Timeline.
Our history is intrinsically linked to Brisbane and Queensland’s history.
“Sydney
The Petrie family, headed by Andrew Petrie, leave Scotland and arrive in Sydney, New South Wales.”
“Gunpowder Magazine
Andrew Petrie builds the Gunpowder Magazine for the New South Wales Government on Goat Island. Construction of a magazine to house the increasing stores of gunpowder held in Sydney town for public works and also as a central magazine for the powder stocks of the Navy and Military. An adjoining cooperage was also built.”
“Brisbane
The Petrie family arrives in the Moreton Bay Penal Settlement (now Brisbane) with Andrew Petrie the Superintendent of Works.”
“The Windmill
Andrew Petrie repairs the convict built Windmill located in Spring Hill making it operational. Originally built by convict labour under the supervision of Commandant Patrick Logan in 1828. By 1829 it was in need of repairs. After the repairs by Andrew Petrie the Windmill was operational grinding maize until 1841. The Windmill is Queensland’s oldest structure.”
“Petrie House and Workshop
Andrew Petrie builds the Petrie family house and workshop. Funded by the New South Wales Government as accommodation for his appointment as Superintendent of Works. Andrew Petrie stipulated that the house be lined up on a frontage with the then existing Government buildings in the area in Queen Street from George to Albert Streets.”
“Petrie Business
The Petrie business is started by Andrew Petrie.”
“Penal Colony Closed
The Moreton Bay Penal Settlement is closed.”
“Boiling Down Works and Slaughterhouse
Andrew Petrie designed and constructed the boiling down works factory near the wharf opposite Petrie Bight in Kangaroo Point. One building was made ‘out of the pieces of a large store which Petrie had removed from Six-Mile Creek’, Redbank. The building was rented to squatter Evan McKenzie. McKenzie joined with James Campbell and then employed the Petries on further building works to a total value of £3000.”
“Kangaroo Point Store
Kangaroo Point.
The Kangaroo Point Store is designed and constructed by John Petrie. Built on one of John Petrie’s three blocks of land at Kangaroo Point. It was occupied by John and his brother Walter Petrie for at least four years up to 1847.”
“Newstead House
Newstead.
Newstead House is designed and constructed for squatter Patrick Leslie.
Constructed of plastered brick on Brisbane Tuff foundations and originally had a slate roof. The walls are of hand-made triple brick construction, in all some 450 mm in thickness. The lower level, out of necessity, needed an infill of porphyry backed by rubble, in order to support the weight of about 3 metre wide verandas whose supports in turn, had to bear the weight of a large roof area of slate. Thus the lower service area became sound proof with extremely low light levels.”
“Brisbane Ferry Wharves and Ramps
Construction of landing places and approaches for the Government ferries. This was a Government contract. The boats and punts the firm had at its disposal allowed it to undertake this project.”
“Cleveland Breakwater
Cleveland.
John Petrie built a breakwater Cleveland for the Government. The boats and punts the firm had at its disposal allowed it to undertake this project.”
“Harbour Master’s Residence
Moreton Island.
Constructed a new Harbour Master’s Residence as the pilot station was moved from Amity Point to Moreton Island after the southern entrance to Moreton Bay was closed in favour of the northern entrance around Cape Moreton. The pilot station/ harbour master’s residence marked the first official European settlement of Moreton Island.”
“First Methodist Church
Petrie & Son constructed a one-storey small Wesleyan chapel for new immigrants. The Methodist congregation moved from their temporary structure on Queen Street to this new church. The land was a gift from the New South Wales Government with construction costing £150. Bricks were chosen for the building material and these were ordered in July 1848, followed by a call for tenders in October 1848. The church was 35ft by 18ft and could seat 150 people. This building was demolished in 1855.”
“Floating Bathing House
Petrie & Son designed and constructed a floating bathing house situated on the bank of the Brisbane River at the government garden. The need for bathing houses on the Brisbane River were heightened with swarm of sharks noticed in the river during the 1840s and several shark attacks.
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“Slab Cottages
Petrie & Son designed and constructed at York’s Hollow (now Fortitude Valley) numerous slab cottages for the immigrants from the ships Fortitude, Chasely and Lima. Timber was plentiful, but had to be laboriously pit-sawn at Andrew Petrie’s workshops.”
“Anglican Parsonage
The tenders were called for the construction of the Anglican Parsonage on July 6 1850, whereupon John Petrie submitted his on July 20, and later accepted on October 12. There were three tenders were received – John Petrie, Atkinson and Samuel Gould.”
“Bulimba House
Bulimba.
John Petrie constructed (and possibly designed) a new residence for David McConnel in an Elizabethan style. It was an English design, though altered for local climate. The design has wide verandahs to the north and south and a large blank wall facing west. The only concessions to ornament are the elaborate chimneys and the bay window to the north. Built with the aid of Scottish labourers, who also cleared the surrounding land and erected timber cottages around the house. Bulimba House is located on the bank of the river opposite Newstead House. It was the town house for David McConnel who owned Cressbrook Station in the Brisbane Valley. Bulimba House is one of the oldest homes in Brisbane and is believed to be the oldest stone building residence extant in Brisbane.”
“First Customs House
Petrie Bight.
In 1846 a branch of the Customs Department was established at Moreton Bay. In 1848 the NSW government devoted £1000 to the establishment of customs facilities in Brisbane. A prominent site was selected, on the banks of the Brisbane River along Queen Street. The First Customs House was located on same site as the present Customs House in Petrie Bight and was built by John Petrie at a cost of £407.15. A new wing and new verandah were added to the customs house in 1872.”
“Court House (Conversion)
Queen St (Between Albert and George Streets), Brisbane
Conversion of the existing prisoners’ barracks to a court house. During renovating this building, Andrew Petrie found the existing building to be in very poor condition.
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“First Brisbane School of the Arts
Corner of Queen and Creek Streets, Brisbane.
The Petrie’s were responsible for the design of the School of Arts building. John Petrie was a committee member of the School of Arts and Mechanics Institute. Samuel Gould was engaged to construct the building, being a bricklayer and an immigrant from the Fortitude. Gould was one of the Petries’ few rivals at the time. The site is now occupied by the National Bank Headquarters by F.D.G. Stanley”
“First Presbyterian Church
Grey Street, South Brisbane.
Construction of the first Presbyterian Church in Brisbane. Within a year there was a viable congregation in Brisbane (North Brisbane) and these formed a separate congregation, at Ann Street, in 1857.”
“John Petrie’s Residence
Petrie Bight.
The construction of a residence for newlyweds John and Jane Petrie. Built next door to Andrew Petrie’s residence and workshops.”
“Marking Out Town Boundary
Brisbane.
The Petrie’s were engaged to mark out the boundary of Brisbane. They undertook this and placed posts at convenient intervals along the town boundary to divide it from the suburbs. As well as placing posts along leading streets to mark the footpath and the street. The work was done by John Petrie for £84. The marking out of the main streets and the boundaries of the town was seen to be improving the appearance of the town.”
“Deepen Roma Street Water Reservoir
North Brisbane (Present day City).
Petrie were contracted to fence and deepen the water reservoir for Brisbane. They had possible design and engineering input as well as the construction. Contract for the project was for £140. John Petrie won the tender to make the necessary repairs and also drained off the swamp on the north side.”
“Store (Later Cleveland Court House)
Cleveland.
Petrie were engaged to construct a store for Francis Bigge. This building was later renovated and became the Cleveland Court House, and now a restaurant”
“Adelaide House (The Deanery)
Ann Street, Brisbane.
Design and construction of a new residence originally called Adelaide House for Dr William Hobbs, who was the first Government Medical Officer. The house was chosen to be the first Governor’s temporary residence as it was described as the best house in Brisbane town. It was altered for this new role and served this purpose from 1859 until 1862, later becoming the Deanery for the Anglican diocese. The house was originally approached from the hill up from Adelaide Street, however the council made a large cutting into the hill to further continue Adelaide Street and as a result created a large cliff and changed the approach to the house. Adelaide House was built of Brisbane Tuff from the O’Connelltown Quarry, Windsor, with sandstone facings, and both levels had timber verandahs. The house originally slate roof, which is now replaced by iron.”
“Ferry Roads and Approaches Improvements
North End of the Kangaroo Point Ferry.
Improvements to the approaches to the ferry as well as the road. Carried out earthworks and retaining wall work during this project”
“Ipswich Presbyterian Church
Ipswich.
Design and construction of a new Presbyterian Church in Ipswich. The church was erected according to plans and specifications drawn out by John Petrie. The building cost £1,400 to erect. The building was demolished and in 1866 the present St Stephens Presbyterian Church was erected on the same site as the original church.
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“Pettigrew’s Sawmill
William Street, Brisbane.
Construction of the mill’s brick chimney and possibly whole factory and workyards. The Petries constructed a 40ft high chimney at the sawmill. It is quite possible that the Petries built the Pettigrew Wharf and the factory shed.
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“St John’s Pro-Cathedral
Between George and William Streets, Brisbane.
Construction of an Anglican Pro-Cathedral to the designs of Sydney architect Edmund Thomas Blacket. The Church was originally a single gabled-roofed structure, but was later doubled by removing the northern wall and duplicating the original building. Petrie used Brisbane Tuff from the O’Connelltown quarry in Windsor. Rough faced and built as uncoursed squared rubble with trimmings and quoins of contrasting light-coloured smooth-dressed sandstone. Foundation stone was laid when Brisbane was part of the Diocese of Newcastle and still a part of New South Wales. At Separation in 1859 it was designated the Pro-Cathedral, and soon became the domain of Bishop Tufnell. It was then the Headquarters of the Diocese of Brisbane until it was demolished in 1904 to make way for the Executive Gardens (now part of Queen’s Park). A Pro-Cathedral is “a parish church used as a temporary cathedral”. There were additions done to the building in 1867-1868 by architect Benjamin Backhouse. The building was described as having “excellent workmanship and selection of stone”.”
“Ipswich Gaol
Ipswich.
Construction of a new gaol to the designs of a NSW official – probably either the Sydney Government Architect or Clerk of Works in Moreton Bay, Alexander Beazley”
“Residence for Robert Bourne
St Paul’s Terrace, Spring Hill.
Construction of a residence for Robert Bourne, who was the first secretary of the Board of Education. The design was by Robert Bourne and probably John Petrie.”
“Adderton
Duncan’s Hill (now Ann Street), Petrie Bight.
Design and construction of a new residence for Dr George Fullerton. In 1863 this residence was purchased by the Sisters of Mercy to be part of All Hallow’s Convent for £6,000. All Hallow’s School was designed by Andrea Stombuco, laid foundation stone 1881, completed 1883. All Hallow’s school started on 1 November 1863”
“Brisbane Immigration Barracks
William Street, Brisbane.
Construction of a new Immigration Barracks to a design by probably the NSW Government Architect. This building was the first immigration barracks built in Brisbane.”