THE PALMER FAMILY HSITORY
The First Generation – Northern Ireland Early 1830’s
The Palmer family’s involvement in the business arena has been traced back to Andrew Palmer who ran a plumbing business in Northern Ireland in the early 1830’s.
The Second Generation – Palmers arrive in Australia 1843
Andrew’s son, James Henry Palmer, an accountant, arrived in Australia in 1843. He spent his early years on the gold fields at Ballarat, establishing a Plumbing and Gas Fitting business at Moray Street, South Melbourne, in 1875.
The Third Generation – Mayor of South Melbourne 1894
William Palmer, who was the youngest of James Henry’s six children, joined the family business while in South Melbourne. William was instrumental in the introduction of the sewerage system to South Melbourne and held the position of Chairman of the Public Works Committee.
In 1894 William succeeded Ex-Mayor Councilman Thistlewaite to represent Fawkner Ward, South Melbourne.
In 1902 William left Australia aboard the “Suevic” to establish the Plumbing and Gas Fitting business in Johannesburg, South Africa. While in South Africa, William married Annie Aird Ross-Roy, the daughter of Donald Ross-Roy, a local South African Builder. Annie was a direct descendant of the Scottish highlander Rob Roy.
In 1905 the business was established at Bahia Blanca, South America, with a branch office at Mendoza.
In 1908 William and Annie returned to Newcastle, Australia and in 1913 they moved to Dalby, Queensland. Here William became Mayor and established the plumbing business under the name of Downs Plumbing and Manufacturing Company.
Due to the need to find education and advancement for his eight children, William moved the family to Brisbane and established the business in the old Brewery Building at Montague Road, West End, Brisbane during 1924.
The Fourth Generation
War’s End 1947
At war’s end, Lloyd Palmer, the youngest of William’s eight children, joined the business. Lloyd and his wife Iris took over the business in 1947 and they were responsible for the expansion of the manufacturing activities of the business from the production of Rainwater Goods for the Plumbing Industry to a well recognised General Sheet Metal Manufacturing Facility.
The Fifth Generation
The PPW Group 1968
Wayne Palmer, who is Lloyd’s only son, and his wife Noelene, joined the business during 1968 to become the fifth generation of the family to continue in the business. Wayne and Noelene have been responsible for the introduction of Mechanical Engineering into the business and the transitioning of the business from a Design and Construct Mechanical Contracting business, which specialised in the field of Air Handling Systems and Equipment to a Specialist Project Management and Consulting Engineering business, which specialises in the field of AS1668 Air Handling Systems and Air Handling Systems and Equipment.
