The House that Fred Built
What a sight it must have been when this stately home stood proudly on the corner of Channon and Myall Streets. The home would have commanded magnificent views over the town and the Mary Valley.
By the time this house was built, architects and builders were adapting their designs to meet the requirements of the Queensland climate.
Although, this house is a typical example of the Australian tropical house or “Queenslander” it had a few features that made it special.
One of the special features was the attic rooms and the Juliet balcony on the front of the house. Usually the roof cavity was left empty to try and capture any cool air. Probably coming off the main bedroom, the views from balcony must have been spectacular.
The gardens must also have been spectacular. Carefully pruned and tended they must have been a feature of the home.
The house was the home of Frederick Charles Stuart Murray ‘Fred’ and his family. He was the founder of the business later to become Murray Views. Originally from Scotland, Fred came to Gympie in 1906 to manage a local photographic studio. He married Winifred Shaw in 1908 and their first home was in Barter Street, Gympie. According to the 1919 Electoral Roll, Fred and Winifred were now living at “The Bend” which is the location of this house. Information from the Murray family has it that Fred built the house in about 1919. A keen bowler and tennis player, the house boasted a bowling green and tennis court at the rear. It became quite the social hub of the town as people came for tennis and bowls parties and to take tea on the sweeping verandah. Perhaps that is Fred lounging playfully on the front lawn.
Sadly, this house was demolished in the 1960’s to make way for brick houses and very little of its history remains. If you can contribute any information to this story, please leave a comment or a message on our Facebook page.
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