Let’s journey back to Brisbane in the late 19th century. We are standing before the final resting place of John MacLellan and Elizabeth MacLellan nee Muir. Their story etched in stone offers a glimpse into Queensland’s past.
John MacLellan was born in Glasgow, Scotland on April 24 1840. He lived for 58 years. He passed away in Brisbane on July 1 1898.
Elizabeth Muir was also born in Scotland. She was born in Urquhart Inverness-Shire in 1840. Elizabeth died on November 3 1905 in Brisbane. She was 65 years old.
They now rest together in South Brisbane Cemetery. Their plot is in General Part A section 3B-96. Their lives intertwined led to a family legacy. Their son John Donald MacLellan was born in 1862 and died in 1930. He married Catherine Ann Collins.
Their grandson Alexander Simon MacLellan lived from 1896 to 1938. He married Dorothy Isabel Graham. Their granddaughter Alexia Dawn Morris MacLellan was born in 1938 and passed away in 2013. She married John Reginald Morris. Their great-grandson Gary John Morris lived from 1955 to 2015.
The MacLellan name is also linked to Australian coinage. Michael MacLellan Tracey designed the Australian Bicentenary fifty cent coin in 1988. This coin commemorated a significant moment in Australia’s history.
The fifty cent coin itself was introduced in 1966. The original coin was made of 80% silver. The design featured the Commonwealth Coat of Arms. Stuart Devlin sculpted the Coat of Arms.
In 1968, the mint stopped striking silver coins. The price of silver rose above the coin’s face value. A new alloy was introduced in 1969. The new coin was made of 75% copper and 25% nickel. The shape also changed to dodecagonal.
Commemorative fifty cent coins mark special events. The 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games coin featured a kangaroo. Stuart Devlin also designed this coin.
Standing here we connect with the MacLellan family. We reflect on their lives their descendants and their contribution to Australian history and culture. Their story reminds us of the enduring legacy of individuals and families. They helped shape the community we know today.