James Burns (shipowner)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sir James Burns, KCMG (10 February 1846-22 August 1923 at Polmont, Stirlingshire, Scotland), was a noted businessman, shipowner and philanthropist in Australia. In particular, he is known as the co- founder of Burns- Philp and Company, a shipping and trading company, and for establishing the Burnside Presbyterian Homes for Children in North Parramatta, a children and family welfare organisation.
In addition to establishing Burns Philp and Company, his business interests include serving as chairman of the (North) Queensland Insurance Co. Ltd in 1886-1923, the New South Wales Mortgage, Land, and Agency Co. and the Solomon Islands Development Co. Ltd. He was also a director of the Australian Mutual Provident Society, the Sydney Exchange Co., the Bank of North Queensland, and various collieries.
He was appointed to the Legislative Council of New South Wales in 1908.
He joined the Parramatta troop of the 1st Light Horse Regiment (New South Wales Lancers) as a trooper in June 1891 and was immediately promoted Captain, and became Major in January 1896. From September 1897 to June 1903 he commanded the regiment as its Lieutenant-Colonel. He ws promoted to Colonel in July 1903 and commanded the 1st Australian Light Horse Brigade until January 1907, when he retired.
During World War I Burns helped establish a scheme for insuring enlisted men with dependants.
From the 1880s he lived at a property known as Gowan Brae, North of Parramatta. In 1910 he endowed some of this land to establish the Presbyterian Homes for Children (later renamed Burnside and currently known as UnitingCare Burnside) and was chairman of its board for ten years. He continued to live at the adjoining estate of Gowan Brae until his death on 22 August 1923, and was buried there in a family cemetery. He left the property to his son, James, but suggested that, should James not need the property, it should be given to the (then) Burside Presbyterian Orphans Homes. James honoured this request, and the property was donated.
Much of the land has since been sold or leased to other organisations, or as residential developments.
The property immediately around Gowan Brae is now owned by The Kings School, while sections of the property are now owned by the Redeemer Baptist School, Tara Anglican School for Girls and the Uniting Theological College.
