Actor Norman Doyle 2009
John Petrie, Mayor 1859
Gentlemen I beg to return thanks for the great honour you have done me, and express my deep sense of the generous manner in which you have welcomed me.
Proud of your confidence, encouraged by your empathy I will discharge the duties of the office of Mayor faithfully.
We are no rude, uncultivated horde of quarrelsome border men as systematically represented by the metropolitan press in the past.
The faults others affected to find with us are all upon the surface. Beneath lies the strong sense of men who value the privilege too highly not to use it well.
No grander sight in the world can be exhibited than a community of free men assembling to frame their own laws, arrange their own taxation and control the expenditure of their own revenues. The people do not want old habits, old traditions or old convictions.
They want us to increase public service: endow the church, feed the poor, guard the land in case of war and, above all, execute justice.
We have a lot to consider: the perilous present state of the cities water supply, the continuing appalling state of our thoroughfares, the ongoing threat to the safety of women and children and we need to urgently regulate the ferry service.
To achieve our aims we need to come together with perseverance, unanimity and determination and deliver Brisbane as a crucible for change… …change, gentlemen, change is inevitable and in a progressive country, change is constant.
I respectfully ask that you work with me. We have plenty to do, very little money to spend, but we all share a great vision for this city.
Prudence demands we select active men to assist us to take up the challenge watch over her interests, and take her forward...
...'power is a trust and we are all accountable for its exercise; from the people and for the people all springs and all must exist' …
Extract from the Script by
Carolyn McDowall
The Culture Concept 2009
Photographs Courtesy Brisbane City Council and ABC Printing
BRISBANE 150 FOUNDING FAMILIES CELEBRATION
BRISBANE CITY HALL AUDITORIUM OCTOBER 13 2009
On Tuesday October 13 2009 eleven actors took to the stage in City Hall Auditorium at Brisbane to re-enact the founding of Brisbane 150 years ago as a municipality.
In just 150 short years Brisbane grew literally from a 'one horse town' to a thriving metropolis - a crucible for change.
The players were
John Petrie 37 Building Contractor and Mayor and, Master of Ceremonies
Norman Doyle
James Gibbon, Government Appointed Returning Officer
Alex Lanham
Robert Cribb 54 Retailer
James Fitzgerald
George Edmonstone 50 Butcher
David Bell
Albert John Hockings 33 Nurseryman and Seedsman
Mark Fell
Joshua Jeays 47 Architect and Builder
Gavin Drogemuller
Patrick Mayne 35 Butcher, Newspaper Proprietor
Cal Crilly
William Pettigrew 34 Baker Businessman
Daniel Grey
Thomas Blackett Stephens 40 Small scale industrialist, Newspaper contractor
Greg Stiff
William Sutton 69 Hotel keeper
John Sayles
George Warren 31 Cafe Proprietor
Jonathan Howard
Brisbane 2009
The performances were both powerful and inspiring and the accolades flew thick and fast following the event. So many people in the room were pleased to see the events unfold and understand just how amazing it was for Brisbane to gain its independence at that point in history on the strength of a petition by 420 of some 5000 residents in the city at that time.
Alex Lanham (Brisbane Arts Theatre) played James Gibbon, the returning officer appointed by the Governor General to attend to the election of the aldermen who would best represent the interests of the some 5000 residents of Brisbane. The aldermen then elected the Mayor.
Norman Doyle (4MBS Production Amadeus) played the role of the first Mayor, John Petrie. He was completely overcome at being able to shake the hand of the great great great grandson of the first Mayor the modern day John Petrie.
'It was such an honour and a privilege' said Norman.
Descendants of relatives of Patrick Mayne were thrilled with the portrayal by actor Cal Crilly of the man whose life remains, for many, such a matter of mystery and controversy. It was Mr. Crilly's first role and he was exceedingly touched by their reaction to his performance.
Quite a few ladies in the room decked out in period dress said they were inclined to take Mr Hockings home. Mark Fell's portrayal of this great gardener obviously touched more than one heart. And Mr. Warren, well they all wished he was running his Cafe in Queen Street today.
The costume certainly seems to have had something to do with it. Up until the turn of the 20th century men had it made really, with all that 'romantic' styled garb. Since they adopted the suit and tie well....
This special day was one of the final events for the 150th celebrations of Brisbane as a muncipality
Brisbane 1859
The election of nine aldermen and a Mayor at Brisbane in 1859 represented the inauguration of constitutional libery, which the citizens of Brisbane had fought for and achieved. 420 petitioners had signed the document that led to it being proclaimed a municipality able to govern its own affairs.
At that stage Brisbane was an urban centre for the north: linked by land with the northern pastoral settlement and by sea with Sydney and London. It had all the basic amenities educatio, churches, a hospital and a free press. as well it had a growing consciousness of the oportunities, which lay ahead.
The biggest challenge after putting in place the municipal machinery was closing the gap between function and finance.
The men who gathered around John Petrie, the first Mayor in their lifetime contributed a great deal to the growth of Brisbane as a city and, within a few months of its separation from Sydney, contributed to the growth of the capital of the newly formed Queensland.
Because of their significant achievements Brisbane today is a creative city, one of great optimism… and a crucible for change…