William Monks
Encyclopedia
William John Monks, also known as Bill or Billy, (1869 – 2 July 1943) was an Australian architect
active in the last decade of the 19th century and first third of the 20th century. Monks "had one of the most successful and extensive architectural practices in country New South Wales
. He was based in Wagga Wagga for over 40 years and designed buildings in practically every district in the southern half of the state."
, Monks was the eldest child of Alfred James and Ellen Bowe Monks. He lived until his teenage years in the Pastoral Hotel, Wagga, which was owned and managed by his publican
father. Monks had two younger sisters, Bessie and Nell, and a younger brother, Alfred. Monks remained single throughout his life and maintained a close relationship with his sisters and brother.
, a suburb in the Inner West
of Sydney
, and attended Newington College
from 1883 to1885. Late in 1885 he left school and was articled
to the Sydney firm of architects Stockham and Hassall; in the ensuing five years he studied at Sydney Technical College
. During this period the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney
held classes in architecture, and it is likely that Monks attended these with contemporaries such as Henry Budden
.
windows) with a strong national identity. By the turn of the century he had established a design office in Gurwood Street, Wagga. Later, Monks employed Christopher Ernest Jeffs as a draftsman. Jeffs eventually became a partner and for a while the partnership also included Roy Ashley Shaw and was known as Monks, Jeffs and Shaw. In 1938, Monks retired.
or by Local Councils, Shires and State Government Agencies.
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
active in the last decade of the 19th century and first third of the 20th century. Monks "had one of the most successful and extensive architectural practices in country New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. He was based in Wagga Wagga for over 40 years and designed buildings in practically every district in the southern half of the state."
Family and early life
Born in Wagga Wagga, New South WalesWagga Wagga, New South Wales
Wagga Wagga is a city in New South Wales, Australia. Straddling the Murrumbidgee River, and with an urban population of 46,735 people, Wagga Wagga is the state's largest inland city, as well as an important agricultural, military, and transport hub of Australia...
, Monks was the eldest child of Alfred James and Ellen Bowe Monks. He lived until his teenage years in the Pastoral Hotel, Wagga, which was owned and managed by his publican
Publican
In antiquity, publicans were public contractors, in which role they often supplied the Roman legions and military, managed the collection of port duties, and oversaw public building projects...
father. Monks had two younger sisters, Bessie and Nell, and a younger brother, Alfred. Monks remained single throughout his life and maintained a close relationship with his sisters and brother.
Education
Monks' early education was at Wagga Wagga Public School in Gurwood Street. At fourteen, he moved with his family to PetershamPetersham, New South Wales
Petersham is a suburb in the Inner West of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Petersham is located 6 kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Marrickville Council...
, a suburb in the Inner West
Inner West (Sydney)
The Inner West is a general term which is used to describe the metropolitan area directly to the west of the Sydney central business district, New South Wales, Australia...
of Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, and attended Newington College
Newington College
Newington College is an independent, Uniting Church, day and boarding school for boys, located in Stanmore, an inner-western suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
from 1883 to1885. Late in 1885 he left school and was articled
Articled clerk
An articled clerk, also known as an articling student, is an apprentice in a professional firm in Commonwealth countries. Generally the term arises in the accountancy profession and in the legal profession. The articled clerk signs a contract, known as "articles of clerkship", committing to a...
to the Sydney firm of architects Stockham and Hassall; in the ensuing five years he studied at Sydney Technical College
Sydney Technical College
The Sydney Technical College was a name used by Australia's oldest technical education institution.It began as the Sydney Mechanics' Institute in 1843...
. During this period the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
held classes in architecture, and it is likely that Monks attended these with contemporaries such as Henry Budden
Henry Budden
Henry [Harry] Ebenezer Budden CBE was a Sulman Award winning Australian architect active in the first 40 years of the 20th century. His work encompassed the styles of the Federation Arts and Crafts and Bungalow through to the Inter-War Stripped Classical and Art Deco...
.
Architectural practice
Monks returned to Wagga in 1890 and opened an office in space provided by his father at the Pastoral Hotel. His domestic designs were in the Federation bungalow style (asymmetrical, single storey, verandahs, detailed roof, exposed rafters, casementwindows) with a strong national identity. By the turn of the century he had established a design office in Gurwood Street, Wagga. Later, Monks employed Christopher Ernest Jeffs as a draftsman. Jeffs eventually became a partner and for a while the partnership also included Roy Ashley Shaw and was known as Monks, Jeffs and Shaw. In 1938, Monks retired.
Community involvement
In his younger years Monks played cricket and tennis locally but was not a strong sportsman. He was involved with the School of Arts and the Murrumbidgee Pastoral and Agricultural Association and enjoyed hunting, shooting and fishing.Heritage Branch listings
The following buildings are listed by the Heritage CouncilHeritage Council
The National Heritage Council is an organisation created by the Irish government to "propose policies and priorities for the identification, protection, preservation and enhancement of the national heritage."...
or by Local Councils, Shires and State Government Agencies.
- Up-To-Date Store and Garth Jones Collection of farm machinery, 127-129 Cowabbie Street, Coolamon, New South WalesCoolamon, New South WalesCoolamon is a town in the Riverina region of south-west New South Wales, Australia. Coolamon is north-west of Wagga Wagga and south-west of Sydney via the Hume and Sturt Highways. The town is situated on the railway line between Junee and Narrandera. Coolamon had a population of 1,339 at the 2006...
- Hairdresser (Junee Barber), 21 Seignior Street, Junee, New South WalesJunee, New South WalesJunee is a medium sized town in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. The town's prosperity and mixed services economy is based on a combination of agriculture, rail transport, light industry and government services, and in particular correctional services...
- Home Care Service of NSW, 21 Seignior Street, Junee
- Junee Hotel, 21 Seignior Street, Junee
- Medical Centre, 34 Belmore Street, Junee
- Retail Shop, 21 Seignior Street, Junee
- St. Brendan's Roman Catholic Presbytery, 47 Langham Street, Ganmain, New South WalesGanmain, New South WalesGanmain is a town in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. Ganmain is located around north west of Wagga Wagga, and east of Narrandera...