This is really a
story by a Nudgee man, Fr Pat Tynan. The outline below should whet
the appertite of many old boy readers.
Fr Pat Tynan, class of ’54, has again put pen to paper and produced
another biography of one of Queensland’s fascinating pioneers,
Johnny Cassim - Coolie, convict, catechumen, and colonial entrepreneur.
Tells the life story of an Indian convict born in Calcutta sent to
Mauritius and then transported to Van Dieman’s Land in 1839.
Escaping the cold of this convict hell he was transported a second time
to Moreton Bay. Gaining his ticket of leave in 1844 he married an Irish
woman in Brisbane at the same time leaving his Muslim religion and becoming
a Catholic. He was probably the first catechumen in the Brisbane church.
Together with his wife he set up at Kangaroo Point, the Assizes boarding
house to provide lodging for those coming to Brisbane while their cases
were being heard when the Judiciary sat in Brisbane.
On the sale of this successful
venture he built a hotel at Cleveland which he successfully managed
for the rest of his life. Cassim’s
Hotel become the first Mass centre in Cleveland and Cassim became one
of the Trustees when a Church was eventually built.
His achievements are the more remarkable when it is known that like
most convicts Cassim could neither read or write. As well as being active
in the Catholic community Cassim also donated to numerous charitable
causes in Moreton Bay in the second half of the nineteenth century.
This book is obtainable from
St Pauls bookshop, Elizabeth Street or from the author, P O Box 29,
Royal Brisbane Hospital, Butterfield Street,
Herston, 4029.
Cost $20 plus postage of $5.
Fr Pat Tynan contact details
are:
Phone 3857 3134 or Fax
3857 3154 |