James Burns

Sir James Burns KCMG (10 February 184622 August 1923) was a businessman, shipowner and philanthropist in Australia. In particular, he is known as the co-founder of Burns Philp and Company, a shipping and trading company, and for establishing the Burnside Presbyterian Homes for Children in North Parramatta (now known as UnitingCare Burnside), a children and family welfare organisation.

Early life

Burns was born at Polmont, Scotland, the son of a merchant, David Burns, and educated at Newington Academy and the Royal High School in Edinburgh. He migrated to Queensland in 1862 and worked for three years in Western Queensland as a jackaroo. In 1865 he formed a Brisbane store, Burns & Scott, in partnership with his brother, and established the first stores in Gympie and nearby One Mile Creek and Kilkivan in 1867, when gold was found there. He then sold his interests and returned to Scotland in 1870 after the death of his father.

Burns served on a royal commission of inquiry into railway administration in 1906 and was appointed to the Legislative Council of New South Wales in 1908. ), and was chairman of its board for ten years.

Burns continued to live at Gowan Brae until his death and was buried there in a family cemetery, which now lies within The King's Schools grounds. He left the property to his son, James, but suggested that, should James not need the property, it should be given to the (then) Burnside Presbyterian Orphans Homes. James honoured this request, and the property was donated.

Much of the land has since been sold or leased to other organisations, or as residential developments. The property immediately around Gowan Brae is now owned by The King's School, while sections of the property are now owned by the Redeemer Baptist School and Tara Anglican School for Girls, with some still owned by the Synod of New South Wales and the ACT of the Uniting Church in Australia for Burnside's own operations and the synod's activities such as the archives, Camden Library and the Uniting Theological College.