Alfred Tully Stephenson

At the first meeting of the new City Council, Alfred Tully Stephenson, took his position as the Mayor of the new City Council wearing Mayoral robes. The robes had been made by his father, Alderman Alfred John Stephenson when he was Mayor in 1907. Alfred John gave the robe to Alfred Tully when he was elected Mayor in 1911. Alfred Tully wore the robe to welcome the Duke and Duchess of York on their visit to Ipswich.

In an article written by Robyn Buchanan, she commented that:

“It is a remarkable record that in 1914, Alfred Tully was an alderman while his father Alfred John was mayor”.

Alfred Tully Stephenson built a house that he named ‘Mayorene’ adjacent to his father - Alfred John Stephenson’s house ‘Chermside’.

Queensland & Queenslanders, 1936.

The only son of the late Honourable A.J. and Mrs Stephenson, and was educated at the Ipswich Boys' Central School and the Ipswich Grammar School. For a short period he was employed by the Bank of Australasia at Ipswich, leaving this position to become Assistant Accountant under his late father in the "Queensland Times" Office at Ipswich. In 1910 he entered the City Council, and in 1912 he was chosen as Mayor. In 1921, when adult franchise was inaugurated, he was elected as first Mayor of his native city under that franchise. In 1924, and again in 1927, he was reelected to this position. In 1930 he again headed the polls, but through an altered franchise and method of election, was defeated by six votes to five, but elected as Deputy Mayor.

In 1933 he was again elected Mayor. For 25 years in succession he has been a member of the Queensland Local Authorities Executive and is at present a Vice-President. For fifteen years he has been a Director of the Queensland Woollen Manufacturing Co., Ipswich, and for twenty years a Director of Queensland Times Limited, Ipswich.