Walter Taylor (contractor)
Encyclopedia
Walter Taylor was an Australian visionary and builder of many Brisbane
landmarks. His most notable works are the Walter Taylor Bridge and the Graceville Methodist church, both of which are heritage-listed buildings.
, Queensland
, Australia
, where father Walter took up work in the building trade, eventually setting up on his account as a contractor. The young Walter worked with his father and learned the construction industry on the job; he did not receive any formal training in architecture, construction or engineering. In 1899, his father died in the Brisbane General Hospital, following an accident while building the engine sheds at Brisbane's Roma Street railway station. Despite being a busy contractor with many projects, the winding up of his father's estate over the following year revealed he was insolvent, leaving the family penniless. This experience had a profound effect on the young Walter.
Walter Taylor married Brisbane-born Louisa Johanna Elvina Charlotte Braun in 1900 and they had a daughter Thelma Henrietta Alvina in 1901. In 1902, Walter and his family sailed to England to gain more experience in the construction industry. They remained in England for 10 years, returning in 1912.
Between 1902 and 1912 in England, Walter Taylor was involved in the design and construction of fairground rides
.
On returning to Brisbane in 1912, Walter Taylor established a successful contracting
business. He was involved in the construction of many Brisbane buildings and other civil engineering works, such as bridges. Projects he worked on included:
However, Walter Taylor was not content to simply build projects envisaged and designed by others. He was a man of great vision and believed that modern construction projects could bring significant benefit to Brisbane's citizens. He proposed a series of projects, many of which encountered considerable opposition politically and financially. Unlike his father, Walter was very financially savvy and often came up with innovative funding solutions for his proposed projects. For example, he door-knocked the suburbs of Chelmer and Graceville to sell subscriptions to fund the construction of the Indooroopilly Toll Bridge and then used the tolls charged to pay back the loans and the investors. Projects that Walter Taylor proposed included:
at 95 Banks Street, Graceville, where he lived with his wife and daughter Thelma (until her marriage in 1928 to Victor Davis).
Walter Taylor was a devout Methodist and worshipped at the Sherwood Methodist church. His younger brother Arthur became a Methodist minister. Walter instigated, designed and built the Graceville Methodist Church in Oxley Road, Graceville, to serve the Graceville community of Methodists. It is often regarded as one of Brisbane's prettiest churches (and very popular for weddings). Walter and Louisa Taylor hosted many social occasions such as dances and garden parties in their home for the benefit of the church and its fund-raising. As the congregation had to borrow in order to build the Graceville Methodist Church, Walter Taylor's will provided funds to pay off the debt (following the death of his wife Louisa). His grand-daughter Joan Davis was married in that Graceville Methodist Church, the service being conducted by her uncle Arthur Taylor. His grandson Noel Davis also became a church minister (and in 2011 published a book "The Remarkable Walter Taylor" about his grandfather).
Walter Taylor died in November 1955 and his wife Louisa in 1962.
's Distinguished Constructor Award
and inducted into their Construction Hall of Fame.
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
landmarks. His most notable works are the Walter Taylor Bridge and the Graceville Methodist church, both of which are heritage-listed buildings.
Early life
Walter Taylor was born in 1872 in Sheffield, England, the eldest child of Walter and Mary Taylor. In about 1882, the family immigrated to BrisbaneBrisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, where father Walter took up work in the building trade, eventually setting up on his account as a contractor. The young Walter worked with his father and learned the construction industry on the job; he did not receive any formal training in architecture, construction or engineering. In 1899, his father died in the Brisbane General Hospital, following an accident while building the engine sheds at Brisbane's Roma Street railway station. Despite being a busy contractor with many projects, the winding up of his father's estate over the following year revealed he was insolvent, leaving the family penniless. This experience had a profound effect on the young Walter.
Walter Taylor married Brisbane-born Louisa Johanna Elvina Charlotte Braun in 1900 and they had a daughter Thelma Henrietta Alvina in 1901. In 1902, Walter and his family sailed to England to gain more experience in the construction industry. They remained in England for 10 years, returning in 1912.
Professional Life
Amusement ride
Amusement rides are large mechanical devices that move people to create enjoyment. They are frequently found at amusement parks, traveling carnivals, and funfairs.-Notable types:*Afterburner*Ali Baba*Balloon Race*Booster...
.
On returning to Brisbane in 1912, Walter Taylor established a successful contracting
General contractor
A general contractor is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a construction site, management of vendors and trades, and communication of information to involved parties throughout the course of a building project.-Description:...
business. He was involved in the construction of many Brisbane buildings and other civil engineering works, such as bridges. Projects he worked on included:
- Brisbane Boys' CollegeBrisbane Boys' CollegeBrisbane Boys' College , is an independent, Presbyterian and Uniting Church, day and boarding school for boys, located in Toowong, a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia....
- new block at the Royal Brisbane and Women's HospitalRoyal Brisbane and Women's HospitalThe Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital is a hospital located in the suburb of Herston in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.The hospital was formerly known as the Brisbane General Hospital.The hospital currently has a total of 948 beds...
in 1928 - the RSLReturned and Services League of AustraliaThe Returned and Services League of Australia is a support organisation for men and women who have served or are serving in the Australian Defence Force ....
Club in Elizabeth Street, Brisbane - the Boyne RiverBoyne River (Queensland)Boyne River is a river in Queensland, Australia. It flows between the twin towns of Boyne Island and Tannum Sands. The river was named by John Oxley as it reminded him of the River Boyne in Ireland. A bridge was built to cross the river joining the two towns in 1980...
bridge at Mundubbera in 1928 - the Barambah Creek bridge at Gayndah
- the Downfall Creek bridge on the Redcliffe Road near AspleyAspley, QueenslandAspley is a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia located about 13 kilometres north and about a half-hour drive north of the Central Business District of Brisbane...
- the swimming pool at Somerville HouseSomerville HouseSomerville House is an independent, boarding and day school for girls, located in South Brisbane, an inner-city suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia....
in 1923 - the bridge at the Albion Fiveways (AlbionAlbion, QueenslandAlbion is an inner north-eastern suburb of Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland, Australia.-Geography:Albion is bounded by Wooloowin in the north, Ascot in the east, Newstead in the south, and Windsor to the west, with Breakfast Creek defining the suburb border in its south and south-west...
) in 1928 - extensions to the Church of England Grammar School (East Brisbane) in 1927
However, Walter Taylor was not content to simply build projects envisaged and designed by others. He was a man of great vision and believed that modern construction projects could bring significant benefit to Brisbane's citizens. He proposed a series of projects, many of which encountered considerable opposition politically and financially. Unlike his father, Walter was very financially savvy and often came up with innovative funding solutions for his proposed projects. For example, he door-knocked the suburbs of Chelmer and Graceville to sell subscriptions to fund the construction of the Indooroopilly Toll Bridge and then used the tolls charged to pay back the loans and the investors. Projects that Walter Taylor proposed included:
- Graceville Methodist Church (completed, now heritage-listed)
- underground river tunnel from the Brisbane central business district to Woolloongabba (proposed 1924, but never built, although such a tunnel, the Clem 7, was built many years later in 2010)
- Indooroopilly Toll Bridge (opened on 14 February 1936, now the heritage-listed Walter Taylor Bridge)
- an underground parking station for the Brisbane central business district (proposed 1938, but never built, although a similar project, King George Square carparkKing George Square, BrisbaneKing George Square is a public square, located between Adelaide Street and Ann Street , in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Adjacent to King George Square is Brisbane City Hall...
, was built in the 1970s)
Personal Life
As befitting a contractor, Walter Taylor constructed himself a fine home "The Gables" at 15 Molonga Drive, Graceville, and then in 1927 another fine home "Glenrae" on the Brisbane RiverBrisbane River
The Brisbane River is the longest river in south east Queensland, Australia, and flows through the city of Brisbane, before emptying into Moreton Bay. John Oxley was the first European to explore the river who named it after the Governor of New South Wales, Thomas Brisbane in 1823...
at 95 Banks Street, Graceville, where he lived with his wife and daughter Thelma (until her marriage in 1928 to Victor Davis).
Walter Taylor was a devout Methodist and worshipped at the Sherwood Methodist church. His younger brother Arthur became a Methodist minister. Walter instigated, designed and built the Graceville Methodist Church in Oxley Road, Graceville, to serve the Graceville community of Methodists. It is often regarded as one of Brisbane's prettiest churches (and very popular for weddings). Walter and Louisa Taylor hosted many social occasions such as dances and garden parties in their home for the benefit of the church and its fund-raising. As the congregation had to borrow in order to build the Graceville Methodist Church, Walter Taylor's will provided funds to pay off the debt (following the death of his wife Louisa). His grand-daughter Joan Davis was married in that Graceville Methodist Church, the service being conducted by her uncle Arthur Taylor. His grandson Noel Davis also became a church minister (and in 2011 published a book "The Remarkable Walter Taylor" about his grandfather).
Walter Taylor died in November 1955 and his wife Louisa in 1962.
Honours
On 28 October 2011, Walter Taylor was posthumously the recipient of Queensland University of TechnologyQueensland University of Technology
Queensland University of Technology is an Australian university with an applied emphasis in courses and research. Based in Brisbane, it has 40,000 students, including 6,000 international students, over 4,000 staff members, and an annual budget of more than A$750 million.QUT is marketed as "A...
's Distinguished Constructor Award
Distinguished Constructor Award
The Queensland University of Technology Distinguished Constructor Award recognises significant contributions by individuals to the Queensland construction industry and community and to honour those who have given a lifetime of work to the industry...
and inducted into their Construction Hall of Fame.
See Also
- The Remarkable Walter Taylor, by Noel Davis, Margaret Cook, & Ralph Fones, published by the Oxley-Chelmer History Group, 2011
- Walter Taylor (contractor), a list of newspaper clippings and other references, by Kerry Raymond, 2011