Francis H. Johnston
30 - 3 - 1910 - 1 - 4 -1989
A Brighton Technical School Student
A Brighton Technical School Student
Francis Henry Johnston was born to William John Johnston and his wife Florence Emily Johnston, née Dickinson, on the 30th. March, 1910, at Austin Street, Alphington. At the time of his birth Francis was the third child born to his parents. William John was three years of age, and Wilfred was one. Florence had three children in less than four years.
Prior to Francis’s twelfth birthday the family moved to 119 Head Street, Elsternwick, in close proximity to Brighton Technical School in Berwick Street, Brighton, which gave Francis easy access to this newly opened impressive school set in extensive grounds.
Following Francis’s education at Brighton Technical School he worked as a commercial artist in Melbourne, and as a rabbiter and station hand in Central Victoria, where he was required to do hard manual labour, including lifting heavy bags of wheat.
Prior to Francis’s twelfth birthday the family moved to 119 Head Street, Elsternwick, in close proximity to Brighton Technical School in Berwick Street, Brighton, which gave Francis easy access to this newly opened impressive school set in extensive grounds.
Following Francis’s education at Brighton Technical School he worked as a commercial artist in Melbourne, and as a rabbiter and station hand in Central Victoria, where he was required to do hard manual labour, including lifting heavy bags of wheat.
Frank H. Johnston.
Photograph courtesy of Anne Whittet, the daughter of Frank Johnston, and members of the Johnston family
Francis went to London in 1932 and worked with a press agency, a studio and an advertising firm. During his stay in England Francis Henry Johnston, aged 24 years met and married Dorothea Henrietta Mackenzie, aged 25 years, at Holy Trinity Church, Beckenham, in the County of Kent, on the 16th. June, 1934. Henry and Dorothea’s occupations were recorded as “Artists”.
After their honeymoon in Germany, Francis and his wife returned to Australia in 1936, visiting the United States, Japan and China on the way, and settled in Sydney. Francis (known as Frank), worked as a commercial artist for several years before turning to publishing. In 1944 he founded F. H. Johnston Publishing Company, which mainly published books on war, aviation, travel and the pastoral industry. He also edited and published magazines, such as “Australasian Book News and Library Journal”, “Air Travel”, “Wings”, and “Qantas Airways”, and hand-books for several breed societies.
On 2 April, 1942, David John Farrell, Author, and Francis Henry Johnston, Advertising Artist, applied for Copyright of a book “David J. Farrell’s Anatomy and First Aid in Pictures.” Copyright was registered on 20 April, 1942. The 11 page booklet contains detailed sketches of the “Human Skeleton”, the “Muscles of the Human Body”, the “Main Arteries”, the “Circulation of the Blood”, the “Viscera of the Human Body”, the “Respiratory System” and detailed instructions and sketches relevant to bandaging fractures and wounds to the arms, legs and head. It includes 13 Plates in colours, each with simple explanatory text suitably written for the student of Anatomy and First Aid. It is not known if this book was ever published.
Frank H. Johnston.
Photograph courtesy of Anne Whittet, the daughter of Frank Johnston, and members of the Johnston family.
One of the outstanding books which Frank H. Johnston and George Farwell edited was “This Land of Ours …… Australia,” published by Angus & Robertson Limited in 1949. This book reveals a comprehensive coverage of daily life in Australian cities, towns and the outback. Many of Frank Johnston’s amazing photographs feature in the book.
Of particular note is the book “Cattle Country, an Illustrated Survey of the Australian Beef Industry. A Complete Directory of The Studs”, which Frank Johnston and Frank O’Loghlen edited and published in 1960. Publisher – F. H. Johnston Publishing Co, Pty. Ltd., 219A George Street, Sydney.
His growing interest in the cattle industry meant that he began to travel extensively in northern Australia, visiting stations, collecting information and taking photographs. In 1947, Francis Johnston set up a small travel agency, Intra World Travel Services. Although he continued to publish books, his main interests from 1950 onwards were travel and journalism. In 1952, he organised the first of his tours for graziers and farmers, visiting stations in northern Australia. Two years later he led a tour by beef growers to the United States and Canada, and in the next 20 years he organised many tours of North America, South America, Japan and India and other regions.
Frank H. Johnston. 1951.
National Library of Australia.
Frank Johnston collection of photographs of the cattle industry in the Northern Territory, the Kimberley and Queensland,
Book 1 Series 1 1951 p6/1119 NLA ref 111515 number.
He arranged meetings with farmers and researchers, took photographs and collected data. He became a well-known commentator on the beef industry, in particular contributing articles to the “The Sydney Morning Herald”, “Meat Industry Bulletin”, “Land”, “Western Livestock Journal”, “New South Wales Country Life” and other journals. He led his last overseas party in 1981.
Frank H. Johnston. Photograph courtesy of Anne Whittet, the daughter of Frank Johnston, and members of the Johnston family.
Frank used a Rolex camera for much of his photographic work which included recording the Mining Industry – Wittenoom Gorge, (asbestos), Mary Kathleen, (uranium), Weipa (bauxite) and Mount Morgan (gold and copper). Other subjects include Ord River Scheme, Australian Inland Mission, churches and hospitals, the Humpty Doo rice project, Wyndham, Fitzroy Crossing, Broome, Halls Creek, Thursday Island, Katherine Gorge, Alice Springs, Mount Isa, Longreach, Cooktown and Innisfail. Some of his most spectacular photographs were taken in the aboriginal communities in remote locations in Australia.
National Library of Australia.
Creator - Johnston, Frank H. 1910 - 1989.
Native women and children 'camped' in the dust adjoining Station HQ. 1952.
Call Number : PIC FJ K5 TWAH 16 LOC Album 1007/5 Coldstore F JOHA Folder 1 Bk 5
In 1975 the National Library of Australia purchased a collection of Admiralty Charts which Francis Johnston had originally acquired from a Captain Sutherland. His collection of photographs was purchased in 1984. In 1985, he donated his manuscripts and papers under the Taxation Incentives for the Arts Scheme.
The Frank Johnston Collection
The Frank Johnston Collection contains 13,663 negatives, 822 colour transparencies, 24 folders of contact prints and five albums containing about 370 enlarged black and white prints. They were taken by Frank on his trips to Queensland, the Northern Territory and the Kimberley region of Western Australia between 1951 and 1961. The collection documents various breeds of cattle and life and work on many of the cattle stations of northern Australia, including Glenroy, Brunette Downs, Alexandria Downs, Wave Hill, Victoria River Downs, Newcastle Waters, Yamba, Mount House and Springvale. There is a series of photographs depicting drovers and cattle on the journey from the Barkly Tableland to southern Queensland in 1952.
National Library of Australia.
Creator - Johnston, Frank H. 1910 - 1989.
Lesley Fuller and cattle, Rosewood Station, Northern Territory, August, 1953.
Call Number : PIC FJ Bk 8 NA 446 Acetate negative LOC Coldstore PIC FJOH A Folder 2 Book 8.
Personal Papers
Personal Papers
The bulk of the personal papers relate to Francis Johnston’s overseas travels, both as an individual and as the leader of touring parties. Apart from his return journey from England in 1936, they date from 1954 to 1981 and include itineraries, lists of participants, correspondence, photographs, notes, leaflets and scientific papers. Other papers consist of notebooks, references, correspondence about the sale of pastoral properties, research material, drafts of reports, and newspaper articles and papers on particular subjects, such as dwarfism in beef cattle and Japan and the beef industry. There is also a large scrapbook containing articles and reports by Johnston on the rural economy published in newspapers and magazines between 1952 and 1970.
A collection of Australian and Pacific artefacts assembled by Francis Johnston is held in the Macleay Museum at the University of Sydney.
Two of Frank’s enduring interests in life were the research of history, and the protection of the natural environment.
Frank H. Johnston not only lived an extraordinarily adventurous life as he travelled around Australia and many overseas countries, he also managed a diverse career in publishing and journalism. His photographs alone represent a magnificent legacy for the Australian people.
Francis Henry Johnston of Palm Beach, New South Wales, died on the 1st. April, 1989. He was survived by his loving wife Dorothea, two adult children and several grandchildren.
National Library of Australia.
Creator - Johnston, Frank H. 1910 - 1989.
Jabiru and my son Brend, a picture which is thought provoking in some ways. 1953.
Call Number : PIC FJ Bk 9 NA 633 LOC Coldstore PIC FJOH A Folder 3.
Photography and art stand out as two major aspects in Frank’s life. Was he inspired by what he learnt during his years at Brighton Technical School, Victoria, which was noted for its Photography and Art Classes?
Dorothea Henrietta Johnston,
née MacKenzie
née MacKenzie
Dorothea Mackenzie, aged 25 years, married Francis Henry Johnston at Holy Trinity Church, Beckenham, County of Kent, England on the 16th. June, 1934. Dorothea and Francis (known as Frank), returned to Sydney in 1936. They lived in the north shore region of Sydney for many years, finally taking up residence at “Boanbong”, 39 Ocean Road, Palm Beach.
When Dorothea married Francis in England her occupation was recorded as “Artist” on the Marriage Certificate - the same as Francis’s occupation.
When Dorothea married Francis in England her occupation was recorded as “Artist” on the Marriage Certificate - the same as Francis’s occupation.
Frank and Dorothea Johnston on their wedding day. June 16, 1934.
Photograph courtesy of Anne Whittet, the daughter of Frank Johnston, and members of the Johnston family.
On their arrival in Sydney in 1936, Dorothea and Francis became involved in publishing and associated artwork. They jointly worked on some literary illustrations, as revealed in “The Australian Women’s Weekly” on Saturday, 10 July, 1937, page 7. The magazine published a story “Road to Tyburn”, by …. Van Harrison. The names of the artists, Frank and Dorothea Johnston, appear in the corner of the illustration.
For many years Dorothea worked for Mary Hordern, celebrity fashion writer for “The Australian Women’s Weekly”. Dorothea’s stylish and elegant fashion artwork was a feature of the magazine. She had a passion for the welfare of animals, especially kangaroos, and was ready to put pen to pager to express her concerns in a “Letter to the Editor” when their welfare was at risk.
When Dorothea Johnston died on the 16th. December, 1992 at Bayview Village, she was the mother of two adult children and grandmother of five grandchildren. She was loved by all.
William John Johnston
and
Florence Johnston
Parents of Francis Henry Johnston
and
Florence Johnston
Parents of Francis Henry Johnston
William John Johnston, Electrical Fitter, aged 24 years, born Romsey, Victoria, married Florence Emily Dickinson, Domestic, aged 23 years, born St. Kilda, at St. Paul’s Church, Fairfield Park, on the 18th. April, 1906.
William’s parents were Hugh Johnston, Farmer, and Mary Johnston, née Taylor. Florence’s parents were Francis Dickinson, Farmer, and Louisa Sophia Dickinson, née Spicer.
The mother of Francis Henry Johnston, namely, Florence Emily Johnston, née Spicer, died at 119 Head Street, Brighton, aged 51 years on the 21st. June, 1934. She was buried in the Preston General Cemetery.
At that time the names of her five children were recorded on her Death Certificate :
William’s parents were Hugh Johnston, Farmer, and Mary Johnston, née Taylor. Florence’s parents were Francis Dickinson, Farmer, and Louisa Sophia Dickinson, née Spicer.
The mother of Francis Henry Johnston, namely, Florence Emily Johnston, née Spicer, died at 119 Head Street, Brighton, aged 51 years on the 21st. June, 1934. She was buried in the Preston General Cemetery.
At that time the names of her five children were recorded on her Death Certificate :
- William John, 27 years.
- Wilfred, 26 years.
- Francis Henry, 24 years.
- Beatrice, 19 years.
- Clifford, 14 years.
The father of Francis Henry Johnston, namely, William John Johnston, Foreman, Electrical Fitter – Railways, died aged 64 years at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, (usual address – 119 Head Street, Brighton), on the 4th. March, 1946. He was buried in the Springvale Cemetery.
The children from his first marriage to Florence Emily Dickinson were recorded on his Death Certificate :
The children from his first marriage to Florence Emily Dickinson were recorded on his Death Certificate :
- William John, 38 years.
- Wilfred, 37 years.
- Francis Henry, 35 years.
- Beatrice, 30 years.
- Clifford, 25 years.
There were no children from his second marriage to Hilda Smithurst Ashworth at Dandenong, when he was 54 years of age.
“The Sydney Morning Herald"
Newspaper References
Frank H. Johnston
Group Sees U.S. Beef Production.
Newspaper References
Frank H. Johnston
Group Sees U.S. Beef Production.
Eight Australians who inspected the beef-producing areas of North America arrived in Sydney by Qantas yesterday.
The group attended the World Hereford Conference in Kansas City. The tour organizer, Mr. Frank H. Johnston, said some of the group had visited cattle ranches and feed lots in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming. As many as 30,000 head of cattle were fattened on the same feed lot. Americans had learned so much about this method that they could add three pounds a day to the weight of a steer.
Steers were normally put into the yards when they were a year old and sold for killing when they were 18 months. Mr. Johnston said the method produced “great numbers of beautifully fleshed and uniform cattle.” The United States Government encouraged the use of corn for feeding. This helped to solve the problem of corn surpluses, but meant the cattle produced were very fat.
Since the American house-wife preferred not to buy fat meat, meat packers, who controlled the abattoirs, trimmed the fat off before the meat was sold. The meat business was so fiercely competitive that the packers absorbed most of this loss themselves.
The group attended the World Hereford Conference in Kansas City. The tour organizer, Mr. Frank H. Johnston, said some of the group had visited cattle ranches and feed lots in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming. As many as 30,000 head of cattle were fattened on the same feed lot. Americans had learned so much about this method that they could add three pounds a day to the weight of a steer.
Steers were normally put into the yards when they were a year old and sold for killing when they were 18 months. Mr. Johnston said the method produced “great numbers of beautifully fleshed and uniform cattle.” The United States Government encouraged the use of corn for feeding. This helped to solve the problem of corn surpluses, but meant the cattle produced were very fat.
Since the American house-wife preferred not to buy fat meat, meat packers, who controlled the abattoirs, trimmed the fat off before the meat was sold. The meat business was so fiercely competitive that the packers absorbed most of this loss themselves.
National Library of Australia.
Creator - Johnston, Frank H. 1910 - 1989.
Tom Quilty, Basil Quilty and Rod Quilty, Springvale Station, via Halls Creek, Kimberleys, Western Australia, July, 1958.
Call Number : PIC FJ Bk 14 NAT 71 Acetate negative LOC Coldstore PIC FJOH Folders 1 - 4.
Wide Use Not Expected In Aust.
Mr. Johnston said the group had tried to find out whether the feed-lot technique was suitable for use in Australia. “I don’t think it will be used extensively here for a while yet,” he said. “For one thing we don’t have the cold winters which make it necessary in America. But is has been tried here and some members of our party are going to experiment with it”.
“The replacement of animal fat products by detergents for cleaning was creating a tremendous disposal problem in the United States. The effluent from industry was believed to be seeping back into the ground water supply. A return to animal fat cleansers would solve the problem of what to do with fat removed at the abattoirs as well as keeping the water clean,” Mr. Johnston said.
“The Sydney Morning Herald” 14 October, 1960, page 34.
“The replacement of animal fat products by detergents for cleaning was creating a tremendous disposal problem in the United States. The effluent from industry was believed to be seeping back into the ground water supply. A return to animal fat cleansers would solve the problem of what to do with fat removed at the abattoirs as well as keeping the water clean,” Mr. Johnston said.
“The Sydney Morning Herald” 14 October, 1960, page 34.
The "Filth" of Sydney
“Sir, - While our Lord Mayor, Alderman H. F. Jensen, is making so much progress as a candidate for Federal Parliament, his workers at the Town Hall are letting him down. His city of Sydney must rank as one of the most untidy in the world. Filth and waste paper litter its pavements and broken surfaces and potholes make them dangerous for its 2,181,211 inhabitants. The standard of hygiene in its public toilets leaves a great deal to be desired.
In a letter to the Town Clerk early in November, I referred to the appalling state of George Street North in particular. I couldn’t help noticing this after spending nine weeks in the U.S.A. A communication was received from the council stating that it would be looked into, but the mess remains.
American cities and towns have become remarkably litter-conscious in recent years and I feel that the Sydney City Council (and some others I know of), would do well to learn of the higher standards there and apply them here. What must the overseas visitors who use the new shipping terminal at the Quay think of this scruffy introduction to our otherwise sparkling city.”
FRANK H. JOHNSTON. Sydney.
Letter To The Editor. “The Sydney Morning Herald” 2 December, 1961, page 2.
In a letter to the Town Clerk early in November, I referred to the appalling state of George Street North in particular. I couldn’t help noticing this after spending nine weeks in the U.S.A. A communication was received from the council stating that it would be looked into, but the mess remains.
American cities and towns have become remarkably litter-conscious in recent years and I feel that the Sydney City Council (and some others I know of), would do well to learn of the higher standards there and apply them here. What must the overseas visitors who use the new shipping terminal at the Quay think of this scruffy introduction to our otherwise sparkling city.”
FRANK H. JOHNSTON. Sydney.
Letter To The Editor. “The Sydney Morning Herald” 2 December, 1961, page 2.
Column 8 Comments
RECIPROCAL. On March 13, 84 American cattle men and women will reach Sydney to embark on a 12-day tour of N.S.W. and Victorian grazing properties.
Their sponsor will be Frank H. Johnston – the man who took four groups of Australian graziers and meat men on a similar excursion to U.S. From the March tour he expects Australia to earn dollars and friendship.
“The Sydney Morning Herald” 5 December, 1961, page 1.
Their sponsor will be Frank H. Johnston – the man who took four groups of Australian graziers and meat men on a similar excursion to U.S. From the March tour he expects Australia to earn dollars and friendship.
“The Sydney Morning Herald” 5 December, 1961, page 1.
Advertisement.
Study Tour of Rural Production in the Philippines, Japan,
Taiwan (Formosa) and Hong Kong
24th September to 14th November, 1962
THIS IS THE SIXTH of a series of Overseas Study Tours dealing with primary production organized by Frank H. Johnston, (Editor and Publisher).
The object is to provide an opportunity for a Representative Group of Australian Primary Producers to visit Asia for the purpose of gaining knowledge of rural developments there and creating goodwill towards increased trade with livestock, meat, wool and other primary products.
The itinerary will provide unique opportunities and special privileges for the participants not generally available to visitors to the countries concerned. Plus many places of scenic interest.
The membership is limited to 16 people. TWO PLACES ONLY ARE AVAILABLE due to cancellations. Inclusive Cost £953/10/-
Qantas V Jet Service ( Economy Class).
If interested act promptly. Contact Frank H. Johnston. Intra-World Travel Service P.L., 219A George Street, Sydney. BU2421, BU5817, (home WX1898).
Advertisement. “The Sydney Morning Herald”, 8 September, 1962, page 22.
The object is to provide an opportunity for a Representative Group of Australian Primary Producers to visit Asia for the purpose of gaining knowledge of rural developments there and creating goodwill towards increased trade with livestock, meat, wool and other primary products.
The itinerary will provide unique opportunities and special privileges for the participants not generally available to visitors to the countries concerned. Plus many places of scenic interest.
The membership is limited to 16 people. TWO PLACES ONLY ARE AVAILABLE due to cancellations. Inclusive Cost £953/10/-
Qantas V Jet Service ( Economy Class).
If interested act promptly. Contact Frank H. Johnston. Intra-World Travel Service P.L., 219A George Street, Sydney. BU2421, BU5817, (home WX1898).
Advertisement. “The Sydney Morning Herald”, 8 September, 1962, page 22.
Column 8 Comments
CALL MARRIAGE GUIDANCE. City businessman Frank H. Johnston went to Japan recently with a group of farmers and graziers advising on animal husbandry.
The Japanese, always keen to use their English, identified them in hotels and on buses with the sign “Australian animal husbands.”
“The Sydney Morning Herald” 12 October, 1964, page 1.
The Japanese, always keen to use their English, identified them in hotels and on buses with the sign “Australian animal husbands.”
“The Sydney Morning Herald” 12 October, 1964, page 1.
Big Interest in Travel with a Purpose
People travel for many reasons. One of them is undoubtedly to find out more about other people. Everybody relates his overseas experiences to his own interests. If, on their tours, people can meet and talk with those who share their interests their trip is usually a success.
If, on their trip, they can visit places specializing in activities close to their own the tour is remembered. With this in mind, at least one tour organizer has planned tours with a purpose. Among those arranged for the future is a fascinating journey through Tahiti, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.
This package tour has special emphasis on beef production and marketing and support has been forth-coming mainly from travellers in the cattle industry. Tour organizer, Mr. Frank H. Johnston, has specialized in this type of tour because of his early associations with the pastoral industry. He has firm views on the benefit of what he terms – “tours with a purpose.”
“I feel that tours in which people of like interests meet do a lot to create goodwill,” he said. Mr. Johnston believes Australia cannot generate enough goodwill and travelling overseas to study how other people work is one of the best ways of doing this. On previous tours, organized by him, visitors have penetrated into the sheep country of Japan.
Australian graziers had a chance to meet their Japanese counterparts to exchange views and discuss methods. Similarly, a tour planned for the latter part of the year and to be repeated early next year, offers a chance for garden lovers to visit the gardens of Japan. As with the tour of South America, a tour director specializing in the subject of the tour will go along.
“The Sydney Morning Herald” 26 July, 1965, page 12.
If, on their trip, they can visit places specializing in activities close to their own the tour is remembered. With this in mind, at least one tour organizer has planned tours with a purpose. Among those arranged for the future is a fascinating journey through Tahiti, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.
This package tour has special emphasis on beef production and marketing and support has been forth-coming mainly from travellers in the cattle industry. Tour organizer, Mr. Frank H. Johnston, has specialized in this type of tour because of his early associations with the pastoral industry. He has firm views on the benefit of what he terms – “tours with a purpose.”
“I feel that tours in which people of like interests meet do a lot to create goodwill,” he said. Mr. Johnston believes Australia cannot generate enough goodwill and travelling overseas to study how other people work is one of the best ways of doing this. On previous tours, organized by him, visitors have penetrated into the sheep country of Japan.
Australian graziers had a chance to meet their Japanese counterparts to exchange views and discuss methods. Similarly, a tour planned for the latter part of the year and to be repeated early next year, offers a chance for garden lovers to visit the gardens of Japan. As with the tour of South America, a tour director specializing in the subject of the tour will go along.
“The Sydney Morning Herald” 26 July, 1965, page 12.
Saving River Beauty
SIR, - It is alarming to learn that no regulations exist designed to protect the natural beauty of the Lane Cove River on the Woolwich side. One of its loveliest reaches has been zoned to allow high-density housing, development right down to within 25 feet of the water’s edge. I refer to the Werambie Street frontage.
The State Planning Authority of New South Wales admits that it has no responsibilities in the matter and states that it is the Hunter’s Hill Council’s job to define the limits of building and whether any of the trees along the waterfront should be preserved.
In order to protect a tree from destruction, according to the County of Cumberland Planning Scheme Ordinance, one must obtain a preservation order. This again is a matter for the local council and it seems that each individual tree requires a separate order.
If the information received from the State Planning Authority is properly understood, the entire foreshore of the Woolwich Point Peninsula is unprotected from destruction. For the sake of future generations, the whole of the foreshore should be declared a foreshore protection area by special proclamation. Why it remains unprotected is difficult to imagine.
A little further west and facing Woodford Bay is a tract of virgin bushland which has been jealously protected by its owners since the early days of settlement on the point. Hidden in the undergrowth there are stone steps used by early boatmen before the introduction of ferries to the river. A grove of magnificent Angophora lanceolata (now costata) trees there could come to grief if left unprotected because this estate is destined for early subdivision.
Such issues as these must not rest only with officers of local government for they concern a heritage belonging to the people of Sydney. My own efforts as a Woolwich resident to awaken interest in the subject have so far failed and it is my hope that the publication of this letter will succeed before the power saw and the bulldozers set to work.
FRANK H. JOHNSTON. Woolwich.
“The Sydney Morning Herald” 2 July, 1966, page 2.
The State Planning Authority of New South Wales admits that it has no responsibilities in the matter and states that it is the Hunter’s Hill Council’s job to define the limits of building and whether any of the trees along the waterfront should be preserved.
In order to protect a tree from destruction, according to the County of Cumberland Planning Scheme Ordinance, one must obtain a preservation order. This again is a matter for the local council and it seems that each individual tree requires a separate order.
If the information received from the State Planning Authority is properly understood, the entire foreshore of the Woolwich Point Peninsula is unprotected from destruction. For the sake of future generations, the whole of the foreshore should be declared a foreshore protection area by special proclamation. Why it remains unprotected is difficult to imagine.
A little further west and facing Woodford Bay is a tract of virgin bushland which has been jealously protected by its owners since the early days of settlement on the point. Hidden in the undergrowth there are stone steps used by early boatmen before the introduction of ferries to the river. A grove of magnificent Angophora lanceolata (now costata) trees there could come to grief if left unprotected because this estate is destined for early subdivision.
Such issues as these must not rest only with officers of local government for they concern a heritage belonging to the people of Sydney. My own efforts as a Woolwich resident to awaken interest in the subject have so far failed and it is my hope that the publication of this letter will succeed before the power saw and the bulldozers set to work.
FRANK H. JOHNSTON. Woolwich.
“The Sydney Morning Herald” 2 July, 1966, page 2.
Column 8 Comments
WILD WEST. In San Antonio, West Texas (where Davy Crockett bit the dust), Frank H. Johnston, of Sydney, reports that pistols and flick knives can still be bought without a question. But he doubts the validity of a local dry-cleaner’s ad : “We mend bullet holes and knife cuts.”
“The Sydney Morning Herald” 17 May, 1967, page 1.
“The Sydney Morning Herald” 17 May, 1967, page 1.
Column 8 Comments
WATCH IT BONDI. Professional traveller Frank H. Johnston, back from another tour, tells me : “This year I have swum in the Sulu Sea, the Java Sea, thermal pools in Japan, fancy pools in southern California, Arizona, Texas and Waikiki’s limpid surf, but nowhere equalled the crystal clear water at Curl Curl, which is like champagne.”
“The Sydney Morning Herald” 20 November, 1967, page 1.
“The Sydney Morning Herald” 20 November, 1967, page 1.
Column 8 Comments
FRANK H. JOHNSTON. Sydney travel consultant, noted in Mexico City recently a novel device aimed at reducing traffic accidents at intersections and near schools. The Mexicans inset across approach roads a row of concrete and metal buttons, shaped like inverted saucers and measuring six inches across and three inches high. They are spaced about four inches apart and are known as “topes.” The motorist can, of course, drive over them at speed – but not if he values his tyres.
“The Sydney Morning Herald” 23 August, 1968, page 1.
“The Sydney Morning Herald” 23 August, 1968, page 1.
Column 8 Comments
HORSERIDING as a hobby is booming in parts of the United States and, to a lesser extent, in Australia. During a recent U.S. tour, Frank H. Johnston, author and travel consultant, inspected various saddlehorse ranches, including one which breeds the popular quarterhorse – so named for its speed up to a quarter of a mile.
“You’ll sure see a great variety of horses in the “States,” the manager assured him. “We’ve got usin’ horses, lookin’ horses, cuttin’ horses, runnin’ horses, buckin’ horses and just plain eatin’ horses, who’ve never done a day’s work.” Only the “lookin’ horses” had Mr. Johnston baffled. They turned out to be handsome creatures that are bought just to grace a paddock, not to ride.
“The Sydney Morning Herald” 18 May, 1970, page 1.
“You’ll sure see a great variety of horses in the “States,” the manager assured him. “We’ve got usin’ horses, lookin’ horses, cuttin’ horses, runnin’ horses, buckin’ horses and just plain eatin’ horses, who’ve never done a day’s work.” Only the “lookin’ horses” had Mr. Johnston baffled. They turned out to be handsome creatures that are bought just to grace a paddock, not to ride.
“The Sydney Morning Herald” 18 May, 1970, page 1.
Column 8 Comments
AFTER a meticulous search French airport officials in Tahiti were rewarded by the discovery of a blunt kitchen knife – used for slicing fruit – in the briefcase of Mr. Frank H. Johnston, of Woolwich. Obviously regarding the knife as a dangerous weapon they refused to allow him to take it on board his Sydney-bound aircraft. But during lunch shortly after take-off he was supplied with a knife much sharper than the one that had been confiscated.
“The Sydney Morning Herald” 20 July, 1972, page 1.
“The Sydney Morning Herald” 20 July, 1972, page 1.
Kelly's Bush
SIR, - The battle for Kelly’s Bush became hotter on Friday last when the Hunter’s Hill Council distributed an illustrated brochure to all householders in the community in a belated attempt to explain why it has approved the A. V. Jennings company scheme to subdivide and build 25 houses on part of this land.
On Saturday the pressure-packed Hunter’s Hill Trust retaliated by distributing a similar brochure headed “The truth about Kelly’s Bush.” This was illustrated with happy scenes taken on the site, and critical of the council brochure, which showed unsightly things, including a dumped car body.
On Sunday local residents got blast number three when yet another pamphlet hot from the press appeared in their letter boxes issued by the Kelly’s Bush Citizens Action Group, this invited all and sundry to roll up there on August 8 and “boil the billy.”
There is an election of aldermen in September, and the council must be wishing that it had never heard of Kelly’s Bush. There will be yet another ongoing conflict on its hands shortly when local property-owners find out that there are clauses in the proposed town plan ordinance that will materially affect their rights to subdivide their land.
Anger is rising over this, and it could lead to a bigger war than the one for Kelly’s Bush.
FRANK. H. JOHNSTON. Woolwich Point.
“The Sydney Morning Herald” 3 August, 1971, page 6.
On Saturday the pressure-packed Hunter’s Hill Trust retaliated by distributing a similar brochure headed “The truth about Kelly’s Bush.” This was illustrated with happy scenes taken on the site, and critical of the council brochure, which showed unsightly things, including a dumped car body.
On Sunday local residents got blast number three when yet another pamphlet hot from the press appeared in their letter boxes issued by the Kelly’s Bush Citizens Action Group, this invited all and sundry to roll up there on August 8 and “boil the billy.”
There is an election of aldermen in September, and the council must be wishing that it had never heard of Kelly’s Bush. There will be yet another ongoing conflict on its hands shortly when local property-owners find out that there are clauses in the proposed town plan ordinance that will materially affect their rights to subdivide their land.
Anger is rising over this, and it could lead to a bigger war than the one for Kelly’s Bush.
FRANK. H. JOHNSTON. Woolwich Point.
“The Sydney Morning Herald” 3 August, 1971, page 6.
Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales
23 June, 1978, (No. 73), page 2434.
23 June, 1978, (No. 73), page 2434.
NOTICE of special resolution : - At an extraordinary meeting of shareholders of FRANK H. JOHNSTON PTY. LIMITED, duly convened and held at 5 Gresham Street, Sydney, on 31st. May, 1978, the special resolution set out below was duly passed : “That the company be wound up voluntarily and that Roy Marshall Turnbull, of 10th. Floor, 127 Kent Street, Sydney, be appointed liquidator.” - Dated this 31st. day of May, 1978.
By Order of the Board, A. T. WHITFIELD, Acting Secretary. 1237 - $9.90.
By Order of the Board, A. T. WHITFIELD, Acting Secretary. 1237 - $9.90.
A Man With His Head in the Clouds
By Jill Sykes
By Jill Sykes
In 1931, Frank Johnston sketched his ideas of a fantastic air age. His swaggie had wings and the classic baby carriage was mechanically propelled. At a time when aeroplane travel was still a curiosity, he pictured the general public flying through the air with the utmost nonchalance – in air ships not unlike the shapes of those to come.
Not bad for a boy from the bush whose enthusiasm for flying was sparked one day in 1927 as he was taking a couple of horses and a wagon along what became the Hume Highway: he looked up to see Bert Hinkler tracking his flight over the road between Sydney and Melbourne.
Almost a lifetime later, Mr. Johnston marvels over the kookaburras and rainbow lorikeets that swoop down from the trees to eat at his sundeck overlooking Palm Beach. “I think the ideas for those drawings came out of my head,” he says. “I was always a great bird lover and I spent a long time wondering how birds could fly. I can’t really tell you how I came by the shapes for those drawings, but I think it was the birds ….”
Mr. Johnston left school at an early age : “I could not understand the school work. But I could draw, I was a country kid, and I worked in the bush doing very heavy manual labour. But I knew somehow that I wanted to go away and draw. I wanted to become an artist.
By the time he was 21, he had had a couple of drawings printed in a Melbourne publication, “Pals”, but there were few outlets in Australia, so he set off for London with some samples of his work.
He happened to meet Will Dyson, the cartoonist, who thought him worth helping, and took him along to a literary agent, who, in turn, introduced him to “Punch.” But Mr. Johnston’s drawings were too complex for “Punch’s” printing procedures at that time, and he was asked to redraw them more simply.
“I never got to doing it because I was completely penniless and I got a job with a Fleet Street press service agency as an artist. I had to concentrate on that.”
But as his working life moved further into the commercial drawing and design field then out into writing and publishing, his fascination with flying combined with his love of travel and the land to form the basis of his later career as a writer and publisher.
And, as satellites began to circle the earth, as man landed on the moon, as blueprints of space shuttles began to appear in daily papers, he barely raised an eyebrow. He had known all that would happen years before.
“The Sydney Morning Herald” – The Good Weekend. Saturday, 11 August, 1979, page 15.
Not bad for a boy from the bush whose enthusiasm for flying was sparked one day in 1927 as he was taking a couple of horses and a wagon along what became the Hume Highway: he looked up to see Bert Hinkler tracking his flight over the road between Sydney and Melbourne.
Almost a lifetime later, Mr. Johnston marvels over the kookaburras and rainbow lorikeets that swoop down from the trees to eat at his sundeck overlooking Palm Beach. “I think the ideas for those drawings came out of my head,” he says. “I was always a great bird lover and I spent a long time wondering how birds could fly. I can’t really tell you how I came by the shapes for those drawings, but I think it was the birds ….”
Mr. Johnston left school at an early age : “I could not understand the school work. But I could draw, I was a country kid, and I worked in the bush doing very heavy manual labour. But I knew somehow that I wanted to go away and draw. I wanted to become an artist.
By the time he was 21, he had had a couple of drawings printed in a Melbourne publication, “Pals”, but there were few outlets in Australia, so he set off for London with some samples of his work.
He happened to meet Will Dyson, the cartoonist, who thought him worth helping, and took him along to a literary agent, who, in turn, introduced him to “Punch.” But Mr. Johnston’s drawings were too complex for “Punch’s” printing procedures at that time, and he was asked to redraw them more simply.
“I never got to doing it because I was completely penniless and I got a job with a Fleet Street press service agency as an artist. I had to concentrate on that.”
But as his working life moved further into the commercial drawing and design field then out into writing and publishing, his fascination with flying combined with his love of travel and the land to form the basis of his later career as a writer and publisher.
And, as satellites began to circle the earth, as man landed on the moon, as blueprints of space shuttles began to appear in daily papers, he barely raised an eyebrow. He had known all that would happen years before.
“The Sydney Morning Herald” – The Good Weekend. Saturday, 11 August, 1979, page 15.
A Man with his Head in the Clouds
IT WON'T BE LONG NOW!
Public transport in Sydney in the 1970's - as Frank Johnston saw it in 1931.
"The Sydney Morning Herald," The Good Weekend.
Saturday, 11 August, 1979, page 15.
Palm Beach Dunes
SIR, - Joseph Glascott failed to state, when reporting erosion control work on the Palm Beach sand dunes (Herald, July 25), that the National Parks and Wildlife Service had instructed the Warringah Shire Council on June 27 to halt the work and obtain an opinion from a consultant archaeologist about the significance of the Aboriginal sites there before progressing further to the north.
The work was not halted, and the council has no intention of doing so, according to advice received from the deputy shire clerk on Thursday, July 26. Four big bulldozers are still at work on the job and an extensive area of the dunes has been irreparably destroyed for the purpose stated.
The council undertook this program of work without making a public announcement of its intentions, and many hundreds of local residents and other people have recorded their dismay by endorsing criticism of its action. The dunes are an ancient geological structure and have much scenic beauty, and people are aghast at the devastation.
They regard the council’s work as a gross exaggeration of what was actually required to stabilize the dunes against the erosion and believe it to be a wrongful waste of public money.
The council admitted on July 4 that it had no knowledge of the fact that the region had archaeological value, yet this information was well known to many people and sites there were plainly visible. Of the 11 which remain, five have been described as significant, but an unknown number of others have been destroyed by the bulldozers.
The council has also admitted that it did not undertake an environmental impact study before starting the job, and the Department of Environment and Planning confirmed, when questioned on July 4, that this requirement should have been complied with. Until that date it had no knowledge of the work.
FRANK H. JOHNSTON. Ocean Road, Palm Beach.
“The Sydney Morning Herald” 2 August, 1984, page 8.
The work was not halted, and the council has no intention of doing so, according to advice received from the deputy shire clerk on Thursday, July 26. Four big bulldozers are still at work on the job and an extensive area of the dunes has been irreparably destroyed for the purpose stated.
The council undertook this program of work without making a public announcement of its intentions, and many hundreds of local residents and other people have recorded their dismay by endorsing criticism of its action. The dunes are an ancient geological structure and have much scenic beauty, and people are aghast at the devastation.
They regard the council’s work as a gross exaggeration of what was actually required to stabilize the dunes against the erosion and believe it to be a wrongful waste of public money.
The council admitted on July 4 that it had no knowledge of the fact that the region had archaeological value, yet this information was well known to many people and sites there were plainly visible. Of the 11 which remain, five have been described as significant, but an unknown number of others have been destroyed by the bulldozers.
The council has also admitted that it did not undertake an environmental impact study before starting the job, and the Department of Environment and Planning confirmed, when questioned on July 4, that this requirement should have been complied with. Until that date it had no knowledge of the work.
FRANK H. JOHNSTON. Ocean Road, Palm Beach.
“The Sydney Morning Herald” 2 August, 1984, page 8.
Frank H. Johnston.
Photograph courtesy of Anne Whittet, the daughter of Frank Johnston, and members of the Johnston family.
References.
National Library of Australia. Online. “The Johnston Collection.”
Catalogue : http://catalogue.nla.gov.au
Photograph of Frank Johnston. Frank Johnston Collection of Photographs of the Cattle Industry in the Northern Territory, the Kimberley and Queensland. 1951. (Picture – Frank H. Johnston).
Book 1 Series 1 1951 p6/1119 NLA ref 111515 number.
Call Number : Pic. Cold Store Row A3/1/4 #PIC/5849/48-55, 7173-7176, 7184.
(Frank Johnston standing with his foot on a buffalo.)
National Archives of Australia. Online.
http://www.naa.gov.au
Application for Registration of Copyright in an unpublished original literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work. Author David John Farrell and Francis Henry Johnston. Title of work “D. J. Farrell’s Anatomy and First Aid in Pictures.” Applicant David John Farrell and Francis Henry Johnston : Date of Application : 2 March, 1942. Date of Copyright Registered, 20 April, 1942.
Series Number : A1336. Control Symbol : 37302.
Barcode : 4022141. Number of Pages : 21.
Marriage Certificate, Victoria : William John Johnston and Florence Emily Dickinson, 18th. April, 1906.
Birth Certificate, Victoria : Francis Henry Johnston, 30th. March, 1910.
Marriage Certificate, England : Francis Henry Johnston and Dorothea Henrietta Mackenzie, 16th. June, 1934.
Death Certificate, Victoria : Florence Emily Johnston, 21st. June, 1934.
Death Certificate, Victoria : William John Johnston, 4th. March, 1946.
The Ryerson Index, Death Notices and Obituaries in Australian Newspapers. Online.
“Cattle Country – An Illustrated Survey of the Australian Beef Cattle Industry.” A Complete Directory of the Studs. Editors, Frank H. Johnston and Frank O’Loghlen. Published by F. H. Johnston Publishing Co. Pty. Ltd., 219A George Street, Sydney. 1960.
“This Land of Ours …….. Australia.” Edited by Frank H. Johnston and George Farwell. Published by Angus & Robertson Limited. 1949.
“The Sydney Morning Herald” Archives. Online subscription.
“Government Gazette” of the State of New South Wales. 23 June, 1978. (No. 73), page 2434.
Family photographs and information kindly provided by the descendants of Francis Henry Johnston’s family who reside in New South Wales.