According to the Ipswich Heritage Study, this house was designed by the well-known local architect, George Brockwell Gill, although the construction date is unclear.
It has been reported that it was built in 1890 for Ipswich’s first customs officer, Gordon Blair and his wife Julia. However, the National Trust indicates it was built around 1906 for Gordon’s son, Sir James Blair. James was elected to parliament in 1902 at the age of 30. After he moved to Brisbane, his brother Harry, a keen racehorse owner, occupied the house. James’s posts included Attorney-General, Minister for mines and Minister for Public Instruction. He was later knighted. Blair State School is named in his honour.
In 1957, the Sandersons bought the house, carried out renovations and named it Dumfries after the Scottish birthplace of Mrs Sanderson’s grandfather.
Since then the property has passed through the hands of other families, each one lovingly maintaining and preserving its beauty. It is a timber home set on 1 3/4 acres of gardens, spreading down to the Bremer River.
(Note: this post was modified on 22/11/17)
Dumfries – image courtesy of Picture Ipswich