Mr Thomas George Anstruther Molloy
- Position
- Member Centenary Committee
- Committee group
- Historical, arts and science and pageantry
- Year of death
- 1938
- Plaque number
- FA16
- Dedicated by
- Kings Park Board on 29 September 1929
- More information
Biography abstract:
Thomas George Anstruther Molloy (4/10/1852 - 16/2/1938) was born in Toronto, Canada and immigrated to Western Australia with family in 1862.
His father took the position as pensioner guard, having served in the Crimea War and Thomas attended Christian Brothers' College, leaving school at age 13.
He worked in a printing office and later as manager of the city branch of the Co-operative Stores where he turned the store's balance sheet around with his canny real estate purchases.
He went to South Australia for two years, returning in 1875. Molloy owned and ran a baker's shop, with cottages for his employees.
From 1881, he worked at the 'Daily News' and in 1884 became commercial manager of the 'West Australian'.
His real estate speculations in central and western parts of the city were most profitable. In 1896, Molloy built the Theatre Royal, Perth's first substantial theatre, which opened in 1897.
By 1904, Molloy had also built the Metropole Hotel and His Majesty's Theatre (for many years the largest stage in Australia), and His Majesty's Hotel.
He represented West And Central Wards on Perth City Council from 1884, more or less, continuously through World War 1 and was Mayor 1908-09 and 1911-12.
Molloy was seen as radical, largely because he espoused municipal socialism, particularly in matters of gas and water supply, transport, drainage and sewerage. He also sought to provide people with no-charge recreation and bathing facilities.
It was said of Molloy in 1938 "he was adjudged the man who has done most to lift Perth from a sand surrounded village to its present position as a proud city by banks of the smiling Swan" and "By his energy and courage he added to its superstruction until its skyline shouted his praise".
Mr Molloy was a member of the Western Australian Centenary Committee (Historical, arts and science and pageantry group) in 1929.