History Kardinia, Townsville

john graham macdonald, 1865

the site first purchased in april 1883 arthur walters, , sold november year edward bevan, surveyor in partnership christian waagepetersen waagepetersen , bevan, architects, surveyors , agents, townsville. 1883 bevan editor of daily northern standard, townsville publication, , became known artist , writer. not known whether walters or bevan erected house on site, physical evidence suggests original building comprised 2 rooms surrounding verandah, , enlarged subsequently create present form. bevan resident on stanton hill 16 june 1884, when son guy felix born, , in september 1886 took out £400 mortgage on property, may have financed renovations. title property transferred in august 1888 john graham macdonald, explorer, pastoralist, , police magistrate of townsville may 1888 april 1899. in august 1889, macdonald took out mortgage of £1,400 on property, whether he, or bevan, commissioned renovations, has not been established. photographic evidence suggests house enlarged, , had acquired unusual asymmetrical facade, c. 1889.

macdonald 1 of first europeans explore area between bowen , gulf of carpentaria, , later invested in northern pastoral properties such carpentaria downs, in partnership robert towns , sir john robertson. after pastoral slump of mid-1880s, macdonald took important position of police magistrate in townsville, , played significant role in life of town.

macdonald resided @ kardinia c. 1888 until c. 1895, , 1896 1908 leased house japanese government australia s first japanese consulate, servicing needs of growing number of japanese living in north queensland, , promoting improved trade relations between australia , japan. after consulate moved sydney in 1908 house occupied prominent townsville businessman, alderman, mayor , civic worker john newport parkes, @ time name kardinia first listed in queensland post office directory. in 1911 title property transferred macdonald alberta green, wife of prominent north queensland newspaper proprietor , editor, humphrey (david) green. green family played prominent role in newspaper industry of north queensland more half century. during occupancy house visited noted north queensland journalist , author edmund james banfield ( beachcomber ) lifelong friend of family. kardinia remained property of green family until sold in 1984.