Petrie Family
Queensland’s first settlers
The Petrie family were the first family to settle in Queensland arriving in 1837. Their legacy on the built environment is evident in the numerous iconic buildings still standing.
Andrew Petrie is known as the ‘Founding Father of Brisbane’. He was instrumental in the early development of Brisbane and the exploration of South-East Queensland. He was a trained architect, master builder and master mason. He was appointed the Superintendent of Works for the colony and commenced the family business in 1840.
Andrew Petrie
John was the eldest son of Andrew Petrie and took over the family business in 1848. He was elected the first Mayor of Brisbane, an office he was elected to three times. He was a trained architect, master builder and master mason like his father. He was instrumental in the advancement of Brisbane and Queensland and served on the board of many organisations and committees and was a patron of local sporting bodies.
John and his wife Jane were active philanthropists and were closely associated with health and hospital matters for many years.
John Petrie
Andrew Lang Petrie was the eldest son of John Petrie and took over the family business in the 1880s. He was a trained architect like his father, as well as a respected builder and stonemason.
He also undertook property developments in the burgeoning colony and ambitiously developed Albion Park, reclaiming several hectares of tea tree swamp to construct a 4 furlong racetrack and amusement complex including a dance hall, amusement area and amenities. Albion Park is now the focus of a major redevelopment for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
He was a leading figure in Queensland having been the Chairman (mayor) of the Hamilton Divisional Board and also the Toombul Divisional Board before entering Queensland Parliament as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for 33 years. He was ‘Father of the House’ in parliament and was a well respected member of Queensland society.
Andrew Lang's popularity was such that he was undefeated in local elections during his municipal career, and also in the decades of parliamentary service which followed. He exhibited the resilient Petrie spirit which had given the family its longstanding reputation.
Andrew Lang Petrie
John George (Jack) Petrie
John George Petrie was the eldest son of Andrew Lang Petrie and took over the family business in the 1920s. He was an architect like his father but also a keen sportsman and represented Queensland on many occasions.
John Robert Petrie was the eldest son of John George Petrie and took over the family business. He was well regarded in the construction industry and undertook many projects across Queensland including many for the Queensland Government, Brisbane City Council and University of Queensland. He was a very keen motorsport enthusiast and was heavily involved in the Australian Grand Prix.
John Robert (Bill) Petrie
John Ronald Petrie was the eldest son of John Robert Petrie and took over the family business in the 1970s. He was a trained architect completing his architectural degree in the early 1970s at the University of Queensland. After working in private practice for several years he took over the Petrie business in the 1970s. A well regarded architect, stonemason and builder, John Ronald Petrie was responsible for the restoration of many of Queensland’s most iconic buildings - many of which the Petrie’s had originally built.
John Ronald Petrie
John Geofrey Petrie is the eldest son of John Ronald Petrie and took over the family business in 2020. He continues the family tradition of being a design and construction professional, being a registered architect as well as a highly knowledgable and experienced construction and property professional.
He has a wealth of knowledge of Brisbane, including its history and architecture as well as all things property and development related.
Feel free to get in touch with John for any enquiries you may have on property development, architecture, Brisbane history or the Petrie Family.
John Geofrey Petrie
