Botanic Gardens, Toowoomba

Photograph of Queens Park Gardens in full bloom, during the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. Located in the Botanical Gardens, on the corner of Campbell Street and Lindsay Street. The Alfred Thomas Memorial, erected February 1882, and the Naval Cannon can be seen on either side of centre of photo.

The Alfred Thomas Memorial is named after a prominent local figure in the development of railways in the Region. The monument holds social and historical significance.

Alfred Thomas was the supervising engineer at the Southern and Western Railway in the 1870s. He lived in Toowoomba with his family who were highly respected and valued members of the community.

Following his retirement from civil service in 1879, Mr Thomas built the railways south to Stanthorpe and west from Warwick in partnership with John Garget.

Tragically, on a return trip home from Sydney via ship, Mr Thomas fell overboard in Sydney Harbour on 10 August 1882 and drowned. His body was later returned to Toowoomba and laid to rest at Drayton Cemetery.

Deeply shocked by his death, a committee of citizens headed by W.H. Groom, decided to build a permanent memorial in his honour.

Today, the Alfred Thomas Memorial is surrounded by sprawling lawns, mature trees, and decorative garden beds.

Nearby, a vintage Naval cannon takes up its position facing Campbell Street. It was donated to the people of Toowoomba early in 1911, after its removal from the Marine Defence Force Naval Store, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane.

The wrought iron muzzle-loading rifled gun, 64-Pdr., 64Cwt., Mark III. had been used for training purposes.