(Photo: State Library of Queensland and John Oxley Library; #107372)Built around 1906, the house was a combined residence and surgery as were several other buildings on "The Terrace" at that time. In fact the Dods brothers' step-father, Dr Charles Marks, lived next door in the house that was demolished in 1982 to allow the construction of Silverton, a multi-storey development that stands on that site now.
(Photo: DERM)The combined house and surgery that Robin Dods designed for his brother is still standing. Around the time that Silverton was constructed next door, it was converted to a restaurant known as Dods House - a tribute to the Dods brothers. It is shown above in that guise. One night many years ago, I was dining there and saw George Negus of 60 Minutes fame. Back when he was a humble high school teacher, Negus happened to have been my cricket coach. As he was leaving, I decided to say hello, and stood up to shake his hand. "G'day George" I said. "Yeah, g'day mate" he growled in a style unmistakeably meaning "Piss off, you idiot!" and without even looking at me, he brushed past me at a fair clip and disappeared. I can't blame him, it must be annoying having people wanting to accost you because you're famous. I did see (and talk) to him several years after that when he was a guest speaker at a conference organised by my employer, a funds management company. We had a chat about the old school days, but I didn't mention that he gave me the flick at Dods House.
(Photo: © 2010 the foto fanatic)Since the creation of the initial restaurant, Dods House has had a few reincarnations as different bars and restaurants, a couple of them in the "adult" category. It is currently called Pink Piano, and here is its web site.
Click here for a Google Map.
tff
Next: Inchcolm
At least you had had a personal relationship with Negus, even if it was decades ago :) Imagine being accosted day and night by people you have never met and don't know from a bar of soap.
ReplyDeleteSpouse and I were strolling down Lygon St Carlton late one night and bumped into Telly Savalas who seemed to be alone. He could not have been more gracious - I was well impressed.
Yes, I must say that he was a terrific guy as a teacher at one of Brisbane's less well-off schools. I met him again after I left school when he was a journalist with The Australian and we had a couple of drinks together. In retrospect I shouldn't have ambushed him on his way out of Dods House. At that time he was extremely well known, and I'm sure just wanted to escape unscathed from a fairly public place.
ReplyDeletetff