A tree a rock a cloud

Outside Central Plaza Two, on the corner of Elizabeth Street and Creek Street is the sculpture 'a tree a rock a cloud'. Designed by now Brisbane sculptor Barbara Heath, it was installed in 2000. The associated plaque reads that the sculpture is combining symbols of the world around us while reflecting aspects of the innovation and achievements of business.

After being born in Sydney and then studying her craft in Melbourne, Barbara moved to Brisbane to set up her studio in 1983. It would seem she's been here ever since, and is a fascinating artist on the Brisbane scene with fantastic jewellery works and design. A self professed Jeweller to the Lost, she has exhibited many times in Brisbane, Queensland and internationally.

The picture above doesn't quite do the design justice, and with the water restrictions in Brisbane at present, there is currently no associated water feature with the sculpture. The angle also didn't quite capture the colour of the cloud part of the sculpture as much as I would have liked. This is another classic example of sculpture in the city which although not immediately grabbing your attention, will cause you to reflect on its themes once you do!

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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The Manor Apartments

The Manor Apartments are located at 289 Queen Street. Acting as both permanent and hotel accommodation, the Manor offers apartments for the weary traveller and corporate clientele. Officially known as Newspaper House, the building has also been known as the Colonial Mutual Life Building. The building was constructed between 1930 and 1931 for Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society (CML). To compensate for the site's narrow frontage of a small 10 metres, an agreement was made between the Commonwealth authorities, who administer the adjoining GPO, and Colonial Mutual Life to allow a "right-of-way to extend the full depth of the building".


The building is 10 storeys high with a very narrow frontage to Queens Street. There are several sculptured ornaments adorning the building. The style of these on the building facades is influenced by American Art Deco buildings of the 1930's. These included sculptured lions like those seen in this photo, and at the top there are a number of eagle gargoyles which gaze down at those on the street below.

I love the architecture of this building. The depth and the sculptures make it visually attractive as part of the streetscape. The heritage elements also make it unique. It is beyond those buildings of the late 1800's, yet still reflects a time between the world wars where different influences were coming in to play.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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The Cathedral of St Stephen

The Cathedral of St Stephen is part of the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane. In addition to the Cathedral, the site bounded by Elizabeth, Charlotte and Edward Streets contains numerous buildings that support the Archdiocese. The cathedral was built between 1864 and 1922 in 19th century neo-Gothic style, with extensions made in 1989. Bishop Quinn, the first bishop of the diocese, laid the foundation stone of the cathedral on the feast of St Stephen, 26 December 1863.

The Cathedral is part of the history of Brisbane, and is registered as one of the city's heritage sites. There are a number of significant artworks within the Cathedral. The sculptures were commissioned from Brisbane artist, John Elliott. The Carrara marble baptismal font and sculpture is by Melbourne artist, Peter Schipperheyn, as are the Cathedra (Bishop's Chair), Ambo and Altar. The fine collection of nineteenth century stained glass came from Germany, France, Ireland and England. There are also aboriginal paintings, which recognise the search for God by Indigenous Australians, over 40 000 years before white settlement. Daily tours are available at 10.30am Monday to Friday, and after masses each Sunday.

As I've said before, I'm not a very religious person, however in looking at architecture and buildings around Brisbane some of the most spectacular is related to the Church. I hadn't been inside a church for a long while, and I was awestruck by the magnificence of the insides of the chapel. The stained glass windows, the Christ sculpture and the organ literally take your breath away. I was fortunate in that the cathedral was mostly empty, so I was able to saviour the delights largely by myself.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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John Mills Himself

John Mills was a successful Brisbane printer, who traded from Adelaide Street as Mills and Green, printers and stationers, in the early 1900's. After a dissolution of his partnership, from 1909 Mills was trading as John Mills Himself, hence the title on this building.

During the First World War his business expanded, with a warehouse established at Newstead. In 1919 he erected this premises at 40 Charlotte Street which was designed by Brisbane architect John Henry Burley of Queen Street. By the 1920s the business was well established, attracting clients such as Steele Rudd. After his death, the business was conducted by his sons, John and Sam, and remained in the family until the 1980s. Now it is the home of Archives Fine Books.

At least the building has retained part of its association with the printing business. If you are up for a good long browse, this location is an easy place to get lost in. As they promote, they claim to have 1,000,000 books. Selling predominantly second hand and antiquarian books they do have quite a vast catalogue. They can purchase and search for books worldwide on your behalf, and also do appraisal and repairs of books. I have had occasion to wander in and use serendipity myself!

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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Brisbane Square

Brisbane Square is the new home of the Brisbane City Council. It is situated on the block between George Street, Queen Street and Adelaide Street, opposite the Treasury Casino (on the Queen Street side), and the Law Courts Complex (on the Adelaide Street side). Construction was completed in late 2006, and the architect for the project was Denton Corker Marshall. The building also will be the new home for Suncorp Metway.

Aside from the high rise building, the area has also become home to the new Brisbane Library and Customer Centre. Open most days except public holidays, the library offers a multitude of services far beyond the traditional book borrowing. There's a news lounge, learning lounge, City Zoo (where you can play XBox), sound and vision lounge, history gallery and internet lounge. They've done a great job making this a great information resource for Brisbane residents and visitors.


It is the public space at Brisbane Square which has opened up the top end of the Queen Street Mall. Aside from the multicoloured bases of the main building, the open space with trees and the sphere sculptures makes for a far better outlook than the construction site and rather desolate park which had graced the site over the past few years. Is was trying to think what the spheres look like, until I read a review at the Quit Your Day Job blog which says it all... Beryllium Spheres!

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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Dragon Tree

In the City Botanic Gardens near the Garden's Cafe is the Dragon Tree. The particular species of Dragon Tree is the Dracaena draco, or the Canary Islands Dragon Tree.

This particular tree does originate from the Canary Islands. The Garden's original curator, Walter Hill, planted it in 1862. The tree can live up to 400 years, and is very slow growing and does not branch or flower until it is 30 years old. The tree was damaged in 1984 during a storm, and you can see the poles which have been used to stabilise it to help prolong its life. Dragon tree wood is very heavy with red sap that oozes from the trunk when cut. This resin was used by 18th century Italian violin-makers for varnishing their instruments. It was also used for staining marble.

The tree is quite spectacular and sits at a high point in the Garden flanked by part of the rainforest section. The lawn runs down the hill from that point, providing views back to the city. I also have to make a comment about the Cafe. As much as I love that their is a cafe in the garden's, with magnificent views, they really do need to consider their pricing at the kiosk. Over double the normal price for a medium cup of Coke really is exploiting those who want to go and enjoy the serenity but get thirsty on a hot day.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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The Firemen's Memorial

At the pointed intersection of Queen Street and Eagle Street is a small park which holds the Firemen's Memorial. It is also known as the Mooney Memorial Fountain. It is significant for its association with James Mooney, a volunteer fireman who had lost his life while fighting a fire in Queen Street in March 1877. In true Australian fashion in that alcohol was involved, it happened to be when a keg of rum exploded. His was the first recorded death of a fireman in Queensland. it is an excellent example of a Victorian era monument and the careful and ornate design shows great skill and craftsmanship.

The memorial has a gothic architecture, and was erected originally in 1880. It was designed by the City Engineer, W H Chambers and sculpted by William Webster. Also at the site is a magnificent weeping fig tree which hangs over the memorial. Originally, there were three lions heads which provided a continuous water trickle, but in the restoration of the fountain in 1988 these were replaced by a more hygienic bubbler tap system. At that time it was also dedicated not just to James Thomas Mooney, but to all fire fighters who have served their community so nobly.

There are a number of plaques at the site, but I am particularly taken with this one, The Firemen's Prayer. I think it most apt if I let the marker speak for itself.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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Australia Day Fireworks

Today is Australia Day. On Australia Day we Australians come together as a nation to celebrate what's great about Australia. It's the day to reflect on what we have achieved and what we can be proud of in our great nation. It was on this day in 1788 when Captain Arthur Phillip took formal possession of the colony of New South Wales and thus established Australia as we know it. Brisbane as a city wasn't established until 1842 and was originally established (like a lot of areas in Australia) as a penal colony.

Today is a day of backyard cricket, barbeques, and evening fireworks. On the Brisbane River as part of the Australia Day Festival they organised evening fireworks which my son and I went and saw. We watched most of it from the Victoria Bridge which gave a good view down the river with South Bank on our right, and the city to our left. The South Bank Parklands were full tonight with a wide cross section of the Brisbane public. It is great that so many people get out and about on this day, and also great that the majority of people have a public holiday. Unfortunately, since we now have almost unlimited shopping days, a lot of retail businesses still had to operate today, but that did mean we could get an ice-cream after the fireworks!


Many of our indigenous people do not necessarily celebrate Australia Day, but celebrate Survival or Invasion Day. This doesn't mean Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are not proud Australians - their cultures rest firmly on pride, respect and care for this great land we all share. I recognise that it is truly our indigenous people who are the rightful keepers of the land, but ultimately, we're all just visiting!

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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Juxtaposition I

Juxtaposition I is a sculpture which was commissioned by the Brisbane City Council and installed in 1990. The sculpture is another of those dotted around King Edward Park, which reaches between Turbot Street and Wickham Terrace. The artist for the sculpture was Robert J Morris.

Born in South Australia, Robert J. M. Morris has had a rather consistent theme to his sculpture. He has art which may be termed as painting sculpture. He has travelled and exhibited internationally, and I now believe he is located in Cincinnati, Ohio in the U.S. He is recorded as saying:

"I exist in a Time & Space that is simultaneously material & spiritual. The material is my painting & space is the environment in which I work. Time moves me through this space to the next space or moment of existence. The spiritual is my inner self (gaining) understanding through the act of painting".

Unfortunately I feel that this artwork is a little worse for wear being out in the sometimes harsh Brisbane sun for over 15 years. It also isn't helped that at the moment there is some ground works going on in the park, which have meant that there is some quite unattractive orange temporary fencing surrounding the sculpture. I like the contrast of the colours used, and feel I can get a sense of the type of landscape he may have been trying to depict.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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Central Station

The official address for the Central Railway Station is 304 Ann Street. In reality, the entire facade extends down most of the block on Ann Street, and is bounded by Edward, Turbot and Creek Streets. The clock tower of the Ann Street frontage aligns with the war memorial opposite and the entire building provides a backdrop for ANZAC Square. The station is the central railway station for the Queensland Rail CityTrain rail network.

Central Station was constructed as the inner city link of the Queensland railway network, operational from 18 August 1889. The original building was completed in 1901. Over the years, the Central Station complex has been substantially altered, with the most intact section being this facade fronting Ann Street. This section is an example of Federation Free Style architecture. It is a significant landmark in the city of Brisbane.

Today the station acts as one of the main hubs of the rail network. I used to catch the train into the city and this was my main drop off point. The internals have been modernised to reflect a modern rail network, but the main facade still retains its heritage qualities. Most people, however, access the station from the walkway entrances at Edward and Creek Streets, or via the subway from ANZAC square.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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Queen Victoria in Queens Gardens

This imposing bronze statue of Queen Victoria, a replica by English sculptor Sir Thomas Brock of the original in Portsmouth, was erected in mid-1906. The purchase was arranged by local artist Godfrey Rivers, and was funded by public subscription and subsidies from state and local government. The pedestal was designed by the Public Works Department and crafted by local stonemason William Kitchen. The statue was an expression of Queensland's loyalty to the British Empire. The monument remains the only statue of Queen Victoria in Brisbane.

Located in Queens Garden, the statue is outside what is now the Conrad Hotel. The gardens were established in their current form in 1963, although since the erection of the monument they had been public gardens.

I must say that as you approach the monument up the diagonal pathways, you don't get a real sense of the grandeur of this sculpture. It is only when you stand underneath that I got the real sense of majesty for what Queen Victoria represented. I originally thought that it was "just another royal statue", however as I moved around the base I became more overawed. Although rather expressionless, the sculpture does exemplify the carriage of royalty.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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Anchors Away

Just near Waterfront Place, at the rear of Naldham House, you'll find this particular monument as part of Brisbane's maritime history. The site now occupied by Waterfront Place was part of Brisbane's original port. Parts of the Cellar still visible today date from 1864, when the first shipping office was erected on the site. With the amalgamation of several small companies into the Australian United Steamship Navigation Company in 1888-1889, Naldham House was built.

Now its home to the Brisbane Polo Club, and as their web site outlines: "Maritime trade with India, which was a major part of the business of all these early shipping companies, established a link with the British Raj. Thus was the theme the Brisbane Polo Club used in its restoration of Naldham House." Hence the anchor out the back!

It's funny that rather than focus on the architecture of the building, as I wandered around Brisbane with the kids, I found it far easier to focus on the anchor. This was probably because I could perch the kids around each point, and get them to smile whilst I took their photo. Unfortunately, something far more interesting on the roadside took their attention, hence the look away aspect of the shot!

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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Perkin's Stables

Although this artwork, Perkin's Stables, looks like it is indoors, it actually is quite close to the footpath on Mary Street, and confronts you as you walk down the street. It is at the entrance to Quest River Park Central, located between Edward & Albert Streets, at 120 Mary Street. It was created by artist Cezary Stulgis, and installed in January of 2004.

From the plaque at the site, it describes a drawing of workers at The Perkins (Brewery) Stables located at the site of the current building, but circa 1900. The artist drew his inspiration from a photograph in a daily newspaper of the time. The Perkins Stables acted as the transport division for the brewery, which was located directly across the street. A fire destroyed the Perkins Brewery in 1935, however the stables building remained (in a modified form) on the site until the apartment block was built in 2004.

Made of welded mild steel, sheet and rod, with a red polyurethane coating, it is hard not to notice this art. I'm glad its not hidden away behind the glass doors of the apartments. Cezary has a number of other artworks around Brisbane, which I hope to include in these pages over the course of the year. Next to the artwork is also a memorial plaque to John Mangano, a young man taken before his time, who worked on the new buildings development.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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The Free Red Loop Bus

The Loop bus service is a transport service which operates on two routes, clockwise and anti-clockwise, around the Central Business District. Most obvious by the distinctive Red buses which mainly operate the route, you can hop on and off at a number of different locations and get from one end of the city to the other with relative ease. Each bus stop on the service has distinctive red signposts as well. The whole circuit takes about 15-20 minutes.

Details of the loop stops and locations can be found on the Translink web site. Suffice to say, all the main sites through the city, like the Queen Street Mall, City Botanic Gardens, and Eagle Street all get passed by. Best of all the loop is Free! It runs Monday to Friday from 7:00am to 6:00pm, approximately every 10 minutes.


I've found this a great way to get around the city. If I need to get somewhere and I'm feeling too lazy to walk, I can get on the bus and around the same time I can be at the other end of the city. The buses are air-conditioned, new and very comfortable. A great service, but now, if they could only extend it to the weekends as well...

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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