Thomas Proe


Thomas Proe was an alderman and mayor of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Personal life

Thomas Proe was born in 1852 at Wigan, Lancashire, England, the son of Thomas Proe and Jane Beckman.
He came to Queensland in 1876 and married Mary Strasburg in Brisbane in 1881. They had seven children:
  • Frederick Thomas
  • Ethel Mary
  • Martha Jane Jubilee
  • Bertha
  • Eveline Mary
  • Victor Thomas
  • Cara May Gladys
Proe died on 17 December 1922 at his residence "Wyralla", Mark street, New Farm, aged 71 years. He is buried in Toowong Cemetery. His wife died in 1924 and is buried with him.

Business life

Thomas Proe trained as an engineer in England, but in Brisbane he became a publican. He owned the Osborne Hotel and later Royal [George Hotel, Fortitude Valley|Royal George Hotel], Ann Street, Fortitude Valley.

Public life

Thomas Proe was served as an alderman of the Brisbane Municipal Council from 1895 to 1905. He was mayor of the Brisbane Municipal Council in 1901 and again in 1905 as mayor of the Brisbane City Council. His service to the council, included
  • Finance Committee 1895, 1899, 1902, 1904
  • Legislative Committee 1895, 1899, 1902, 1903
  • Works Committee 1896, 1900–1903, 1905
  • Parks Committee 1896, 1900–1901
  • Health Committee 1900–1901
  • Special Committee 1900–1901
  • Building Act Committee 1901
  • Special Sewerage Committee 1905
  • Member of Board of Waterworks 1905
During his term as mayor, Brisbane was in 1901 visited by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. In recognition of his work for that occasion, he was appointed a Order of [St Michael and St George|Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George] 15 May 1901.
Thomas Proe was president for some years of the Licensed Victuallers' Association, a member of the Brisbane Metropolitan Water Board, and a member of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers.
He was also a member of the Masons.