History of the Fryer Library Collection

Part 1 -- Part 2 -- Part 3 -- Part 4 -- Part 5

Establishment of the University of Queensland

On 10 December 1909, the Governor of Queensland, Sir William MacGregor, gave his assent to the University of Queensland Bill. This established the Senate, the University’s governing structure. The Government House building at the end of George Street, close to Parliament House, was selected as the home for the University. The first students began their studies in March 1911. Fewer than a hundred students enrolled in 1911. By 1913, the University had complete first, second and third years and at this time, the student population was about 200 in number.

With the outbreak of war in Europe in August 1914, some of the students enlisted for service. Twenty-five students were killed in action during the War. Jack Fryer, one of the students who experienced the hostilities in the European conflict, returned to his studies after the war, but died in 1923.

John Denis (Jack) Fryer

John Denis Fryer was born in Springsure in 1895. His parents worked at the local hospital. He was able to attend Rockhampton Grammar School (under the headmastership of Henry Arthur Kellow,) by winning a District Scholarship. He won a University Scholarship which took him to the University of Queensland in 1915. However he wrote to his sister near the end of first term, saying:

Jack Fryer, unidentified location, nd
John Denis Fryer Papers, UQFL23, Box 3

"Do you think that Mum would consent to my volunteering for active service? Really Liz, I think it is about time we all went ... All the men at the University ... are drizzling out now by twos and threes, and I don t want to be one of the last"

(Cited in Robinson, F.W. The Fryer Memorial Library of Australian Literature. Brisbane: The University of Queensland Library, 197-).

Fryer volunteered for military service in the first Australian Imperial Force (AIF). He was commissioned in 1916 and went to France early in 1917. He was wounded severely by a stick bomb in early August and was hospitalized. He returned home in July 1919 in time for his sister’s wedding.

Three of his brothers served, two returned from the war, but one was killed in France. Fryer recuperated in the bush, working at his sister’s new home until he started University again in the first term of 1920 undertaking study towards a Classics Honours degree.

By mid-1922 Fryer had developed tuberculosis. Too sick to sit for his final honours examinations, he returned home to Springsure and died on 7 February 1923.

The University Senate awarded him the BA degree on 15 December 1922.

Fryer was described by P.R. Stephensen, his contemporary and later an influential figure in the Australian literary world, as:

"...the kindly and genial companion ... the cultured and witty friend of our Varsity and College life; the lively raconteur of Common Room and Vestibule: the ardent lover and discriminating critic of verse, and above all the indefatigable champion of fair play and tolerance."

(Cited in Robinson, F.W. The Fryer Memorial Library of Australian Literature. Brisbane: The University of Queensland Library, 197-).

At right: Fryer in WWI military uniform.
John Denis Fryer Papers, UQFL23, Box 3

‘Doc Robbie’

F.W. Robinson, who never met Fryer, had commenced teaching duties in the University's Department of Modern Languages the day after Fryer's death in 1923.

He commented on the grief among the University staff and students over that event:

"Fryer, I had found out meanwhile, was not only a man of high mental capacity, but he had strong qualities of character which inspired affection as well as respect among his fellow students".

(Cited in Robinson, F.W. The Fryer Memorial Library of Australian Literature. Brisbane: The University of Queensland Library, 197-).

At left: Portrait of FW Robinson in military uniform.
FW Robinson Papers, UQFL5, Box 25

The University of Queensland