Thomas Bridges (Australian politician)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Bridges was a member of Australia
's Queensland Legislative Assembly
in the seat of Nundah
(21 March 1896 – 18 May 1907) as a member of the Ministerial party and as a member of the then Commonwealth Liberal Party
(2 October 1909 – 16 March 1918) (not to be confused with the current Liberal Party of Australia
, which was created in 1943).
then known as German Station. He was the son of George Bridges and Mary Brightman, immigrants from England. Thomas was the first of their Australian born children (they already had three children born in England). His father George was a farmer who significantly contributed to the development of the German Station village (later the suburb of Nundah) through the establishment of his Kedron Brook Hotel, a popular watering hole half way between Brisbane
and Sandgate
and his bypassing of Donkin's Hill on Sandgate Road, leading to the development of current Nundah shopping strip.
Bridges and a number of his siblings were among the first scholars enrolled at the new German Station National School (a primary school) when it opened in 1865.
Initially Bridges followed in his father's footsteps as a farmer with interests in fruit and dairy, but later Thomas focussed exclusively on fruit (which included pineapples), reflecting the success of the Nundah-Zillmere district in fruit growing.
He married Margaret Elizabeth Lee on 17 July 1873 at the home of her parents, Rose Hill Farm near Cabbage Tree Creek (now known as Boondall
). They had 13 children (Emma Jane, Amelia Mary, Thomas George, Joseph Brightman, Charles Josiah, Margaret Mary Elizabeth, Joseph Silas, Samuel Brightman, Eva Violet Annie, Alice Maud Mildred, Laura Eunice Elsie, Willie, Lucy Alvena) of whom two died as infants, a common occurrence in those times.
Being a popular and well-regarded local farmer, Bridges stood for the Queensland parliament in 1896 as a member of the Ministerialist Party, beating the incumbent George Agnew by 60 votes in the electoral district of Nundah
. Being a farmer accustomed to an early start to his working day, he was taken by surprise by the late night sittings of Parliament. Indeed, on his first late night sitting, he had to ask to be excused as he did not wish to miss the last train back to Nundah. Presumably he came up with some solution to late night sittings after that.
In 1904, Bridges faced a formidable opponent in the election in the person of Sir Athur Rutledge. Rutledge started out as the Wesleyan minister in New England. In the 1870s, he left the church and qualified as a solicitor in Brisbane. He entered parliament via the electorate of Charters Towers
and was a member of cabinet, having the role of Attorney-General. He was knighted in 1903. Having had a very successful political career, Rutledge believed he could become Premier after the election in 1904. However, he believed that he would be better served if he represented an electorate closer to Brisbane, which may have been influenced by the gracious home he had purchased in Bardon
. Rutledge decided that the semi-rural seat of Nundah (then held by Bridges) would be easily won by a man of his political experience (like Bridges, Rutledge was a Ministerialist, so assumed the electorate would be sympathetic to his politics). In addition to his high-flying political career, Rutledge had the backing of many large business houses and his son-in-law was the editor of the Brisbane Courier newspaper; he seemed unstoppable. The election of 1904 in Nundah was one of the most exciting with Rutledge's public assemblies packed with prominent religious and political leaders. In contrast, Bridges ran a low-key campaign, based on his past service to the community and a commitment to keep the railway prices low, and, contrary to every prediction, won the election by 253 votes. Rutledge was so confident of a win that he wasn't present when the returning officer made the announcement; he was hosting a victory dinner party at home. It was the end of Rutledge's political career; he then took up an appointment as a district judge.
It may be significant in the battle of the 1904 election that Bridges' old friend Leopold Zillman (another early resident of German Station) had become a Wesleyan minister who (some years earlier) had clashed with some of his congregation in New England. The disaffected congregation members plotted a "coup" with Rutledge, who took over the pulpit, resulting in the resignation of Zillman. So Bridges may have had a personal grudge against Rutledge in addition to Rutledge's attempt to usurp his place in parliament.
Perhaps the experience of being competed against by a member of his own Ministerialist Party may have soured Bridges' faith in his party, as he decided to leave politics on 18 May 1907. He was then succeeded in the seat by Richard Sumner.
However, Bridges was persuaded by local people to change his mind and return to politics and he stood against Sumner and won back his seat, this time as a member of the Commonwealth Liberal Party
serving from 2 October 1909 until 16 March 1918 when he finally retired.
Being himself a farmer, Bridges took particular interest in legislation related to farming, including diseases in plants and the extermination of flying foxes, which raid fruit trees. He spoke out against Chinese people, proposing they be returned to China (anti-Chinese sentiment was commonplace in those times). He supported the use of Kanaka
indentured labour in the canefields of Queensland, now widely regarded as almost a form of slavery
.
Although a long-term parliamentarian, Bridges was no great orator and was often described as unsophisticated. However he served his party as Whip
for many years and was tireless in chasing government departments over issues reported by his constituents, which may have engendered the loyalty that won him the election in 1904. However he was described in 1922 (after having left politics) as being disillusioned with politics.
Bridges died on 4 June 1939 while visiting a sick friend in St Martin's Hospital in Brisbane. He was sitting on a chair by the bedside of his friend talking, when he suddenly fell backwards and died.
Bridges was buried the following day (5 June 1939) with his wife in the Nundah Cemetery
. Their original headstone has not survived, but today there is a modern plaque placed on their grave saying:
Although there is no mention of his wife Margaret on the plaque, the records of the Nundah & Districts Historical Society show they are buried in the same grave.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
's Queensland Legislative Assembly
Queensland Legislative Assembly
The Queensland Legislative Assembly is the unicameral chamber of the Parliament of Queensland. Elections are held approximately once every three years. Voting is by the Optional Preferential Voting form of the Alternative Vote system...
in the seat of Nundah
Electoral district of Nundah
Nundah was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of Queensland from 1888 to 1992.The district was based in the northern suburbs of Brisbane. At the time of its abolition it included the suburbs of Nundah, Eagle Farm, Hendra and Toombul.-Members for Nundah:...
(21 March 1896 – 18 May 1907) as a member of the Ministerial party and as a member of the then Commonwealth Liberal Party
Commonwealth Liberal Party
The Commonwealth Liberal Party was a political movement active in Australia from 1909 to 1916, shortly after federation....
(2 October 1909 – 16 March 1918) (not to be confused with the current Liberal Party of Australia
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
, which was created in 1943).
Early life
Thomas Bridges was born 12 November 1853 in NundahNundah, Queensland
Nundah is an inner suburb in the city of Brisbane, Australia, located approximately 8 kilometers north-east of the Brisbane central business district, in the local government area of the City of Brisbane....
then known as German Station. He was the son of George Bridges and Mary Brightman, immigrants from England. Thomas was the first of their Australian born children (they already had three children born in England). His father George was a farmer who significantly contributed to the development of the German Station village (later the suburb of Nundah) through the establishment of his Kedron Brook Hotel, a popular watering hole half way between Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
and Sandgate
Sandgate, Queensland
Sandgate is a coastal suburb in Brisbane, Australia, located 16 km north of the Brisbane CBD. The town became a popular escape for the people of Brisbane in the early 20th century.-Geography:Sandgate is situated on the coastline, along Bramble Bay...
and his bypassing of Donkin's Hill on Sandgate Road, leading to the development of current Nundah shopping strip.
Bridges and a number of his siblings were among the first scholars enrolled at the new German Station National School (a primary school) when it opened in 1865.
Initially Bridges followed in his father's footsteps as a farmer with interests in fruit and dairy, but later Thomas focussed exclusively on fruit (which included pineapples), reflecting the success of the Nundah-Zillmere district in fruit growing.
He married Margaret Elizabeth Lee on 17 July 1873 at the home of her parents, Rose Hill Farm near Cabbage Tree Creek (now known as Boondall
Boondall, Queensland
Boondall is a northern suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, formerly known as Cabbage Tree Creek . Situated approximately 20 km north of Brisbane near Moreton Bay, almost half way between Brisbane and the coastal city of Redcliffe...
). They had 13 children (Emma Jane, Amelia Mary, Thomas George, Joseph Brightman, Charles Josiah, Margaret Mary Elizabeth, Joseph Silas, Samuel Brightman, Eva Violet Annie, Alice Maud Mildred, Laura Eunice Elsie, Willie, Lucy Alvena) of whom two died as infants, a common occurrence in those times.
Political life
Bridges made his first foray into public life as a member of the local Divisional Board. He was 30 years old when he joined the board and was involved with the board for about 13 years (circa 1883–1896), being chosen at its chairman on three occasions.Being a popular and well-regarded local farmer, Bridges stood for the Queensland parliament in 1896 as a member of the Ministerialist Party, beating the incumbent George Agnew by 60 votes in the electoral district of Nundah
Electoral district of Nundah
Nundah was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of Queensland from 1888 to 1992.The district was based in the northern suburbs of Brisbane. At the time of its abolition it included the suburbs of Nundah, Eagle Farm, Hendra and Toombul.-Members for Nundah:...
. Being a farmer accustomed to an early start to his working day, he was taken by surprise by the late night sittings of Parliament. Indeed, on his first late night sitting, he had to ask to be excused as he did not wish to miss the last train back to Nundah. Presumably he came up with some solution to late night sittings after that.
In 1904, Bridges faced a formidable opponent in the election in the person of Sir Athur Rutledge. Rutledge started out as the Wesleyan minister in New England. In the 1870s, he left the church and qualified as a solicitor in Brisbane. He entered parliament via the electorate of Charters Towers
Electoral district of Charters Towers
Charters Towers was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of Queensland. It has had three incarnations, most recently being created as part of a redistribution in 1991 and lasting until 2008....
and was a member of cabinet, having the role of Attorney-General. He was knighted in 1903. Having had a very successful political career, Rutledge believed he could become Premier after the election in 1904. However, he believed that he would be better served if he represented an electorate closer to Brisbane, which may have been influenced by the gracious home he had purchased in Bardon
Bardon, Queensland
Bardon is an inner suburb of Brisbane, Australia located approximately 5 km west of the Brisbane CBD. Bardon is a leafy residential suburb, much of which nestles into the foothills of Mount Coot-tha.-History:...
. Rutledge decided that the semi-rural seat of Nundah (then held by Bridges) would be easily won by a man of his political experience (like Bridges, Rutledge was a Ministerialist, so assumed the electorate would be sympathetic to his politics). In addition to his high-flying political career, Rutledge had the backing of many large business houses and his son-in-law was the editor of the Brisbane Courier newspaper; he seemed unstoppable. The election of 1904 in Nundah was one of the most exciting with Rutledge's public assemblies packed with prominent religious and political leaders. In contrast, Bridges ran a low-key campaign, based on his past service to the community and a commitment to keep the railway prices low, and, contrary to every prediction, won the election by 253 votes. Rutledge was so confident of a win that he wasn't present when the returning officer made the announcement; he was hosting a victory dinner party at home. It was the end of Rutledge's political career; he then took up an appointment as a district judge.
It may be significant in the battle of the 1904 election that Bridges' old friend Leopold Zillman (another early resident of German Station) had become a Wesleyan minister who (some years earlier) had clashed with some of his congregation in New England. The disaffected congregation members plotted a "coup" with Rutledge, who took over the pulpit, resulting in the resignation of Zillman. So Bridges may have had a personal grudge against Rutledge in addition to Rutledge's attempt to usurp his place in parliament.
Perhaps the experience of being competed against by a member of his own Ministerialist Party may have soured Bridges' faith in his party, as he decided to leave politics on 18 May 1907. He was then succeeded in the seat by Richard Sumner.
However, Bridges was persuaded by local people to change his mind and return to politics and he stood against Sumner and won back his seat, this time as a member of the Commonwealth Liberal Party
Commonwealth Liberal Party
The Commonwealth Liberal Party was a political movement active in Australia from 1909 to 1916, shortly after federation....
serving from 2 October 1909 until 16 March 1918 when he finally retired.
Being himself a farmer, Bridges took particular interest in legislation related to farming, including diseases in plants and the extermination of flying foxes, which raid fruit trees. He spoke out against Chinese people, proposing they be returned to China (anti-Chinese sentiment was commonplace in those times). He supported the use of Kanaka
Kanakas
Kanaka was the term for a worker from various Pacific Islands employed in British colonies, such as British Columbia , Fiji and Queensland in the 19th and early 20th centuries...
indentured labour in the canefields of Queensland, now widely regarded as almost a form of slavery
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
.
Although a long-term parliamentarian, Bridges was no great orator and was often described as unsophisticated. However he served his party as Whip
Whip (politics)
A whip is an official in a political party whose primary purpose is to ensure party discipline in a legislature. Whips are a party's "enforcers", who typically offer inducements and threaten punishments for party members to ensure that they vote according to the official party policy...
for many years and was tireless in chasing government departments over issues reported by his constituents, which may have engendered the loyalty that won him the election in 1904. However he was described in 1922 (after having left politics) as being disillusioned with politics.
Later life
Bridges' wife Margaret died on 15 January 1938.Bridges died on 4 June 1939 while visiting a sick friend in St Martin's Hospital in Brisbane. He was sitting on a chair by the bedside of his friend talking, when he suddenly fell backwards and died.
Bridges was buried the following day (5 June 1939) with his wife in the Nundah Cemetery
Nundah Cemetery
Nundah Cemetery is located in Hedley Avenue in the suburb of Nundah, Queensland in the city of Brisbane.-Establishment:The cemetery commenced as a small burial ground in 1846. Itwas officially opened in 1862...
. Their original headstone has not survived, but today there is a modern plaque placed on their grave saying:
Although there is no mention of his wife Margaret on the plaque, the records of the Nundah & Districts Historical Society show they are buried in the same grave.