Article about a former Congregational Church and Hall and Dr James Barrett's house, all in Howe Crescent, South Melbourne. The connection to Robin Boyd not yet known.In pen "Robin Boyd Hall"walsh st library

Sculptural portrait over the door to the Ballarat Old Colonists' Club.james murray, old colonists' hall, ballarat

The Old Colonists' Hall opened in 1887.Marble Honour Boards listing benefactors to the Ballarat Old Colonists' Associations. The name was added to the boards the year of the donors death. 1892 Arthur Croft George Thurston John Buckingham T.G. Archard James Scannele Caroline Fraser L.E. Cutter W.H. Butler James Gibb James Tannock Ellen Horroll James Laidlaw John Harrison Philip Russell J.F Jones D.J. McLeod William Angus E.J. Nuzum J.B. Collins James Taylor John Anwyl William Radley Matthew Hart Thomas Ryan 1897 William Taylor Joseph Langfon W.C. Phillips Henry Dobson Peter Brose Edwin Parr John Magor Natale D'Angri Lawson Ure James Malcolm Robert Sim W.J. Clarke F.N. Martin William Kelly Edward Hrose Francis Edwards William Kay James Simpson J.R. Hopkins W. Booth 1898 John Peart J.J. Cahir Joseph Betts Thomas Rowlands George Brown Rudolph Stephens James Houston John McPhee Alban Atwood David Fitzpatrick L.H. Kopke Henry Morrison William Bones Henry Morris 1899 Alexander Miller David McNaught C.W. Langtree John Twentyman Nathaniel Trench Adam Bennett James Gay C.B. Retallack James Richardson Thomas Hawkins John Taylor D.F. Stalker William Laplau John Jarvie J.E. Morris James Harrison J.S. Paterson Henry Leggo W.J. Seeley Charles Stewart James Vigar J.J. Cahir Joseph Betts Thomas Rowlands George Brown Rudolph Stephens James Houston John McPhee Alban Atwood David Fitzpatrick L.H. Kopke Henry Morrison William Bones Henry Morris 1900 Peter Le Page W.H. Barnard George Perry George Eason James Ivey 1903 James Miller Matthew Morgan William Norman G.G. Graham John Griffiths Richard Ince John Wallace John Blight J.W. Mills C.E. Jones John Noble Wilson David Mitchell William Walner David Munroe John English David McDonald William Saunders William Dougall A.T. Morrison Thomas Wilson M.C. Donnelly James Fry John Haworth Edward Newman E.F. McElroy J.H. Reed Helen Trounson E.A. Miller Alexander Ross Alexander Taylor H.A. Comber 1909 John Blyth Charles Tunbridge Henry Gore Walter Owen Charles Rowsell Edward Elliott Charles Robinson T.J. Wills R.S. Hager Henry Fields T. Paterson William Woodridge A. Morrah Adam Scott J.C. Shepherd J. Holland J. Cochran G. Lovitt J. Haig G. Sharp J. Dulfer R. Davidson E. Lillingston T. Raw 1911 W.H. Uren John Paterson H.J. Summerscales James Oddie W.H. Malyon T.E. Gill Agnes D. McIntosh John Wright Andrew Byrne Thomas Greenwood H.W. Morrow James Lambert E.E. Eberhard John Reid T.W. Purdue H.J. Symons John Lynch 1915 William Bell D.B. Wheeler Richard Baker M.L.C. W.B. Bradshaw Betsy F. Graham A.J. Hare C.V. Day J.P. Smart Lieutenant Colonel A.H. White Dr R.C. Lindsay Andrew Cant T.C. Coates E. Goodwin Thomas Lyle 1916 James Long John King Junior G.A. Brown C.E. House G.T. Jones Hon. R.T. Vale J.G. Tucker H. Baber J. Lammin D. Lillingstone George Becher Laurence Clark William Brazenor A. Clinton William Little W.B. Bannerman J.H Peady James Lamb 1917 J.C. Charles Joseph Fields John McPhail John Lombard Thomas Lyle H.L. Pobjoy E.E. Llewellyn E.C. Dermer John M. Bickett Hon. J.Y. McDonald Capt. J.W. Pearce. M.C. Joseph Pounder 1918 Lieutenant E.S. Holgate Grace Valkins J.C. Brough Thomas Mitchell George Buchanan J.H. Ward T. Davey A.B. Berry Corporal L.J. Malin G.H. Abrams James Tyler 1919 T.C. Anderson Agnes Murray G. Donaghy F. Opie Thomas Bodycomb Harry D. Davies John Clarke R.L. Medwell G.N. Robinson Isaiah Pearce A.R. Tunbridge H.C. Handford F.G. Fraser F. Carver J.S. Douglas Hon. Alfred Deakin T.J. McConnellarthur croft, george thurston, john buckingham, t.g. archard, james scannele, caroline fraser, l.e. cutter, w.h. butler, james gibb, james tannock, ellen horroll, james laidlaw, john harrison, philip russell, j.f jones, d.j. mcleod, william angus, e.j. nuzum, j.b. collins, james taylor, john anwyl, william radley, matthew hart, thomas ryan, william taylor, joseph langfon, w.c. phillips, henry dobson, peter brose, edwin parr, john magor, natale d'angri, lawson ure, james malcolm, robert sim, w.j. clarke, f.n. martin, william kelly, edward hrose, francis edwards, william kay, james simpson, j.r. hopkins, w. booth, john peart, j.j. cahir, joseph betts, thomas rowlands, george brown, rudolph stephens, james houston, john mcphee, alban atwood, david fitzpatrick, l.h. kopke, henry morrison, william bones, henry morris, alexander miller, david mcnaught, c.w. langtree, john twentyman, nathaniel trench, adam bennett, james gay, c.b. retallack, james richardson, thomas hawkins, john taylor, d.f. stalker, william laplau, john jarvie, j.e. morris, james harrison, j.s. paterson, henry leggo, w.j. seeley, charles stewart, james vigar, j.j. cahir, joseph betts, thomas rowlands, george brown, rudolph stephens, james houston, john mcphee, alban atwood, david fitzpatrick, l.h. kopke, henry morrison, william bones, henry morris, 1900, peter le page, w.h. barnard, george perry, george eason, james ivey, james miller, matthew morgan, william norman, g.g. graham, john griffiths, richard ince, john wallace, john blight, j.w. mills, c.e. jones, john noble wilson, david mitchell, william walner, david munroe, john english, david mcdonald, william saunders, william dougall, a.t. morrison, thomas wilson, m.c. donnelly, james fry, john haworth, edward newman, e.f. mcelroy, j.h. reed, helen trounson, e.a. miller, alexander ross, alexander taylor, h.a. comber, john blyth, charles tunbridge, henry gore, walter owen, charles rowsell, edward elliott, charles robinson, t.j. wills, r.s. hager, henry fields, t. paterson, william woodridge, a. morrah, adam scott, j.c. shepherd, j. holland, j. cochran, g. lovitt, j. haig, g. sharp, j. dulfer, r. davidson, e. lillingston, t. raw, w.h. uren, john paterson, h.j. summerscales, james oddie, w.h. malyon, t.e. gill, agnes d. mcintosh, john wright, andrew byrne, thomas greenwood, h.w. morrow, james lambert, e.e. eberhard, john reid, t.w. purdue, h.j. symons, john lynch, william bell, d.b. wheeler, richard baker m.l.c., w.b. bradshaw, betsy f. graham, a.j. hare, c.v. day, j.p. smart, lieutenant colonel a.h. white, dr r.c. lindsay, andrew cant, t.c. coates, e. goodwin, thomas lyle, james long, john king junior, g.a. brown, c.e. house, g.t. jones, hon. r.t. vale, j.g. tucker, h. baber, j. lammin, d. lillingstone, george becher, laurence clark, william brazenor, a. clinton, william little, w.b. bannerman, j.h peady, james lamb, 1917, j.c. charles, joseph fields, john mcphail, john lombard, thomas lyle, h.l. pobjoy, e.e. llewellyn, e.c. dermer, john m. bickett, hon. j.y. mcdonald, capt. j.w. pearce. m.c., joseph pounder, lieutenant e.s. holgate, grace valkins, j.c. brough, thomas mitchell, george buchanan, j.h. ward, t. davey, a.b. berry, corporal l.j. malin, g.h. abrams, james tyler, t.c. anderson, agnes murray, g. donaghy, f. opie, thomas bodycomb, harry d. davies, john clarke, r.l. medwell, g.n. robinson, isaiah pearce, a.r. tunbridge, h.c. handford, f.g. fraser, f. carver, j.s. douglas, hon. alfred deakin, t.j. mcconnell

The marbles in the foyer of the Old Colonists' Hall feature many names associated with the membes of the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat.Ballarat Old Colonists' Association Marble Benefactors Board. DONATIONS J.P. Murray James Bishop John Shaw David Ham Thomas Bath T.T, Hollway Richard Mitchell S.W.J. Clark Dr J.K. Richards H.C. Handford T.H. Shattock Dr W.A. Spring Donald McKay J.T. Smith BEQUESTS J.G. Taylor Thomas Blackett Philp Windmiller Joseph Roff Peter Hume James Francis Hannah Rennard Sarah Smythe David McNaight W.P. Martin Jane Wilson Edwin Brewer W.E. Ballhausen John Church J.P. Murray Charles Tinworth Henry Josephs M.A. Winsby Chris Heinz Andrew Munro John Wright Thomas Paterson J.H. Ward George Crombie Mary A. Nicol R.D. McINtosh Richard Mitchell J.S. Miller S.W.J. Clark Endowment W.J. Irwin Francis L. Jones A. Farrer Louisa Strange J. Permewan Feederick Reid Joe White Bequest L.J. Wilson Perpetual Trust G. Sutherland Hilton White Bequest I.E. Reid Ian Rollo Currie Foundation I. Dodds Lancelot W. Wilson Trust old colonists association, benefactors, honour board, j.p. murray, james bishop, john shaw, david ham, thomas bath, t.t, hollway, richard mitchell, s.w.j. clark, dr j.k. richards, h.c. handford, t.h. shattock, dr w.a. spring, donald mckay, j.t. smith, j.g. taylor, thomas blackett, philp windmiller, joseph roff, peter hume, james francis, hannah rennard, sarah smythe, david mcnaight, w.p. martin, jane wilson, edwin brewer, w.e. ballhausen, john church, j.p. murray, charles tinworth, henry josephs, m.a. winsby, chris heinz, andrew munro, john wright, thomas paterson, j.h. ward, george crombie, mary a. nicol, r.d. mcintosh, richard mitchell, j.s. miller, s.w.j. clark endowment, w.j. irwin, francis l. jones, a. farrer, louisa strange, j. permewan, feederick reid, joe white bequest, l.j. wilson perpetual trust, g. sutherland, hilton white bequest, i.e. reid, ian rollo currie foundation, i. dodds, lancelot w. wilson trust, ian g. bishop

John Robson was born at Newcastle, Northumberland, England, the son of Mathew Robson and Hannah Sproat. Hesailed to Australia on the "Arabian", landing at Port Phillip in 1854. Obituary DEATH OF MR. JOHN ROBSON ANOTHER PIONEER GONE. AN EXTREMELY VERSATILE MAN. General regret was expressed at the death yesterday morning at Miss Garnett's private hospital, of Mr John Robson, musician and and elocutonist and one of Ballarat's oldest, best known and most respected citizens. Mr Robson had been sitting for a few weeks, and his medical adviser, diagnosed his complaint as appendicitis, which afflicted, him in such a severe form that an operation was deemed to be absolutely necessary. He was removed to Miss Garnett's private hospital, and about a week ago he was operated upon. Mr Robson, being a man of robust constitution, stood the shock of the operation well, and he was making good headway towards recovery when the spell of hot weather set in, and caused exhaustion. Heart failure followed, and exhaustion the attention of his medical adviser, and the careful nursing he received, the end came peacefully at the time stated above. Mr John Robson was born at Newcastle, Northumberland, England, in , and he was therefore 72 years of age. Mr Robson's father, who was a contractor, had much to do with the building of the City of Newcastle. After passing through minor schools, Mr John Robson entered the academy of Professor Ross, and soon rose to a foremost position in the classes. When his studies were completed he was apprenticed to an architect and for a time studied the technique of this important branch of his father's calling. His adaptability for the work was great, and hopes were entertained that he would rise to a high position in the profession. Then came glowing reports of the wonderful Australian gold discoveries. Mr Robson’s father decided to migrate to these parts, and he sent a son to prepare the way. Believing that tools and timber might not be procured in Australia. Mr Robson, senr, constructed a portable wooden residence, which was shipped in pieces on the White Star liner Arabian which brought the family over. In 1854 Mr John Robson, who was then nearly 17 years of age, landed at Port Phillip, and with the other members of the family came on to Ballarat, which place he made his home to the end. When he first reached Ballarat, Mr Robson joined in the search for gold, but not being strong enough for this rough work, he turned his attention to carpentering. This he did not care much about, and in 1858 he was appointed a teacher in St. Paul's Day School, Ballarat, but in the following year he relinquished this position and became exchange clerk in the local branch of the National Bank. Being adapted to this quickly made himself acquainted with the details of a banker’s profession, and his rise was rapid. In the year 1871, about 12 years after he joined the bank, he was appointed manager, and for four years occupied that position with conspicuous success. He was connected with the National Bank for eighteen years, and in 1875 he entered business on his own account. With his brother, Mr Wm. Robson, he erected red-gum sawmills at Gunbower, on the River Murray. Subsequently he was offered the management of the Australian and European Bank in mills. In 1886, he accepted the position and held it until the bank was absorbed by the Commercial Bank of Australia. For a time he lived privately, still, how ever, holding his interest in the saw mills. In 1886, he accepted, the position of manager of the Ballarat branch of the Mercantile Bank of Australia. This bank was closed in 1892, and Mr Robson retired, altogether from commercial circles. In the meantime his brother died, and the saw-mills were sold. Mr Robson held a very important position in music, in fact he for many years was looked upon as the leading musician in Ballarat, he being master of quite a variety of instruments. In 1864. he was appointed conductor of the old Harmonic Society in this city, and subsequently conductor of the Ballarat Liedertafel. Under his leadership this society attained a high state of efficiency, which has since been well-maintained. Many years ago Mr Robson formed an operatic company from amongst Ballarat residents, and such beautiful operas as “Lucrezia Borgia' "Lucia di Lammermoor," “Ernani,' La Sonnambula,” and others were successfully rendered. As an elocutionist, Mr Robson attained much prominence, he being recognised as one of the most capable teachers in Ballarat. He was president of the one-time Ballarat Shakespearian Dramatic Club, which under his direction, from time to time produced Shakespeare’s masterpieces. In this, too, he took the chief characters, the roles of Macbeth, Othello, Hamlet, and Shylock, all being powerfully represented by him. For some years prior to his demise Mr Robson, acted as a teacher of music, and elocution, and many of his pupils, competed with great success at the Ballarat and other competitions. Some years ago he acted as adjudicator at the South street competitions, when he gave every satisfaction, and his services were frequently secured to judge at competitions in other parts of the State and in other states of the Commonwealth. At the Ballarat band contests every year, he was a conspicuous figure, and he always acted as leader of the massed bands, by whom his appearance was always enthusiastically greeted. In his younger days he took a keen interest in several forms of sport, was a successful oarsman, one of the best amateur boxers of his weight and as a billiard player was able to hold his own with professionals. 'Mr Robson was an earnest adherent of the Church of England, and in social and other organisations he from time to time held important positions. As a Anglican churchman, he was widely respected, being the official principal and lay Canon of the Cathedral, a member of the Bishops Council, and a prominent member of St. Paul's Church, Ballarat East. He was also a prominent member of the Masonic order. and was a Past Grand Junior Warden of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Victoria, an office which he filled with the greatest credit. He was also a member of the Old Colonists' Association and the Mechanics' Institute, was at one time vice-president of the Art Gallery was once a member of the School of Mines Council, and was many years ago made a Justice of the Pence. On many occasions he was asked to stand for Parliament, as a representative of Ballarat and on one occasion he consented to do so, but subsequently retired without going to the poll in favor of the late Mr Daniel Brophy. He was also often pressed to stand for both the Ballarat East and City Councils, but he declined to allow himself to be nominated. Mr Robson was an active gentleman, and a brilliant conversationalist. His courtesy, high mental and moral endowments, and warm open-heartedness, made him a most interesting and congenial companion. During his long residence in Ballarat, which city he declined to sever his connected with, he was well known and much courted, and was looked up on as one of the most prominent citizens, and his loss will be very severely felt. Some years ago a portrait of Mr Robson, in full Masonic regalia, was painted by he late Mr Stanton Bowman, and was presented by Mr Robson to the citizens, and it was hung in the City Hall, where it is always admired by visitors. The late Mr John Robson never married, and with his brother, James, lived for many years in Eureka street, Ballarat. The two brothers were nearly always together, and as they walked the streets with arms linked, they were frequently referred to as the Siamese twins. The only Australian relative of the late Mr John Robson is his brother. Mr James Robson, who hardly left the bedside during John's illness, and to him the blow has been a very severe one. In his bereavement he will have the heartfelt sympathy not only of the whole of the residents of Ballarat, but of people in all parts of the State. When the news of Mr Robson’s death became known the flags were flown at half-mast at the City and Town Halls, and the Old Colonists’ Hall, out of respect to the memory of the deceased. The interment will take place at the Old Cemetery this afternoon. The cortege will leave “Rothbury," Eureka street, Mr Robson’s late residence, at 3 o'clock, for St. Paul’s Church, where there will be a short service conducted by the vicar, the Rev T. A. Colebrook. (Ballarat Star, January 1910)Photographic portrait of John Robson, member of the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat.john robson, old colonists' association of ballarat, old colonists' club