Father of modern Brisbane
The folly of mid-century modern new world cities
Clem Jones seemed like a decent man. A dedicated republican and Labor party stalwart, he died aged 89 on 15th December 2007. The press are widely crediting him with ‘building Brisbane’, which is now the fastest-growing city in Australia and a ‘Third Metropolis’ finally forcing the traditional cultural capitols of Sydney and Melbourne to sit up and take notice.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says Jones was “the father of modern Brisbane … his lifelong civic contribution and love of the city of Brisbane was unsurpassed … Clem will long be remembered for his vision and commitment to transforming Brisbane from a conservative country town to a vibrant and cosmopolitan city.” Local boy and new Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd — another sign of Brisbane’s currently rising star — said “Clem was a longstanding personal friend of mine, a great source of support and encouragement and friendship.”
He may well have been the key catalyst in transforming Brisbane in the latter part of the twentieth century. The city is increasingly unrecognisable to those who knew it in the 1970s and 1980s. Wealthy from numerous sources, a strong hi-technology-oriented industrial base, with an increasingly well-respected university and research sector, the best new art gallery and library in…
