In the first eight months they built a number of structures, including a jail and Commandant’s House — but scarcity of food and water forced them to relocate along the river to Brisbane.

REDCLIFFE’S MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE

Since then many people have played an important role in transforming Redcliffe into the amazing community it is today.

This list was put together with help from members of History Redcliffe. We acknowledge that there are many other people, not included on this list, who have helped make Redcliffe what it is today, this is just a snapshot.

We’ll highlight four Redcliffe people each day this week. Let us know who you think should be included in the comments.

Alex Enborisoff

A much loved community man Alex Enborisoff literally helped shape Redcliffe through his work as an architect. Many proposed and approved development applications, including the upgrade of Comino’s Arcade, were designed by Mr Enborisoff. He had 40 years experience in the industry, as well as town planning and project management.

He was equally as prominent in the local arts scene. He was a president of the Seaside Arts hub, a member of the Redcliffe Arts Society, award-winning painting and member of the Save the Gayundah committee.

Mr Enborisoff also tried his hand at acting in two locally-produced historical mockumentaries. Sadly he died suddenly, aged 69, in July 2017. He left behind his wife, four children and 10 grandchildren.

Mary Nairn

Her name is emblazoned across the top of the iconic gates at the Redcliffe Leagues Hockey fields and had it not been for Mary Nairn there is a chance the likes of Graham Reid may have never discovered hockey. Known as “Mrs Hockey” Mary is credited with bringing the sport to Redcliffe. She formed the Humpybong Girls’ Sports club and sought approval to transform an area of the Redcliffe Showground into a hockey field. The first game was played in 1932. She was an elite player, renowned as one of the best full backs in the state. Mary also excelled as a coach and was the first Australian woman to coach an A-grade men’s team, as well as the Queensland’s women’s team in 1955. The gates featuring Mary’s name, which still stand today at the entrance to the fields, where opened in 1959. Her dedication to Redcliffe youth also earned her the Woman of the Year Award from the Quota Club in 1971. When Mary died in 1989, the club had grown from one women’s team to 19 teams in men’s, women’s and junior competitions.

Sir Manuel Hornibrook

Redcliffe is what it is today because of Manuel Hornibrook’s dare to dream attitude and engineering skills. Mr Hornibrook, who was born in 1893 at Enoggera, started a building apprenticeship when he was just 13 years old. In 1912 he established his own business, which his brothers Reg, Eric, Frank and Gus went on to join. He made his reputation as a bridge builder — this included building the Hornibrook Highway bridge. Mr Hornibrook launched it as a private venture during the Depression. He had to convince the Queensland Government to pass legislation allowing the construction of the toll bridge. Hornibrook Highway Ltd was formed in 1932 and within 12 months had raised 30,000 pounds from investors.

The construction provided jobs for hundreds of men. When it was opened on October 4, 1935, it was the longest bridge in Australia spanning 2,686 metres from Sandgate to Clontarf. The toll road meant Redcliffe and the Peninsula was now much more accessible. In the past, the only way to reach the seaside village was via a tiresome around-about trip by horse, motor car, bus or by steamer. The bridge led to huge population growth. While the bridge was closed to traffic in 1979, when the Houghton Highway was opened, the heritage listed portals still remain. Mr Hornibrook died on May 30, 1970.

James Houghton Sen

The name Houghton is synonymous with Redcliffe. James Houghton Sen is the father of current Division 5 councillor James Houghton. He was born in 1911 and attended school at Humpybong State School. He joined the Army during WWII, serving with the 5th Light Horse and 5th Motor Regiment. After being discharged in 1945 he established a real estate business, later moving to Redcliffe. He served as the mayor of the Redcliffe Town Council from 1955 to 1964. He was the member for Redcliffe from 1960-1979 and the Speaker of the Queensland Legislative Assembly from 1974-1979. One of Mr Houghton’s many achievements was having the toll on the Hornibrook Highway removed and road links with Redcliffe upgraded. The new bridge linking Brighton to Redcliffe, was named in his honour — the Houghton Highway.