History

St Barnabas Church c. 1930 Norfolk Island – Pearce Owen (right) – Mum’s family

St Barnabas Church c. 1930 Norfolk Island – Pearce Owen (top right) – Mum’s family

Shaw Family Overview

Rifle shooting was a common activity among army members in the early 1900s. The British were surprised to see Australian competitors at Bisley being of equal status. With the threat of War, eventuating in 1914, the rifle competitions were evidence that the Australian army needed to train soldiers in the use of rifles.

George Shaw (snr.) was part of this push to the Federation (1901) by having participated in Colonial competition wins. Prior to Federation competions were self-funded or by donation. By 1902, the Government committed funding and army rifle training. Australian soldiers, it is safe to say, were highly regarded from then on.

The Shaw family was from Northern Ireland, part of the “United Kingdom”. The Irish/English “troubles” and offers from Queensland’s State Government to immigrate may have been why George’s father William Shaw moved to Brisbane with his whole family – further children born in Australia.

The census of 1901 in Northern Ireland showed about 1.4 million people living there, and approx. 3,500 Shaw’s. There were many Shaw’s and limited ancestry digital records available. There are principles of research that include documents, hearsay, objects, photographs, newspaper records, passenger lists, DNA, Church records and so on. Without an evidential basis it is easy to make lineage mistakes. These mistakes underlie assumptions that at first seem right, usually showing problems at a later date that do not add up. My research is documented and supported by multiple sources. We have not had any insight into why George Bernard Shaw had correspondence with the Shaw’s in Brisbane, particularity as GB Shaw was born in Dublin, down the East coast from Northern Ireland. Maybe one day we will know something.

William Shaw (George’s father) set up a retail store at South Bank focusing on ironmongery & hardware (hardware was anything) with his son George as an ironmongery assistant. It is therefore no surprise today that hardware shops sell household appliances like irons and ironing boards. The shop moved to another South Brisbane location and was flooded in the 1893 flood. Shaw had no insurance. He then moved to various locations in the city, eventually beside the now known Commonwealth Bank building in Queen Street, near the post office, in the Granite buildings (demolished). By that stage, the shop was like a mini-Harrods. When Woolworth’s came to Brisbane, they purchased his stock, but did not use the stock, and the business closed on the basis competition would end the business. (I have lost the news article reference.)

Briefly, William Shaw’ son George opened a firearms, fishing, and sports store as firearms and fishing were his love and skills. William did not want him to do this. George’s medals and prize wins supported this direction as being right. Shaw & Sons Limited eventually closed. We have little history apart from newspaper articles via Trove. For instance, one son Henry was involved in ownership. George passed his store to his son Harold, but it was in conjunction with other share holders whose family lines we knew right through the 1970s. Harold had decreasing interest in the store. Harold’s son George Robert Shaw (my father) took over the store and renamed it George Shaw Sports Store. Dad bought out the shares at great cost. Combined with our University educations and interests, none of us wanted to continue Dad’s store.

When Kmart moved to Australia in the 1970’s it also sold firearms and fishing tackle. My father closed his store on the basis of this competition. Years later, Dad said he could have continued the store f he knew what he later learnt. However, Dad’s health was severely impacted from an accident when testing a rifle after having been repaired by his gunsmith workshop. He had minimal education, and no assistance from management consultants. Those days were different. Dad had been expertly trained in detailed knowledge of firearms and light fishing.

In these earlier days, families demanded inheritance rights such as using the same family names, helping the parents when too old, the youngest born being the next inheritor, and passing along the same skills. My mother had a harsh upbringing and poverty. She wanted us to have education. Dad’s shop brought in enough money to do this. My parents had huge financial stresses and challenges. Looking back, we took for granted our new homes and cars, food on the table, education and clothing, but it was not as financial or wealthy as one may think. I believe there was a family ancestral pattern of loss. By the time Dad passed away, Mum had a very modest amount of money based on her building and selling a few homes since her marriage.

The Shaw’s had various connections to the early Congregational and Anglican Churches, public activities and charities. I am grateful for our involvement in the Anglican Church for many reasons. Our private school, Brisbane Boy’s College, preached the Gospel and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. (I need to say these backgrounds still had diverse problems, as did family members from various stories mentioned.)

It has been a considerable journey to find out who George Shaw’s parents were, to confirm by registration records and hand written notes. We have no photos of his father William Shaw. Official records confirm Finlay Shaw was William’ father. There has been speculation this is not the case, but there is no known evidence to say otherwise.

Mum’s side of the family stops with her mother from Northern Ireland and father from Wales. There are so many original records (not digitised) of families that it would be too time consuming and costly to find and research. It was however satisfying for me to see original ink pen records for Mum’s parent’s marriage at the St Barnabas Chapel rectory, and her birth record from a vault in the government building on Norfolk Island.

Family History - An Introduction

This is an exploration of my Brisbane lineage, from William Shaw, arriving in Australia from Ireland with all his family members, through my great grandfather George Shaw, to Harold William Shaw (Grandpop) and my father George Robert Shaw. There are Trove records about the two kinds of retail stores that were of significance to Brisbane and regional – originally ironmongery and hardware (hardware was anything, e.g. sewing machines included) which eventually grew into a kind of mini-Harrods style of shop, and the Firearms and Fishing / Sports stores. I have some information and photos related to Mum’s side of the family, from Ireland and Wales, Mum being born on Norfolk Island.

Engaging in research is a discovery of its own dynamics and rules. It changes how we view information and its validation. We would like our speculations to be true, but narrative is not fact, although interesting to ponder. The way I now view the past, with its tiny snapshot of information, is that people had their own time, just as we have ours. This is the comfort I have when realising how much happened in so many people’s lives before me.

Research by experts is another level of skill, experience, insight. This involves funding and travel to various libraries and countries. I used available digitised records. The two edged sword for me was positive and negative – gaining some understanding in how research works, and yet, the veil lifted on some self-proclaimed historical researchers who willfully give wrong information. I find this unconscionable.

It also encompasses behaviour around assertions of truths that are not. “You will believe me because I am right”. There are studies in how the mind works. A person can believe, have false memories, or “memories” that never happened.

My research has involved actual documents, photos, hand written notes, contact with other people, and hearsay. When a little more information is revealed, we see that people had real, complex lives, filled with as much stuff as we do each day.

We speculate on some aspects of history. For instance, George Shaw was a little too gaunt, with clothes not fitting properly in the 1902 team photograph at Bisley. Our visual experience says, lack of food. No wonder – the long trip on a ship from Australia to England. We find these types of ships could take months of travel. Passengers, including children, died on them. Was he gaunt because he just didn’t eat well and had no money? Or, was he at that age just prior to suddenly putting on weight and form? We do not know.

We thought George Shaw made an odd point of saying he was “English-born” for his new membership in 1906 with the National Rifle Association of Australia. It is illegal to give wrong information on a marriage certificate. The certificate shows he was a son of William Shaw and Mary M^cCurry from Ireland. Months into research, a view was proposed that the “troubles” of Ireland and England were very significant. However, Northern Ireland was officially listed as the United Kingdom and hence English. There may have been concerns in Australia as well, so the clarification of English could have helped George. My sense during research was that he was honest.

We have a strong genetic connection to our ancestors. This is not an ideology or view, but fact. It can help to resolve at least some questions of heritage, but there is a point at which further information vanishes completely, or provides little value in going further. Genetics includes sense of original “soil” of a country, distinct behaviours passed down, and skill or talent. While these things are real for everyone, finding actual connection is affirming to meaning and identity. Our history has moved from family-centered living to modern self-styled, supposed independent living in a short period of time.

People I once knew grew up with strict rules between women – e.g. exclusion if not in the workforce, unchecked violence and convenient use by men, inheritance demands (who you could or could not marry, what names to give children, looking after parents when old – or lose the inheritance. This embedded bad behaviour patterns and assumptions about who is privileged or has rights) higher death rates, larger families, even multiple families under one roof, dirt floors, and in Ireland, poverty, hunger and assassinations.

It is said two of my Grandmother’s brothers were killed and she was on a hit list, therefore sent to Australia.

Meanwhile, Australian states were offering free fairs to immigrate here. It is no wonder in such a hard life, people learnt to lie as a protection mechanism, and some male children learnt to enjoy wielding abuse, justifying it till they died, and changing the narrative to not sound as wicked as it was.

For me, I was frustrated at differing views of heritage and confusion. It was good to have various inputs from people during the whole process. I have a sense of relief the confusion is resolved.

Official records have mistakes such as spelling or missing data. A number of pieces of data when together, may strengthen the validations. While we like narratives that may be interesting, when it comes to speculation, we do not know. The registration information I have provided is correct in my view, backed up by references. Primary references are documents, supporting are photos, and under consideration, hearsay.

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Family Tree Diagrams

Profile Tree (login required)

https://www.geni.com/family-tree/index/6000000219136424852

https://www.geni.com/people/Laurence-Shaw/6000000219136424852

Family Overview of Wiliam Shaw, George Shaw, Harold William Shaw

References such as 1913/B/17227 are from QLD Gov Family Records.
References shown here will tie in family members to each other, even if slight spelling mistakes.
“ref?” means I had notes on the data but don’t know where I got it from. Some may be from Trove searches.

We have inconsistencies with Finlay’s Birth Date, so this section is not yet researched further.
Finlay Shaw (Ireland) (b. 21 Aug 1872) (d. 1894)

Ref: The record: https://www.rosdavies.com/SURNAMES/S/ShawKW.htm
Ref: https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~rosdavies/genealogy/SURNAMES/S/ShawAJ.htm
Ref: https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~rosdavies/genealogy/SURNAMES/S/ShawKW.htm
Ref: https://www.geni.com/people/Finlay-Shaw/6000000006775242887
Ref: https://www.geni.com/people/William-Shaw/6000000184996662906)

Marriage to: Mary Blaney (Ireland) (1913/B/17227 – spelling error – “findlay”)
Ref: https://www.geni.com/people/Mary-Ann-Shaw/6000000184983136827

Finlay and son William lived in Northern Ireland, Killyleagh, with reference to Cross Street, and Shore Street:

https://www.irishgenealogyhub.com/down/griffiths-valuation/parish-of-killyleagh.php

The rosdavies website links William Shaw and Mary McCurry to a Finlay Shaw, but obviously not the one from 1872.
This may be Findlay Shaw (1814-1894) on the Manora ship (Mother: Mary Ann Blaney (1816-1888)) as he would need to have been born between 1810 and 1820 to be a father to William. I need to research more.
This is also supported lineage from: https://en.geneanet.org/fonds/individus/?go=1&nom=BLANEY&page=2&prenom=Mary&size=100
and https://gw.geneanet.org/camillaf?n=blaney&oc=1&p=mary+ann&type=fiche
and https://gw.geneanet.org/camillaf?lang=en&n=shaw&oc=1&p=william

The question is why William Shaw referenced his Clayfield house to Armagh, Ireland, midland of Northern Ireland. There are many records kept in Ireland that are not digitised, and sifting manually through records would be out of scope with time and money.

Northern Ireland could well be regarded as English at the time of “troubles”. Northern would also be where Jeannie Nicholson (married to Pearce Owen) on Mum’s side lived, even possibly in the same area(s) – who knows.

William Shaw (Ireland – Killyleagh ) (b. 1841) (m. c.1861 ref?) (to Australia c. 1883 ref?) (d. 22 Feb 1913 Australia, Brisbane 1913/B/17227 ) (https://www.rosdavies.com/SURNAMES/Mc/McCu.htm)

The UK National Archives may have some discovery yet to see: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Shop: Shaw & Sons Limited
Married to: Mary McCurry (d. 26th Dec 1897 1897/B/30244 – father: Henry McCurry – mother: Charlotte Skendridge)
Son: Thomas Shaw (Ireland) (b. 21 Aug 1872) (d. c.1906, ref?)
Son: William Shaw (d. 31 July 1944) (1944/B/67224)
(In same graveyard plot as William & Mary, and Thomas. Dutton Park Cemetery – Plot 3B Memorial ID 48732198 or now called South Brisbane Cemetery.)
Son: George Shaw (my great grandfather) (Copy of Marriage Certificate) (more details below)
(George stated “English-born” Nationa Rifle Association of Australia, 1906 membership, but marriage certificate says Ireland.)
Son: Frederick Robert Shaw (d. 26th Aug 1956) (In line with George’s death in 1963)
Son: Albert Charles Shaw (b. 1st Mar 1887 1887/B/3821) (d. 29th Sep 1932 1932/B/18613)
Son: Henry – as per Trove articles – one on legal issues with the store’s name and a location in Edward Street. (b. d. c.1862-1936 ref?)
Daughter: Mary Charlotte Shaw (d. 10th May 1945 1945/B/1714 – however, her name is not listed below in Trove records)
(William Shaw named his Brisbane house “Shrigley”, Armagh-street, Clayfield, the name of a village out of Killyleagh where the family were all married.)

References in Trove:
Mr. William Shaw, sen. (Shaw and Sons, Ltd.), passed away at his residence, Shrigley, Armagh-street, Clayfield, a few days ago, in his 71st year. He was born at Killyleagh, county Down, Ireland, and arrived in Brisbane over 30 years ago, and started business, under the name of Shaw and Sons, in Melbourne-street, near the Victoria Bridge, as ironmongers. The firm remained there for two years, and afterwards removed to premises erected by themselves in Melbourne-street, near Manning-street, where they remained, until the big flood of 1893, when the whole of the stock was completely covered by water, the height of the flood water in the store reaching 19ft. The firm then removed to Queen-street, taking premises now occupied by Messrs. Allan and Stark, where they remained for some years. After wards they removed to premises, next to the Town Hall, whence they removed to their present premises, the Royal Arcade. This building became too small for their requirements, and new premises (the Granite Buildings) were erected in 1904. The firm now occupies both premises, the Royal Arcade and the Granite Buildings. Although the firm was one of the heaviest losers in the 1893 flood, the whole of the stock being practically destroyed, the de-ceased, with characteristic North of Ireland pluck and perseverance, helped to surmount all obstacles and bring the firm into the position it now enjoys. The deceased leaves five sons and three daughters — Henry, William, George, Fredk. R., Albert C, Mrs S. Lamont, Misses Minnie and Annie Shaw. The funeral took place on Monday afternoon to the South Bris bane Cemetery.
(Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 – 1939), Saturday 8 March 1913, page 38)

Are there other children? Robert b. c1880 / Annie Elizabeth b. 1884 / Jane c.1867-1947 ref?

As we go back into Brisbane history, it is difficult to locate where our retail shops were occupied. There was much movement between buildings, the historic 1864 fire, and lots – I mean lots of renovation, demolition, and construction works.

George Shaw (born Killyleagh, Down, Ireland) (m. 6th July 1896 – marriage certificate + data shown below)

Married to: Eveline Hobbs (died 1939)
(At marriage, residence: Melbourne St. South Brisbane. Jame Mollineaux Bayley,
Congregational Church Minister, South Brisbane with residential ceremony at Mr. Alfred James Stickler of Baynes St, South Brisbane.
21 years of age, Ironmonger Asssitant to William – Ironmonger. Witnesses: Alfred James Stickler, Frederick Roland Hobbs)
(Alfred James Stickler (1893/B/16260) – spouse Sarah Agnes Hobbs (death 1948?) Married 23/05/1893 1893/B/16260)(b. Born 15th 18th? March 1875 ref?)
(m. 1896/B/18127 – omits parents. Original shows the parents.)
(d. 30th June 1953 1953/B/44046 – confirms William and Mary McCury as parents. Aged 78)(Andrew J. Kilsby, ‘THE RIFLEMEN: A History of the National Rifle Association of Australia 1888-1988’, pages 97, 304
“A new delegate at the meeting was George Shaw. English-born Shaw was one of Queensland’s best rifle shots –
he represented Queensland several times in Federal and Commonwealth Match teams, had won the State associations’ ‘Queen’s’ and ‘King’s’ three times
in succession from 1899, and represented Australia at Bisley in 1902 and 1907.”) * English-born is incorrect *

(Child born 11th Feb 1901 (Harold William) aged 26
Governor’s Cup 1901 aged 26
Bisley Cup 1902 aged 27 (min 6 months travel to/from England ? Later RMS Rome ship)
National Rifle Association of Australia, membership 1906 age 31
Bisley Cup 1907 aged 32. 250 Guineas prize – Lee Metford Rifle (note written on photo by Dad)
A.F.A. Club Champion Fishing Cup (2 times) (on a photo)
King’s Prize Winner, shot with .303 rifle.
Approximately 24 medals (we owned them – photo of framing. Now missing)
Opened the business in Edward Street, 1908 aged 33 “George Shaw & Co.” firearms and fishing.
Records also show Queen Street
Transferred business to Harold c. 1930/31.)
Marriage to: Eveline Hobbs (brother Frederick Roland Hobbs at wedding) (Eveline’s Mother: Jane Austin and Father: William Hobbs – Stone Cutter)
(birth place: Bradford On Avon, Wiltshire, England)
(d. 3rd June 1939 1939/B/43822 – married at 20, hence c. 63 yrs of age)
(20 years of age at marriage, Grey St, South Brisbane)
Father of Harold William Shaw (my grandfather) – only son

Harold William Shaw (my grandfather – called Grandpop)
Marriage to: Minnie – Florence Minnie Home
Harold: (b. 11th February 1901 1901/B/2111) (m. 21st June 1924 1924/B/35023 – confirms parent George and Eveline (spelling Evelina))
(d. 29th Jan 1971 1971/B/21111) (dates match Dad’s handwritten notes)
Florence Minnie Home (Nana)
(b. 9th Dec 1900 1901/B/2111. Mother: Annie Isabella Home) (d. 5th May 1972 1972/B/31833)
Marriage article (Harold): https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20755186?searchTerm=shaw%20%26%20sons
Harold: Metropolitan Miniature Rifle Club Union Team – Brisbane (Queensland) 1922 aged 21 (photo)
Only George Robert Shaw – my Dad) c.1928 aged 27
(Tue 24 Aug 1937, p24, ‘Worker (Brisbane, Qld:1890=1955’
Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71270482?searchTerm=george%20shaw%20and%20co )
Business (shared with others) c. 1933 aged 32:
(Dates inferred from ‘Gold and Sports Equipment News, October 1973’:
George Shaw opened the business in 1908, in Edward Street, and nearly 40 years ago he bought and transferred to the existing shop in Albert Street,
just around the corner from Queen Street.
And there still is a George Shaw running it. A grandson of the founder, he began working for the company 28 years ago at the age of 17,
and took over the management when his father, who in turn had occupied the chair, retired 18 years back.
A sports department was put in when the firm was acquired by the Robinson group in 1971 and it has proved highly successful,
but over the years Shaws has been known best as a specialist firearms store.)
A.F.A. Club Champion Fishing Cup (3 times) inc. 1916, 1917 aged 15 and 16

Notes on George Robert Shaw further below.

George Shaw Marriage Certificate 1896

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For personal ID security, details of George Robert and Elizabeth Shaw are not provided on this public page.
Details are available on password protected pages.

The “Harrods” of Brisbane

Shaw & Sons - Shop History

William Shaw, born 1840, married 1861, arrived to Australia c. 1883, apparently with his whole family. He set up Shaw & Sons Ltd in Melbourne St. South Brisbane, 2 years later to Manning St. South Brisbane.
There was an Albert Shaw ironmonger already established (I think) who seemed to be well regarded, with work in Brisbane and Rockhampton. He would have known William Shaw. He left to Perth to join a Church there.

The Great Flood of 1893 wiped out the Shaw & Sons store. This is about a ten year period.

We have little information on the history or store of George Shaw & Co. in terms of locations and dates.

There is reference to two locations for William’s subsequent new store at Royal Arcade and later Granite Buildings (plural – either two or three buildings were occupied at street level on photographs – with the granite facades).

The Royal Exhibition Arcade was 225 Queen St 1877, demolished approx WWI. It was a little further down from Queen and Edward towards Creek St direction, so it makes sense the new shop location was in the Granite Buildings at 118 Queen Street, either on the corner of Edward or just near it, on the same side as the previous Royal Arcade. It may be the store was advertised as being moved to the new buildings, suggesting some excitement around this as a strategy, rather then moving into an existing building. Photo seem to show three store fronts across three buildings at least with signage across three.

The store was in the Royal Arcade c. 1904, 3 stories high “featuring beautiful display windows, electric lights, and a wide variety of goods”. This was the hardware and ironmongery merchants.

One photo (after the Royal Arcade) seems earlier with “dirt” Queen street road and the later with a surfaced road (and trams).
The son George (apparently no middle name referenced anywhere) later set up George Shaw & Co. in Edward Street (I assume very near Queen St) and later to 194 Albert Street. This was renamed in 50’s 0r 60’s to George Shaw Sports Store when ownership moved from Harold to my father George Robert Shaw. The transition from George to Harold involved shares and part ownership which Dad bought out at some stage. George Shaw & Co was listed in Albert Street in Trove articles at least since 1931. (See https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/183339728?searchTerm=george%20shaw%20and%20co) (Trove: it was in Edward St, in 1923)

This reference shows that in 1928 Messrs. Shaw & Sons was still operating, and that my idea of there being a shop in Edward and Queen Street may have been so…
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/182355991?searchTerm=shaw%20%26%20sons
This article shows there was a shop in Edward Street: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/183805944?searchTerm=shaw%20%26%20sons
Tattersall’s Buildings, Edward Street which later was renamed Henry Shaw & Sons. I’m not digging too deep into this history, but it shows various activities around William’s sons and the shops.

Henry Shaw was one of William Shaw’s sons – hence “Messrs” in some Trove articles, and the store continuing in various locations after William passed away, while earlier his son George went off and did his own thing.
If you look up Shaw & Sons in a Trove search, there are many articles, some not related to our family. But it does appear the store had an upper level opened up at some stage with the lift to take people up for furniture, and a horticultural section with plants! I think there was another member of the Shaw family who opened a Shaw & Sons in Newcastle at least, selling similar to Brisbane’s stocks. Some changes around 1926-1929 it may appear. This gives more credence to Woolworths coming in later in early 1930’s and the store(s) closing. It may be Henry Shaw only renamed the store legally for 12 months and went back to Shaw and Sons (instead of Shaw & Sons.)

A tobacco department opened in 1919.

In 1923 the Queen street shop added more window space – we also see drapery, traders tools. In other words, this was the same as Harrod’s on a smaller scale. The Commonwealth Bank took over one part of the Granite Building with compensation on a 4 years’ lease, by March 1st, so Shaws had to move all the stock under “one roof”. A big sale.

This all means the stores for hardware/ironmongery (Shaw & Sons) must have co-existed for a time with George Shaw & Co.
William died in 1913, yet the old Shaw & Sons was Xmas advertising in 1925, (trove) when George Shaw & Co was also selling.

The original George Shaw Sports seems to be called George Shaw Co, or in Trove once mentioned as a small store in Edward Street called George Shaw’s Sports Depot (1922). Meaning later a shift to Albert Street. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/177127049?searchTerm=george%20shaw%20and%20co

It is said that William did not want George to run his own store.

I recall Dad’s shop had a safe with explosive gunpowder used for making ammunition. Dad’s shop was a central focus point for all the big names and brands in Australia for firearms, telescopic sights, and fishing rods and reels. Later in life, Dad said if he knew now what he didn’t know then, when Amart came into Australia, he could have continued the shop. I don’t think health would have permitted. Amart was at least one factor in selling.

Dad’s shop was plagued by theft or giving away goods, of heavy discounting, and once tracing stolen money to a staff member by coloured ink.

Dad’s shop also sold pistols to the QLD Police. Dad was on television news at times around gun laws. Mum never allowed a gun collection in the house. I have had no interest in the store or firearms.

As kids, Mum and Dad used old gun barrels as stakes for the garden or to wrap chicken wire around. As I grew up in this specific retail environment, I know if I hold anything from firearms to telescopic sights to fishing rods and reels etc. if the item is high quality or not. Our families seem to understand the distinct differences that make something to be quality or not.

The last years of the shop had every sporting good you can think of, a knife section, and a dedicated archery section. A double bladed Gerber knife fell off the store counter when I was in high school and landed in my foot, just missing the tendons. I was taken to hospital straight away.

Dad did a little shooting, but he was not a champion. He learnt from someone else the ins and outs of firearms and was able to communicate that very professionally in the retail world. He was involved with Robinson Sports store in various ways, but I won’t go into that history.

Our family lost financially due to a number of events with the sale of the store and property, including retrospective legislation called the “bottom of the harbour scheme” that was meant to target a major business. I expressed when still at school not to sell the building. Dad sold it for c. $300K to Wallace Bishop who put steel rods through the building to stabilise it. Dad did not have higher education or resources to help the business. The building sky rocketed in value very soon after the sale.

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ChatGPT: Throughout its history, Shaw & Sons played a significant role in Brisbane’s retail landscape, offering a diverse range of products and services to the community.

Keeping things in perspective, there were other retail stores in the 1900’s. Finney Isles & Co is an example.

1915 Photo of Shaw & Sons in Granite Buildings.
Originally three buildings and three stories high. Moved from one building when 4 year lease finished and then occupied by CBA.

Private > Sergeant > Lieutenant (and Quartermaster) George Shaw

Shaw was a Pte (a Private in 1902’s Bisley competition – refer historic nra.org.uk: https://nra.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/k1900-1949.pdf)

Later he was a Sergeant (sgt), and in Bisley’s Mackinnon 1907 competition he was listed as Lieutenant (Lt). Refer: https://nra.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/M1900-1949.pdf. He was also at some point a Quartermaster – supplies.

Shaw was in two matches in 1902, and one in 1907. 1902: Match 12, Match 32. 1907: Match 17.

1875 – 1953 Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Bisley (Kolapore) Cup – Still runs today

The Bisley Cup 1902 was a team competition. It was previously held in Wimbledon, England, and moved to Bisley for a couple of years or so prior to this trophy seen above. It would have been a three-month trip in a ship to get there. It was quite normal in the early 1900’s for men to strap their huge rifles over their shoulders, to be in public on their bicycles to wherever they were going to. Women sports also had rifle competitions.

QRA Governor’s Cup

The Queensland Rifle Association Governor’s Cup, is shown here from 1901. QRA was run by the army. Many from the army were shooters. Being a Sergeant and a champion shooter was a big thing in those days, more popular than cricket and well regarded.

view more on G Shaw snr.

George Shaw & Sons – history

Our Shaw family history goes back to George Shaw senior, son of William Shaw and Mary M^cCurry, migration from Ireland to Australia. The Firearms & Fishing store in Albert Street in the early1930’s, and Albert street i general, appears to have no digitised photographs on record. The same can be said of many city streets. A few original photos are now with the Brisbane (QLD) State Library archives, June 2022. These can be seen in the “blue” folder called George Shaw Sports Store 1908 – 1979 on this website.

George Shaw Sports Store
1930’s – 1970’s

Firearms | Fishing Tackle | Archery | Sports
194 Albert Street, Brisbane

George Shaw & Co Pty Ltd
Albert Street 1930’s

The mounted deer neck is of course sad to see. I don’t know what happened to it. In those days there was hunting as a sport, deer and kangaroo skins as a norm for some people. I never liked these “trophies” or the world of hunting, fishing and firearms from the Shaw’s history.

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George Shaw & Co

My Memories of the Shop

The Stores – A Commentary

What I think is interesting is that the lane way beside 194 Albert Street always had the same odious smell regardless of the renovations over the decades. Personally, it was not nice seeing Dad called out from Moggill to the city when the store alarm went off, (metal wires across windows) or Dad falling asleep at the wheel while we yelled at him to wake up. The building was once broken into from the adjoining shop’s attic. The brickwork mortar was like powder in some places. Wallace Bishop later put in steel reinforcing rods to strengthen the building.

Despite the rough times, the thefts and staff abuse of discounts and stock, the store had some good people we really liked and remember very fondly.

Dad had a gun smith workshop. I used to carry repair firearms down Queen Street to Robinson’s Sports store. Later we had to ensure guns had carry cases. Then soon after, of course, no guns allowed. That is how it was then.

I recall when a white painted line was once put on the footpaths to keep people left and right. Unbelievable stupidity, so even as a kid in high school I knew that. And of course we would then get aggravated if someone walked on the wrong side.

In those days hunting was well known and there was nothing wrong with animal skins and trophies, as you can see in the photos. When the store sold we had the deer head at home, but it dripped moisture. I know how amazing the texture and quality of a good animal skin is, because we touched them and saw them as kids, but nowadays it is offensive. When I visited Denver in the late 1990’s I went into a store and immediately knew which was their best buffalo skin and the owner said it was not for sale. They are exquisite to touch, but rarely seen now. It was also normal to have tortoise shells too! We did not have ivory or any such items now, and Mum did not allow any gun collection int he houses we lived in. I am quite sensitive to how badly animals may be treated, and I have a strong dislike of firearms and knives, even though I know quality items if I should see them. When Amart came in from USA, Dad did not know how to compete with them, but years later he said he would have been able to keep the store going with the knowledge he gained about them. Dad had quality products which suggests this could have been part of a unique position. In those days people did not know about consultants and so forth to help businesses.

It is hard to recall childhood memories with Harold Shaw. I recall Dad traveling to/from the Woolloongabba store and the train soot on everything in the area. Dad had lost a sum of money from someone purchasing guns and never paying.

I have various memories of the Albert St shop in the 1970’s and the city activities – such as going to the cinemas – Mary Poppins, Earthquake, Jaws. It was in the shop I played with an IBM golf ball typewriter. We had Bakelite telephones to play with. Up from us was a deli that sold real milk shakes and rocky road, deep fried potato scallops and Chiko rolls with salt. No wonder I loved Ekka pluto pups.

Dad’s store sold firearms, fishing, archery as a new line, ammunition, explosive powder, binoculars and telescopic sights, later pistols that the police purchased, trophies, torches, hunting gear, and knives – big knives. There was a gun smith workshop on the upper floor. Dad tested a firearm in the workshop which failed, and splinters of wood flew out sending Dad to hospital, and Dad then had tinnitus. He could have lost his life. His energy or enthusiasm for the store dropped after that, so it is no wonder he worked for Robinsons. He (legally I have to say allegedly) unfortunately had enemies, lies, humiliation and a large loss of money from his stock not apparently not being paid for (?), or his superannuation given to him. I can only recall the family pain over this and Dad’s failed attempts to find justice.

I always really disliked selling retail, and never understood the selling points customers needed. Dad learnt his detailed knowledge from another person who passed it on. When I was in high school, a double bladed Gerber hunting knife fell off a glass showcase cabinet while I was showing it to a customer. It did not cut my tendon – which is amazing.

The shop bought out Watsons Sports store, and then sold every sporting good you could imagine. I never liked selling retail, and people generally asked questions just to feel comfortable, I think. The previous handover to Harold I think involved the Kingston Brothers around part ownership.

I would like to note that my Dad knew all the key sporting wholesale players in Australia. There is not one person who controlled a major brand that he was not business friends, or friends with, including big names such as Winchester, Tasco, Alvey and more. Dad went fishing with some the big names every year at Fraser Island, piling up the empty beer cans into a pyramid trophy on a table top.

When Dad backed a trailer into the shop laneway he narrowly missed the walls, to load up boxes of trash from the back of the shop. We would burn various records out at Moggill, as they expired after a legal period of time.

My “uncle” Bill, Bill Ward, helped me get my first job in the QLD Government Department of State Works. His shares in the store were bought out. He told me that there was a will written that stated the Albert Street building was never to be sold. That will was never found, and it upset Bill. Bill was deeply upset over the strong constraints of the pension. He had no children from his wife. I used to play their pianola. Uncle Bill divided his inheritance between us three sons, which stopped me from being on the street penniless when I got ill in 2010, so his decision on this was far reaching.

This content is based on limited knowledge and on memories, so again, please take it only for what it is.

Above Top: Harold with my father George, and big fish!
YES – No fishing licenses.

Followed by: The two shop windows. The left had a room with a gunsmith workshop, and the right had a small partitioned room with basins for chemicals working on gun barrels etc. and a testing apparatus that was highly dangerous, not by intention, but lack of knowledge in those days.

Above the windows was the attic, incredibly hot. This is where some retail stock was, but mainly old records etc. The mid level of the building had the office, Dad’s manager’s office, retail storage shelving, toilets, eating area, and packing bench.

The concrete stairs went down to the lower retail level, with office at the back behind the sporting goods section, a safe, and small area for throwing out cardboard boxes, then the back of the lane way. Fire regulations were thinner in those days.

Indicative diagram of the gunsmith workshop in the room behind the two windows, noting the attic above the workshop floor:
These layouts would not be permitted today.

Above: views of the laneway in more recent times

Some notes from my mother Elizabeth Shaw:

Hardware merchants in Queen Street, founded by William Shaw who migrated from Northern Ireland – three sons and 2 daughters:

George (my great grandfather), Albert and Henry, Minnie and Annie.

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George Shaw Sports Store 1908-1979

Photos of George Shaw Sport’s Store, Albert Street, Brisbane. These images are now with the Brisbane State Library.

Old Photos

Some Old Photos

old photos

family portraits

When I moved to Sydney, I had no recent photo of my parents. Some time later, before my garage was robbed on school holidays, I found a carton in the garage with an old role of film. It had Mum and Dad’s photo. Most of the other film was damaged.

This does raise the question of storing photos. We all know what it is to lose photos. Printing a photo means that we take time and effort to show that we value a particular image, and that is more likely to survive for our family’s next generation – provided it is not a cheap print. Since the beginning of the 1900’s, my families have used photography, and we have minimal hard copy surviving. Anything that survives the years is special, particularly when given a photo 80 years later.

Family portrait, before I was born, taken in 1957, signed by the Brisbane photographer Ranald Simmond.

And my graduation photo.

paris hand painted photos

These photos were handed down to me, from when my Uncle Bill’s father went to Paris in preparation to fight for the war. Notice the spoked ferris wheel. I have seen the buildings along the River Seine, which were still under construction, and the railway line is now covered over.

national galleries

There are experts in this field who have fine examples of historic photography. Our National Gallery of Australia preserves various styles, some snapshots of scenes at hand, and others of historical significance, such as a pose from a politician, or a fashion statement from a prominent celebrity. These have been among my favourite photographs for many years:

Lorrie GRAHAM 1954, Australia Bob Hawke, Labor Party Campaign launch 1982 printed 1992 Koddak (Australasia) Pty Ltd Fund 1993 National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.

Athol Shmith ‘ Fashion illustration: Maggie Tabberer in Hall Ludlow outfit.’ 1959 gelatin silver photograph.Collection of the National Gallery of Australia

See great examples from NGA > National Gallery of Australia

the corporate world

Older style buildings bring back memories of former materials and finishes. Although beautiful, it also brings back memory of controlled mass environments, man as machine. Our corporate lives reflected order, the days we wore ties, and were comfortable in thinking of life long company loyalty. That was an effective strategy. I recall my first government job – what standard ruler and pen I was to use. I have always bought my own pens and unlined paper in the workforce. In my first job as a filing clerk, (one of the most boring jobs in the world) my drunken boss got fed up with me and said I had to do that job for five years before I could progress to the next level, and be a cost order clerk. I resigned. This shocked my parents. It shocked me!

Those were the days when officials showed off their positions of power, carrying bikini tanned girls on each arm, when sexist and racist comments were on display, and when I bought staff their Bex powders at morning tea. Only pies, sausage rolls, and cakes in those days.

These USA office styles are reminiscent of some sites still found in Sydney. (source: not known)

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My Photography Background

Photography Background

As I grew up, I found I was often in my father’s shop. Brisbane city was a ghost town after 12 O’clock on a Saturday. One of the Queen Street arcades had a display window with Nikon cameras, but they were too expensive for me to ever think I would own one.

My website home page shows a picture of Dad’s shop windows. This style was typical for the time, but would not happen now, probably due to security issues. Even so, many a times the store alarm went off and Dad had to drive into the city from Moggill at whatever hour it was. And, the store back windows simply used thick wire connected to simple latches, often bumped and kinked by the packing bench below the windows.

Many of my early photographs have been permanently lost, but I think my website has enough content to cover that loss. Part of this is by including photographs from Dad’s shop and family history which are now owned by the Brisbane State Library.

There is much about our history we will not know. Hard copy photography has a chance at survival. Digital photography is another question. After all the loss, I still had a photo of Mum and Dad that survived a property break in, and a photo of the Brisbane River Fountain that Mum had kept in a metal cabinet in her garage. The family shooting medals (gold ones included) we understand were stolen during a house move.

My years at University started in music, and shifted to other subjects. One was introductory photography, with real film and dark room chemicals and paper. This background has rubbed off on me. If I want to do a framed picture – art or photography – I take the time to get a creative end product.

In 2011 I became ill with a life threatening condition. I recall looking at a camera in a local shop and barely being able to press the shutter button. I bought the camera. It did not stop my pain, but it gave a small distraction at times with learning about a DSLR, editing images, and eventually my apartment balcony shots became a good collection for the Royal North Shore Hospital. I found that a camera opened the doors to connecting with most of the people around me. This was unexpected. Due to this context, I was never looking for expertise or competition. My photos will not use a flash, even though I tried it. Today I do very little with my camera, particularly as I need a better one. However, photography became helpful to people around me when building their websites, helping them with photos they needed benefit from, or from Church events where photos ended up in use without me expecting it. I do not go our on photography trips. but if I go somewhere new, my camera will be there.

As I developed basic skills with WordPress websites, I explored use of Amazon services. This took several years – a long learning curve. Those skills are quite contained, limited but detailed, and I feel really valuable. I don’t hesitate using Amazon AWS services. Time and time again I have run away from commonly used commercial services like a bad Halloween horror movie. I don’t understand why people don’t want to use Amazon. Well, I do know, and I talk about that on this site.

My previous IT background developed into senior roles, eventually as a Solutions Architect. This looks at end-to-end solutions and how this works. I talk about best practice, industry standards, creativity, mentoring and more. Although my websites are smaller in comparison to IT projects, I follow the same principles. By comparison, I don’t find Internet articles offering end-to-end solutions, so I like to discuss what solutions design is and the benefit regardless of scale of work.

In 2012, during an apartment Real Estate inspection, the agent saw my PC screen saver, a photo of the Balmoral Rotunda. The agent sounded very sure about getting me some work for his branch, but it would need a registered business name and ABN. I explained my health, and that I could try small pieces of work infrequently provided I had a property key and could select which day I’d do the images. In those days I over edited my images.

When one is seriously ill, it is normal to try to work, and to fail. This is my repeated experience, so I know a lot about what people go through. In fact, I am quite peaceful and able to talk with people in severe illness including terminal. However, that ABN number was a two edged sword. It was one of the baddest mistakes I ever made, but although the real estate work was not granted from the head office, I was left exploring website construction as a life saving distraction from the severity of my illness. I could go on and on, but the thing is, there is a history to my photography and websites, literally born out of pain, but also a re-emergence from my past sense of identity – who I felt I was when I did photography, or even music. Who we are is important, and how we develop, not how we compete or try to be who we are not, or to be more than we currently are. Infirmity brings great loss, but it dissolves the wants for competition or envy, self serving or being noticed. From that place we produce better relationships and outcomes in anything we do. To enjoy where we are at, not where we feel pain at being less than someone else such as the great pianists, is a great rest and satisfaction.

My registered ABN Name in 2012 was photosbyshaw.com and photosbyshaw.com.au. When the domain names expired, someone took the .com name, but not that I can see any reason why. One of my other domain names was taken when it expired which now redirects to a deviant website in China. We subsequently have to pay more money to protect a name.

My photography was generously supported by one of the Canons at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney, and then later here in Brisbane. The Sydney experience taught me how to work with challenging light conditions, and many people, including musicians, at funerals, anywhere. Even though I was learning, it was quite natural for me. In Sydney I developed a better balance between my preferred subject of architecture, to then include people.

But I will never know in advance what people like. Good composition remains, even though the initial surprise settles down in the pathways of our brain. I have a photo that took over a million views and 250,00 downloads some years ago. Why? I have a favourite photo of a community hall with some stacked chairs that no one likes, but it amazes me. I guess at the end of the day I am very visual, and also sound sensitive. As my life changes, leaving behind the fears from childhood, developing complex IT solutions with companies, facing survival for life, such things have changed how I respond, which in turn creates better composition, but more importantly, more awareness of what is real or not, and a truer direction to love for others. It is hence no issue for me to enjoy and praise other people’s work and creativity. It is no concern to me if someone is better than I am if I can be privileged to be a part of another person’s interests and expressions.

When I studied architecture, one of the staff said they could see my love for architecture. It showed in the drawings, even though I was not well able to design. If we show who we are, we don’t need to worry about all the problems people make for themselves. I like to tell people that during my IT work I was transparent, and in that healthy approach, never had one failed project to bite back. If people struggle to make their creativity without the inherent energy, discipline, and creativity, it will never work. One cannot force a good photo or piece of art. Although I cannot compose music beyond the simplistic, I remind folks that most of Schubert’s piano sonatas are terrible – in my view. Yet, his later works are pieces of great beauty. And if we let go of preconceptions, and develop personally, we one day enjoy a masterful, unique and powerful Shostakovich symphony that previously we did not begin to understand or digest, from even this great artist who wrote – in my view – horrible, horrible preludes and fugues. We are all unique. I hope some of that shows in my work, and I say, good for you, well done, as encouragement for your work.

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Developing Amazon AWS Technology Skills

Technology Background

A Brief Overview of my IT Background

Qualifications

Bachelor of Arts, University of Queensland, 1980
Bachelor of Design Studies, University of Queensland, 1984
Graduate Diploma in Computing Science, Queensland University of Technology, 1992

Major Companies

Queensland State Department of Works
Media Five Architects
Geac Australia Pty Limited
IBM Printing Systems Division
IBM Australia
IBM Global Services
Salmat Pty Limited

Company Projects

IT Skill Sets

Some Major Projects

Family History - An Introduction

Family Tree Diagrams

Family Overview of Wiliam Shaw, George Shaw, Harold William Shaw

We have inconsistencies with Finlay’s Birth Date, so this section is not yet researched further.
Finlay Shaw (Ireland) (b. 21 Aug 1872) (d. 1894)

Marriage to: Mary Blaney (Ireland) (1913/B/17227 – spelling error – “findlay”)
Ref: https://www.geni.com/people/Mary-Ann-Shaw/6000000184983136827

https://www.irishgenealogyhub.com/down/griffiths-valuation/parish-of-killyleagh.php