T J Byrnes Monument facts for kids
Quick facts for kids T J Byrnes Monument |
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Thomas Joseph Byrnes Monument, Warwick, 2008
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| Location | Palmerin Street, Warwick, Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900–1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1901–1902 |
| Architect | Andrews Bros (Sydney) |
| Official name: T J Byrnes Monument | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 6 January 1999 |
| Reference no. | 602076 |
| Significant period | 1900s (fabric) |
| Significant components | statue |
| Builders | Andrew Brothers (Sydney) |
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The T J Byrnes Monument is a special memorial located on Palmerin Street in Warwick, Australia. It was built to remember Thomas Joseph Byrnes. He was a very important person who became the Premier of Queensland (like a state leader) but sadly died when he was still in office in 1898.
This monument was designed by Andrews Bros (Sydney) and built between 1901 and 1902. It is now listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's a protected historical site.
Contents
Remembering T.J. Byrnes
The people of Warwick and nearby areas put up this monument in 1902. It honors Thomas Joseph Byrnes, who was a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Warwick and also the Premier of Queensland. He died very suddenly on September 27, 1898, when he was only 37 years old.
Byrnes was special because he was the first Premier of Queensland who was actually born in Queensland. He had only been Premier for five months when he passed away. His death was a big shock to many people in Queensland. They were sad to lose such a young and inspiring leader.
Thomas Joseph Byrnes is the only Queensland Premier to have two statues built in his honor. The other statue is in Brisbane. He is also one of only three Premiers to have a special medal for students named after him.
Byrnes' Early Life and Education
Byrnes was born in Brisbane in 1860 into a large family. In 1866, his family moved to Bowen, where he went to primary school. He was a very bright student.
- In 1874, he won a scholarship to Brisbane Grammar School.
- He won a gold medal there for his skills in Greek, Latin, and English for three years in a row.
- In 1876, he won another prize from the University of Sydney. This helped him finish high school.
- In 1879, he got a scholarship to Melbourne University. He studied Arts and Law there, graduating with honors in both.
- He became a lawyer in Victoria in 1884 and then in Queensland later that year. He built a very successful law practice in Brisbane.
Byrnes' Political Career
Byrnes started his political journey in 1890. He was elected to the Queensland Legislative Council and became the Solicitor-General. He later became the Attorney-General in March 1893 and held this job until he died.
He also served as an MLA for Cairns. He supported the continued use of South Sea Islanders for labor and was interested in developing northern Queensland. Later, he became against the idea of northern Queensland separating from the rest of the state.
In 1896, Byrnes ran for election in North Brisbane but lost. However, he then ran for the Warwick area and won by a lot! He was popular in Warwick because of his background, his conservative ideas, and the support of local figures like Arthur Morgan. People in Warwick saw him as an example of what someone could achieve in Queensland.
Warwick was very proud of Byrnes. He also worked hard to promote Queensland and his local area. For example, when he visited England in 1897, he went to Warwick, England, to promote his Queensland hometown.
Becoming Premier and His Death
In April 1898, the Premier of Queensland, Hugh Nelson, moved to a different role. On April 13, 1898, T.J. Byrnes was chosen to become the new Premier, Chief Secretary, and Attorney-General. Other politicians supported him because he was popular with voters.
Byrnes was Premier for just over five months. He died on September 27, 1898, at his home near Brisbane. He was only 37 years old.
The day after Byrnes died, all businesses in Warwick closed. On the day of his state funeral in Brisbane, schools in Warwick also closed. A week later, the Mayor of Warwick suggested creating a fund to build a memorial for Byrnes in Warwick. People raised money locally, and the Queensland government also contributed.
Building the Warwick Monument
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In Brisbane, another fund was set up for Byrnes. This led to the creation of the Byrnes Medal for students and a large bronze statue. Warwick also decided to build a statue, but theirs would be made of stone. Building statues was a common way for towns to honor important people back then.
In June 1901, the Warwick committee chose Andrews Bros of Sydney to create a marble statue of T.J. Byrnes on a marble base. The statue was carved in Italy from special Carrara marble. It arrived in Sydney around September 1902. Both the statue and its base were shipped to Warwick for free by the railways. They were put in place in November 1902.
There was some discussion about where to put the statue. Some wanted it near the post office, which was built during Byrnes' time as MLA. Others preferred Leslie Park. The Warwick Municipal Council chose the post office location. They felt it was important for children going to school to see the statue of a man who rose from humble beginnings to a top position.
The monument was placed at the corner of Palmerin and Grafton Streets, right in the center of town. It was set up on November 25, 1902. The statue was positioned to face the rising sun. The entire monument weighed 26 tons and stood about 19.5 feet (about 5.9 meters) tall.
The base of the monument has inscriptions:
- "Thomas Joseph Byrnes"
- "Born Brisbane 1860"
- "Premier of Queensland 1898"
- "Died 1898"
- "MLA for Warwick 1896 to 1898" was added later.
The statue was officially revealed on December 13, 1902, by the Governor of Queensland, Sir Herbert Chermside. Many important people attended, including Byrnes' family members and various mayors. Speakers talked about Byrnes' amazing academic achievements, his rise from poverty, and his Queensland birth. They presented him as a great example for young people in Queensland.
Monument Description
The T.J. Byrnes Monument is located at the busy intersection of Palmerin and Grafton Streets in Warwick, across from the Warwick Post Office. It includes a pedestal (the base) and a lifelike statue. It faces east along Grafton Street.
The pedestal is about 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) high and made of veined marble. It has inscriptions on all four sides:
- East face: "THOMAS JOSEPH BYRNES MLA for Warwick, 1896-98" and "Andrews Bros Sydney" at the bottom.
- North face: "Born Brisbane 1860"
- West face: "Premier of Queensland 1898"
- South face: "Died 1898"
The statue itself is larger than life, standing about 2 meters (6.5 feet) tall. It is carved from beautiful white marble. The figure looks like it's giving a speech, with its right hand out and a paper in its left hand. Byrnes is shown wearing a typical 19th-century suit.
Why This Monument is Important
The T.J. Byrnes Monument was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on January 6, 1999. This means it's recognized for its historical and cultural value.
- Shows Queensland's History: This monument is one of Queensland's older public memorials. It helps us understand how towns honored their heroes in the past and presented them as role models.
- Great Example of Its Type: It's a fantastic example of a memorial statue. It's a lifelike, detailed statue placed high on a decorative base in a very visible spot. It was clearly designed to make a strong impression.
- Beautiful and Recognizable: The monument is important for its beauty and how it stands out in the Warwick townscape. It has been a key part of the town's look since 1902.
- Connected to the Community: It has a strong connection with the local community. It represents a shared history and pride.
- Special Link to T.J. Byrnes: As a memorial, it is closely linked to the life and work of T.J. Byrnes. He was a lawyer, a politician, and an important figure in Queensland's early history.
