Discovering the Legacy of a Name: Anthony, Queensland

The pin marks the small community of Anthony. The 2021 census registered a population of 133 people. The region is approximately 14 square kilometres.

One exciting moment in family history research is uncovering a place—a mountain, a river, or even a town—named after one of your ancestors. It connects the past to the present in a tangible, lasting way. For me, this thrill came with discovering that the rural locality of Anthony, nestled in Queensland’s Scenic Rim, bears the name of my great-great-great-uncle, William Anthony, who, with his family, played a significant role in shaping the region.

A Legacy Rooted in Opportunity

In the mid-19th century, William Anthony, uncle of my great-great-grandfather, emigrated from Drumquin, Tyrone, Ireland to Australia aboard the Cairngorm in 1855. Accompanied by his wife Margaret Chittick and their two children, George and Sarah, he settled in the Ipswich area in 1856. Recognising the opportunities in Queensland’s fertile Scenic Rim, William became a cotton farmer, a decision influenced by the global cotton shortage caused by the American Civil War (1861–1865).

The war disrupted cotton supplies from the U.S., leading to soaring global demand. To capitalise on this, the Queensland government offered settlers land grants of 500 acres for cotton cultivation. William seized this opportunity, establishing his farm in the Scenic Rim, known for its fertile soils. However, despite these promising conditions, cotton farming in Australia proved far more challenging than anticipated. Labour shortages, an unpredictable climate, and the end of the American Civil War—when global cotton supplies normalised—made it difficult for farms like William’s to remain viable in the long term and he turned to grazing.

William Anthony’s impact extended far beyond cotton farming. The Scenic Rim region embraced his family’s contributions, naming the locality “Anthony” in their honour. His work not only left a mark on the area's agricultural development but also likely inspired other family members, including his nephew Robert Anthony, my great-great grandfather, to migrate to Australia.

Building Connections: The Railway and the Scenic Rim

The Anthony family’s legacy was further solidified with the establishment of the Fassifern Railway Line, which connected the Anthony district to Queensland’s Southern and Western Railway—the state’s first railway. Initially opened in 1882 to link Ipswich with Harrisville, the line was extended to Anthony in 1887, This railway expansion reflected the growth of the community that William Anthony and his family had helped to establish. The railway remained in operation until its closure in 1964.

Honouring the Traditional Custodians of the Land

While celebrating the legacy of the Anthony family, it’s equally important to acknowledge the more profound history of this land and its traditional custodians. The area known as Anthony lies within the traditional lands of the Yugambeh language-speaking peoples, including the Mununjali and Wanggeriburra clans.

The Mununjali clan’s territory spanned areas such as Beaudesert, extending to the Teviot Brook, while the Wanggeriburra clan’s lands included the Tamborine area and stretched to the McPherson Range. These communities cultivated strong connections with the land, relying on its food, shelter, and spiritual sustenance resources. Although specific Aboriginal names for the locality of Anthony have not been identified, the broader Scenic Rim holds deep cultural significance for the Indigenous peoples who cared for and shaped the land long before European settlement.

A Modern Reflection

Today, the Scenic Rim remains a region of natural beauty and cultural significance. Known for its stunning landscapes, fertile farmland, and thriving communities, it reflects the enduring legacy of its early settlers while honouring the deeper history of its traditional custodians. For me, discovering that this area bears the name of my great-great-great-uncle is both humbling and inspiring. It reminds me of those who came before us and of the importance of recognising the stories that precede our own.

The Anthony name may be etched into the history of this region, but it is only one chapter in a much longer story—one that begins with the Indigenous peoples whose care for and connection to this land laid the foundation for all who followed. This discovery deepens my appreciation for the interconnectedness of history and the layers of meaning that each generation contributes to the story of a place.

I’ll soon be turning my attention to North Queensland, where my Mazlin ancestors on my maternal side also left their mark, with place names and rivers in the Herberton-Atherton area bearing their name.

Have you ever discovered a place, landmark, or geographical feature named after one of your ancestors? I’d love to hear your story! Please feel free to share your discoveries in the comments below.