Kedron Shire Council
Geographical Area
Kedron Shire
The Kedron shire extended from Kedron Brook to the South Pine River and Everton Park to Nundah Creek. It encompassed 22 modern suburbs (entirely or in part).
In 1911, the population of the Kedron Shire was 2400 and its area was 111 square kilometres.
Administration
Kedron Shire Council Office on eastern side of Marchant Park
The council offices were on the eastern side of Gympie Road, Chermside. We have some of the minutes of the Kedron Shire Council copied from Queensland State
Archives, but there is not a full set. We have created biographies of the last Councillors.
Sydney Mail 21.5.1924
Functions and Services
The council made improvements to water supply, roads, land division, transport and communications, public health and electricity. The men who served from 1903 to 1925 were not paid, except the chairman who received a small remuneration. They all had other jobs.
One of the last major projects of the council was to accept George Marchant’s donation of land. The only proviso was that it was to be used as a public park. It is now a hub for sport and recreation. The Marchant Park Memorial Gates remember the lives of local men (and one woman) who volunteered from the Boer War to World War II. It also remembers soldiers who transited on their way to battle fronts.
The first drive-in shopping centre opened at Chermside in 1957 and was a success from the beginning. Nearly every suburb in the district now has a large shopping centre.
Chermside Garden Settlement was a novel innovation when it opened in 1936. Rev H. M. Wheller and George Marchant had the foresight and money to develop the idea that elderly people should be able to live in comfort and with dignity.
The Prince Charles Hospital is another landmark. It began as a small hospital treating tuberculosis patients and is now a world class cardiology research centre.
Notable People
Cr David Samuel James Barker – last chairman of the Kedron Shire Council
George & Mary Marchant – business people, philanthropists
Ray Barrett – actor
Michael Doohan – motorcycle champion
Victor Grenning – Rhodes Scholar and forest conservator
Roy Harvey – alderman, state parliamentary representative, Lord Mayor
Kedron Shire Council and Staff 1925
