Lewisham - Queensland National Bank

There will be Brisbane residents who remember the function centre 29 Murray Street situated in Brisbane's northern suburbs. This house currently called Lewisham is the next door neighbour to 29 Murray Street.

 It has a place in Queensland's colonial history with the original ownership by the Queensland National Bank. The author and historian Geoffrey Blainey said "The Queensland National Bank is one of the greatest stories in Australian banking history. Its risk taking and state-wide network contributed mightily to Queensland's development in the late 19th century." Like many houses that have stood the test of time with many different owners addingtheir own touch Lewisham is currently known as Oakleigh House. From the records the first name was Fairie Knowe in April 1902. The name Fairy Knowe was a common one as there was a house in Ipswich called Fairy Knowe which had notices relating to a birth for the wife of Inspector Galbraith and the death of John Mitchell. Both these notices were only a month apart. Fairy Knowe may have been a boarding house. At East Brisbane another Fairy Knowe belonged to Duncan Sinclair. These were both written about in 1900. Using the heritage register information this house may have been the Fairy Knowe from Ipswich that was transported to the current site somewhere between 1900 and the advertisement in 1902.

Queensland’s reliance on external capital, often unsympathetic to the State’s development opportunities, led to local investors establishing the Queensland National Bank in 1872. Over the next three decades, Queensland’s economic growth, centred around the wool industry, gold production and a developing cattle industry, facilitated the rapid growth of the bank and its branch network. It became the official bank of the Queensland Government in 1879 and remained so for more than 40 years, in many ways linking the government’s financial standing to that of the bank. The first general manager, Edward Drury, was both entrepreneurial and autocratic – building deposits and the bank’s investments at a remarkable pace. By 1880, the Queensland National Bank operated 30 branches and held more than 40 percent of all deposits and advances in Queensland. Information taken from the State Library of Queensland Blog. https://leaders.slq.qld.gov.au/inductees/queensland-national-bank/

The following is taken from the Brisbane City Council Heritage Register.

This house was probably designed by Henry Edmund Wyman, an Ipswich architect, as an investment property for the Queensland National Bank. Wyman designed a similar bank manager’s residence in Nicholas Street, Ipswich, in 1893. The Queensland National Bank obtained this site, part of the ‘Langley Bank’ Estate, in 1896. The house, known as ‘Oakleigh House’ or ‘Fairy Knowe’, was leased to tenants, including Edward Rees, father of artist Lloyd Rees. In the late 1940s it became part of the reception and wedding centre venue along with 29 Murray Street, but reverted to use as a single dwelling in 1995.

Wilston was sparsely settled from the mid-nineteenth century, desirable for its proximity to the Newmarket Saleyards and other industries, but too far from the city to be in high demand. A nineteen acre allotment, including this site, was granted to William McDonald in 1856, but apparently was not occupied. A building and economic boom in the 1880s encouraged land sales. Purchasers included David Laughland Brown, who bought suburban allotment 22, a 16 acre block running between Newmarket Road and Enoggera Creek. He had ‘Langley Bank’ built on his estate, fronting Newmarket Road. However, the entire site was transferred to the Queensland National Bank in 1896, possibly as part of the dissolution of Brown’s company. The opening of the long-promised Enoggera railway line in 1899 spurred residential growth in Windsor, Wilston and Newmarket. Taking advantage of the residential potential of the area, the Queensland National Bank rechristened Brown’s estate the ‘Langley Bank Estate’ and began to sell subdivisions in 1901.It was one of a number of large existing estates which were carved up into residential allotments in the early years of the 1900s. Residential estates such as this one and the Harle Estate on the northern side of Wilston Railway Station, provided convenient access for residents to the city by train. It is possible that the bank transported one of its former bank residences to the site in the early twentieth century. The property bears a striking resemblance to another former bank residence, the Ipswich branch manager’s residence, constructed in 1893 and moved to Moggill in the 1970s. According to Buster Zoeller, a former resident of the neighbouring house, 29 Murray St, this house was transported from Ipswich by bullock dray in the early 1900s. The house, known as ‘Fairy Knowe’, was advertised for let in 1902. James Buyers, branch accountant for AMP, moved into ‘Fairy Knowe’ on Murray Street in 1903. Buyers’ house was offered for sale in February 1909 and Edward Rees, father of artist Lloyd Rees, moved in by August 1909. Zoeller remembers the artist, Lloyd Rees, living in the house, using the small building in the yard as a studio. Offered for rent again in 1911, the house was occupied by Frederick and Matilda Lucas, and title to the property was granted to Matilda in 1916. The Lucases renamed the house ‘Lewisham’. Rees’ studio building served as a school room for the Lucas and Zoeller children who were taught by a private tutor

The Lucas Family, Bruce Lucas and Lewisham

The Lucas family were previously living in Milne Street Albion (now Clayfield) in 1905 and 1907 when children were born at their house "Lewisham". When they moved to Murray Street after 1909 they renamed the house "Lewisham". On March 31, 1912 the first Lucas born child at Lewisham was recorded. The first Lucas child was Frederick Bruce Lucas who was commonly known as Bruce Lucas. He became a prominent architect in Brisbane. Born in Victoria in 1898 to Frederick Speake and Matilda Lucas he enlisted in 1917 in the AIF and gave his profession as draftsman and address as Murray Street, Windsor. Following training at Brisbane Central Technical College, and in London and Sydney, Frederick Bruce Lucas began his architectural practice in Brisbane in 1927. Early in his career Lucas looked abroad for inspiration, exploring the popular Californian Bungalow, English Tudor and Spanish Mission styles. However, only three other houses in the Mediterranean/Spanish Mission style have been positively identified as the work of Bruce Lucas. He enterd a partnership with Robert Cummings in 1936. Both Lucas and Cummings went on to be prominent post-war architects, particularly active in the professional organisation of architecture and architectural education in Queensland. 

There is a connection here between the renowned artist Lloyd Rees and the architect Bruce Lucas. The studio wing to the southern side of Lewisham was used by the Rees family and the Lucas family as both a school room and studio. It is reported that a young Lloyd Rees used the studio in his formative years. The Rees family only lived in Lewisham between 1909 and 1911. It could be assume that a young Bruce Lucas used the studio in his younger years and in his study as a draftsman and in his development as a leading architect of his period.

Frederick Bruce Lucas (1898-1973) a veteran of World War I, studied at the Architectural Association, London, had a B.Arch. degree from the University of Sydney (1922) and in 1930 had met Robert Cummings with whom he formed the architectural partnership, Lucas and Cummings in 1936. He was a part-time teacher from 1937 to 1947, acting Professor and Dean in Professor Cummings's absence, and Reader at the time of his retirement in 1966. He was President of the Queensland Chapter of the R.A.I.A. several times and national president in 1938-9. One of the most admired and loved members of the profession, he was given the Gold Medal of the R.A.I.A. at a ceremony in 1970, and the Bruce Lucas Library was established in his honour at the R.AJ.A. in 1967.

Ben Nevis More Than Scottish

More than a Scottish name and the owner having Scottish heritage Ben Nevis is a fine example of the changing home architecture of Brisbane in the period leading up to the second world war. The decade of the 1930s was one of the more interesting periods of house design in Brisbane. The suburban growth of the 1920s fed into the next decade. Owing to the hilly nature of Brisbane and the requirement due to suburban growth suburban house blocks were in the main not on flat land. This caused an issue for new house owners and builders hence this is one of the contributing factors to the "house on stilts" design. The predominance of timber and tin and sameness of appearance led to the rise and prominence of the home architectural industry. It was names such as Griffin, Trewern, Lange, Rae, Conrad and many more who rose to prominence in this period. The newspapers of the day also published articles on home and garden design. It was a period of time in home architecture that was not reproduced after the second world war due to economic and material contraints. One could argue that it has taken to the 21st century to see an equivalent period in home design. Ben Nevis was designed and built at the end of this creative period in home design. I have provided articles from the newspapers of the Ben Nevis period to provide an understanding of this time period where the timber and tin or "Queenslander" was being upstaged by the home designs that we today call character homes. 

The Brisbane City Council Heritage Citation

This circa 1937 masonry home designed by Brisbane architect James Musgrave Collin is significant as an example of the Old English style of architecture popular in Brisbane during the Interwar period, particularly in the Clayfield/Ascot/Hamilton area. It demonstrates patterns of development in Clayfield during this period and has aesthetic significance. James Musgrave Collin was born in Brisbane in 1907 where he trained as an architect. He was employed by Atkinson, Powell and Conrad during the 1920s before establishing his own practice in 1933. From 1938 to 1954, he was in partnership with A. H. Job. J.M. Collin died in 1974. The Old English style became popular in Brisbane during the late 1920s and 1930s. These houses were often built for wealthy clients in Brisbane’s most fashionable suburbs such as Ascot, Hamilton, Clayfield and Coorparoo. The style, sometimes referred to as Mock Tudor or Stockbroker Tudor usually featured large chimneys, a steeply pitched roof and the combined use of stucco, brick and half timber. The house is built on land which was part of the grounds of Bayview, an imposing residence built in the 1920s for Thomas and Margaret Lahey which has since been demolished and replaced with high rise apartments. The Laheys, a prominent sawmilling family in Brisbane purchased over 2 acres in Christian Street in 1924. A strip of land to the south of the property was subdivided and sold in 1929. Some 61 perches of this subdivision was bought by Donald Charles Cameron in 1936. In December 1936, Cameron submitted plans to Council for the construction of a brick residence designed by J.M Collin at a cost of £2 350, a substantial sum at the time for a home. The builder was S. Noyes. Postal records reveal that the Camerons named their home Ben Nevis. Further research is required to establish the occupation of Donald Cameron. It is possible he was related to Sir Donald Charles Cameron, a Queensland soldier, pastoralist and politician who died in 1960. In 1966, the Camerons placed some 25 perches containing the house on a separate title. This is the same allotment surrounding the house today. Ben Nevis left the ownership of the Camerons in 1967 and in 1980 passed to the present owners. A contemporary brick and tile garage has been added to the site which is excluded from the heritage listing. 

Newspaper Articles About Ben Nevis 

Truth (Brisbane, Qld. : 1900 - 1954), Sunday 29 August 1937, page 28

Gracious, Artistic

"BEN NEVIS," the lovely new home of Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Cameron in Christian street, Clayfield, is the answer to the flat controversy in favor of the home. Externally and internally it is a gracious, well-planned and artistic home, where every feature has been considered from the points of beauty, utility, and labor saving. The type of architecture chosen by J. M. Collin, architect, is very Early English, with beams and piers of Shakespeare's day, and the solid doors, steep roof, and an ornamental chimney. The latter is one of the features and is treated with an external face of porphyry, broken brick and stone. The exterior walls are of texture brick in mottled design, and the entrance porch is constructed of beams and piers rough hewn from solid hard wood. The main door is a segmental head door of heavy oak surmounted by hammered-brass ornamental work and hinges. One large sun porch and a smaller one and two balconettcs give plenty of air and shade to bedrooms and living rooms and, with gay awnings and window-boxes, they present a picture in the spring, The roof is of mottled tiles and the garden path is of face-brick paving, as also is the floor of the entrance porch. Care has been taken to disguise the drying-ground as a trellised garden, and no lines show. The car approach also is from a back street, with ample room to turn. The interior decor of the home features panelling, oaken beams, texture wallpapers In harmonious colorings, polished floors and luxurious carpets. The panelling is executed in vertical sections eight inches wide, the timber being selected to accentuate the knots, which give a most unusual finish to the wood. Ceilings are treated with heavy oak beams and. brackets. The lounge leads off the entrance hall one one side; on the other are the diningroom, sun porch, breakfast room and offices. The four bedrooms and bathroom are accommodated up stairs. The entrance hall has a fine grandfather clock with chimes, and the tones of carpets and hangings are beire, brown and gold. The lounge fireplace is notable for the fine redwood shingles, stained variegated green. Breastwork is treated in porphyry, and the arched lintels are in terracotta tiled creasing.

Secret panel cupboards are in the entrance hall and a very handy niche is provided for a nightlight on the staircase. Another niche is provided for the refrigerator near the kitchen. The lounge furniture — chesterfields and deep chairs— follows the scheme of color in brown, beige and gold, and the hangings are of satin brocade in the same tones. The dining room suite is in fashion able Queen Anne style and of beautifully polished mahogany. The many windows of this charming room allow the light to play upon the surface of the woods. The kitchen is exceedingly dainty and utilitarian In a scheme of two beautiful blues. The room has two-thirds cup board space and the sink and draining-board and fittings are in stainless monometal. Along with the bedroom wing upstairs is a small sunny sewing-room with iron-point and all necessities for sewing. The largest bed room is a charming room in beige, brown and apricot dainty apricot curtains, floral carpet in beige and brown, and modern bedroom suite. This room opens upon a balcony. There are two double and two single bedrooms upstairs one with, a charming view across the racecourse. The bathroom has vitrolite walls, glass tiles, and beautiful green porcelain fittings.

Donald Charles Cameron

D. C. Cameron as he was always referred to by trade was a butcher. He rose to prominence in the meat trade and was typical of the wealthier merchant an dmanagerial class of Brisbane in the interwar period. Obviously with a position within Brisbane's commercial trade came wealth and he had the resources to have a home such as Ben Nevis built for his family. The position of Ben Nevis is also of note as it is stated in one of the articles reproduced in this blog as views of the river and racecourse were of note. There was a D. C. Cameron a well documented race horse owner at this time but I have no verification that this is the sane Donald Charles Cameron. The higher ridge of ground behind Ben Nevis contained two well known homes only one of which is still standing. Bayview the home of the Lahey family is gone but Tarranalma is still standing. At the back of Ben Nevis is Marsden Street and this was once the entrance to the Ben Nevis property. The Brisbane Heritage Register provides this information. The Marsden Street fence and gates of ‘Ben Nevis Lodge’ are the only remaining remnants of ‘Bayview’. The family home of timber merchants Tom and Meg Lahey, the grand residence with its elaborate fences and gate had been erected in 1923. It remained in Lahey ownership only for a short time, and had been sold to the Australian National Airways P/L by 1944. During WWII it was the residence of the British Trade Commissioner. By the late 1950s ‘Bayview’ had been converted to flats. New owners sought approvals for multiple dwelling units from as early as 1973 and the current development was finally approved in 1980.

Queensland Country Life (Qld. : 1900 - 1954), Thursday 3 May 1945, page 13

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D. C. CAMERON RETIRES

Finding the strenuous life he has led since the war started beginning to affect his health, Mr. D. C. Cameron retired on April 30 from the position of general manager of Brisbane Wholesale Meat Pty. Ltd., and in future will devote his time to his private interests. Mr. Cameron, however, will continue for the time being to act as a director of the company. On Monday evening the staff of the company presented Mr. Cameron with an inscribed gold liunter watch (said to be the only gold watch in captivity in Brisbane!), stock whip, spurs, etc., and Mrs. Cameron was the recipient of a beautiful bedroom clock. Two other directors of the company  Messrs. B. Gissell, who arrived by plane from America, and Mr. A. S. Latta, of Sydney-attended the function.

Last week Mr. Cameron was the guest of honor at a dinner at Lennon's Hotel, arranged by the meat trade. All sections of the trade were represented, Mr. Jack Land, president of the Wholesale Meat Traders' Association, presiding. Those present included Messrs. E., F. Suncers (Deputy Meat Controller), E. H. Lindsey (Deputy Prices Commissioner), S. Cochran (late Deputy Director of Rationing), and Col. Flney (Commerce Dept.), when tributes were paid to Mr. Cameron's work on behalf of the trade generally during his 30 years' association with it.

Particular reference was made to his work on the Meat and Allied Trades Federation of Australia, of which he is a State past-president and senior vice-president of the Federal body, as representative of the Wholesale Meat Tradera' Association on the State Meat .Advisory Committee, and as chairman of directors of the master butchers' produce selling organisatjon. Mr. Cameron was presented with a travelling bag.

For many years Mr. Cameron was in partnership with Mr. James Anderson in the Valley, and they reputedly owned the largest cash meat business in Australia. About 15 yearo ago Mr. Cameron purchased his partner's share in the business, and developed it into a company known as the Brisbane Wholesale Meat Pty. Ltd. About five years later the business was acquired by Wilson Meats Ltd., London, with Mr. Cameron retaining management of the Brisbane subsidiary. 

Queensland Country Life (Qld. : 1900 - 1954), Thursday 5 February 1953, page 3

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Meat Trade Authority Sets Abattoir A Problem

By D. C. Cameron

Mr. D.C. Cameron, Clayfield, Brisbane, well known meat trade authority, wants to know what steps are being taken to provide treatment facilities at Brisbane abattoir for the handling of fat stock if producers, aitd the seasons, make possible an increase of, say, 20 per cent, in the immediate future. He suggests that this and other points he raises should be the subject of an impartial inquiry.

Brisbane and the Architectural Home Prior to the Second World War

As I have previously said the decade leading up to the second world war was one of significance in Brisbane home design. The timber and tin construction, the sameness of appearance plus the abundance of home designs available from readicut companies such as Campbell and Sons and Brown and Broad produced a sameness to home design. The State Advance Bank (prior to the Housing Commission) produced catalogues of plans of homes that are now what we see as our timber character homes. Most were built as working class family homes. The following aricles provide an insight into "modern" architecture for the more discerning client. 

The Architectural Debate Timber and Tin Versus Well Designed Architectural Home

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Tuesday 10 January 1939, page 14

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TWO STOREYS OR ONLY ONE  'THE TWO TYPES COMPARED' 

Dear Sir,

We are about to build a new home. There are just the two.of us, not long married, and we are prepared to spend about £1,300. We would like a two-storey home but »» nat ni nnr friends sav that two-storey houses are not convenient and that you do not get value for money in accommodation compared with the orthodox type of house. Will you try to help us ? 

That is not an extract from an actual letter, but it is typical of  several queries which have been asked during the past 12months. Whether to build in one or two storeys is a question which the average Queenslander seems, to find perplexing. Probably it is because, most of his friends own houses that have been built on the one-floor plan. The first thing to consider is the building site. This is the deciding factor in all home-making plans, but if the site is of say anything from 30 perches upwards and has a reasonable frontage to it then it is likely that most architects would recommend a home on the single floor plan. Architects generally are agreed that the single-floor plan is the ideal for Australian conditions of living.  As a rule the housewife is maid-of-all-work as well as hostess, and it is necessary to her happiness that her routine work should be minimised as much as possible. One of the most effecive ways of achieving this is to group the rooms in such a manner that her walking will be reduced, if she is planning a day in the kitchen, and some wives still do that, you know, it will save her a deal of time and worry if she can answer the front door bell simply by walking a few feet across a porch or through a corridor. But the common sense of the single-storey floor plan is defeated when the floor is hoisted several feet into the air by stilt-like stumps as has been the common practice in Queensland. Provided the building site is elevated and provides a fair outlook, there is no excuse for high stumps, and nothing looks nicer than a well-built home of single-storey set snugly on the ground with only a low plinth to give it the necessary ventilation. On the other hand while many builders have popularised the low-built home they have made a serious mistake in totally enclosing the underneath area of the house.

Ventilation is essential to the longevity of the flooring timber, otherwise the. space, beneath becomes a reservoir of 'foul' air which lends itself to disease, and it is only a matter of time before sections of the flooring will require to be renewed.  The man who buiids a home of single-floor plan on high stumps when the site itself is elevated and roomy is making, work for the household. If anyone ever bothered to keep a check on the matter it would probably be found that the average- Queensland housewife spends five years of her life walking down and climbing stairs, whereas two or three shallow steps would serve her purpose just as efficiently, and certainly with greater comfort and. safety. However if his client had a regular, building site no architect would lay down a hard and fast rule that only a single-floor plan should be built. In recent years the two-storey plan has become very popular in Brisbane. It lends itself to the picturesque in design and is certainly very suitable for this climate because the ground floor which accommodates the living room is always cool, having the advantage of the space occupied by the bedrooms as well as the roof area. 

WHAT is more important is the fact that the area of the two-storey home is only about half that of the single-floor type, and this is a decided advantage in those suburbs, where building sites are of limited size because of Council valuations and the popularity of the locality. Therefore a compact and comfortable home may be erected on a comparatively small allotment arid still allow plenty of breathing space around if for gardens and lawns. As to the convenience, of the two-storey home, this goes without saying. Usually the bedrooms are situated on the upper floor. Once the household is astir and the general tidying-up finished there is little need to return to the bedrooms again. And even if it is necessary to go upstairs occasionally the effort is no greater  than is used in the average Queensland home of orthodox design, because there are no more steps. Certainly the bedrooms are more private than in the two-storey home than they are in the design of only one floor, because in the latter they are usually situated near the front of the house, and it is this that led to the old custom of always taking visitors into the main bedroom. Actually the bedrooms are the most intimate rooms in a home, and it is right that their privacy, should be preserved. The two-storey plan generally provides accommodation near the entrance porch in which guests may make themselves comfortable and deposit hats and cloaks and entertaining is dignified and cosy. As to cost, there is very little difference. The two-storey plan usually costs a little more, but there are always ways in which sonic compensating arrangement may be made. Taking all things into account the average young couple who are building their first home can be assured that the two-storey plan will give them pleasure. Many will argue that this type is by far the more convenient, and it certainly provides scope for effective detail that frequently cannot be achieved in the single-floor plan.

Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Saturday 26 March 1938, page 10

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Brisbane Building With More Artistry

By BURNETT NETTERFIELD

Last year Brisbane spent £1,066,458 on 1754 homes. The attainment of the million mark was the cause of general satisfaction in the building and allied trades and professions, because, not since the 'good old days' before the depression had this level been reached, but the total was not a record. In 1926 the expenditure on homes was £1,864,842.

Brisbane, however, is now building more artistically than in that boom year, and with more regard for climatic and social conditions. Those who wisely chose in the nadir of the depression to sink their savings into real estate, timber, bricks, arid mortar, found building contractors cutting prices to the bone in the hope of obtaining a contract and earning bare wages. The client with a few hundred pounds at his disposal was so able to dictate terms that, for the price of the cottage built unimaginatively, and in a rush, during 'the good old days' of high wages and high prices, he was able to build, relatively, a mansion. And it was distinguished by a freer expression of artistic ideas. The fortunate few with money to spend on new homes, finding that a pound went further than ever it had gone before, let their imagination go accordingly, and a new and most welcome spirit became manifest in Brisbane suburban building. Though building costs have since risen almost to pre-depression levels, generally there has, been no return to the stunted architectural ideas of a decade or so ago. The best new homes are bold in their conception, and, almost with abandon, people are now using colour which accords with the gaiety of Queensland sunshine. 

ARCHITECTURE tells more or less accurately, the. history of a people. In a search of the various suburbs of Brisbane the discerning eye sees 'period' written large and bold over types of settlement. There is the pioneer manor house that deserves to stand for all time There is the pioneer cottage that, mouldering in age ought to be pulled down. Then comes the conventional cottage representative of the first, two decades of this country, characterised chiefly by lack of plan.' Particularly during the post- war period, Brisbane suburban building slavishly followed a convention that dictated the exclusive use of wood and galvanised iron. Floor plan mattered not in the least provided everything was dead on the square and that a veranda — an alleged open space— was on at least two or three sides. The veranda, of course, ceased to be an open space, and was blinded or louvred-in when, inevitably, the family found the glare and the wind and the driving rain unbearable. As a concession to art, the front of a house was adorned with a gable, or, if funds permitted, two of them meaninglessly reared their heads. In the good old days, time was so much the essence of a contract that nobody planned for comfort, convenience or climate. So the depression was for the good if the fortunate few, with money in their pockets and courage in their breasts, had time to reflect and break with tradition. Hitherto loyalty to a local and national industry had forbidden the use of anything but timber as a chief building constituent. While the community showed no desire completely, to foresake an old and trusty friend, represented by timber, homebuilders of a sudden decided to admit more generally other building materials to equal rank and thus timber has been used in association with bricks and mortar, cement, asbestos cement, fibrous plaster, composition building board, structural glass and tiles. Like timber, for walls and floors, galvanised iron had heretofore been used almost exclusively as a roofing material, but within a year it had to take its chance in competition with glazed and varigated coloured tiles and asbestos-cement sheeting. Not only did building materials change, but mode of building also. Fresh inspiration was sought from far-off countries and times from Mediterranean shores and California, from Elizabethan and Georgean England, and from Continental countries of modern times that itrcamline their houses as well as their cars and planes. For the creation of new forms of art in the suburbs in recent times, Brisbane has much for which it must thank its young architects, many of whom, soon after qualifying, fortified their own ideas by inspiration derived from 'grand tours' abroad. Returning to Queensland, soused in the artistic ideas of times md places foreign to their fellow citizens, they attempted, not to transplant exotics, but to adapt architectural growths to local climatic and social conditions. No typically Australian style of domestic architecture has yet been evolved, nor do architects hold out any hope of anything satisfactory being evolved. In seeking our architectural inspiration from abroad and in the pages of history we would appear to be making a better job of things than by relying on our own inventiveness. By adaptation of others' ideas some day we may produce something typically Australian.

La-La-La The Jacksons

The following citation is taken from the Brisbane City Council Heritage Register. While I do not question the research of the Council's research as they have access to land purchase records I can fine no evidence of John F. Jackson living in the house. There is evidence of his parents occupying the house almost at the time it was built. His father was William James Jackson of the Jackson and Son produce merchant business. This was a second generation business in 1930 and W. J. Jackson was quite a wealthy person. There appeard to be a considerable amount of money tied to a trust under the name of John Jackson who was the founder of the company. For decades after John Jackson's death application was being made to the court for access by the Jackson family to the income generated by this trust. 

Regardless of the financial situation and who built and owned the house the story here is about the Jackson family and the sacrificies the family made in service for Australia.

Brisbane City Council Heritage Citation on La-La-La Milne Street, Clayfield

John Francis Jackson, a stock agent and grazier from the St George district, purchased this land in April 1930. John had moved to Redcliffe by June when he lodged a building application to erect this house. He had also purchased other land in Milne Street and lodged another building application over it at the same time. The house, named La-la-la, was estimated to cost £2700. It was designed by Charles H Griffin and built by B White of Toowong. Jackson was also a pilot and joined the Citizens Air Force in 1936. When war broke out in 1939 Jackson was posted to RAAF No 23 Squadron as a Pilot Officer. Early in 1940 before he was posted to the Middle East, he transferred title of the property to his widowed mother Edith Annie Jackson. During the war his wife and daughter also resided at ‘Lalala’. After a year fighting with No 3 Squadron in the Middle East Jackson was brought back to Australia as the war with Japan began. He was later decorated for his bravery in Lybia, Syria, and Cyprus. Jackson served in the defence of Port Moresby as Squadron Leader of No 75 Squadron, flying Kittyhawks until he was killed in a dog-fight over that town in 1942. The airfield at Port Moresby was later named Jackson Field in his honour. Edith Jackson remained at La-la-la until her death in 1955.

John Jackson The Founder of Jackson and Sons Produce Merchants

Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), Friday 4 May 1923, page 19

MR. JOHN JACKSON

Mr. John Jackson, head ot the firm ot produce merchants, Messrs. J. Jackson and Co., Ltd., passed away at his resi dence, Bowen terrace, on Monday evening. The late Mr. Jackson was born in Belfast 83 years ago, and, as a boy, he went to Canada. He lived for six years in Canada, and then returned to his father's home in Belfast. But the spirit of wanderlust was in his veins, and in November. 1863. he left London in the famous old Flying Cloud for Queensland, arriving here in February 22, 1864.

For a time he worked on the new railway construction works on the Little Liverpool Range, near Laidley, the late Hon. Lewis Thomas being the contractor. When that work was finished the young North of Ireland adventurer packed up his traps and went to a gold rush on the west coast of New Zealand. He remained there for two years, and then returned to Queensland, and in the year 1868 established the old Ulster Hotel, which he conducted until. the latter end of the seventie's.

About 1876, whilst still licensee of the Ulster Hotel, he established a carrying business, and subsequently devoted his whole attention to that and to a produce business which he established in conjunction with it. Success attended his efforts, and he subsequently became head of the well-known firm of John Jackson and Co., Ltd., produce merchants, when it was formed into, a limited liability proprietary company.

For some years the late Mr, Jackson was an alderman of the Brisbane City Council. His wife predeceased him by a few years. He leaves two daughters—Mrs. Alec. Carson (Maryborough), and Mrs. John McLennan (Toowoomba). and two sons—Messrs. W. J. and J. D. Jackson, Both of Brisbane,

William James Jackson Second Generation Jackson and Sons Produce Merchants

W.J. Jackson and his wife Edith Annie Grayson had a large family consisting of five sons and a daughter. Four sons were keen pilots with three serving with distinction in the Australian Air Force and sadly a fourth tragically killed in a flying accident on his way to enlist. The other son Edward Hamilton Bell Jackson left school after his junior year and went straight to the district of Balonne and the land. All of these sons were connected to the land around St. George and Bollon in Queensland's south west. All of the Jackson family children had a connection to La-La-La in Milne Street, Clayfield.

W. J. Jackson was sadly involved in the death of Hector Vasyli. Hector was the newspaper boy in 1918 when he was accisently struck by a car driven by William James Jackson. The plaque designed by Daphne Mayo placed as a tribute to him is on the Stanley Street approach of the old Victoria Bridge.

The plaque commemorates an eleven year old newspaper boy, Hector Vasyli who was killed in 1918 when welcoming home soldiers. Hector did lots of patriotic work for returned soldiers during the war, and supposedly gave gifts of cigarettes to returned soldiers and participated in many of the welcome home parades in the city. He lost his life in one of these parades when a vehicle swerved suddenly and hit him. He died from a fractured skull.

Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Monday 10 June 1918, page 6

BOY KILLED BY MOTOR CAR.

ACCIDENT, CLOSE TO VICTORIA BRIDGE.

The hundreds of people who awaited the procession of motor cars conveying the returned soldiers at the gates of the Military Hospital at Kangaroo Point last evening speculated a good deal about the reason for the considerable interval which passed between the arrival of about half the cars and the remainder, and it was not until later in the evening, that it transpired that the delay was due to a tragic accident close to Victoria Bridge, by which a schoolboy, Hector Vasyli, whose parents keep an oyster saloon in Melbourne-street, South Brisbane, lost his life. The cars with the soldiers reached the top of Queen-street shortly before 6 o'clock, the procession being made up of more than 60 vehicles, and with the object of watching it pass, and of welcoming the men home, four or five lads, of whom deceased was one, stationed themselves on the side of the bridge; One of the cars in the lead had to slow down, and behind it was approaching a car driven by Mr. W. J. Jackson, (produce merchant) who had with him several of the returned men. To avoid the threatened collision with the car ahead, Mr. Jackson swerved his car to the left and the vehicle struck the boy Vasyli (who was 11 years of age), and knocked him down. That Mr Jackson had perfect control of the car at the time is evident from the fact that he pulled it up within its own length as soon as he realised that an accident had occurred. The boy was picked up and driven by Mr Jackson with all speed to the St Helen's Hospital. As medical assistance was not immediately obtainable there, Mr Jackson took the wisest course he could under the circumstances, and motored the lad to the Mater Misericordiae Public Hospital where it was found that he had already succumbed to the injuries sustained. An examination of the body disclosed that the skull was fractured and that there was a compound fracture of the right arm in addition to minor injures. The tragic occurrence was quite unavoidable, and Mr. Jackson, from first to last, did everything possible to avert the fatal consequences of the mishap. The Ambulance Brigade quickly answered a summons for aid.

The Brisbane Courier (Qld), 3 December 1918.

The unveiling of the Hector Vasyli memorial tablet will take place next Sunday afternoon, at 3.30, on the south side of Victoria bridge, and the general public are invited to be present. The ceremony will be performed by the Mayor of South Brisbane (Alderman P. Forrest), who, it is announced, will be supported by the Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' Association, the Hellenic Greek Association, the Anglican Church Mission, and representatives of the various churches.

The returned soldiers who are taking part are asked to meet at the General Post Offlce at 3 o'clock, and march with the Military band, under the command of Lieutenant Grant Hanlon, and the various branches of the Baden Powell Boy Scouts are also asked to assemble at the same time, and march in procession to the service.

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Tuesday 3 December 1935, page 13

---

MR. W. J. JACKSON DEAD

Prominent Brisbane Produce Merchant

Mr. William James Jackson, one of Brisbane's best known produce mer chants, died yesterday after a week's Illness. Tne late Mr. Jackson, who was born in Brisbane 59 years ago, was the eldest son of the late Mr. John Jackson, who for some years was an alderman of the city. The family lived at the time at Boundary Street, near Gregory Terrace. Mr. Jackson went to Petrie Terrace State School and afterwards to the Brisbane Boys' Grammar School. On leaving school he entered his father's produce business, which was established in 1870, and remained actively associated with it till his last illness overtook him. He was chairman of directors since the firm was converted into a company in 1926. He also had other commercial interests. He found recreation in bowls, being a member both of the Clayfield and of the Redcliffe clubs. The late Mr. Jackson is survived by his widow, who was Miss Edith Grayson, a daughter of the late Mr. Frank Grayson, a former member for Warwick in the Legislative Assembly. He also leaves five sons — Messrs. J. F„ W. G., and E. H. B. Jackson, all of whom are associated with grazing in the St. George district, and Messrs. L. D. Jackson, who is associated with his father's company, and A. G. Jack son, who is a student at the Brisbane Boys' Grammar School. There also is one daughter, Miss Edith J. Jack son, who is tho youngest member of the family.

Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Thursday 5 December 1935, page 4

OBITUARY.

MR. W. J. JACKSON.—The death occurred on Monday in a private hospital of Mr. William James Jackson, of Milne Street, Clayfield, one of the oldest members of the Brisbane produce trade. The late Mr. Jackson, who was 59 years of age, was the son of the late Mr. John Jackson, who founded the firm of produce agents which bears his name, and he succeeded his father as head of the firm. Of late years he had retired from active participation in the business which is now Jackson and Co., Ltd. but he still took an interest in the company's operations. Although of a retiring nature, Mr. Jackson was widely known, and was generally popular. He was a member of the Clayfield and Redcliffe Bowling Clubs, and was a familiar figure on the bowling green particularly at Redcliffe. He leaves a widow, five sons, and one daughter. The eldest son, Mr. J. F. Jackson, is a stock and station agent at St. George. Two other sons have sheep properties in the southern district known as Mackwood and Mourilyan. Another son is in the business.

Jackson's Produce Building 8 Petrie Terrace Brisbane Google Steet View Photograph

John Francis Jackson The Flying Ace and Squadron Leader

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

https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/jackson-john-francis-10600

The following is taken from the Australian Dictionary of Biography written by David Wilson

John Francis Jackson (1908-1942), grazier, businessman and air force officer, and Leslie Douglas (1917-1980), businessman and air force officer, were born on 23 February 1908 at New Farm, Brisbane, and 24 February 1917 at Newmarket, eldest and fourth sons of Queensland-born parents William James Jackson (d.1935), merchant, and his wife Edith Annie, née Grayson. Both boys attended Brisbane Grammar School. Completing his education at Scots College, Warwick, John toured Europe with the Young Australia League. By 1927 he was working his property, Macwood, 60 miles (97 km) from St George. In 1933 he became the proprietor and manager of Western Queensland Motor Engineering Works, St George, and local representative of the New Zealand Loan & Mercantile Agency Co. Ltd. He learned to fly, bought a Klemm Swallow monoplane and in 1936 competed in the South Australian centenary air-race from Brisbane to Adelaide. That year he joined the Royal Australian Air Force Reserve. At Christ Church, North Adelaide, on 17 February 1938 he married with Anglican rites Elizabeth Helen Thompson.

Appointed pilot officer, R.A.A.F., on 2 October 1939, Jackson embarked for the Middle East in October 1940. He served with No.3 Squadron in Libya, Syria and Cyprus, flew 129 sorties and spent 206 hours in the air in Gladiators, Hurricanes and Tomahawks. Among his victories, he was credited with destroying three Junkers 87 dive-bombers on 18 February 1941 and another on 5 April; he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and mentioned in dispatches. Flight Lieutenant Jackson returned to Australia in November and joined No.75 Squadron at Townsville, Queensland, in March 1942.

On the 19th he assumed command as acting squadron leader and began moving the unit's Kittyhawks to Port Moresby which had been without fighter protection against Japanese air-attacks. Jackson's leadership and aggression inspired his men. Confronting superior forces, they intercepted enemy raiders and counter-attacked Japanese bases. During a solo reconnaissance on 10 April he was shot down into the sea off Lae and swam ashore. Two New Guineans helped him to avoid the Japanese and guided him on a gruelling, eight-day trek through the jungle to Bulolo. He was then carried to Wau whence he was flown to Port Moresby on 23 April.

'Old John' earned the affection and trust of all who served with him. His 'philosophy, like himself, was rugged, simple, not subject to debate, determined but as true as steel'. On 28 April 1942 he led five aircraft to intercept a Japanese strike. He was killed in the ensuing combat. Survived by his wife, daughter and son, he was buried in Bomana war cemetery. Jackson International Airport, Port Moresby, commemorates him.

Balonne Beacon (St. George, Qld. : 1909 - 1954), Thursday 17 February 1938, page 4

WEDDING OF MR. JOHN F. JACKSON.

SEQUEL TO SHIPBOARD ROMANCE.

Quite a flutter was caused in Social circles In St. George yesterday, when it became known that the engagement of Mr. John F. Jackson of St. George and Miss Betty Thompson of Dublin, Ireland, had been announced in Mel bourne on Tuesday last and the date for the ceremony had been fixed for to-day (Thursday). Miss Thompson is the eldest daughter pf Mr. Basil Thompson of the well known firm of Dublin Solicitors and is a graduate of Dublin University at which seat of learning (one of the most famous in the world) she took the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Mr. Jackson left St. George some weeks ago on an extended vaeaton, which took in a cruise to New Zealand on the RM.S, Oronsay and it was during the course of this cruise, that he met his fiancee. Miss Thompson was mnking a round trip from England to Australia and New Zealand in the same ship and the romance blossomed during the New Zealand portion of her journey . John F. apparently did not waste any time iIn courtship as the engagement was announced very shortly after the return to Australia of the Oronsay, and the date of the nuptials set down for two days after the announcement of the engagement. The wedding takes place in Adelaide today and we are sure that we are express ing the sentiments of the whole district when we extend our heartiest congratulations and best wishes for the future to Mr. and Mrs. Jackson. Mr. Jackson is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W J. Jackson of "Lalala" Milne Street, Clayfield, Brisbane and is a successful stock and station agent in St. George, where presumably the couple will make their future home. The bridegroom is an accomplished airman having held a pilot's "B" license for upwards of four years. Mr. Jackson is the owner of one of the two American "Beechcraft" machines in Australia and was one of the first airminded bsinessmen of' Queensland to put his knowledge of flying to commercial use. to further the interests of his own business. He has already upwards of eight hundred flying hours to his credit and his prsent machine is the third plane owned by him since he took up aviation.

Arthur James Jackson Tragic Death on The Way to Enlist

Daily Mercury (Mackay, Qld. : 1906 - 1954), Friday 20 October 1939, page 8

Aeroplane Accident one man killed. member of flying family.

BRISBANE, Oct. 19.— Arthur James Jackson, 20, youngest son of Mr, W. J. Jackson and Mrs. Jackson, of Clayfield, was killed when a Moth plane owned by the Matheson Aviation and Training Pty., crashed in Goodna Asylum grounds this morning. Deceased owned the station property St. George. He had come to Brisbane to enlist with the Air Force as a service pilot and intended to use his flying hours to the required minimum of 100. He held an A license and had done 20 hours solo flying. Of his three brothers, who also came to Brisbane from St. George, John F. Jackson is already training with the Air Force at Archerfield, and two others L. D. and E. H. Jackson, who have done over 100 hours, will also join the same service. The plane hit the ground at a high speed, and was smashed to fragments and scattered over an area of 100 yards. The engine was hurled 80 yards in one direction, and the pilot the same distance in another. The main fuselage and wings crumpled up into a ball and slid or rolled 60 yards. The nearest witness, Oliver Pocock, said Jackson came from the direction of Brisbane, and shut off the engine, and began to circle slowly in a rather jerky manner. Suddenly the machine dived and the pilot revved the engine to its full extent in an effort to regain control. Just before he hit the ground the nose came up slightly, but too late. Jackson was terribly injured about the head and was killed instantly. 

Leslie Douglas Jackson

When he enlisted in the Royal Australian Airforce on July 13, 1937 he was 20 years of age and gave his address as Milne Street Clayfield. His occupation was accountant. The business address was Roma Street which wouds have been the family firm of Jackson and Sons Produce.

The following is taken from David Wilson's Austarlian Dictionary of Biography reference for Leslie Douglas Jackson

On leaving school, Leslie worked briefly in the family business, J. Jackson & Co. Pty Ltd, before purchasing a garage and service station at Surat. He, too, became a pilot. Enlisting in the R.A.A.F. on 6 November 1939, he was commissioned in February 1940 and served with units in Darwin, Singapore and Brisbane. On 28 March 1942 he joined No.75 Squadron. In the defence of Port Moresby he was credited with destroying four enemy fighters and damaging two bombers. Leslie succeeded his brother in command on 29 April. In the battle of Milne Bay (August-September) the Kittyhawks of No.75 and No.76 squadrons played a decisive part in defeating a Japanese invasion force that had been sent with inadequate air support. Jackson accounted for one enemy fighter and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

After leaving the squadron in January 1943, he held staff appointments in Australia. Between December 1943 and November 1944 he led No.78 Wing (as acting wing commander from September 1944) in operations in New Guinea, New Britain and the Netherlands New Guinea. He was awarded a Bar to his D.F.C. for 'determined and successful attacks on enemy installations and shipping'. Having performed instructional duties in New South Wales, he commanded Air Defence Headquarters, Madang, New Guinea, from June 1945. He was demobilized on 8 February 1946 in Brisbane.

Jackson established Active Service Motors at Roma and bought Western Queensland Motors, St George, from John's widow. On 25 January 1947 at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Southport, he married Cynthia Mary Cobb, née Molle (d.1974), a 27-year-old widow. Survived by his three sons, he died of a cerebral haemorrhage on 17 February 1980 at Southport and was cremated with Anglican rites.

Informal group portrait. Identified left to right: 270530 Squadron Leader (Sqn Ldr) Edward Hamilton Bell Jackson, 62739 Leading Aircraftman Stan McDonnell and Sqn Ldr John Francis Jackson, in front of a Tomahawk. Photograph courtesy of the Australian War Memorial Collection

Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Monday 29 March 1943, page 3

Won High Awards

2 IN QUEENSLAND FAMILY WIN D.F.C.

AWARD of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Squadron-Leader Leslie D. Jackson, announced on Saturday, brings two D.F.C's into one Queensland family. His brother, Squadron-Leader John Jackson, who was killed in action at Port Moresby last April, won his in the Middle East.

The Jacksons—sons of Mrs. E. A. Jackson, of Milne Street, Clayfield—are a fighting Air Force family. A third brother, Flight-Lieutenant Ed. Jackson, now in Victoria, also fought in the Middle East. Decoration of Les Jackson is for gallant operational work at Moresby and Milne Bay. "Fine leadership and exceptional devotion to duty" says the official cita-tion. It is the first recognition of famous Squadron 75, the squadron of Kittyhawks, Australian-manned, which, in furious fighting day after day, stemmed the Japanese for six weeks just on a year ago. One other member of the squadron, Flight-Lieutenant John W. Piper, has also been warded the D.F.C. A third, Flying Officer G. C. Atherton, has been mentioned in despatches. Changed N.G. Outlook Squadron 75 was the first fighter squadron to attack the enemy in New Guinea. It consisted entirely of R.A.A.F. pilots, most of whom had not until then been in action. Within an hour of their arrival in Moresby, and 11 days after formation, they shot down an enemy bomber. Next morning John Jackson took his boys to the first surprise attack on Lae. He led the straffers. John ("Hooley-Dooley") Piper was one of them. Top cover was led by the late Squadron Leader Peter Turnbull, D.F.C.; Les Jackson was Turnbull's number two. Caught unawares, the Japs ran. On the ground they lost nine Zeros and three bombers des-troyed, and three Zeros and two bombers damaged. Two other Zeros were shot down from above. Flight-Lieutenant Piper flew so low in strafing that the under-surface of his wing struck the propeller of an enemy bomber. Piper didn't know what had hit him until he struggled home to Moresby, 200 miles away. That was the beginning of one of the R.A.A.F's greatest sagas of the air. Always heavily out-numbered these young pilots fought off the Zeros, strafed enemy dromes, disorganised his bombing raids, and completely changed the New Guinea picture. Les. Jackson bagged five Zeros at Moresby, and Piper three and a half. Half an enemy aircraft is credited when two pilots attack and bring down the machine. Down at Milne Bay later they further distinguished themselves, in pasting invading enemy infantry and strafing his warships, landing barges, and installations. One day at Moresby the Japanese sent over 18 bombers with Zero escort. Les Jackson led four Kittyhawks to give battle. They raced straight at the fighter cover. Jackson took on three. He shot one down, and in the melee the bombers were forced to unload without causing any damage. That was typical of the squad-ron's fighting. On the day he was killed, John Jackson led five against eight bombers and 15 Zeros. The brothers had fought many battles together, and when "old John," as he was known, went out, Les. became the squadron's leader.

This group of fighter pilots at their operational base includes Squadron-Leader Leslie Jackson, who has been awarded the D.F.C. He is second from the left. The others (left to right) are Flight-Lieutenant Lex Winton, Flight-Lieutenant J. W. Piper, D.F.C., and Flight-Lieutenant Peter Masters.

Edward Hamilton Bell Jackson

Born in 1915 in Brisbane Edward Jackson was another of the flying Jackson brothers. On enlistment in the air force reserve prior to the war Edward Hamilton Bell Jackson gave his next of kin as his mother Edith Annie Jackson, Milne Street Clayfield. Later in 1944 when recalled as a flying instructor he gave his next of kin address as his brother William Grayson Jackson. 

Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. : 1909 - 1954), Tuesday 10 September 1940, page 5

LANDING MISHAP. 

Plane Near Kingaroy. Occupants' Escape. 

KINGAROY September 9.-A plane piloted by Pilot-Officer E.H.B. Jackson, who it is understood was blinded temporarily by the glare of the sun, turned on its back while landing at the new Taablinga Village aerodrome three miles from Kingaroy at 5 o'clock this afternoon. Onlookers said the plane appeared to drop quickly when close to the ground and almost immediately after the wheels touched, one wing-tip struck the ground. Then it skidded and capsised. Jackson escaped with a few scratches, and his observer, Corporal S. Rizza, sustained a gash over one eye and bruises to the back of his head. Taabinga aerodrome was recently completed, and, although passed by a civil aviatlion inspector, had not yet been officially opened.

Edward Hamilton Flying Hours

William Grayson Jackson

William Grayson Jackson was the only non flying or non serving member of the Jackson brothers who spent most of their adult life or when leaving Brisbane Grammar School went to properties in the St. George and Bollon area. In 1936 W. G. Jackson was on the electoral roll with his brother Edward Hamilton at Mourilyan, Bollon. William is listed as manager and Edward a grazier. 

Nassagaweya West End Original

 

Nassagaweya was built in c.1885 by architect Arthur Morry as his own residence. He was later to become mayor of South Brisbane and the local member of parliament.

After Morry left the house in 1895 the property was probably rented until 1915 when it was purchased by a Scottish-Canadian, John Gillies. He named the house Nassagaweya after his birth place in Ontario, a Delaware Indian word meaning 'home by the maple forests'. Gillies died in 1946 and the house remains in the family. Today it occupies a corner site, the adjoining streets of which are named after two previous owners of the property, Gray and Morry.

The Life of Arthur Morry

https://manchestervictorianarchitects.org.uk/architects/arthur-morry

Arthur Morry was the son of John Morry, blacksmith and Emma Mytton, his birth being registered Jan-March 1854 at Oswestry. In 1871 he was an architect’s articled pupil. Given that he was still recorded at his parents’ home at Morton, the architect was probably W H Spaull of Oswestry. Certainly, he was employed by Spaull as clerk of works at Aberdovey in 1874-1876.

Arthur Morry moved to Manchester and set up in practice on his own account about 1876. Here he took a deep interest in political, municipal and social matters, and became well-known amongst the Primitive Methodists and temperance reformers. In correspondence, Morry stated that he had “a residence of ten years in that city (Manchester) prior to 1884, engaged in the practice of architecture, and in carrying out various sanitary reforms.” [Brisbane Courier 18 June 1885 page 6 - letter to editor]. His wife’s health forced him to abandon a fast-increasing and lucrative practice in his profession and seek a milder climate. They sailed from Plymouth to Cooktown Australia, on the “Duke of Buckingham,” arriving on 27 January 1884. Within four years of his landing in the colony he was elected an alderman of the Town Council, when in January 1888, the Borough of South Brisbane was proclaimed and a few weeks later the first Council was elected. In 1890 Arthur Morry became the mayor of South Brisbane for a term and later represented South Brisbane in the Legislative Assembly.

With his brother-in-law Edward Wells Russell (1863-1887), he initially found work in the office of FDG Stanley, in Brisbane. About 1886 he entered into a brief and unsuccessful partnership with Dart as building contractors.  He was practicing on his own account by 1888. As from 1 July 1899 he was appointed Inspector of Works, in the Public Works Department and he joined the Department of Agriculture as architect and surveyor. After his retirement in 1919 he was elected a member of the Water Supply and Sewerage Board. Previously he had designed and constructed the water filters at the Enoggera reservoir. He took a keen interest in the search for oil in Queensland, particularly in the Wacol area.

In 1935, he was a member of a a syndicate which applied for a gold mining lease in Daisy Hill Forest. Morry’s method of searching for gold was by divining, holding a forked stick which is supposed to bend when it passes over underground deposits. Divining is usually associated with looking for water, but Morry believed it would help him find gold at Daisy Hill.  A lease was granted near the forest s southern boundary. Work started in July 1934 and the first shaft was dug to 200 feet, reputedly lined with timber cut from the forest. From this depth, the shaft was drilled down to a depth of 425 feet. A second exploration hole was then dug to 626 feet.

Arthur Morry was married three times. On 22 October 1874 at the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Ludlow, he married Mary, the second daughter of William Russell, builder and contractor, Ludlow. She died on 7 February 1879 at Moss Side, Manchester. In October 1879 he married her sister, Emma Russell (1861-1899) at Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester. On 30 April 1900 he married Mina Maurer at Brisbane. Seemingly no gold was found.

Arthur Morry died on 25 May 1938. The funeral was held at West End Methodist Church, prior to burial at the South Brisbane Cemetery. He had been a lay reader of the Methodist Church for 65 years.

Address

1878-1880 : Arthur Murry St Peter’s Chambers 3 St Peter's Square, Manchester

1881-1883 : Arthur Morry, architect & surveyor, 43 Meadow Street Moss Side (Census)

1883: Arthur Morry, architect & surveyor, 43 Meadow Street Moss Side (Slater Trades)

1890: Arthur Morry, Stanley Street Brisbane

1892: Arthur Morry Melbourne Street Brisbane

Residence

1874-1876 : Aberystwyth

1877-1883 : Arthur Morry, architect & surveyor, 43 Meadow Street Moss Side

1885 : Nassagaweya, 37 Gray Road, West End, Brisbane

1899-1928 : Brereton Street, West End, Brisbane

Reference: Aberystwyth Observer 31 October 1874 page 4].

Reference: Manchester Guardian 19 March 1890 page 8

Reference: Brisbane Courier 13 January 1900

Reference: Jubilee History of Queensland, 1910

Obituary: Courier Mail Brisbane Thursday 26 May 1938 page 2

The Death of Arthur Morry 1938

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Wednesday 25 May 1938, page 6

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Mr. Arthur Morry, Former Alderman And M.L.A., Dies At Age of 84

Mr. Arthur Morry, who for many years was well-known in the public life of Brisbane, died at his residence, Euroa Brereton Street, West End, early this morning. He had been ill for about a fortnight and the end was not unex-pected, for he had passed the 84th mile-stone of life.

Mr. Morry was an alderman of South Brisbane for some years, and he occupied the mayoral chair for a term. He also represented South Brisbane in the Legislative Assembly in the days of double representation of the principal electorates. 

PUBLIC OFFICER. For a lengthy period he was associated with the Public Works Department and the Department of Agriculture, retiring from the Public Service some 20 years ago. Later he was elected a member of the Water Supply and Sewerage Board. He previously had designed, and carried out the construction of the water filters at Enoggera reservoir, which were the first of their kind in the State. Of late years he was deeply interested in the search for oil in Queensland, pinning his faith to the Wolston area, now known as Wacol, near Goodna. He was an expert with the divining rod. 

VETERAN METHODIST PREACHER. The late Mr. Morry was an ardent Methodist all his life and rejoiced to know that he had lived to hear of the world-wide celebrations of the Wesley bicentenary. He was a local preacher of that church, his services covering 68 years. All through his public life, pressing as those duties were, he never neglected his work as an honorary preacher: And he was a preacher of no mean order. His reminiscences of his lay-preaching experiences were read at a service at the West End church by Rev. T. Dent last evening. Mr. Morry was born in England and after receiving his general education in Manchester, was trained there as an architect. Mrs. Morry survives her husband, also three sons and three daughters.

Late Mr. A. Morry.

The Gillies Family Occupy Nassagaweya 1915 onwards

When John D Gillies was born in 1866 in Ontario, Canada, his father, Duncan, was 31 and his mother, Mary, was 24. He married Adelaide (Adela) Isabel Brandes on 9 February 1892 in Sydney, New South Wales. They had four children in 11 years. He died in 1946 in Brisbane, Queensland, at the age of 80.

Clyde went on to complete his studies in Melbourne and practiced medicine in Northgate, Brisbane for many years. His three sisters who never married, continued their passion for music and art. Merna and Acie lived and worked in Sydney for many years, Merna later became coach and accompanist at the Opera Workshop, NSW Conservatorium.

Merna Inez Gilles A Woman Ahead of Her Time

Merna Gilles would have been a seneation in her day. A woman who spoke her mind, publically commented upon the role of women in society, well educated, articulate and with inherit leadership capabilities. A very talented and with exceptional training in piano she was a well known person in Brisbane in the first part of the 20th. century. What was different about her was that she did not conform to the mould of the role women were expected to play within society at that time. She joined the newly formed Town and Country Women's Club and served as the president for a number of years. In this role she was prominent in promoting her views on teh role women should play within their own lives. She commented upon the role of women within the Anglican Church, women in the work place and other topics that would draw a headline for the newspapers.

In 1944 she made sensational headlines when she was preselected to contest a Brisbane seat for teh Queensland People's Party in the State election. She and her mother were interviewed by detectives as to eligibility for candidture as she lived in Sydney. Her canditure was withdrawn but at the time it was a sensational political story. Merna applied her musical abilities and talents with the Sydney Conservatorium of Music as she lived a large part of her later adult life in Sydney. 

The following newspaper reports are just a small sample of published articles that provide a brief sysnopsis of the highlights of her life. 

Brisbane Telegraph (Qld. : 1948 - 1954), Monday 1 August 1949, page 12

DEATH OF MISS ACIE GILLIES

THE death took place on saturday of Miss Acie Gillies, well known Brisbane violinist. Miss Gillies had given recitals over 4QG and 2UW Sydney and had also appeared with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. She had been ill for some months. The late Miss Gillies was the youngest daughter of the late Mr. J D. Gillies and of Mrs. Gillies, Hill End. The funeral took place this morning at Mt. Thompson Crematorium.

Merna Gillies and Friend Photograph taken from the SLQ Bog Letters to Merna

The Gillies Incident

Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Tuesday 29 February 1944, page 3

REASON GIVEN FOR GILLIES QUESTIONING

While the Attorney-General (Mr. Gledson) claimed yesterday that the inquiries about Miss Merna Gillies were perfectly legitimate, the Queensland people's Party Leader (Ald. Chandler, M.L.A.) said that the whole thing reeks with suspicion. It will leave many people with the feeling that their private lives are in no way free from prying where the present Government is concerned, said Ald. Chandler. Miss Gillies, who recently withdrew as Q.P.P. candidate for Brisbane at the State general election, was questioned by two detectives in Sydney on Thursday. Mrs. J. D. Gillies, her mother, was similarly questioned by a Brisbane detective on Friday. Mr. Gledson said that he had no hesitation in taking full responsibility for the inquiries made about Miss Gillies' movements. She applied for enrolment on a metropolitan electoral roll, but at the same time it was stated in the Press that 'she had been working in Sydney for some time.'

Provisions Of Act The Elections Act provided that a person claiming enrolment must have lived in a Queensland electoral district for a continuous period of a month immediately preceding the day on which the claim was made. The claimant had to make a declaration to that effect. In view of the Press statement that Miss Gillies had been working in Sydney it was incumbent upon the chief electoral officer to have proper inquiries made. When that officer drew his attention to the matter he authorised him to do so. On February 24 the Q.P.P. announced 'the reluctant withdrawal of Miss Merna Gillies as the party's endorsed candidate because of her inability to fulfil the residential qualifications of the Elections Act,' Mr. Gledson continued. There was nothing 'shocking or scandalous' or almost like Gestapo tactics!' in the manner in which the inquiries were made as alleged by Ald. Chandler. Mrs. Gillies said that the person who saw her was a gentleman, and did not harass me at all. But Ald. Chandler had attempted to vamp up feeling against the Government by representing as something sinister a perfectly legitimate inquiry following reasonable doubt as to the truth of a declaration made under the Elections Act. 'Most 'Most Unconvincing' Ald. Chandler said that Mr. Gledson's explanation was most unconvincing. It would appear that Mr. Gledson was now stepping in and taking the responsibility, or otherwise being made the scapegoat for the action of someone else. If the inquiry was merely directed towards the reason for Miss Gillies lodging an application for enrolment, why should detectives have questioned her aged mother, who obviously had nothing bo do with it and who could only be frightened and disturbed in consequence also, if that were the true purpose of the questioning, why should they inquire as to the method of travel. Surely the question whether Miss Gillies travelled first or second class by train, or by plane, had nothing to do with her enrolment as an elector. Mr. Gledson might also further explain why it should be necessary to inquire as to who were the women interested in her nomination. A much more convincing argument than that put forward would be required to satisfy the public as to this and many other questions which the detectives asked. ?

Merna Gillies and The Town and Country Club

Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Thursday 9 March 1939, page 1

COSMETICS & SHORTS ARE NO BAR TO ROMANCE

Says Club President MISS GILLIES 

DEFENDS MODERN GIRL 'What Men Have Made Them'

'We have been told that the modern girl with her shorts and her cosmetics has killed romance. Judging by what I have seen in Brisbane and Sydney, if that is so, romance, like a cat, must have nine lives.

Miss Merna Gillies (president of the Town and ' Country Women's Club) in her; presidential address at the first meeting of the year of the club last evening. Because of Miss Gillies' absence in the South, the address was read by Mrs. Henry Robertson (president of the National Council of Women) and one of the vice-presidents of the club. Cleopatra used more cosmetics than the modern girl, declared Miss Gillies, and the much-discussed shorts are the height of Victorian propriety compared with the apparel worn by that lady, and yet nobody can say that romance passed her by.

Miss Gillies said that if they were to believe the films, let alone modern novels, a great deal of romance centred round tropic isles, and generally had a dusky figure, clad in little else but hibiscus blossoms, for its main attraction. After all, women are more or less what men have made them, continued Miss Gillies. If men did not like cosmetics women would not use them. I have never yet seen a girl who did

not use cosmetics who was not highly respected and left alone with her mother. We are told that gentlemen prefer blondes hence the number of synthetic blondes one may see dining tete-a-tete with presumably eligible bachelors. In more serious vein, Miss Gillies expressed appreciation of the Federal Government's decision to form a national register of women who would be available for service in the event of war. Women. had at last been called on, she said, and they would not be found wanting. Woman, not despite her sex, but because of her sex, could and must play her part in the defence of the country as much as man.

MISS MERNA GILLIES.

Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Saturday 25 June 1938, page 2

WOMEN'S PART IN CHURCH

Direct Action Urged To Gain Rights

Direct action by women to gain recognition of their right to hold lay office in the Anglican Church was urged yesterday by the president of

The Twon and Country Women's Club (Miss Merna Gillies). The decision of the Anglican Synod against a proposal to allow such a right, she said, boiled down to sex antagonism. 'The churches would not be able to exist but for the women, who have the remedy in their own hands,' she continued. 'All the women have to do is to refuse to have anything further to do with the Church until they are admitted to lay office. Such definite action would make the powers that exist more amenable to reason than any verbal protest.' The president of the Women's Christian Temperance Union (Mrs. J. Tait) said there could be no valid objection to women holding lay office in any church. 'The day has passed when women may be used to bolster up the Church is hewers of wood and drawers of water.' said Mrs. M. E. de Mattos, who was the only woman candidate in the recent State elections. 'Christianity would have more real meaning if women were given a definite and more widely recognised place in the Church. Our church leaders should remember that at the trial of Christ women were the only ones who stood up to defend Him. In the Salvation Army women are leading to-day one of the strongest Christian bodies in existence.'

Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Wednesday 27 March 1929, page 23

PROPOSED NEW WOMEN'S CLUB.

To discuss the project of forming a new club for town and country women, a public meeting was held in C.W.A. rest room, Griffiths House, last evening, when the Mayoress of Bris-bane (Mrs. W. A. Jolly) presided. At the request of the Mayoress, the con-vener of the meeting, Mrs. Harry Cameron, explained that the executive of the metropolitan branch of the Country Women's Association had been asked to arrange the gathering, as there was a general feeling that a club of this kind should be formed. At the instance of Mrs. Felix Mackay and Mrs. R. Cameron it was decided that the club be formed, and after some discussion it was agreed, on the motion of Mrs. Cameron and Miss Mollie Leahy, that the club be composed of town and country women, not necessarily members of the Country Women's Association. In speaking to this, Mrs. R. Cameron pointed out that, by making the club independent of and quite distinct from the Country Women's Association, a number of women who were not members of that association might be drawn in, and might become interested in the country women and subsequently join the association. Mrs. J. C. Trotter and Mrs. C. E. W. Kennedy supported in these remarks. The title of "Town and Country Women's Club" was adopted after some discussion, and Miss Dimmock moved, and Mrs. Marshall seconded, that the drafting of the con-stitution sliT>uId be left to the com-mittee, which would be appointed from among the members at a future meet-ing. At the suggestion of Mrs. Nicholson and Mrs. J. S. Hutcheon a recommendation was recorded to be made to the future committee to the effect that the entrance fee should be 5/, the membership fee for the remainder of the current year 10/6, and for each succeeding year one guinea. Mrs. Harry Cameron read a list of suggestions which had been put forward as suitable for the objects of the club. They were as follows:-(1) To establish intercourse among members leading to mutual help and mental improvement. (2) To help in all matters connected with women and children, in social and civic relations. (3) That the club shall set aside a small proportion of its meetings for lectures or talks upon literature, music, art, or some branch of science closely connected with domestic, civic, or social life. (4) That the club shall meet in the rest room of the metropolitan branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association. It was arranged that the convener should call a further meeting, at which the committee will be appointed.