James Burns (Australian shipowner)
Sir James Burns | |
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Sir James Burns
Early life
Burns was born at
Business and other activities
In 1871, Burns returned to
In addition to establishing Burns Philp, his business interests include serving as chairman of the (North) Queensland Insurance Co. Ltd in 1886–1923, the New South Wales Mortgage, Land, and Agency Co. and the Solomon Islands Development Co. Ltd. He was also a director of the Australian Mutual Provident Society, the Sydney Exchange Co., the Bank of North Queensland, and various collieries, as well as owning extensive Queensland pastoral properties.[1][3]
Burns served on a royal commission of inquiry into railway administration in 1906 and was appointed to the
Burns was president of the Caledonian Society for twenty years. During World War I Burns helped establish a scheme for insuring enlisted men with dependants, personally contributing £2000 a year during the duration of the war.[2]
Later life
From the 1880s, Burns was based at a property known as Gowan Brae, north of Parramatta. He retired from government and business activities due to ill health in 1908, and lived at Gowan Brae from that time on. Shortly afterwards, he approached the Presbyterian Church of Australia, suggesting that they establish a Presbyterian home for children. In 1910 he endowed some of the Gowan Brae property, to establish the Presbyterian Homes for Children (later renamed Burnside and currently known as UnitingCare Burnside[4]), and was chairman of its board for ten years.[1] It became his passion in his "retired" years, as he made numerous contributions towards new homes and the children. His business and government connections ensured that donations from other sources were also forthcoming, with houses named after sponsors and officially opened by dignitaries.[5][6]
Burns continued to live at Gowan Brae until his death and was buried there in a family cemetery, which now lies within The King's Schools grounds.[1][7] He left the property to his son, James, but suggested that, should James not need the property, it should be given to the (then) Burnside Presbyterian Orphans Homes. James honoured this request, and the property was donated.[5]
Much of the land has since been sold or leased to other organisations, or as residential developments. The property immediately around Gowan Brae is now owned by
References
- ^ ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
- ^ a b c d Serle, Percival. "Burns, Sir James (1846–1923)". Dictionary of Australian Biography. Project Gutenberg Australia. Archived from the original on 3 May 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
- ^ a b "Sir James Burns (1846–1923)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
- ^ "About Burnside". UnitingCare Burnside. Archived from the original on 29 August 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
- ^ a b MacIntyre, Very Rev Ronald G. (1947). The Story of Burnside. Sydney: Angus & Robertson.
- ISBN 0-9595567-1-0.
- ^ "Burns Family Cemetery · 87-129 Pennant Hills Rd, North Parramatta NSW 2151, Australia". Burns Family Cemetery · 87-129 Pennant Hills Rd, North Parramatta NSW 2151, Australia. Archived from the original on 11 December 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
External links
Media related to James Burns (shipowner) at Wikimedia Commons