Patrick Perkins

Patrick Perkins
Born	Template:Birth date Near Clonoulty, County Tipperary, Ireland
Died	May 17, 1901(1901-05-17) (aged 62) Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
Occupation(s)	Brewer, politician
Years active	1866–1901
Known for	Founder of Perkins Brewery; Member of Queensland Legislative Assembly and Council

Hon. Patrick Perkins, J.P. (10 October 1838 – 17 May 1901), commonly known as Paddy Perkins, was a prominent brewer and political figure in colonial Queensland. He held positions as both a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly and later as a Member of the Queensland Legislative Council.

Early life

Born on a modest farm near the village of Clonoulty close to Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland, Patrick Perkins was the second son of Thomas Perkins, a farmer, and his wife Ellen (née Gooley). His education took place at the local National School.

In 1854, the Perkins family, including Patrick and his seven siblings, emigrated from Ireland to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia aboard the ship Persian.

Patrick married Mary Ellen Hickey in Victoria in 1861. Together they had six children—four born in Victoria: Thomas Hector (1864), Mary Eveleen (1867–1942), Edgar Colin Francis (1868), and Lilly Eleanor; and two born after relocating to Queensland: Patrick Harold (1878) and Helene Cicilia (1880), who later became Sr Margaret Mary at the Dominican priory in Adelaide.

Business

Starting his career as a miner and storekeeper in the goldfields of Victoria, including Ballarat and Bendigo, Patrick Perkins eventually partnered with his brother Thomas to launch brewing enterprises across Victoria and Queensland. In 1866, he established Perkins Brewery in Toowoomba and expanded operations by purchasing Brisbane’s City Brewery in 1872. By 1876, he had moved to Queensland to oversee both breweries directly.

Aside from brewing, Perkins diversified his portfolio by investing in real estate and mining projects such as the Mount Morgan Mine and coal mining activities in West Moreton. He earned a reputation as an astute and prosperous entrepreneur.

Politics

After Edward Wilmot Pechey resigned in 1877, Perkins won the seat of Aubigny in the Queensland Legislative Assembly with a decisive majority over Angus Mackay. He retained this seat in the 1878 election and served as Minister of Lands from January 1879 until November 1883 within the First McIlwraith Ministry.

Though re-elected in Aubigny in 1883, accusations emerged alleging electoral malpractice involving intimidation and bribery. A petition sought to nullify the election based on these claims. In February 1884, the Committee of Elections and Qualifications invalidated the election results but did not disqualify Perkins from standing again—a decision that sparked public debate. Opting not to participate in the subsequent by-election, Perkins traveled to England. James Campbell was then elected without opposition.

Perkins returned to politics by winning the Cambooya seat in 1888, which he held until 1893. On 23 May 1893, he received a lifetime appointment to the Queensland Legislative Council, where he served until his death on 17 May 1901.

The house "Aubigny"

In 1883, Patrick Perkins invested significantly to purchase an impressive residence located at 273 North Quay, Brisbane. He named the property "Aubigny" after his initial parliamentary electorate. Originally constructed in 1870 by businessman Samuel Davis, the estate included Brisbane’s first synagogue as a separate structure. Perkins converted this synagogue into a billiards room. By 1899, his family leased the home to the Criminal Investigation Department for use as offices; during this period, the synagogue served as a photography studio. In 1906, the property was sold to Rev. Mother Patrick of the Sisters of Mercy for establishing the 20-bed Mater Misericordiae Hospital, now recognized as a major tertiary hospital in South Brisbane. The former synagogue became the hospital’s chapel. After relocating to South Brisbane, the house was renamed "Loretto" and used as accommodation for Catholic girls; meanwhile, the synagogue was adapted into quarters for domestic staff. Around 1939, Aubigny was demolished to allow construction of a Church of Christ, Scientist building.

Later life

On 9 May 1901, Patrick Perkins was present at the inaugural session of the Federal Parliament held at the Royal Exhibition Building. During this event, he contracted a chill that subsequently progressed into bronchial pneumonia. He passed away on Friday, 17 May 1901, at his home "Ingleborough" located in Hawthorn. The following day, 18 May, his funeral was conducted at the Roman Catholic church in Glenferrie, and he was interred at Boroondara General Cemetery in Kew, Melbourne.

In 1928, Perkins' brewing enterprise was purchased by Castlemaine Brewery, a competing firm, resulting in the establishment of the combined company known as Castlemaine Perkins Limited.

See also

• Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1873–1878; 1878–1883; 1883–1888; 1888–1893
• Members of the Queensland Legislative Council, 1890–1899; 1900–1909