Brisbane history Archives

The beloved 1952 FX Holden of Brisbane icon Rock ’n’ Roll George has found a new home at Hutchinson Builders’ office in Toowong. After years on display at the Queensland Museum, the vehicle has been relocated to a dedicated space at the company’s reception foyer.

For decades, George Kiprios, better known as Rock ’n’ Roll George, was a fixture on Brisbane’s streets, driving his distinctive FX Holden through the city from the 1950s to the late 1990s. The Greek-Australian worked various jobs, including at a suit factory, a luggage manufacturer, and the Golden Circle cannery, before retiring from the Government Printing Office.

With rock ’n’ roll blaring from the car radio, Mr Kiprios became synonymous with Brisbane’s urban culture, often spotted in Queen Street, Melbourne Street, and West End. He frequented Cloudland’s dances, local milk bars, and cafes, always in his signature flat-top haircut. Legends arose about his near-daily laps through the city, with one story claiming he spent decades searching for a blonde woman he once saw but never found again.

Rock ’n’ Roll George at Queen Street (1973) — *Caption: Rock-n-Roll George at Queen Street (1973*)
*Photo Credit: Lost Brisbane/Facebook*

His car, adorned with a personalised “Rock ’n’ Roll” number plate, became as famous as the man himself. The FX Holden and Mr Kiprios were immortalised in the 1960s song “Rock ’n’ Roll George,” with lyrics describing his daily route past Brisbane landmarks.

A Final Ride and Museum Display

Mr Kiprios passed away in November 2009 at the age of 82. His funeral at the Greek Orthodox Church of St George in South Brisbane was attended by more than 200 mourners, including then-premier Anna Bligh. In a fitting tribute, his FX Holden led the funeral procession down Queen Street one last time before he was laid to rest.

Following his passing, Hutchinson Builders acquired the car and later donated it to the Queensland Museum, where it featured in the Rock Around the Block exhibition. Over time, the FX Holden became a centrepiece of Brisbane’s cultural history.

Returning to Toowong

Recently, Hutchinson Builders arranged for the FX Holden’s relocation after the museum no longer required it for display. The vehicle was delivered to Hutchies’ Toowong premises in December 2024, where a special area is being set up in the office’s reception foyer for public viewing.

Caption: Holden FX (48-215) that once belonged to George Kyprios.
Photo Credit: Lost Brisbane/Facebook

Scott Hutchinson, chairman of Hutchinson Builders, emphasised the cultural significance of Rock ’n’ Roll George, stating that he was a Brisbane icon who did laps in the city for over half a century. He also added that every adult in Brisbane knew him. Mr George had four songs written about him.

The move ensures that the car remains accessible to the public, preserving the legacy of one of Brisbane’s most recognisable figures.

A Lasting Piece of Brisbane’s History

Rock ’n’ Roll George’s FX Holden remains a symbol of Brisbane’s once-thriving car culture, now reshaped by changing road laws and urban development. While modern restrictions would have made his daily laps more difficult, Mr Kiprios’ legacy endures through stories, songs, and now, a permanent home in Toowong.

Published 18-Feb-2025

A Troubled Life Remembered

Susan McGowan, who lived from 1862 to 1891, endured an extraordinary series of misfortunes, spending much of her life on the streets of Brisbane.

Born in New South Wales, she moved to Brisbane as a young adult and found herself navigating a world that offered few protections for women in her position. Without steady work or a stable home, she turned to prostitution and became a familiar figure in Brisbane’s police courts.

Throughout 1885, Susan’s name appeared in court records at least five times as a victim of assault. She was subjected to violent attacks in public streets by both men and women.

In January of that same year, Joshua Stead assaulted her, knocking her down and kicking her, resulting in a two-month sentence of hard labour for him. Months later, Patrick Brittain and Margaret Corkery also attacked Susan in separate incidents, each leading to convictions but offering her little reprieve from danger.

By mid-year, Susan had been assaulted in public repeatedly, including an incident in July where James Feeney knocked her down multiple times on Albert Street.

The Streets of Brisbane

Brisbane’s central streets in the late 1800s were notorious for petty crime and public disorder. Areas like Queen Street and North Quay were frequented by street urchins, thieves, and drunkards.

Women like Susan faced an even harsher reality, as their perceived social status often left them vulnerable to both violence and harsher judgment in the legal system. Historian Anastasia Dukova noted that women in Susan’s situation were often policed more strictly than men, with little chance for reform.

By 1890, Susan’s health had deteriorated severely. She lived in Lower Albert Street’s “Nine Holes” in an area known as Frog’s Hollow, a low-lying neighbourhood notorious for its poor sanitation and frequent flooding.

Medical reports from the time described it as a hazardous place, rife with disease. Living in such conditions took a toll on Susan, who appeared less frequently in court as her health declined.

A Tragic End

Susan died at the age of 28 in April 1891 while en route to a hospital. The official cause of death was listed as phthisis, or tuberculosis, and exhaustion. Her final resting place at Toowong Cemetery is marked by the simplicity of the grave, reflecting the hard life she endured. Despite her struggles, her burial in one of Brisbane’s most historic cemeteries underscores the connection between her life and the city’s complex early settlement past.

Susan McGowan’s story, while tragic, is a window into the lives of many marginalised women in Australia at that time. Today, her grave at Toowong Cemetery serves as a silent witness to a life shaped by resilience in the face of relentless adversity.

Published 3-Jan-2025

Tag: Brisbane history

Rock ’n’ Roll George’s FX Holden Finds New Home in Toowong