New Farm

History of Brisbane's New Farm

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New Farm's history has been compiled as a part of the BRISbites community history project.

Aboriginal history

The Aborigines of north Brisbane were Turrbal people. Breakfast Creek, called 'Yawagar' (or 'yowoggera') meaning 'corroboree place', was a popular camping and corroboree spot. The explorers Oxley and Cunningham met members of the clan at the mouth of the Breakfast Creek in 1824. The name given to New Farm by the Aborigines was Binkinba, a word meaning place of the land tortoise.

The whites often referred to the Turrbal people as the "Duke of York's" clan and called their leader the Duke of York. In 1836, the Commandant of the Penal Settlement, Foster Fyans, met the Duke of York. He visited the 'rush made huts' on the river at Breakfast Creek and watched members of the clan fishing with nets.

Everyday life for the tribe consisted of hunting and gathering food, with time for games, and other social and spiritual activities.

Urban development

During the convict period New Farm was cleared to provide more land for cultivation. It was called New Farm to distinguish it from the older farming areas in north and south Brisbane. After the convict period ended in 1842, New Farm grew as a farming area with the establishment of dairying and small crops.

In the 1850s villa estates were established and in the 1860s the Brunswick Street thoroughfare was subdivided into residential allotments.

By the 1880s suburban development had increased and in the next decade industry, such as the Colonial Sugar Refinery, was providing a boost to employment in the area. The subsequent demand for accommodation resulted in the construction of a large number of flats. This style of accommodation has remained a feature of the suburb.

Notable residents

Thomas Welsby was a prominent, politician, businessman, historian and sportsman. Born at Ipswich in November 1858, he was educated at John Scott's and Ipswich Boys Grammar schools. Welsby loved history and sport. He held several positions, including president, with the Historical Society of Queensland and wrote seven books about the history of the Moreton Bay region.

A former rugby union representative, he helped to revive the code in 1928, and was a life member of the Queensland Rugby Union as well as its president for 10 years. He also sponsored boxing matches and formed the Queensland Amateur Boxing and Wrestling Union in 1909.

Welsby built a home called Amity in 1892, which still stands near the River at New Farm. He moved into the house in December 1892 and in February 1893 endured the disastrous floods, which came within inches of the verandah.

The historic home of Merthyr was built at New Farm for Sir Samuel Griffith. Sir Samuel was born on 21 June 1845 at Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorganshire, Wales. He entered politics in 1872 and became Premier of Queensland in November 1883, holding that office until June 1888. After only 22 months in Opposition, he became Premier again in 1890.

After leaving politics Sir Samuel served as Queensland's chief justice from 1893 to 1903. He also became the Chief Justice of the High Court when this was established in 1903. Sir Samuel is best known as the Chief Architect of the constitution, which brought the Commonwealth of Australia into being.

Landmarks

New Farm Park was the site of an 1846 racecourse. The Brisbane City Council purchased it in 1913 to create a park. It covers thirty-seven acres and originally included football grounds, tennis courts, basketball courts and 40,000 rose bushes of 300 different varieties. Since its development for public use, it has continued to be been much loved and enjoyed.

The New Farm Powerhouse, situated on the riverbank, supplied electricity for the city's electric tramway system, along with power and lighting for the suburbs of Ithaca, Toowong and Yeerongpilly. It ceased operating in 1971. Today it is a popular entertainment and arts precinct.

Reference: BRISbites, 2000

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