NAME

ORIGIN

SIGNIFICANCE

Ayrton Street

Gerald Curtis

Ayrton

(1907-1997)

Wool Industry.

Born in Bradford, England, Gerald Ayrton came to Australia in 1909. He was a leading member of the Australian wool-buying industry. In 1935 Ayrton was appointed director and partner of the company Biggin & Ayrton, establishing a thriving business with the West Riding Group, a large wool-processing combine in Bradford.

During World War II he served as a captain in Army Intelligence. During rationing which continued in England after the war and well into the 1950s Ayrton and his father organised regular food parcels to be sent to a large number of people in England.

Cantamessa Avenue

Ettore 'Giuseppe'

Cantamessa

(1892-1947)

Sugar Industry.

Born at Conzano, Piedmont, Italy, Giuseppe Cantamessa came to Australia in 1907 and took up sugar-farming in north Queensland. He became a naturalised British subject in 1913.

Cantamessa was often called upon to represent the Italian community. He was chairman of the Herbert River District Cane Growers' Association and an executive-member of the Cane Prices Board at Macknade. He represented Ingham from 1929-1936 on the Queensland Cane Growers' Council. He was elected to the Hinchinbrook Shire Council in 1936 remaining until the outbreak of World War II.

He was interred during the War until 1943. He denied any interest in 'foreign politics' and asserted his loyalty. In 1943 he was released but confined to his farm until 1945.

His obituary in the Herbert River Express declared that 'he discharged his duties to his adopted country faithfully and well'.