Smith Family

Dave Edward Smith – born Kelvin Grove 5th March, 1913.

Amelia (Millie) Nancy Smith (nee) Heyer born Red Hill 16th March, 1915.

Married 45 August 1934 at West Ashgrove Methodist Hall.

The beautifully crafted panel by Julie Rowe shows the great interest Dave has in his hobby as a lepidopterist first, collecting and breeding Butterflies for over 70 years, which together with his work as a taxidermist, has seen his craftsman-like patience to each mounting recognised around the world.

The son of Frederick George Tarva Smith and wife Hester Florence (nee) Judd, he moved from Kelvin Grove where his Dad had a furniture making business with his family to The Gap in October, 1922 onto 43 acres to the north of Walton Bridge. The property was called “Estrilda”. As well as poultry, his Dad bred and sold all types of birds, snakes and animals and his Dad was to teach him the skills of taxidermy.

Amelia was born at Red Hill to Albert and Dohline Heyer (nee) Cottrell and spent a time living with her parents at “Muldoolun Station” Mt. Tamborine, then returned to live at the care-takers cottage on a farm-let in Greenlanes Road.

On a picnic at Walton Bridge in May of 1932, she was to meet Dave and they married at West Ashgrove Hall on 45 August, 1934. With two children – Allan and Beverley, they have four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Married for 67 years Dave and Millie are keen supporters of The Gap Historical Society.

History Source: Dave aged 89 years and Millie aged 87 years (in 2002).

Embroidery: Julie Rowe

 

  • Allan Smith 1953

    Allan Smith 1953, among cavendish bananas, on ridge above Fish Creek.

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  • Bird Aviary

    The Elaborate bird aviary on “Estrilda” Farm, 50ft square with one section two stories, for Canary breeding, the Nysa (African Parakeet) Coulin and Cut Throat Finches, as well as the Estrilda African Finch.

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  • Dave Smith entertains daughter Beverly

    The Gap hills hear the sound of music. Dave Smith entertains daughter Beverly, while friend Norm Messinbird assists, 1937.

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  • David and Alf Smith

    Alf Smith (aged 21) with young brother David (aged 8) in an area at Western edge of our now Gold Links. Pat Hanlon had 80 custard apple trees growing nearby. Photo: October 1922.

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  • Exhibits of Dave Smith

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  • Exhibits of Dave Smith

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  • Exhibits of Dave Smith

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  • Exhibits of Local Taxidermist Dave Smith

    A selection of exhibits from the collection of local taxidermist, Dave Smith. Local taxidermist Dave Smith proudly displays another item from his collection.

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  • Fred and Hester Smith

    Fred and Hester Smith displaying Fred’s taxidermy craft; three deer heads, two possums and a platypus.

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  • Fred Smith

    Taxidermist Fred Smith, two red deer heads, circa 1952, aged 82.

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  • George Winstone and Dave Smith

    The late George Winstone (our local general carrier all his life) and Dave Smith (right) with young Mark Winstone and Ray McArthur, show off a wedge tail eagle shot on the highest point of Taylor Range off the Winstone Family Property, now Golf Links.

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  • Hester Smith

    Hester Smith, with pet dog on the front lawn of her home located above Walton Bridge. Note the view of the hills in the background prior to the advent of television and the television towers now a landmark feature of Mt. Coot-tha.

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  • Mango tree

    Photographed here in 1985, this mango tree was a survivor from the 1920s when Catley’s shop occupied this location across the road from the future Kerr’s Quarry.

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  • Maureen and Millie Heyer

    Maureen Heyer (on the left) and Millie Heyer (later Millie Smith) are enjoying a tea break beside a ship’s water tank next to Mt Nebo Road during road construction works in 1932 .

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  • Millie Smith 1931

    Millie Smith at the corner of Settlement Road with Don Carnegie’s swag around 1931. Mrs Ross’s house is in the background and across the road is the site of the new Gap State School.

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  • Smith Home

    Fred and Hester Smith on the verandah of their new home, October, 1922.

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  • Unknown

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2019-12-22T04:06:40+00:00
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