Obituaries Australia

Fitzpatrick de Burgh Perrse, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 16 March 1921

The death of Mr. De Burgh Persse, which took place the middle of last month, causes a considerable gap in the fast thinning ranks of pioneer pastoralists in Queensland. Born at Moyode Castle, County Galway, Ireland, he first arrived in Brisbane on 8th March, 1863, by the ship Golden City. He was then about twenty-three years of age, and promptly went into the bush, going to Arthur Downs Station, 70 miles from St. Lawrence, on the track to Clermont. From there he shortly after set out with Mr. Arthur McKenzie and a thousand head of cattle to stock May Downs. Illness caused him to return to Brisbane, but after a short spell he went to Tieryboo, on the Condamine, and later as manager to Tambourine Station, on the Albert River. His next move was to Mr. T. Murray-Prior's Marroon Station, but very shortly after he purchased Tabragalba, Beaudesert, with which property he was associated until the time of his death. During a visit to the Old Country in 1870-72, Mr. De Burgh Persse married, and on his return to Queensland he established Palparra and Connemarra Stations on Farrar's Creek, Tally-Ho on the Mayne, and Buckingham Downs on the Wills. These he subsequently sold, purchasing Hawkwood and Yeurilla, in the Burnett district, which he held in partnership with his son Charles. Later he bought Eidsvold Station, where his son-in-law and partner, Mr. Fitz Pierce Joyce, resides.

Throughout his long and useful life Mr. De Burgh Persse always closely identified himself with every movement directly or indirectly connected with the pastoral industry. He was one of the founders of the Queensland Meat Export Company Limited, and for many years chairman of directory. He was also chairman of the Australian Stock Breeders' Company Limited, and held the office of president of the Beaudesert A. and P. Society, and Jockey Club.