sales. Firstly the house Ardon and secondly a separate block suitable for building on. 

The Tucker family spanned a number of generations within the horse racing industry but Ardon is the place where it all started. Of personal interest to me is that William Tucker married Alice Robinson who is the sister of my great Grandmother, Elizabeth Emily Robinson. I have written about the Robinson family from Coorparoo in another web site. This particular web link has information relating to the horse racing of Coorparoo and the Tucker and Kirwan families.

http://sivyer.com.au/photo-gallery/robinson/

William James Tucker B:1868  D:1949 

The following two newspaper articles from the time of his death are a very good summery of his life an d the activities that would have taken place at the Ardon house and stables of Bowley Street, Hendra.

Brisbane Telegraph (Qld. : 1948 - 1954), Friday 5 August 1949, page 23

DEATH OF MR. W. J. TUCKER.

Mr. W. J. Tucker, for more than 50 years an outstanding figure in Queensland racing, died at his home, Rowley Street, Hendra, today. The late Mr. Tucker, as a lad, won the first race ever decided at Albion Park. It was known then as Smithfield. He was not quite three when he arrived in Australia in the boat captained by his father. His early ambition was to be a circus tumbler and trick rider but economic conditions his father died shortly after his arrival here forced him to turn (his natural ability to handle -horses to quick advantage. He won two races at the age of 11, graduating to the horses from Pony events at Lytton. At one stage of his career, he rode two winners at Lytton ; and then rode hard to Smithfield, where he rode two more. A first-class shot, there was little in the way of acrobatics or sport at which he did not excel. The story is told that, on one occasion, when he was travelling to Gympie with horses by road, he won a boomerang throwing competition against blacks, though he had never handled the weapon before! As a young man he owned, trained and rode his own horses, later becoming a public trainer. He met with continued success until his retirement about 15 years ago. The late Mr. Tucker, an owner- jockey, won the Moreton Handicap and Sandgate Handicaps with Little Tartar, the Windsor Handicap with Ardon. As owner, he won the Guineas with Mischief and Bold Step, the Queensland Cup with St. Quentin, Sea Breeze, Tetupha, Soft Step, the Brisbane Cup with Demeranthis. He raced Spear Chief in partnership with the late Mr. J. B. Charlton. He won, for the partners, the Sires' Produce Stakes, Guineas, Derby. St. Leger and a Brisbane Cup. Soft Step won him a St. Leger, too. The late Mr. Tucker is survived by three sons, W. A. and A. E. Tucker, who are licensed trainers, and E.G., former successful jockey. The funeral will leave his late residence, 17 Bowley Street, for the Nundah Cemetery at 11 a.m. Monday.

Truth (Brisbane, Qld. : 1900 - 1954), Sunday 14 August 1949, page 45

QLD RACING LOOSES BY DEATH OF TRAINER BILL TUCKER

No more colorful personality has been associated with racing in Brisbane since its inception than thelate W. J. (Billy) Tucker; who was called before the Supreme Steward last week after a lifetime of active association with horse racing. Riding his first winner at the age of ll years, Billy carried on as a jockey even after his son, 'Young Bill,' had also adopted that profession. Then, as trainer and owner, 'Old Bill' went on to win every important race on the calendar cups and classic events on numerous occasions.

 Many of the racetracks on which W. J. Tucker cut his teeth are long since gone and for the most part, .forgotten. Only yery oldtimers remember race meetings being conducted at Oxley, Lytton, Coorparoo (under registered rules) and Breakfast Creek, when what is now known as Albion Park was a much smaller track. Breakfast Creek and Coorparoo meetings, under different proprietary interests, sometimes staged clash meetings on Saturday afternoons, and it was quite common for Billy Tucker to ride at both courses on the same day. On one occasion, after riding two winners at Coorparoo he raced his hack to the Creek and there was no short cut via Story Bridge at that time. Passing through The Valley, the hack fell, but without serious injury to the rider, who went on to Breakfast Creek where he rode another winner.

Hurdle racing was a feature of meetings at Eagle Farm in the days that Tucker rode, but he did not persevere with that branch of sport. In six such races, he rode three winners and had three falls 'a good average' he would say when he could be prevailed on to talk of his early days. There was a dash of the daredevil in Bill when he was a jockey. He could jump off and on horses like a circus rider when at full gallop. He did so in a race on one occasion with disastrous results. He was so far in front on a horse named Robert Emmett at the Farm that he decided to turn on a stunt. He jumped off the horse and back again nearing the winning post. Officialdom frowned on such frivolity, and disqualified the winner on the ground, that 'the rider had dismounted before being ordered to do so.' And some people refer to that era as the free-and-easy days. As a trainer and owner, Tucker won the Queensland Cup on seven occasions, and the Brisbane Cup as many times. There was no better judge of a yearling than he, and auctioneers and spectators, as well, always knew when he had decided to acquire one or more according to the number of knee boots and other safeguarding impedimenta he took to the sales. Having made his choice he would not be denied, and when he went to the figures indicated in the names of Six-Fifty and Seven-Fifty, it was regarded as sensational bidding. Until about 20 years ago 'Old Bill' declared that Mischief, with whom he won the Guineas in 1909, was the best horse he ever rode or trained. Later, he had a leaning towards Spear Chief, with whom he won, in partnership with the late J. B. Charlton, the Brisbane Cap in 1939, and which horse, after being sold, was successful in the same race with 9.7 in record time in the following- year. And so Billy Tucker has passed on. But memory of him will linger on, and the records of Brisbane racing, in which his name appears so often, will remain a monument to his ability In all three branches of the sport he loved and adorned.

Late Bill Tucker

June 28 1952 Daily Standard Brisbane