There are still a few generations left in Brisbane who remember the retail store and chain of stores called Allan and Stark. Today the current generations of the 21st century know the name Myer. In the first seventy years of the twentieth century Allan and Stark were a Brisbane institution. Wairuna was the home of James Allan founder with Robert Stark of the Allan and Stark firm.
Wairuna was constructed as the residence of James Allan between 1896 and 1900, to the design of fine Brisbane architect Robin Dods.
James Allan was the co-founder of the drapery and outfitting firm, Allan and Stark who had outlets in South Brisbane and Queen Street. Allan and Stark were operating from the mid 1880s and remained in business as a major Queensland department store until they were taken over by Myer in the later half of the twentieth century.
James Allan and his new wife, Elizabeth Stark, moved into a house in Hampstead Road on the site of Wairuna which Allan bought on 4 February 1885. Wairuna was constructed in several stages from 1896 until 1900 and there is suggestion that the original house in which the couple were living was somehow incorporated in the new Dods' designed residence. However there is very little evidence of this at the house, although material including timber and doors may well have been recycled within the Allan's new house. When constructed Wairuna included a tennis court and tennis pavilion, a fence and surrounding gardens.
Robert Smith (Robin) Dods was a prolific, innovative and highly skilled Brisbane architect. Dods was articled in Edinburgh to Hay and Henderson and also attended classes of the local Architectural Association, before moving to London and joining the office of prominent nineteenth century architect, Sir Aston Webb in 1890. He returned to Brisbane after winning a competition for the Brisbane Hospital and began a partnership with local architect, FR Hall. Dods was a sophisticated architect, able to well integrate the contemporary innovative design of the Arts and Crafts movement with the climactic features of a sub tropical climate. Wairuna is certainly an example of this integration of ideas, a finely designed building following the Arts and Crafts tradition with a high pitched complex roof, multi gabled and bayed projections and an overall picturesque quality, achieved whilst obtaining a comfortable and livable Queensland house.
James Allan died on 27 January 1938 and Wairuna was acquired by the Presbyterian Church on 16 March 1943. The building was used as a hostel from 1939 until 1972, then as a Home Mission Training Institute and in 1977 was used as a Uniting Church manse. During the period of church ownership many internal partitions were added and the bathroom facilities were extended. A church hall was constructed on the site of the former tennis court. Subdivision followed and the church was sold into private ownership in about 1984.
Source - The Queensland Heritage Register
James Allan
Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Tuesday 4 June 1935, page 17
FIFTY YEARS MARRIED
Mr. and Mrs. James Allan Quiet Celebrations To-day
A quiet family parly is being held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Allen, Wairuna, Hampslead Road, South Brisbane, this afternoon to celebrate the golden anniversary of their wedding. Ever devoted to his business activities, Mr. Allan, who is chairman and manager of Messrs. Allan and Stark Ltd., spent the morning in his city office. But most of his time was taken up receiving congratulations from callers over the phone and by telegram, and by letter.
"Yes, it is an event that does not occur In the life of every couple," said Mr. Allan, "but we are celebrating the golden anniversary of our wedding at South Brisbane 50 years ago in the quietest possible way at our home, for you know that Mrs Allan has always been more fond of home life than of public life."
FAMILY GATHERING. At the Allan home for the celebra tions were the two sons, Professor. Marshall Allan, of Melbourne, and Mr. Thomas Allan, of Palmwoods, one daughter, Mrs. Eric Boden, and two grandchlldren, John and Mary Boden. The other daughter, Mrs. Mayne, wife of Dr. Cyril Mayne, of Plymouth, England, offered her congratulations to her parents over the radiophone one day last week. Miss M. Stark, who was her sister's sole bridesmaid, was also present. Mr. James Allan was married to Miss Elizabeth Stark at the bride's home at. South Brisbane on June 4, 1885. Mrs. Allan was a member of another family who came from Scotland and entered into business in Queensland. Mr. R. B. Stark, who with Mr. Allan established the firm of Allan and Stark in 1882, came to Brisbane in 1880, a year after Mr. Allan's arrival here, and the other members of the Stark family, including Mrs. Allan, followed Mr. R. B. Stark a few years later.
STARTED AS A FARMER. Mr. James Allan started life as a farmer after he left school in Scotland, but that class of avocation did not appeal to him although he was the son of a farmer, and soon we find him serv ing an apprenticeship in the drapery firm of Daley and Co. at Glasgow. Mr. Allan mentioned to-day that through ail the years since he left Glasgow the senior member of that drapery firm where he spent his youth, Mr. James Daley, has continued to send him a Glasgow paper every week. After receiving his training in the drapery business in Scotland, Mr. Allan came to Brisbane under engagement to the wholesale firm of D. L. Brown and Co., now Thomas Brown and Sons, with whom he remained for three years. He then formed a partnership with Mr. Robert B. Stark, and with a capital of £500 they established a drapery business in Stanley Street, South Brisbane. The flood of 1893 ruined Stanley Street as a retail trade centre and the firm crossed the river and started afresh in Queen Street, building up a business which has continuously progressed.
PUBLIC INTERESTS. Although taking a keen and active in terest in his business, Mr. Allan has found time and energy to devote to public life. He was a member of the South Brisbane Council from 1892 to 1895, and a member of the Legislative Assembly from 1909 to 1915. He has associated himself with many public bodies, his services always having been greatly appreciated by the Chamber of Commerce, the Drapers' Association, and other organisations. During the war Mr. Allan controlled the war work of the Y.M.C.A. in Eng land and France, and his two sons also served in the great conflict of the nations.
CHURCH AND HOME. Both Mr. and Mrs. Allan have taken an active interest in the Park Presby-terian Church. Mrs. Allan is a life member of the Presbyterian Women's Missionary Union. She is also interested in activities of the home such as gardening, sewing, and knitting. Both have travelled a good deal. Thirty years ago Mr. and Mrs. Allan. took their family to Edinburgh, where Mrs. Allan, with her sons and daughters, remained for three, and a half years to enable the members of the family to further their education.
Professor Marshall Allan graduated at the University of Edinburgh, and Mrs. Mayne received her higher education both in Scotland and in Germany. THE PARTY Mrs. Eric Boden arranged the party for her parents, which took place this afternoon at their home at Wairuna, Highgate Hill. The colour scheme was gold throughout, even to the bread for sandwiches. Masses of jonquils decorated the tea table, and in the centre was a cake, which had been baked by little Mary Boden, and was iced in gold. The guests were received in the rose-decked lounge. Mrs. Allan, who wore a black cereal silk frock with a white jabot and touches of white on the cuffs, received a posy of gold carnations from her daughter, whose cigar brown en semble featured revers of buttercup silk. Miss M. Stark, Mrs. Allan's sister, who was her sister's bridesmaid, and lives at Wairuna, was among the guests.
Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Thursday 27 January 1938, page 14
MR. JAMES ALLAN DEAD
Former Brisbane Business Leader
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