Shannon Family collections

By Marg Powell, Specialist Library Technician, Metadata | 25 August 2025

Shannon family and friends, Saltbush Park Station. Negative number: 203123, State Library of Queensland [full view]

Original material collections - The Shannon Family

In early 1872, John and Margaret Shannon arrived at Saltbush Park Station with their three young children, having previously worked smaller properties - ‘Crinum’, southeast of Clermont, and nearby ‘Lilyvale’. John, who began his working life as a teamster, hauling supplies to remote stations and transporting produce to market, continued this work in the early years to supplement the family’s income.

Determined to establish a successful pastoral enterprise, John focused on stocking Saltbush Park with Shorthorn cattle, laying the groundwork for what would become a highly profitable venture. His efforts, however, were continually tested by the harsh realities of the Queensland environment. Over the years, the Shannons endured droughts, bushfires, floods, and cyclones, which repeatedly damaged infrastructure, depleted pasture, and caused the loss of valuable supplies and livestock.

Despite these challenges, John who was known for his innovation and resilience experimented with new methods to combat pests and diseases that posed threats to his herd, and implemented fodder conservation techniques to ensure the survival of stock during lean periods. His forward-thinking proved crucial to the long-term sustainability of the property.

As the Federation Drought took its toll across northern Queensland, the Shannon family found themselves in a position to expand their operations. They acquired several smaller holdings to diversify their enterprise, including ventures into sheep grazing. Their success eventually enabled the purchase of a stately home, ‘Wyalla’, in Toowoomba, where John and Margaret spent their later years and the summer months, enjoying the results of a life built on perseverance, hard work, and strategic vision.

Saltbush Park Station | Rodney Downs Station | Wyalla Estate, Toowoomba

[ View map showing all the pastoral stations associated with the Shannon Family ]

The Shannon Family

John and Margaret Shannon raised a large family of eleven children, many of whom, along with their own families, spent their lives working on the Shannon properties, establishing the family’s strong ties to the land and community.

John Shannon was also a deeply patriotic man. During the First World War, he made several generous donations, one of which funded a aircraft named Saltbush Park in honour of the family estate.

Flight Lieutenant William Gondie of No. 74 Squadron, Royal Air Force, who piloted the SE5a Viper biplane wrote to the Shannon family, detailing the aircraft’s success.

The Shannon men: standing at rear: Jonathon (Jonty), John Shannon snr; with Evelyn (Elvie). Seated left to right: Alan and John (Kirwie) Shannon.

In 2022, the Shannon family gathered to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Saltbush Park Station, honouring both the land and the enduring legacy of those who helped shape its story.

Musical score 'Normanby Waltz' by Ruby M Shannon, 190-? Held State Library of Queensland. [National Library of Australia digitised item]

Ruby Shannon (c.1890s–1923)

The youngest daughter of the Shannon family, Ruby was a gifted and cultured woman, educated at Rockhampton Girls Grammar School. She was known for her talent in woodcarving and musical composition.

Among her creative works are:

The Normanby Waltz, composed for the Normanby Picnic Races at Saltbush Park.
The Midnight Waltz, another notable composition.

Ruby also contributed to the religious and artistic heritage of Toowoomba. She carved the pulpit at St Luke's Church of England, a donation made in memory of her mother, who died in 1916.

Ruby married Thomas MacLeod in 1920.

Major Thomas MacLeod OBE (c.1870s–1950s)

An early Australian aviation pioneer and barrister from Brisbane, Thomas MacLeod played a significant role in the development of aviation in Queensland. Before the First World War, he established a flying training school, the Queensland Flying Civilians, helping lay the groundwork for military aviation in Australia.

During the War, he was commissioned into the Royal Flying Corps, eventually commanding No. 13 Squadron and earning distinction for his service. After the war, suffering from ill health, he retired to his rural property "Wingalong" near Longreach with his wife Ruby Shannon. Sadly, Ruby passed away in 1923. MacLeod later moved to England, remarried, and died there at the age of 82.

The Other Families of Saltbush

Throughout the diaries, ledgers, and correspondence of the Shannon family, there are numerous references to the other families who lived and worked alongside them. These records reveal a diverse workforce comprising individuals of Aboriginal, South Sea Islander, and Asian heritage - whose contributions were vital to the functioning and success of the station.

Among these were the Budby and Lotus families. George “Saltbush George” Budby, resided at the station with his half-brother Nulco, his wife Mabel, and their children: Charlie, Sonny, Eric (Manny), Bessie, and Jessie. Alongside them were Bob Lotus, and his wife Lucy. Both George Budby and Bob Lotus were renowned for their abilities as horsemen and stockmen, and they worked closely with the Shannon family in day-to-day station operations.

Image taken on the kitchen steps of Saltbush Park Station, which features at left: Kitty, George Budby's mother, Boco (aka Bocoo) 'King of Saltbush' and on the right Lucy, wife of Bob Lotus, holding baby Bookallie. Seated in front are Eddie Budby and Cupid. Bocoo is wearing his King plate.

OM78-54, Shannon Family papers ; Saltbush Park Station records, State Library of Queensland

In addition to the pastoral work, Saltbush Park maintained an extensive vegetable garden and orchard, which provided fresh produce to the station year-round. These gardens were sustained by water drawn from a nearby lagoon and were expertly maintained by a number of Chinese workers. Among those recorded in the station’s documents are: Lim Kim, Ah Poo, Willie Wong Hop, Georgie Bing, and Wong Joy.

While often overlooked in mainstream historical narratives, the contributions of these families and individuals were integral to the life and operations of Saltbush Park. Their stories reflect the broader, multicultural realities of rural labour in Australia’s pastoral history.