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The Masonic temple at Barcaldine was constructed in 1901.
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Tyrconnell gold mine, part of the Hodgkinson goldfield in far north Queensland, was once home to 10,000 gold miners and their families.
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See Poy House entered on State’s Heritage Register
The former family home of one of Innisfail’s most prominent Chinese Australian business families has been heritage listed.
Queensland Heritage Council Chair David Eades said See Poy House, built in Edith Street Innisfail between 1929 and 1932 for Johnstone See Poy and his wife Theodora (Dora), demonstrated an important aspect of Queensland’s Chinese migration history.
“The See Poys were an important Chinese Australian family in north Queensland history, operating See Poy & Sons, a major department store, for approximately 100 years following its establishment by Johnstone’s father, Taam Sze Pui who was known asTom See Poy,” Mr Eades said.
“The store was built in Innisfail as an imitation of the emporia that dominated the skylines of Hong Kong and Shanghai in the early 20th century.
“See Poy and Sons became arguably the largest department store in north Queensland, with international connections. It catered for a wide clientele in Innisfail and beyond, selling everything from toys and shoes to groceries, furniture and cars.”
Mr Eades said the family home, See Poy House, and its formal garden were used to host community events establishing the family’s reputation as key members of the Innisfail community.
“The See Poys were important members of the north Queensland community, involved in many social, sporting and philanthropic activities, many of which Johnstone and Theodora hosted in this house during the more than 50 years they resided there.
“See Poy House gives us a glimpse into the way of life and social standing of a prominent Chinese-Australian business family.
“The house demonstrates the way in which early Chinese migrants achieved monetary success, social standing and integration with the wider community.
“The demolition of the See Poy & Sons department store leaves See Poy House as one of the last remaining tangible links with this highly successful firm and family.
“The house is a symbol of the family’s success and its desire to participate in the Innisfail community. It is the last remaining link to the prominent role these Chinese Australians played in the social and economic development of north Queensland.”
See Poy House was nominated for entry in the Queensland Heritage Register following the Department of Environment and Resource Management’s statewide heritage survey in the region.
The Queensland Heritage Council is the state’s independent peak body and advisor on heritage matters and determines what places are entered in the Queensland Heritage Register.
Places that are entered in the Heritage Register are considered of importance to Queensland’s history and are protected under heritage legislation.