Bayards Home of a Draper

Bayards now a name long gone from 21st century Brisbane but in the mid 20th century the Bayards name was one of the premier retail store chains of Queensland. With prominent stores in Queen Street and in regional centres of Nambour and Ipswich plus suburban Wynnum they established a loyal trade over more than sixty years. Names such as T. C. Beirne, McWhirter, Overells, Allen and Stark, Finney Isles and McDonnell and East were all integral to the retail trade in 20th century Brisbane. Bayards were one of those traditional family businesses that underpinned the early retail and manufacturing trade of the development of Brisbane from the late 19th century to the mid 20th century before monopolies entred the business world. A Brisbane trading name now lost in time but one that forms part of our city's history. 

 Extract courtesy of The Fashion Archives

"George Arthur Bayard (1866–1933) was a drapery salesman who became a prominent businessman, creating the Bayards department store chain. In his later years, he was member of the Brisbane Chamber of Commerce and Queensland Chamber of Manufacturers, and at one stage, a Stephens Shire Councillor. His four sons were all involved in running the business, and took the reins of Bayards after George Bayard died in the 1930s. They passed on the responsibilities to the next generation of Bayards, with three grandsons of George Bayard carrying on the business up until it closed."

Queen Street in the 1960s showing the Bayards store at the Edward Street end close to the Tattersalls Club and Tattersall's Arcade.

Reginald Arthur Bayard one of George Bayard's four sons was the manager of the main Queens Street branch. In 1939 he had this house built in Upper Cornwall Street, Brisbane. The home is typical of those who wished to make a statement in architectural terms for that time. As a member of Brisbane's wealthier merchant class this home was typical of the architectural style being used through the 1930 decade to distinguish from the timber and tin on posts that was prominent post world war one.

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Tuesday 24 January 1939, page 21

An effective blending of tapestry brickwork at the base with textured plaster and freestone, which is seen at the entrance to the garage, has been achieved in the home of Mr. R. A. Bayard, in Cornwall Street, Greenslopes.

Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Tuesday 23 November 1954, page 3

2nd Bayard will £90,380 Left by retailer

REGINALD Arthur Bayard, 56, former managing director of Bayards Pty., Ltd., Queen Street, who died on August 4, 1953, left a gross estate of £90,380. His home was at Upper Cornwall Street, Greenslopes. Mr. R. A. Bayard's will was yesterday lodged for grant of probate. Realty represented £4984 and personalty £85,396. He left the income of the estate to his widow. 2 Bequests He bequeathed £250 to Brisbane Legacy War Widows' and Orphans' Fund and £100 to Wesley Church, Linton Street, Kangaroo Point. He was a son of Mr. G. A. Bayard, the founder of the family business. His brother, Mr. Henry George Bayard, 65, also a former managing director of the firm, who died suddenly at Armidale (N.S.W.) on May 1, 1953. left a gross estate of £109,092.

The following is the obituary or newspaper report following the death of the founder of the Bayards retail chain George Arthur Bayard in 1933.

Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Tuesday 29 August 1933, page 13

Mr G. A. Bayard.

More than 800 persons, representative of almost every section of the community, yesterday attended the funeral of Mr. George Arthur Bayard, who died on Saturday afternoon. Extending for nearly two miles, it was one of the largest funerals seen in Brisbane, and was a fitting tribute to a man who, by his upright character and kindly personality, had earned the highest esteem in Church, social, and commercial spheres. The late Mr. Bayard was principal of the South Brisbane drapery firm of Bayards Pty., Ltd. He had been in business in Brisbane for many years, and was particularly popular with the South Brisbane business fraternity.

Before the cortege moved off to the South Brisbane Cemetery a service was held in the Wesley Methodist Church, Kangaroo Point, where Mr. Bayard had been an executive officer for 25 years. The services in the church and at the graveside were conducted by the Rev. C. Whitehead, assisted by the Rev. R. P. Pope (representing the Rev. H. A. Denny, president of the Methodist Conference), and the Rev. J. A. Pratt (secretary of the Methodist Conference). The chief mourners were his widow and four sons. "He was a true Christian gentleman, and to know him was to love him," said the Rev. C. Whitehead, referring in an address to the splendid attributes of the deceased. Mr. White head mentioned the late gentleman's exemplary service to his Church, his diligence and honest principles in business, and his genial personality, which had endeared him to all.

It was fitting that the pall-bearers should have comprised some of the late Mr. Bayard's closest friends who were associated with him in Church, business, and sport. They were Messrs. D. Aitken, J. Charlton (represent ing the Kangaroo Point Methodist Church), F. J. Rudd, J. McMillan (Yeronga Bowling Club), C. J. Lacey, and A. Johnson (Bayards Pty., Ltd,). Included among those present at the funeral were the Deputy Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Queensland (Rt. Wor. Bro. E. A. Jones), a representative of the Brisbane Masonic Lodge, No. 270 (Rt. Wor. Bro. R. Black), Brisbane Re tailors' Association (Messrs Frazer East and S. Earl, president and secretary respectively, as well as a great many members). The Yeronga Bowling Club attended in full force, headed by the president, Mr. H. A. Manahan, and the Queensland Bowling Association was represented by Messrs. W J. Strachan (president) and J. F. Chapman (president-elect). At the graveside ceremony the Rev. B. P. Pope eulogised the late Mr. Bayard's many sterling qualities.

Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Thursday 18 November 1954, page 1

TO WIDOW, SON BAYARD ESTATE £109,092

MR. Henry George Bayard, 65, of Park Road, Yeronga, who died on May 1. 1953. left a gross personal estate of £109,092. He bequeathed the estate to his widow and son. Mr. Bayard collapsed while on a motoring health trip to New South Wales. He died at Armidale. He was a former managing director af Bayards Pty. Ltd., Queen Street department store. Founded 1 896 Mr. Bayard was the elder son of Mr. George Bayard, who founded the family business in 1896 at South Brisbane. The firm moved to its present site in Queen Street in 1939, and branches were established at Ipswich and Nambour. Mr. Bayard had been treasurer of the Retailers' Association. He served with the Army Service Corps in World War I.

For those who are reading this and never knew the company Bayards here are some advertisements from the newspapers of that time. Definitely a reflection of the trading names of an earlier Brisbane with the 1954 Bayard's advertisements reflecting a very different society to the one of today.

Brisbane Telegraph (Qld. : 1948 - 1954), Wednesday 1 December 1954, page 10

Montana - Lores Bonney's Hangar

Jordan Terrace Bowen Hills is the site of Montana constructed in 1918 for the residence of the aviatrix Maud Rose 'Lores' Bonney. Lores Bonney the person is now just becoming more widely recognised for her outstanding achievements but the name Bonney is one known in Queensland. Bonney Avenue, the electorate of Bonney and now the Lores Bonney Walk at Hamilton are all in recognition of the person Lores Bonney. Charles Kingsford Smith and Bert Hinkler are names recognisable in Australian aviation history but the name Lores Bonney is just as significant given her achievements. One contributing factor to this lack of historical public recognition until recent times is that her achievements were in the decade of the 1930s and the second world war brought an end to her flying. After the second world war she made the decision not to fly again but concentrated her life to women and aviation. 

The following information is sourced from the Brisbane City Council Heritage Register.

Montana 

The Brisbane architect Walter Carey Voller designed Montana. It is a weatherboard clad residence with a main street-facing gabled terracotta tiled roof and two further street-facing gables within, sited well above street level. The gables are decorated with terracotta finials at the ridge ends. The gable ends are decorated with battens. The entry is under the small gable roof projecting on the left side of the house. The other gable projection is over the forward most part of the house, which has the centre panels removed and replaced with fixed glazing. Previously a verandah wrapped around the front walls of the house with a truncated left corner, but at present the verandah has been enclosed except for a small area from the entry porch. The former exterior walls are still intact and are visible within the streetscape through the glazed openings within the enclosed verandah, above the former balustrade height. The former entry stairs have been removed and replaced with a side ways set of brick stairs with a metal balustrade. The house has been raised above ground level and built in under with brick walls. The detached garage is at street level matches the detailing and materials of the house and is complimented by the brick pier retaining wall that runs along the street alignment.

The site on which Montana is located was part of Suburban Portion 140 which was granted to George Raff in 1856. From the late nineteenth century, the crest of Bowen Hill was much sought after by Brisbane’s wealthier citizens who built substantial mansions in the area. Much of Raff’s land in Jordan Terrace was purchased by William Perry in 1875. This land stayed in the Perry family for several years after William Perry’s death and was resubdivided from 1912. Jordan Terrace was named for Robert Alfred Jordan, the manager of Hunter’s boot factory, who purchased land on the southern side of the street in 1876 and resided in the street during the 1880s. Lores Bonney purchased two allotments on the southern side of Jordan Terrace in June 1918 and soon engaged the services of architect Walter Cary Voller to design a house for the site. W.C. Voller (186301932) practised in Brisbane in partnership with William Graham from 1891 to 1893. The firm’s major building was St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Rockhampton (1892). W.C. Voller was also responsible for several other churches of various denominations including the New Farm Methodist Church in 1926. He designed several other residences in Brisbane in addition to the Bonney’s house in Jordan Terrace. The Bonneys are listed in postal and electoral records as residing in Jordan Terrace from 1919 to the 1960s. In 1954, Lores Bonney purchased an adjoining lot (resubdivision 11). She also owned the property next door, Manola, from 1944 to 1963. Lores Bonney continued to live in Montana until it was sold in 1968. Montana has since had several changes of ownership. 

Maud Rose 'Lores" Bonney

While she was inspired by the personal efforts of and relationship with her cousin Bert Hinkler she set out to gain her pilot's license through the Queensland Aero Club at Eagle Farm. A very good read and background to who was Lores Bonney and her achievements titled the Forgotten Aviatrix can be found courtesy of Austarlian Geographic. 

https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/history-culture/2017/03/lores-bonney-the-forgotten-aviatrix/

The Powerhouse Museum has a collection of photographs and materials on Lores Bonney available here. https://collection.maas.museum/object/327807

Newspaper Reports on the Achievements of Lores Bonney between 1930 and 1939. This is a small sample of the newspaper articles relating to her adventures and life in the decade before the second world war. 

 Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Tuesday 29 December 1931, page 9

GREAT FLIGHT. By Brisbane Woman.

1300 MILES IN DAY.

MELBOURNE, December 28. The longest flight made by a woman in Australia was accomplished by Mrs. H. Bonney, of Brisbane, when she flew solo from Brisbane to Wangaratta, a distance of 1300 miles, on Saturday. Mrs. Bonney is a daughter of Mr. N. A. Rubens, of Wangaratta, and one of the purposes for which she undertook the flight was to qualify for her B pilot's licence. Flying her own Gipsy Moth aeroplane, she left Bris-bane at 4.30 o'clock in the morning, and arrived at Wangaratta at 7.30 o'clock at night. Only one incident occurred to perturb her. When flying over Broken Bay, about seven miles from Manly, Mrs. Bonney noticed that the petrol bulb was not showing, indicating that her petrol supply was giving out. She reached the Mascot aerodrome safely, however, and, after resting half an hour, she resumed the flight. Her next stop was 'Cootamundra to refuel. As she was preparing to leave the throttle jammed, and the freeing of it caused a delay of three-quarters of an hour. After leaving Cootamundra Mrs. Bonney found the heat intense, and flying very bumpy. She was not tired, however, when she reached the end of her journey.

Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Saturday 13 August 1932, page 23

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MRS. BONNEY'S ITINERARY.

In her attempt to fly round Australia, Mrs. H. Bonney, of Brisbane, proposes to make a start on Monday morning, and after a leisurely trip, will reach Camooweal on Wednesday. The following day will be occupied with the flight from Camooweal to Darwin, while on Friday she will fly to Broome, and on Saturday on to Perth, where she will stay a week. The Shell Oil Co. have arranged the following refuelling points for the complete flights:—Brisbane, Blackall, Winton, Cloncurry, Camooweal, Brunette Downs, Daly Waters, Darwin, Wyndham, Fitzroy Crossing, Broome, Wallal, Onslow, Carnarvon, Geraldton, Perth, Kalgoorlie, Forest, Ceduna, Adelaide, Melbourne, Bowser, Goulburn, Cootamundra, Sydney, Coffs Harbour, Brisbane.

Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Monday 5 September 1932, page 12

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FORCED LANDING. MRS. BONNEY UNHARMED.

KALGOORLIE, September 4.

Mrs. H. B. Bonney, who is flying around Australia in a Moth aeroplane, was forced down in the scrub at Loongana, 464 miles east of Kalgoorlie, at about 6 o'clock this evening. Mrs. Bonney is stated to have suffered no injury from the forced landing,. while the machine is undamaged. She will remain at Loongana to-night, and will leave early to-morrow .morning for Forrest, en route for Adelaide. Mrs. Bonney left Perth this morning, after several days' stay, to continue her flight round the continent. She had planned to spend tonight at Forrest, which is about 64 miles from Loongana. 

Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Wednesday 28 September 1932, page 5

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BRISBANE REACHED.

Mrs. Bonney's Flight.

Occupying just over four hours to cover the 475 miles between Newcastle and Brisbane, Mrs. H. B. Bonney yes-terday completed her adventurous solo flight around Australia. On her arrival at Archerfield aerodrome at 1.20 p.m., she received an enthusiastic welcome from her husband, a large number of fellow members of the Queensland Aero Club, and many friends.

The aviatrix was extended a cordial reception by the Aero Club immediately following her landing, at a luncheon in the Club House, at which the chairman of the committee of the club (Mr. J. E. Plumridge) presided. On behalf of the Aero Club members, Mr. Plumridge expressed keen admiration of a flight in which so much ability and courage was manifested. Others who added their congratulations on the flight were Messrs. Norman White, Wyn. Pike, S. B. Kent, J. S. Mehan, and R. P. Galloway.

"I think it is wonderlul of you to leave your various businesses to come along and give me this reception," said Mrs Bonney in reply. She modestly attributed the success of her flight to the splendid co-operation she had received from the Shell Company of Australia, Ltd., and from Qantas.

Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Wednesday 15 March 1933, page 13

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MRS. H. BONNEY.

PROPOSED FLIGHT TO ENGLAND.

Mrs. H. Bonney, who is contemplating a solo flight from Australia to England, expects to leave the Archerfield aerodrome on April 10. She will maka the first hop from Australia, from Darwin to Koepang, and after crossing the Timor Sea intends to make longer flights. It is her intention to attempt to lower Miss Amy Johnson's time of 20 days between England and Australia. Petrol tanks have been fitted to Mrs. Bonney's machine to provide for nine hours continuous flying. Mrs. Bonney has undergone special training in instrument and night and blind flying. She does not intend flying by night, but has made herself proficient in this direction, and has also gained experience in landing by flares, in order to be prepared for any contingency.

Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Thursday 19 October 1933, page 23

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WILL TRY AGAIN.

Flight to England.

MRS. BONNEY RETURNS.

Much bronzed and in excellent health, Mrs. H. B. Bonney, the Brisbane aviatrix, reached Brisbane yesterday by the New England air mail from Sydney after her adventurous solo flight to England. Mrs. Bonney was the first woman to fly to England from Australia, and her flight was made under conditions that would have deterred many men. She intends to make another flight to England in about two years time. The big monoplane was escorted to the Archerfield aerodrome yesterday by two Brisbane Aero Club aeroplanes, in charge of Messrs. W. Crowther and J. Brunckhorst, and by a Qantas machine, piloted by Mr. W. A. Baird. Mrs. Bonney, who was accompanied by her husband from Sydney, was welcomed enthusiastically by many friends, Aero Club members, and aviation officials.

With the object of beating the time of 21 days established by Miss Amy Johnson (now Mrs. J. A. Mollison.) on her flight from England to Australia, Mrs. Bonney left Darwin on on April 15, Misfortune dogged her after she left Singapore, she had to face the full force of the tropical monsoon, terrific dust storms, fierce heat, intense cold, and heavy rain storms. A long series of mishaps and delays prevented her from reaching Croydon until June 21.

"WELL WORTH WHILE."

Mrs. Bonney said yesterday that her experiences were well worth while, on reaching Singapore she was 24 hours ahead of her schedule, but she lost that advantage through being stricken by ptomaine poisoning. In making a forced landing in a storm on the beach on Bang Baing Island, 30 miles south of Victoria Point, her machine capsized, and had to be shipped to Calcutta for repairs, causing a delay of weeks.

Travelling over the deserts along the Persian Gulf Mrs. Bonney encountered terrific sandstorms, and on reaching Bagdad she was completely exhausted. She had many thrilling experiences crossing Europe. She was forced down in Czechoslovakia in a storm, five minutes from Bulgarian territory, and was further delayed by the military commandeering her machine because she did not have a permit, and because they suspected her of being involved in espionage.

WILL TRY AGAIN.

Despite having to fly blind for hours on end, and in stormy conditions tor the greater part of the journey, Mrs. Bonney did not once lose her bearings. She said she owed this to her knowledge of navigation, in which she was given instruction before leaving Australia.

Regarding her future plans, Mrs. Bonney said she was satislied she could do much better, and she would probably make another flight to England two years hence. In the mean time she looked forward to settling down at home.

Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Friday 2 April 1937, page 13

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MRS. BONNEY TO LEAVE NEXT WEEK

Plans For Flight To Capetown

Mrs. H. B. Bonney will leave Brisbane on Friday morning next week on the first stage of her flight to Capetown. Her Klemm monoplane has been thoroughly overhauled. Plans have been made for expert assistance and refuelling facilities on the long flight. 'I'll fly to Longreach on the first day,' said Mrs. Bonney yesterday, to Camooweal or Daly Waters on Saturday, to Darwin on Sunday. I'll stay a day in Darwin going over the engine, and tightening up for the flight over the Timor. Much improvement has occurred in ground facilities along the Peninsula and across Asia since I was first along that way, and I hope to be able to make good headway with few halts. My entry into Africa should be made on May 2, and I hope to arrive in Capetown on May 19. That will be 'Journey's End.' ,'My Little Ship II.' Mrs. Bonney has christened the monoplane it is the one in which Mr. N. B. Littlejohn and his bride Hew from England in 1935. 'My Little Ship The original 'My Little Ship' was a Gipsy Moth, and in it Mrs. Bonney performed many astonishing flights. She was the first woman to fly solo around Australia, and she now has nearly 900 flying hours to her credit. She has flown from Australia to England, and from Brisbane into the desert heart of Australia, and the regular coastal routes are as familiar to her as household hallways.

Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Wednesday 23 October 1946, page 6

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Mrs. Bonney To Ferry Plane To Brisbane 

Mrs. Harry Bonney arrived in Sydney yesterday by Skymaster from Brisbane and today with six other pilots from the Queensland Aero Club will continue her journey by train to Temora. They will take delivery of seven training planes and ferry them back to Brisbane tomorrow.

This will be Mrs. Bonney's first cross-country flight since 1939. Her cross-country flight from Brisbane to Wangaratta (Vic.) in 1931 was then the longest one day flight made in Australia by a woman. She was the first woman to fly solo from Australia to England in 1933. In the previous year she flew solo around Australia, being the first woman to do so. In 1937 she made a solo flight from Brisbane to Capetown.

Since she gained her A licence in 1930 and her B licence in 1932, Mrs. Bonney has never allowed her licences lo lapse. Even during the war, when flying hours for civilians were limited, Mrs. Bonney maintained her licence. The seven pilots, of whom Mrs. Bonney is the only woman, expect to leave Temora tomorrow morning for Brisbane. They will spend tomorrow night at Tamworth, and continue the journey to Archerfield on Friday. The Queensland Aero Club now has 34 training planes.

Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Thursday 2 July 1953, page 3

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HER NAME GOES ON 'WALL'

SYDNEY (by teleprinter) — 

The name of the well known Queensland airwoman. Mrs. Harrv Bonnev will be added to the list of celebrated world women fliers on the Fliers' Wall at the Mission Inn in Los Angeles. Mrs. Bonney arrived in Sydney by BCPA last night after an 11 months tour of England, America, and the Continent. Mrs. Bonney said she was made very welcome by the air clubs in America. At Sacramento, California, 100 women flew in from all over the country for a get together. The Women's International Association of Aeronautics, of which Mrs Bonney is Australian president, entertained her in Hollywood. Mrs. Bonney will return to Brisbane in about a week.

George Rae Architect

 George Rae a Scottish born architect born in 1901 was responsible for the design of a number of Brisbane's more significant and first strata titled buildings during the inter war years. Highview on Dornoch Terrace is one of those. Others are Greystaines at Hamilton and Carrington on Gregory Terrace. Highview shown in these photographs like all of the mentioned buildings still has character regardless of the time passed. Many like Greystaines have been converted into a single residence.

As one of Brisbane’s most successful architects in the interwar period, George Rae had first established his own architectural firm in 1933. Prior to this he had been employed at the larger Brisbane firm of Atkinson, Conrad and Powell. Rae was renowned for designing modern buildings in Brisbane in the interwar period such as multi-unit residential buildings that were a very new idea in this period. The purpose built block of self-contained flats was marketed mainly at single people and childless couples and the earliest self-contained flats in Brisbane were generally conveniently situated close to trams, trains and shopping facilities in inner-city suburbs such as Spring Hill, New Farm and Fortitude Valley. Although seen as a sophisticated lifestyle, flat living was fairly uncommon in Brisbane in this period, with only 8.4% of Brisbane residents living in flats. Rae designed several important Brisbane examples such as ‘Greystaines’ on Kingsford Smith Drive, ‘Green Gables’ at New Farm, ‘Casa del Mar’ at New Farm and ‘Highveiw’ at Highgate Hill. Rae was also credited as being one of the leading architects for designing picture theatres in this period in Queensland.

Highview

Greystaines 

In 1933 George Rae wrote about the use of electricity outlets in every room when designing new homes. 

Daily Standard (Brisbane, Qld. : 1912 - 1936), Tuesday 28 February 1933, page 8

The year 1939 was a busy one for George Rae now well establishe das an architetc in his own right. I have provided information on three homes that appeared in the Better Homes section of the Brisbane newspapers. 

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Tuesday 17 October 1939, page 10

BETTER HOME IDEAL HOME FOR YOUNG COUPLE 

THE expert combination of face brickwork, cement rendering, timber and tiles has produced a delightful home for Mr. and Mrs, Andrew Crooke in Coronation Drive, Milton, It was designed and built under the architectural supervision of Mr. George Rae, A.R.A.I.A., and. the interior decoration was done by a brother of the owner Mr. A. N. Crooke. Full advantage has been taken of the gently sloping site to accommodate a roomy garage at the front beneath the single storey plan and the best use has been made of an extensive view of the Brisbane River. The good effect of cooling summer breezes off the river influenced the plan. The exterior shows a sensible balance of face bricks with textured and timbered walls and a red tiled roof, the simple plan of the roof being broken effectively by a chimney pot  bands of face brick, give contrast at the entrance and interest is added by the large arched veranda, cement cantilever awning suitable for displaying potplants and beneath it the refreshing green of the garage doors. One of the most charming rooms is the lounge, which is outstanding for a tastefully designed open fireplace in textured bricks picked out in white bonding, having a specially designed grate and a bantel and supplementary bookshelves of silky oak. The bookshelves are built as an "L" unit to make good use of arid beautify a corner.

The house at New Farm still stands today and makes up a wonderful visual tapestry of Brisbane home architetcture on the New Farm Park end of Oxlade Drive.

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Tuesday 4 July 1939, page 14

IMPOSING HOME AT NEW FARM

Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Dodwell are the owners of this new and imposing brick home on the corner of Brunswick Street and Oxlade Drive, New Farm. The larger photograph shows the elevation to Oxlade Drive and the pleasing pergoda which spans the drive from the main entrance. The smaller picture shows the frontage to Brunswick Street which overlooks New Farm Park. The home was built under the architectural supervision of Mr. George Rae.

In 1939 George Rae designed his own home called Robrae and had it built in Ryans Road St. Lucia. Rae' scottish heritage is very obvious in the naming of the house.

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Tuesday 9 May 1939, page 18

For BETTER HOMES

AN ARCHITECT'S HOME AT ST. LUCIA

WHEN an architect builds a home for himself we can be sure that he has done every thing that will express his idea of the ideal home and it is certain it will incorporate all the best points of his specialised training and experience. For those reasons it is always refreshing to see such a home and we must express appreciation to Mr. George Rae for the opportunity of visiting his new home which overlooks a pretty reach of the Brisbane River in a setting of painted gums and friendly hills at Ryan Road, St. Lucia. Robrae, a portmanteau title derived from the family names, is a family home from floor to roof, and in achieving this both Mr. and Mrs. Rae have expressed the highest ideal of all home-making. The exterior is an outstanding example of the modified Georgian character in which decidedly modern treatment has been introduced to certain features with perfect harmony. This modern motif is particularly noticeable at the entrance porch in the use of sheer surfaces, a horizontal canopy in character with a horizontal band of bricks contrasting with the clean texture of the walls and in the glass bricks that frame the vertically lined door. In this little corner alone we are given a glimpse of the real beauty that may be achieved in what is generally called the severe modern design. It is a treatment that depends for its success upon the effectiveness of light and shade, for it is in these things alone that colour and warmth may be induced into the otherwise cold surfaces. The accompanying photograph of the entrance illustrates the point very well. Before we enter Robrae we are attracted by another feature of planning at the rear of the home, where a three-storey effect has been gained by accommodating the garage and laundry under the sundeck. This also is shown in the principal photograph, which is appreciated more when viewed from a distance in its natural setting. Here also the modern note is conspicuous in the bands of brick that line the wall supporting the terrace and on the garage itself and the handrail on the sundeck completes the effect and introduces a nautical note. The traditional threshold of Robrae puts the visitor at his ease immediately, because of its atmosphere of glowing friendliness. A carpet of Persian rust covers the floor from wall to wall, and is in complete harmony with the papered walls of heavy ivory and gold. The lounge is a beautifully proportioned room, with lofty ceilings and liberal window areas which are draped with curtains of bottle green chenille velvet and oyster net. The green is also carried to the sage carpet and, with the ivory and gold wall decoration of the entrance carried through, the general effect is of spaciousness, brightness, and cool quiet. An outstanding feature of this room is the open fireplace in modern treatment of ivory, which contrasts with the wall decoration in its simplicity of line. It has an over-mantel of highly polished oak surmounted by a tiered mirror on which is graved a romantic galleon with the wind in its grace ful canvas. Mrs. Rae is a fond musician, and a baby grand piano occupies an important place between the fireplace and a tall window. The lounge and occasional chairs are upholstered with woven fabric in rust and cream, and the cushions are of woody green and rust. A modernistic note has been struck in the dining room furniture, which is in beautifully grained cabinet wood. Tall chairs are upholstered in woody green ottoman. There is access from the dining room to the spacious verandah, which is furnished with lacquered chairs and tables; and from here visitors are treated to a refreshing view of the river and the surrounding foothills of Mt. Coot-tha. Steps from the veran dah. lead to the sundeck out of doors. Maragret, the 12-year-old daughter of the house, has a wing to herself. Her bedroom has built-in wardrobes to store her childish treasures, and the cream lacquered dressing table was especially designed for her use. A porch opens off the bedroom to provide an ideal playroom, and a small hall leads to the bathroom.

THE stairway from the entrance hall leads to the owners' bedroom and Mr. Rae's study. The bedroom is naturally a charming place of rest. Built in cupboards dispense with wardrobes, but the bed and specially made dressing table are of silver ash and they are shown to best effect against walls of cream and carpets of amber. The main bathroom is just off the bedroom and has an apple green bath of porcelain and basin with walls of cream tiles. The sleep out overlooks the sundeck and provides a delightful outlook. Throughout Robrae we see the crystallisation of an ideal which has been cherished by Mr. and Mrs. Rae as all home makers do. Their wise planning has given them an excellent home, which will become the more beautiful with the enjoyment of the years. The dramatic effects of light and shade, achieved by delicacy in design, are shown in this new of Robrae, the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Rae.

Glencraig

Glencraig at number 14 Baldwin Street Ascot is a classic between the war years Brisbane home that demonstrated status and position for both the owners and the home. Still a picture today with its immaculate street presentation and the originality of the home. Glencraig was built for Neville and Jean Henderson in 1935. Neville Vicars Henderson was born on 21 March 1899 at Longreach, Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia. He was the son of John Cunningham Henderson and Ann Janet Macalister. He married Jean Hamilton Brownhill, daughter of David James Brownhill and Jane Love Macmillan, on 7 February 1934 at St. Phillip's Church, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He was educated at Southport School, Southport, Queensland, Australia. He graduated from University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) He graduated from Trinity College, Melbourne University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, with a Master of Law (LL.M.) He was a practising barrister and solicitor [Victoria]. He was a practising solicitor [Queensland] in 1923. He was a partner of Henderson and Lahey, solicitors in 1924 at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He gained the rank of Major in the service of the Australian Military Forces. He was decorated with the award of the Goldenes Ehrenzeichen Order of Austria. He was invested as a Commander, Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.) He was managing editor of Annotated Reprint of Queensland Statutes. He was Austrian Consul in Queensland in 1957.

Glencraig

Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Tuesday 19 March 1935, page 10

A MODERN RESIDENCE being erected in Baldwin Street, Ascot, for Mr. and Mrs. N. V. Henderson by Messrs. Baxter and Hargreaves builders, of Toowong, from designs by and under the supervision of R Ashley Shaw, F.R.A.I.A., architect, of Queen Street, Brisbane. The construction is wholly of brick, with tiled roof. On the ground floor are the entrance porch, a stair-hall, living-room, dining-room, 'den,' side veranda, kitchen, pantry, maid's room, laundry, and back porch. On the upper floor are two bedrooms, a dressing-room, sleep-out, and bathroom.

Neville Vicars Henderson

Neville Vicars Henderson's family heritage has a direct link to the very early military days of colonial New South Wales. His grandfather was Captain Lachlan Macalister of the 48th. Regiment arriving in the colony in 1817.

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Monday 23 June 1941, page 7

Death of Mrs. J. C. Henderson

Mrs. J. C. Henderson, widow of the late Mr. John Cunningham Henderson, passed away at her residence, Brougham, Glen Road, Toowong, on Saturday night.  432    Mrs. Henderson was a daughter of the late Captain Lachlan Macalister, who arrived in Australia with the 48th Regiment in 1817 and afterwards settled in the Goulburn and Campbelltown districts of New South Wales. Mrs. Henderson was born on April 10, 1854, and had very clear recollections of the condition of life in the early days in New South Wales and Queensland, especially in the Goulburn, St. George and Cunnamulla districts. She held the Brisbane Cup raced for at Parramatta and won by her father in 1828. After leaving Yarmouth Station near Cunnamulla in 1912 Mrs. Henderson settled with her husband at Toowong, where she resided ever since. She was for many years president of the Toowong branch of the Country Women's Association and took a keen interest in the Victoria League, as well as in the activities of St. Thomas' Church, Toowong. She is survived by three sons, Messrs. Robert Henderson, Toowong, W. A. Henderson, Toowoomba, and Captain N. V. Henderson, Ascot, and one daughter, Miss M. I. Henderson, Toowong.

Neville Henderson was an active voice against death duties and taxes that were imposed upon citizens. It is intersting to note that he maintained his campaign for over 40 years. 

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Monday 3 July 1933, page 1

DEATH DUTY TAXES

One Form Advocated Solicitor's Evidence

It was stated in evidence given on behalf of the Taxpayers' Association of Queensland before the Royal Commission on Taxation to-day that the opinion was strongly held that there, should be one form of death duty taxation only and that this should be an estate duty payable on the total value of the estate as assessed, and that there should be no additional probatc duty as in Queensland on the value ot the estate passing under the grant of probate. Mr. Neville V. Henderson, of the film of Henderson and Lahey, Solicitors, with whom was Mr. F. T. Grove, barrister-at-law, appeared before the Commission on behalf of the Taxpayers' Association to give evidence on the subject of death duties. Mr. Henderson described death duties as in the nature of a capital levy and said it was important in the interests of all citizens that there should be a complete standardisation of the nature of death duties levied both by the Commonwealth and the various States. Taxation payable on the death of a citizen, said Mr. Henderson, should by limited to one form of death duty, it was harsh and inequitable that a second form of taxation also of a capital nature should be applied to estates under the guise of income tax. Death duties were sufficient to recoup the State for any loss of income tax arising through the non-realisation of assets by the testator during his lifetime and taxation should end there. Death duties divided themselves into two types-State duties (including probate duties) and succession duties. ........

Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Thursday 4 May 1972, page 15

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Duties 'kill' family

A Queensland solicitor told the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Government Operations in Canberra yesterday that death duties had led to the "economic genocide" of a Queensland grazing family. The solicitor. Mr N. V. Henderson, said the present state of death-duty legislation in Australia "with its unjust, devious, illogical and unreasonable provisions" reflected little credit on succcssivc Commonwealth and State Parliaments. Mr Henderson, who is also the treasurer and chairman of the Taxation Committee of the Queensland branch of the Country Party, was giving evidence on behalf of the branch. He told the Senate committee, which is inquiring into death duties, that the party's policy was that death duties be progressively rcduccd with a view to their eventual abolition.

Financial hardship

Mr Henderson said that after the Queensland grazier's death, the resulting financial hardship had contributed to the death of his widow who had not even had enough money to pay for her funeral expenses. After working lor eight years without wages, her son was now "the unpaid caretaker of the mortgagees". Mr Henderson said that the payment of the death duties and the payment of compound interest to financial institutions on the "uneconomic and unproductive debts" creatcd for the purpose of paying death duties had bankrupt ed the family.

 The story of this family highlighted the submissions on why death duties should be abolished, Mr Henderson said.

Lange Powell House Georgian 1924

Lange Powell House designed by Lange Powell and contructed across the period of 1924 - 25 is still a substantial home. The front faces Eldernell Avenue and the rear faces the west overlooking the houses below. Lange Powell one could argue is among the leading group of architects that have left their mark in Brisbane and Queensland. Residential and commercial buildings were in Lange Powell's portfolio. Many have been demolished but there is still a large number of his work standing. When I walk the Brisbane CBD I still see the Lange Powell stamp. The Masonic Temple in Anne Street, the BAFS building on the corner of George and Turbot streets and the St. Martins Hospital. I have previously posted on the home Eurella thathe designed for his friend Georg Stronach. It stands only some 100 metres away from Powell's own home. A large number of Powell's work has been demolished as they were commercial buildings in the CBD and country towns. 

Powell was influenced by the Georgian style and a large number of his buildings that still stand in the CBD of Brisbane will have some of this influence especially around the window design. When designing his onw home in Eldernell Avenue he created his own Georgian mansion.

To read about the life of Rockhampton born Lange Powell and his contribution to Brisbane, Queensland and Australian architecture I have provided links to his Wikipedia reference and his Australian Biography site. These are worth reading because this is a Queenslander who has left a lasting legacy in this state.

 https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/powell-lange-leopold-8088

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lange_Powell

Lange Powell House

The following is taken from John W Easts book The Art of Architecture - The Brisbane architect Lange Leopold Powell (1886-1938) and his work

Powell had no time for the Spanish Mission style, which was starting to become popular during these years, and he deplored the fact that Australians were "drifting away from the traditions of English house building."7 He gave ample evidence of his attachment to traditional British house styles in the residence which he designed for himself at 48-50 Eldernell Terrace, Hamilton (1924-25), and in which he lived until his death. It is a textbook example of the Georgian Revival style, and makes one wonder why Powell did not employ this style in his other domestic work. The central core is a two-storeyed, face brick building, with a tiled and hipped roof, ending in bracketed eaves. The symmetrically placed windows are of the classic Georgian twelve-pane, double-hung, sash type, and the central window on the upper floor originally had shutters. The centrally placed doorway has a fanlight, protected by a large label mould. A darker brick was used to create imitation quoins.

The most unusual feature of the house is the addition of two protruding single-storey pavilions, placed symmetrically on either side of the frontage. The southern pavilion housed the kitchen and staff quarters, the northern pavilion was a roofed piazza, which complemented the open living area at the rear of the house. A miniature tiled lych gate in the front fence gives access to the house, via a flagged courtyard which originally had a statue of Aphrodite in the centre.

Internally, the dining room was papered in black with a golden dragon motif, while the drawing room was panelled in pine, painted oyster white. These rooms made an ideal setting for the display of Powell's fine collection of art works and antiques.

When Lange Powell died in 1938 at the age of 52 the newspaper articles were prolific.

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Monday 31 October 1938, page 10

LATE MR. L. L. POWELL WAS ARCHITECT OF OUTSTANDING ABILITY

By the death of Mr. Lange L. Powell Brisbane has lost an architect of outstanding ability and a worthy citizen. Mr. Powell designed many of Brisbane's most notable buildings, Including St. Martin's Hospital, where he died, and the Masonic Temple. He took a keen and active interest in all forms of art, and particularly in matters affecting the beautification of the city. Mr. Powell was a son of the late Rev. William Powell, and was born in Rockhampton 52 years ago. He was educated in Brisbane, and was articled to the late Mr. G. H. M. Addison, who was a prominent architect. Later Mr. Powell went to London to continue his studies, and several of his architectural drawings were accepted by the Royal Academy. Returning to Brisbane, Mr. Powell entered into partnership with Mr. C. Chambers, and was associated with the design of many of Brisbane's leading buildings, including Preston House which is now known as Equitable Life Building. Later he started practice on his own, and during this period won the Masonic Temple competition. When he and Messrs. Atkinson and Conrad were appointed joint architects for the Brisbane and South Coast Hospitals Board, a partnership was formed, but this was dissolved after a few years and Mr. Powell and Mr. G. Rae entered into partnership. Subsequently, Mr. Rae started practice on his own, Mr. Powell was president of The Queensland Institute of Architects for several years, and took a leading pari in the formation of The Royal Australian Institute of Architects, of which he also was president for one term. He was a Fellow of the Royal British Institute of Architects and of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, and was a member of the Architects' Registration Board in Queensland In 1932 and 1933. Mr. Powell was an art collector and his home at Eldernell Avenue, Hamilton, contains many art treasures. He is survived by his widow, one son (Dr. Keith Powell) and two daughters Misses Joan and Betty Powell.

Wunkoo An Evolving Picture

Eblin Drive in Hamilton was formed in the later 1920s as part of another sub development of a large piece of land in this area. Prior to this the house Wunkoo was facing Langside Drive which means when the house was built in the 1860s and for nearly 60 years the front of the house was facing to the south and back over the Hamilton and Bulimba reaches of the Brisbane River. From Langside Drive you can see the view the residents of Wunkoo would have had prior to urbanisation of this ridge. Today Wunkoo is a feature of Eblin Drive. Even though the street consists of a fine range of homes of varying historical  architectural styles Wunkoo with its extensive landscaping and immaculate modern presentation is definitely a highlight.

The folowing taken from the Brisbane City Council Heritage Register provides a background to the history of Wunkoo. The link to the complete citation can be found here.

https://heritage.brisbane.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/citation/wunkoo_821.pdf

'Wunkoo' was originally a low-set, one-storey house constructed in the 1860s. It was probably built for Alfred J.W. Nightingale, an early manager of the Government Savings Bank, who purchased over 13 acres at Hamilton in the 1860s. 'Wunkoo' (allegedly an Aboriginal word mean "high and rocky land") was leased to tenants from the mid-1880s. Mary Brownlow Cole, a former tenant, bought the property in 1919 and added an upper timber storey which was let as a separate flat. This was replaced by a later owner circa 1980.'Wunkoo' is one of the oldest surviving residences in Hamilton and is important in demonstrating Hamilton's emergence in the 1860s as a rural enclave favoured by many of Brisbane's upper class residents.

F. E. Lord in 1931 when writing about Wunkoo in her Brisbane Historic Homes feature articles for The Queenslander newspaper provided a wonderful description in her visit to Wunkoo.

BRISBANE'S HISTORIC HOMES.

LXXXVI.—Wunkoo.  See illustrations on page 23.)

By F. E. LORD.

THE aboriginals could say with feeling: "In the years that are gone for ever, in the beautiful days of old, before the white people came and took our country and our freedom from us, what happy times we spent on this wunkoo—high and rocky land— in which the native trees grew thickly and down to the beautiful river." Crescent road now winds its steep way up the once tree covered slope from the main Hamilton road, running by the banks of the still beautiful river; and houses with gardens, in which grow planted trees that have taken the place of the native ones. But up to about 20 years ago there were still many of the native trees growing on the 11 acres surrounding this old stone house with the aboriginal name. The late Mr. Alfred Nightingale, one of the early managers of the old Government Savings Bank, owned the house for many years, but whether it was originally built for him I have not been able to ascertain. I have been told, however, that some interesting and historic people rented it from him at different times after he went to reside at Wynnum. Professor Shelton was one, and Mr. Somerset, who was afterwards appointed Administrator at New Guinea, was another; the E. I. C. Browne family and the J. C. Hassalls were others; and lastly Mrs. Brownlow Cole and her daughter. They lived there as tenants for about five years; then when the estate was cut up about 20 years ago Mrs. Brownlow Cole purchased the old home and one acre of land round it. The house then was as we see it in the older day photographs accompanying this article, with the gable ended, slate covered roof, and the veranda surrounding it on three sides. Being built low to the ground, one is able to step off any part of the veranda on to the lawn. There was a room at each end of the veranda, and a veranda at the back of the house. In the course of converting the upper part of Wunkoo into a flat with-in recent years Mrs. Brownlow Cole built above this veranda, as can be seen in the photograph showing the back of the house and the kitchen. She had a balcony erected in front, and a porch on to the veranda below. In the matching of these additions at the back which mainly comprise a kitchenette and a bathroom and the balcony the centre part of the slant-ing roof was raised. The staircase was removed from the hall to the north-east end of the ver-anda to now reach the upper part of Wunkoo; and in place of the veranda room there a porch was built with a Gothic arch and doors to fit into it, and an upper story to it with a large opening in its eastern side. As all these additions are of wood and cover ed with corrugated iron, Wunkoo now, from the front, has a very quaint appearance. 

THE original old brick kitchen, with its red-tiled floor and its concrete floored veranda, has not been altered, I understand, beyond the end of the veranda being widened. The stables, coachhouse, and other out-buildings were situated somewhere to the back of Wunkoo and in the vicinity of what is now Eblin drive. The present laundry was added by Mrs. Bronlow Cole to the back of the kit-chen. The maid's room opens off the inner end of the kitchen, and its window on to a most delightful nook between the laundry and the house, overhung with a flowering creeper run riot. The old kitchen itself is very pic-turesque with creepers climbing round its veranda posts and festooning them-selves along the edge of its roof, pot plants about the veranda, and its brick walls painted red. Beyond the end of the kitchen, in the shadow of a magnificent chestnut tree, now in flower and frequented by birds, is a delightful enclosure, in which are growing, en masse, ferns, lilies, and other plants that flourish in the shade.

FROM the wide end of the kitchen veranda, where a table and chairs denote that a semi alfresco cup of tea is often partaken of there in the summer time, one steps immediately into this green enclosure. Charming beds of flowers edge the back veranda of the house and help to make beautiful other parts of the back garden of Wunkoo. Mrs. Brownlow Cole sold all the frontage to Langside-street, which runs off Crescent-road, so she now uses the back gate, which opens into Eblin drive. On this side of the house is a beautiful jacaranda and a flame tree both now in flower and others. In almost the centre of the photo-graph showing the old kitchen and the back of the house can be seen a rock-surrounded flower bed. Beneath this is the old well, from which, up to al-most recent years, water for the use of the house was pumped, and still may be. One old pump is to be seen by the wall of the house round the 

corner of the south side, and the other one, with pot plants on shelves peep-ing over it on each side, helps to keep up the old-time aspect of the kitchen veranda. The lower floor of the main house comprises the long divided room so often mentioned, which takes up the right hand side as one enters from the front, and a door from each part opens into the hall, which extends through the house. Across the hall are two rooms, the principal bedroom in front and the present dining room behind it. Each contains a fireplace with a white marble mantelpiece in the former room and a wooden one in the latter. The whole of the large room opposite, from which the dividing doors have long since been removed, Mrs. Brownlow Cole uses as a lounge. The sides and top of the opening, into which the folding doors fitted are evidently of stone, like the walls, and nearly 2ft. in thickness. The walls of these three main rooms are papered. The southern end of the veranda now is mostly filled in by a room added by Mrs. Brownlow Cole, I believe and at its end is the original end veranda room, which is the bathroom. The flat upstairs consists of two large rooms, the balcony, and the utility rooms at the back. 

MRS. BROWNLOW COLE is a sister of the late Mrs. Patrick Perkins, one of whose homes, Aubigny, on North Quay, now called Loretto, was written up early in this year. Mrs. Brownlow Cole's first husband was her sister's brother-in-law, Mr. Tom Perkins. Mr. Brownlow Cole was a Devonshire man, and after his marriage to the widow of Mr. Tom Perkins he took her to England, where, in the historic town of Oxford, her one child—Miss Nell Cole—was born. Reminders of Mrs. Brownlow Cole's travels are to be seen about the comfortable rooms in the shape, chiefly, of china pieces; some charming bits were obtained at Malta. In his book, "A Journalist's Memories," Major-Ceneral Spencer Browne says that "Mrs. (Patrick) Perkins was a charming woman, and Mrs. Brownlow Cole is her beautiful and no less charming sister." And to this I may add that she is kindly, warm hearted, and most hospitable. Major-General Spencer Browne says that Mr. Night-ingale joined the Savings Bank service in 1860, and that he was one of the authorities on the early days and a pioneer of Humpybong. Mr. Eyles Irwin Caulfield Browne, he states, was a reader and thinker, and lived at Kingsholme, New Farm, "a delightful place." That historic home, mentioned by Mr. Jeremiah Bartley in his "Opals and Agates," now is demolished, but its vicinity is known as Kingsholme. Mr. E. I. C. Browne was a member of the Legislative Council, and one of the proprietors of the "Courier," and his wife was a sister of the first wife of the late Mr. Justice Harding, whose fine old granite home, St. John's Wood, at Ashgrove, was written up in the early part of these reminiscences. Members of the well-known old Has-sall family have lived in various parts of Brisbane. The associations of this fascinating, old stone home, Wunkoo, therefore, are all historic, and even with its modern additions there is no mistaking its old-time build. Not much more than a peep of the river can now be obtained from Wunkoo, on account of the large trees that have grown to maturity in the gardens of the homes below, but the sun still "comes to call each morning, like a friend across the way," quite early.

The pictures above show Wunkoo 1931 as featured in GF. E Lords 1931 article on Brisbane's Historic Homes

Below a picture of Wunkoo as a single story stone house. Taken from F. E. Lord's 1931 feature article.

In the late 19th century Wunkoo was used as a tennancy and was occupied by some very interesting people until purchased by Mary Brownlow Cole in 1919. She had been a tennant but decided to purchase the property. 

The Brisbane Courier Saturday November 7, 1896

At The Hamilton, on Langside-road,  Wunkoo, splendid Stone House, now occupied by Professor Shelton, containing eight rooms, kitchen, servant's room, bathroom, &c, with stables and coachhouse, good garden and a large area land. Apply Cameron Bros., Town Hall.

One of the tennants of Wunkoo was Professor Shelton who came to Brisbane in 1889 to assist the Queensland colonial government in the development of the agricultural industry. He stayed for a number of years and as you will read left a lasting legacy to this day.

Professor Shelton

The Brisbane Courier Thursday August 29, 1889

Some short time since the Government asked the Department of Agriculture of the United States to nominate a gentleman for the position of Instructor in Agriculture for Queensland. A letter was received on Monday last from the Department of Agriculture, Washington, U.S.A., highly recommending Professor E. M. Shelton, M.Sc, director and professor at the experiment station, Kansas State Agricultural College, for the appointment. The Government, acting on its recommendation, have appointed Professor Shelton for a period of three years at a salary of £750 per annum. A cable message announcing the appointment will be despatched to Professor Shelton forthwith.

Professor Shelton played a vital role in Queensland's early agricultural industry and his Queensland legacy is the establishment of the Agricultural College at Gatton. He was the first principal of the college. The obituary below provides a brief synopsis of his life.

Queensland Times Friday 11th May 1928

E. M. SHELTON. DEATH ANNOUNCED. NOTED AGRICULTURIST. 

(Australlan Press Association.) SEATTLE, May 9. Professor E. M. Shelton, whom the United States sent to Queensland in 1890 as agricultural adviser, is dead, Professor Shelton was born In 1847. (The late Professor Edward Mason Shelton. was born in England, and went to America when a child. From an early age he took great interest.in agricultural matters, and for a period held a Government position in Japan. Returning to America, he inaugurated the Kansas Agricultural College at Manhattan, Kansas, and when he left that Institution in 1889, it had more than 500 students. He was appointed first Instructor in Agriculture in Queensland on January 15, 1890, and held that position until July 1, 1897, when he became the first Principal of the Queensland Agricultural College at Gatton. He resighed from that position in 1898, and commenced business in Brisbane with Mr. Robert Brown as Messrs, Shelton and Brown, machinery agents. Subsequently he returned to the United States, and settled in Seattle. His family are all American. Mrs. Shelton, was noted as a lecturer In domestic science.

Denisle The Home of an Isles

Jordan Terrace in Bowen Hills may be one of the most populated streets with heritage listed entities. "Denisle" the home of Francis Alexander Jackson Isles and his wife Elizabeth Dennis was built in 1914. When I saw this building for teh first time I did not think it had been built as a private residence let alone in 1914. The brick structure and ornate column front conjured up many images in my mind as to what the building might have been. Looking more like a later period funeral parlour or office accomodation it definitely is a unique architectural design for a home built in 1914. The use of brick in homes became more common in the late 1920s.

The Brisbane City Council Heritage Register link can be found here. 

https://heritage.brisbane.qld.gov.au/heritage-places/275

The following is taken from the register and provides a brief summary of the history of the house.

‘Denile’ was designed by Atkinson and McLay and built in 1913 as the residence of the Isles family, co-founders of land agency Isles Love and Company. The house was situated in a prestigious area of Bowen Hills, home to a number of elegant residences including ‘Cintra House’ and ‘Miegunyah’. The residence was renamed Jordan House and used as an office for the Mt Isa Mines Company from the late 1930 to the early 1940s. Passing from the Isles family’s ownership in 1946, it was acquired by the Queensland Subnormal Children’s Welfare Association (now the Endeavour Foundation) in 1959. The site and house, renamed ‘Schonell House’, was used by the foundation until 2006. This brick house with a classical portico is an example of a substantial late federation style dwelling erected within the Bowen Hills area which has been adapted for other uses.

Francis Alexander Jackson Isles 1902 Photo courtesy of State Library of Queensland

 

Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Thursday 16 April 1931, page 10

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FUNERAL NOTICES.

Isles.-The Funeral of the late Francis Alexander Jackson Isles will leave his residence, "Denisle," Jordan-terrace, Bowen Hills, This (Thursday) Morning, at 10 o'clock, for the Toowong Cemetery. Private Interment. No flowers.

JOHN HISLOP is SONS, Funeral Directors.

Isles Love and Company

Still operating today as McGee Isles Love Pty Ltd this is one of Brisbane's longest running businesses. The two men who formed the partnership were James Thomas Isles and James Love. J.T. Isles or James Thomas Isles was the older brother of Francis Alexander who also worked in the Isles Love and Co. business. J. T. Isles married Henrietta Love sister to James Love. We now have three very prominent names in the early colonial Brisbane business community linked. Finney, Isles and Love were buisness names that could be said became integral in the commercial development of Brisbane.

The relationship between J. T. Isles, James Love and F. A. J. Isles was a very long one. They apper to have been school friends or very close friends in their young man hood days. Their names first appear in the newspapers as part of the a rowing contest for the Separation Day Regatta of 1885. At this time the three men were under teh age of 20 years.

Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), Saturday 5 December 1885, page 896

Separation Day Regatta.

Fourteenth Race.— Youths under 20 years of age, pulling four oars, in all boats except best boats; course, 1 mile, same as No. 1. Prize, trophies value £8. The winners of this race shall not be disqualified to row in maiden races. 1. Commercial Rowing Club—Kate.-J. T. Isles, 9st. 3lb.; F. Trimble, 9st. 3lb.; F. A. J. Isles, 9st. 12lb; J. Love, 11st. (stroke); M. Harris (cox.), 6st. 8lb. 2. Kangaroo Point Rowing Club.—Mascotte: J. Ross. 9st. 6lb.: J. H. Darragh, 10st. 4lb.: R. Wain, 10st. 11lb., B. Colclough, 10st. 6lb. (stroke); W. Ignatius, cox. 3. Kangaroo Point Rowing Club— Olivette: N. Amy, 9st.; C. Unmack, 9st.: F. Smith, 9st. 8lb.; J. Darragh (stroke), 10st. 7lb.; J. Whint (cox.), 5st. 8lb. 

The Isles Love Building in Adeleiade Street, Brisbane. 1915 Photo courtesy of the State Library Queensland