The 125th anniversary of the historic Gaydon's building in Childers was celebrated today.
The two-storey Gaydon's Building is currently occupied by local dentist Brett Phillips through to the upstairs level while the Isis District Historical Society operate the Pharmaceutical Museum located on the ground floor.
Descendants of the building's founder, Thomas Gaydon, were among those in attendance.
Dr Phillips said the original Gaydon’s Building, a single-storey structure, was built in 1894 and was home to Gaydon’s Pharmacy operated by a leading Childers businessman, Thomas Gaydon.
“Unfortunately the disastrous fire of 1902 which ravaged the main street of Childers claimed the building and 22 other premises,” he said.
“Thomas Gaydon rebuilt and resumed his thriving business. He was a versatile man carrying out the duties of chemist, dentist, optician, vet, anaesthetist at the local hospital and town photographer.”
Deputy Mayor Bill Trevor said the Gaydon’s Building is a wonderful asset to the community.
“It really does take pride of place among the heritage buildings which provide such an amazing streetscape admired by everyone who passes through Childers,” Cr Trevor said.
“Thomas Gaydon was a man with tremendous energy and a great desire to carve out a future for himself and he saw fantastic opportunity in the emerging communities north of Brisbane.
“He was a chemist of four years’ experience when he arrived in Childers in 1894 and selected his block of land.
“It’s reported he set to work with purpose and cleared the land using a mattock so he could build The Isis Pharmacy, which was one of the first shops built in the town.”
Cr Trevor said Thomas Gaydon was a public-spirited man who also served as president of the Chamber of Commerce, School of Arts, hospital and school committees at various times.
Thomas Gaydon was the second chairman of the Isis Shire Council in 1919 and served in this role again between 1924 and 1930.
His two sons, Thomas Geoffrey and Stanley Noel also followed in the footsteps of their illustrious father although Thomas Geoffrey Gaydon gained distinction during service with the Armed Forces in the First World War.
“You cannot place a value on what the Gaydon family gave to this community over an extended period of time,” Cr Trevor said.
