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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment