“Bung Bung” they called him. A nickname whispered with a mixture of respect and amusement. Thomas Welsby. That’s the man who built Amity. Right here. Before you stands Amity. A testament to a life less ordinary.
Amity isn’t just a house. It’s a living history book. A Queensland Heritage-listed treasure. Built between 1892 and 1900. It was his home for almost fifty years. Welsby poured his passions into this place. He was a businessman. A politician. A historian. A sportsman. A man of many talents and passions.
Imagine Welsby in 1893. He’s just married Margaret. The Brisbane River is raging. Floodwaters lap almost to the veranda. He marks the high-water line on the steps. That mark is still visible today. It’s a tangible link to a past disaster.
Welsby was a prominent figure. He served in the Queensland Legislative Assembly. He was instrumental in the formation of the Engineering Supply Company of Australia. He even had interests in mining with Sir Robert Philp. A true mover and shaker of his time.
But his true love was history. He served as president of the Historical Society of Queensland. He wrote seven books about the Moreton Bay region. His vast library and his portrait adorn the society’s halls even now. A lasting legacy that honors his passion and dedication. He was a collector too. Historical letters. Rare books. Even the figurehead from the Lucinda. The ship where the Draft Constitution of Australia was signed. Amazing.
Amity wasn’t just a family home. It housed Welsby’s diverse interests. His initials are in the leadlight. The name Amity itself graces the fanlight above the front door. Coral edges the garden beds. Compass points are set into the path. All these little touches speak to the man who crafted this unique residence. They are small but significant pieces of his personality. This is how he lived.
After Welsby’s death in 1941. Amity changed hands. It was used as a refinery manager’s residence. Then as a naval residence for HMAS Moreton. It has always been special. Always unique.
Today. Amity stands as the last surviving 19th-century timber riverfront residence in New Farm. A remarkable survivor in a landscape that has transformed around it. A place where history whispers in the timbers and the gardens. A place that brings to life the fascinating story of “Bung Bung” Welsby. The man who made Amity his home. It’s a story that will never fade. It’s a story that lives on. In this special home. In Amity.