Shire of Stephens

The Shire of Stephens was a local government area in the inner southern suburbs of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The shire, administered from Annerley, covered an area of 9 square miles (23 km2), and existed as a local government entity from 1886 until 1925, when it was amalgamated into the City of Brisbane under the City of Brisbane Act 1924.

Shire of Stephens
Queensland
Population12,403 (1923 est.)[1]
 • Density539/km2 (1,397/sq mi)
Established1886
Area23 km2 (8.9 sq mi)
Council seatAnnerley
RegionBrisbane
Map of Stephens Division and adjacent local government areas, March 1902

History
Stephens Shire Council Office, 1906
Former Stephens Shire offices, now a residence at 15 Ealing Street, Annerley, 2014

On 11 November 1879, the Yeerongpilly Division was created as one of 74 divisions within Queensland under the Divisional Boards Act 1879.[2] On 14 October 1886, following a successful petition from ratepayers to create a new division, Stephens Division was severed from subdivision No. 1 of Yeerongpilly Division.[3][4][5] It had a board of six members (3 being elected by each of 2 subdivisions); the first board elections were held in February 1887.[6]

With the passage of the Local Authorities Act 1902, Stephens Division became the Shire of Stephens on 31 March 1903.[5][7]

A major project undertaken by the shire was the creation of the Yeronga Memorial Park. The land (bounded by Ipswich Road, Villa Street, Park Road & School Road) was originally set aside in 1882 as a recreational reserve. Between 1917 and 1921 the shire redeveloped the park as a memorial to local participation in World War I, 14% of the population having enlisted for military service.[8] The park is listed on both the Queensland Heritage Register and the Brisbane Heritage Register.[9][10]

In 1923 the Stephens Croquet Club was established in the Yeronga Memorial Park consisting of two lawns and a clubhouse.[11]

The offices for the shire were located on Ipswich Road, between Victoria Terrace and Junction Terrace.[8] In 1923, it was planned to develop a new council chambers, offices and a School of Arts, but this was delayed given the proposal to create Greater Brisbane which would have resulted in the abolition of Stephens Shire.[12]

On 1 October 1925, the Shire of Stephens was abolished and its area became part of the new City of Brisbane.[7]

The shire offices and associated land were sold in 1929.[13] The building was relocated to the rear of the block and turned to face the street behind (its street address is now 15 Ealing Street) and was altered for use as a residence. It is listed on the Brisbane Heritage Register.[14]

The name Stephens survives in the Stephens Croquet Club which continues to operate under that name.[11]

Chairmen and presidents
  • 1903: P. Marshall [15]
  • 1905, and another year between 1904 and 1907: Alexander McNab [16][17]
  • 1906: H. W. Luya [18]
  • 1908: Mr McCosker [19]
  • 1925: F. A. Stimson [20]
  • George Grimes [21]

Population

The population of Stephen Shire was:[22]

Population-of-Shire-of-Stephens
Year Population
18872,310
18882,310
18892,310
18902,310
18913,782
18924,000
18934,000
18944,000
18954,000
18964,000
18974,620
18984,600
18994,630
19004,600
19014,513
19024,600
19034,700
19044,700
19054,650
19064,650
19074,670
19084,720
19094,870
19105,200
19115,415
19126,500
19137,518
19149,982
191510,774
191611,297
191711,625
191811,636
191911,700
192011,506
192111,600
192211,704
192312,403
192413,257

Localities

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (1924). Statistics of Queensland, 1923. p. 9F. Accessed at University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria.
  2. "Proclamation [Yeerongpilly Division constituted]". Queensland Government Gazette. 11 November 1879. p. 25:989.
  3. "Proclamation [Stephens Division constituted]". Queensland Government Gazette. 16 October 1886. p. 39:1460.
  4. "Proclamation [Yeerongpilly Division amended]". Queensland Government Gazette. 16 October 1886. p. 39:1461.
  5. "Agency ID 1853, Stephens Divisional Board". Queensland State Archives. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  6. "Municipal and Divisional Board Elections". The Queenslander. Brisbane: National Library of Australia. 12 February 1887. p. 261. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  7. "Agency ID 2483, Stephens Shire Council". Queensland State Archives. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  8. "Stephens Shire". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  9. "Yeronga Memorial Park (entry 602462)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  10. "Yeronga Memorial Park". Brisbane Heritage Register. Brisbane City Council. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  11. "History Of Our Club". Stephens Croquet Club. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  12. "The Week at a Glance". The Queenslander. Brisbane: National Library of Australia. 7 July 1923. p. 29. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  13. "STEPHENS SHIRE OFFICE TO BE SOLD". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 1 June 1929. p. 14. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  14. "Stephens Shire Divisional Board Office". Brisbane Heritage Register. Brisbane City Council. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  15. "Proposed Flood-gates for Norman Creek". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 27 July 1903. p. 4. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  16. "Death of Mr. A. M'Nab". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 5 May 1930. p. 13. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  17. "Hamilton Town Council". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 7 February 1905. p. 2. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  18. "Queensland Mayors and Shire Chairmen". The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939). Brisbane, Qld.: National Library of Australia. 24 February 1906. p. 22. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
  19. "Wattlebrae Hospital". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 8 October 1908. p. 2. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  20. "Mayors and Chairmen of Councils Who Were Entertained Yesterday by Alderman Jolly". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 1 October 1925. p. 9. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  21. "Death of Mr. George Grimes". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 29 January 1910. p. 5. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  22. "Population by local government area, Queensland, 1859 to 2007" (CSV). Historical Tables, Demography, 1823 to 2008 (Q150 release). Queensland Government. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  • "Stephens Shire". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland.

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