Homes of Brisbane: Greenaway End A Home of The Powers

Greenaway End, Whyenbah Street in Hamilton was the home of Doctor John Joseph Power and his wife Hilda Mary (nee Walsh). This house designed by the architect Eric P. Trewern in 1936 has as its neighbour another of Eric P. Trewern's designs. In physical appearance they have no similarity to each other which makes the two homes of interest from the pen of Trewern.

This is the home neighbouring Greenaway End and both homes were designed by Eric. P. Trewern. This home at 22 Whyenbah Street was built in 1926 for Mary Commins or Cummins the wife of a former school teacher and headmaster Joshua Commins. The surname of Commins and Cummins has been used in many newspaper references to Joshua and Mary Commins. Their marriage record has the surname as Commins. Joshua died in 1915.

John Joseph Power the son of Francis Isadore Power MLC was born into one of Queensland's well known early colonial and prominent state families. He carved his own distinguished career as a prominent medical officer and Queensland citizen. With horse racing in the family bloodline Doctor

John Joseph Power was more prominent in the horst racing community than as a medical doctor. His role on the Queensland Turf Committee and owner of an extensive race horse collection his nane was never out of the reports on horse racing prior to and following the second worls war. The decades of the 30s, 40s and 50s were the years of Dr. J. J. Power and the Queensland Turf Club. In partnership with the legendary Brisbane identity John Patrick O'Shea they commended considerable influence through the years previously mentioned.

The following taken from an article provided by Petrea Atkinson in her family tree provides some background to the father of Doctor J. J.Power and teh sport of horse racing.

The Power Family in Australia

The Hon. Francis Isadore Power MLC

Francis joined the Legislative Council on 15 July, 1901 and was the Minister for Justice in the Philp ministry briefly during 1907 and 1908. He was also involved in local politics, serving at various times on the Gympie, Glastonbury and Widgee Divisional Boards. Serving the Community Francis served on the Gympie Hospital Committee for many years and was later the hospital’s patron. He also served as a Trustee for the Rhodes Scholarship. A keen sportsman, Francis represented Gympie at cricket and also served as President of the Gympie Cricket Association. At the track… Described as a man who “would rather win a Gympie Cup or Queensland Derby than be Prime Minister”, Francis was passionate about racing. He trained his own horses, winning the Gympie Cup in 1885 with “his game little chestnut Cosack”, and would have ridden them himself but for “weighty concerns”. He was President of the Jockey Club, on the board of the Gympie Turf Club, and a committee-member of the Queensland Turf Club. Francis married Elizabeth Josephine Plunkett at St Stephen’s Cathedral on 30 August 1887. Distinguished guests at the wedding included Sir Charles and Lady Lilly and Mr. and Mrs B.D. Morehead. The reception was held at “Valda”, Virgil and Jeanie Power’s riverside home. “Kitawah” Known as one of the “most commodious and best residences around Gympie”, “Kitawah” was the Power family’s homestead, set on 40 acres overlooking the Mary River. Its attractions included one of Queensland’s first golf courses, a band rotunda, peacocks, an aviary and even a monkey house. The Powers were a social family and on public holidays and most Sundays they would open “Kitawah” to the public, so that people could listen to a band play in the rotunda, relax, or play croquet on the lawn. The ‘Dead Man’s Penny’.

WWI Memorial Plaque

This bronze plaque was presented to Elizabeth Plunkett Power for her loss of her son in the First World War. It remains in the Power family today with the person bearing the Plunkett name – currently, Sir Noel Plunkett Power. Mourned by his community Francis died at “Kitawah” on 24 June, 1912, after a period of illness. At his funeral two trucks were needed to convey the 93 funeral wreaths, while 150 telegrams were sent in sympathy, including ones from the Prime Minister, Premier, Minister for Mines, Chief Justice and Attorney-General. The district’s gold mines also ceased operation for the morning to enable employees to pay their respects A distinguishing trait of the Hon. Francis Isidore Power MLC, was his sympathetic and truly charitable disposition, which was never appealed to in vain… Obituary for Francis I. Power, 1912

Johnstone River Advocate and Innisfail News (Qld. : 1928 - 1941), Friday 20 November 1936, page 8

PIONEER OF EARLY GYMPIE

Death of Mrs. F I Power

With the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Power, of "Kitawah". Tuesday's Brisbane "Courier-Mail."

Mrs. Power, who beflore her marriage was Miss Elizabeth Plunkett, was born in Ballinsloe, Ireland, 77 years ago, and came to Australia in 1886. In 1887 she was married in St. Stephen's Cathedral to Mr. Francis Isadore Power, who became Minister for Justice in 1908. They went to live in Gympie, where their home was a rendezvous for distinguished visitors to the town. For 25 years until Mr. Power's death in 1912, "Kitawah" was a centre of Gympie life. Mrs. Power was an ardent Roman Catholic and a keen worker for her church. She was the organiser of the children's ward at the Gympie General Hospital, and the chief organiser for the building of the present Gympie convent school. She took a great interest in the building of the Christian Brothers' School in Gympie and in the Roman Catholic Church and school buildings. She was also one of the founders of the present South Side State School at Gympie. Her sons were educated at Nudgee College, and for 25 years continuously there was a member of the Power family at that school. She came to Brisbane in 1924, and has lived at her home at Ascot ever since. At her death only two of her family were missing from the bedside two sons who had missed the southbound plane from Townsville yesterday. She leaves a family of 11. Her sons are: Mr. Francis P. Power (Gympie) , Dr. J. J. Power (Brisbane), Mr. Leonard P. Power, and Leo. P. Power, of Leonard Power and. Power (Brisbane), Mr. Paul Power (Maryborough), Mr. Isadore Power. (Townsville), and Mr. Gerald Power (Innisfail). Four of her sons went to the war, and one, Lieutenant Noel Power, was killed in action in France. She also leaves four daughters: Mesdmes A. P. Rogers (Cooliabarabran, N.S.W.) and L. A. Hall (Goomeri), and Misses Mona and Joyce Power, both of Brisbane. Her remains will be. taken to Gympie to-day, where a requiem mass will be held in the Roman Catholic Church at 9 a.m. to-morrow. The funeral will take place at 10 a.m.

The First Greenaway End Home of Doctor John Joseph Power and Hilda Walsh

The house that stands today at 26 Whyenbah Street is not the first home that J J Power and Hilda lived in after their marriage in 1925. The first was built in nearby Racecourse Road in 1921 and named Greenaway End.

A pictorial feature in the Queenslander newspaper of October 15, 1921 shows the home Greenaway End in Racecourse Road, Hamilton. Whether this house still stands today has not been established. The home that exists opposite the Hamilton Town Hall does have some similar features and is definitely in the correct time period for when the original Greenaway End was built for John Joseph Power. Doctor J. J. Power as he was known and Hilda Walsh were married March 20, 1925.

Today's Greenaway End Home of Doctor John Joseph Power

What is of interest about this house is that it was designed for a block of land that faced Riverview Terrace or to the east to maximise the views down the Brisbane River. As one looks at the house today with the garage entrance from Whyenbah Street you are actually looking at one end of the original design. The garage has been added to provide a street entrance as the land that would have fronted the house is now subdivided and a motel has been built on it.

Greenaway End in 1936 when completed

The picture above shows the front of the house situated at right angles to Whyenbah Street

Some Anecdotes from the Life of Dr. J. J. and Hilda Power

Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), Saturday 27 October 1917, page 39

R.I. P. Mrs. F. I. Power's Third Son's Death. Mrs. F. I. Power. "Kitawah. " South side, received a cable from her son. Captain Dr. J. J. Power, of the 7th Field Ambulance. France, dated the 15th October, conveying the sad news that her third son. Lieutenant Noel Plunket Power, had been killed in France, and that another son. Gunner Paul Mick- Power, had been slightly wounded. The late lieutenant was only 21 years of age. and enlisted in Sydney in August. 1914. He was at Gallipoli. and landed in France in March last year, and had been in the trenches ever since. He enlisted as a private, but in August last, after the battle of Pozieres was promoted to lieutenant. A later cable stated that Lieutenant Power was missing from the 1th of October. Another of Mrs. Powers sons is also at the Front.

Daily Standard (Brisbane, Qld. : 1912 - 1936), Monday 17 July 1922, page 8

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION.

Certificates gained by students at a recent first aid class, held by the St. John Ambulance Association, were presented at an enjoyable social held on Saturday night. The presentation was made by Colonel A. J. Thynne, president of the centre, and of the Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade, who congratulated the successful candidate, expressing the hope that they would induce others to take the opportunity Of obtaining instruction in first aid and home nursing.

The examination was conducted by Dr.. J. J. Power, the lecture being given by Dr. Ryton Kelly, and the practicnl instruction by a member of the Q.A.T.B. staff.. The successful candidates were:-Label, Mr. H. J. Morse; medallion, .Messrs. A. E. Beech, W. A. Bonham, and the Misses 1. Hack, P. Costln, A. Boyle; vouchers, Mr. A. Kerr and E. Sue; certificates, Messrs. N. P. Donaldson, TC. Lang, M. Downey, S. J. Bice. G. Lahoy, J. Connelly, II. G. Palmer, W. M. Jordan. W. N. Mitchell. C. Buckley, Misses M. A. Cuehway, Ii. Welch, 1. Makepeace, D, Fox, . R.. Brant,.

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Friday 5 April 1935, page 3

UNVEILING BY GOVERNOR

25th Battalion Memorial Tablet

At a meeting of the 25th Battalion reunion committee arrangements were finalised for the unveiling of memorial tablet in the crypt beneath the Anzac Memorial on Sunday, April 14, at 10 a.m. The unveiling ceremony will be performed by the Governor (Sir Leslie Wilson) and an address by Dr. J. J. Power, who was medical officer of the battalion, will outline the history of the unit Rev. Hely-Wilson will conduct the dedication service. The 25th Battalion suffered the greatest casualties of any unit of the A.I.F. during the Great War.

Truth (Brisbane, Qld. : 1900 - 1954), Sunday 11 November 1934, page 9

SHORT SNAPS AT ALL SPORTS

STANDING as candidate for Tattersall's Club committee: Leo Power. Popularity and ability will make him fair bet. Son of one of Q.T.C. founders (late F. I. Power. Gympie). Brother Dr. J. J. Power, present committeeman. Another brother. Leonard Power, last season's president Golf Council. Partners in legal business in Ascot Chambers. Good sport Leo, and is V.P. Brisbane Rugby League, member Q.T.C, Indooroopilly Golf Club, solicitor to B.R.L., Indooroopilly G.C.. Queensland Aero Club. Unique occasion in Tatt's history was when seven of Power brothers met together in club rooms. Office is next door Tatt.'s, so hell be right on the spot if wanted as committeeman.

Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Saturday 11 January 1947, page 4

Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Thursday 15 December 1949, page 5

2 doctors in 7 families

FATHERS of seven of the 50 graduates who re-ceived their Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees at the Medical School yesterday are themselves doctors. Seven of the 50 graduates received honours degrees — four received second-class honours and three first-class honours.

The seven new doctors are Dr. Ruth Cilento (daughter of Sir Raphael Cilento), Dr. A. H. B. Clarke Dr. J. T. Duhig (son of Dr. J. V. Duhig), Dr. B, Geany (son of Dr. M. Geaney), Dr. J. L. C. Lahz (son of Dr. J. R, Lahz), Dr. E. F. McGulnness (son of Dr. E. J. McGuinness), and Dr. John Power (son of Dr. J. J. Power). Dr. John Power, jun., is the third generation of his family, and the third with the same name to practise in Queensland. His great-uncle, also Dr. John Power, was the first Australian-born doctor to practise In Queensland. Of the honours students, one, Dr. W. D. Friend, is an exserviceman. He completed the final four years of his course after two years spent in the R.A.A.F. He obtained first'class honours.

The University Chancellor Mr. W. Forgan Smith), who presented the degrees, urged greater public interest in the University. The ability to finance University projects is an important limiting factor, he said. I would suggest that organisations and individuals who are in a position to do so should become benefactors to their own University. We should support our own institutions. Without faith the work of our hands will wither and die. Public health was of supreme mportance, Mr. Forgan Smith added. A continued policy of wise co-operation by all conerned would be of distinct advantage, he said. Before the presentation of degrees, Mr. Forgan Smith unveiled a plaque on the wall of the pathology museum in honsur of Dr. J. V. Duhig, first Professor of Pathology of the Medical School.