Kedron Shire
Kedron Shire, in Brisbane's north, was formed in 1886 and existed until 1925. Its name comes from Kedron Brook, a significant waterway in the area. Kedron's history is characterised by early farming, the presence of brickworks, and the gradual development of residential areas. The shire saw the establishment of important institutions and the growth of local communities, eventually contributing to the northern expansion of Brisbane.
1879: Nundah Division (later Kedron Division) was created under the Divisional Boards Act.
1883: Toombul Division was excised from the Nundah Division.
1901: Nundah Division was renamed Kedron Division.
1903: The Local Authorities Act 1902 replaced Divisions with Shires and Towns, replacing Kedron Division with Shire of Kedron.
1925: The Shire of Kedron was amalgamated into the City of Brisbane on October 1st.
1920s: The Chermside & Districts Historical Society focuses on the history bounded within the former Kedron Shire.
1921: George Marchant donated land for Marchant Park, which was later used for the Kedron Shire War Memorial Gates.
1972: The Kedron Shire War Memorial Gates were badly vandalized.
2003: A new tablet was produced and positioned on the Kedron Shire War Memorial Gates after research by the Chermside & Districts Historical Society.
2005: Another vandal attack on the Memorial Gates' marble tablets occurred.
2006: An arson attack occurred on the WCA's facilities at Marchant Park.
Geographical Area: 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: 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.
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.
