The Lilian and Josephine
Walking Tour
Get your walking shoes ready and take a stroll to the sacred sites of Lilian and Josephine.
The walking tour takes one hour one way, starting at South Brisbane.
If you also want to see their grave at Toowong Cemetery, the walk takes 2.5 hours. You might want to take a car to the cemetery – it’s a fair hike. (Bring a cheap pearl necklace to hang on the grave – it’s become a tradition.)
Any questions, let me know – info@musicaltheatreaustralia.com.
Thank you View Clubs of Australia!
Katy Forde
First home in South Brisbane
1891
Cordelia St and Russell St – exact address unknown
Dr Lilian Cooper and her partner Miss Josephine Bedford first lived with Dr James Booth at “Niniu” Cordelia St.
Dr Cooper worked for Dr Booth until she broke her contract with him. Lilian and Josephine moved to Russell St, and Lilian set up her own practice at “The Mansions” before moving there.
Brisbane newspaper 24 December 1891: “Dr. Lilian Cooper, who has become very popular in Brisbane, has severed her former ties and is now practising on her own account.”
I haven’t been able to find the exact location of the residence or practice.
These streets are right next to the Convention Centre. Next: Head towards the Wheel of Brisbane, then walk over the Neville Bonner Bridge. Once across the river, turn right onto William St, then right onto Margaret St, then left onto George St.
The Mansions
1893
40 George St, Brisbane City
Lilian and Josephine moved into the Mansions, and lived in the second apartment from the left. Look for the little plaque.
While living here, Lilian had a serious accident in a horse-drawn carriage – her skull split open. To help her recovery, the people of Brisbane lined George St with hay, to quieten the sound of horse hooves on the road. After the accident, Josephine insisted on driving Lilian everywhere.
Next, keep walking down George St (away from the Botanical Gardens). Turn right onto Ann St. Keep walking until you see the School of Arts.
School of Arts
Many years
166 Ann St, Brisbane City
Dr Cooper gave many talks at this School of Arts. The talks were restricted to “married women only”, so I suspect the content matter was controversial! Josephine – a fine artist – provided visual aids.
Keep walking down Ann St until you get to Edward St. Turn right onto Edward St. Keep walking until you are back near the river – there, you’ll take a slight left towards Kangaroo Point Bridge. Cross the bridge, then turn right until you get to Thornton St, then turn left onto Thornton St. Turn right onto Main St.
St Mary’s
1927
455 Main St, Kangaroo Point
Lilian and Josephine moved into this house with a beautiful view of the river. Josephine, a very religious woman, would sit in the garden and meditate. The pair owned a large expanse of land along the top of the cliffs. When Lilian died, Josephine donated the land to build the hospital which is now called St Vincent’s.
Right next door is the church. If it’s open, go on in and look for the stained glass window that Josephine donated after Lilian died – and also look for the medal Lilian was awarded by the Crown Prince of Serbia.
Toowong Cemetery
Frederick St, Toowong
You might want to get there on wheels rather than on foot!
A tradition has sprung up when visiting the grave of Dr Lilian Cooper and Miss Josephine Bedford. People take pearls – just cheap pearl necklaces – and hang them on the gravestone.
The grave is tricky to find – but in recent years, the road nearest the grave has been renamed Lilian Cooper drive. Isn’t that lovely! I hope you can find it!
Head towards the area circled in purple.
Here’s the exact location.
