Duo not forgotten
ELISABETH CHAMPION A MAN who was killed during the construction of the Innisfail Shire Hall will be honoured, along with his brother, for building some of Innisfail’s famous art deco architecture.
Bill Van Leeuwen and his brother Peter moved from Holland to Australia to create new lives for themselves and were responsible for building many of the town’s art deco structures including the Innisfail Shire Hall, the Queens Hotel and the Water Tower.
At a council meeting on Thursday, Cassowary Coast councillors voted unanimously to name the recently built seating area between Larsens Newsagency and the Innisfail Shire Hall, Van Leeuwen Place in honour of the two men.
Councillors also voted to in- stall signs outlining the brothers’ contribution to the town landscape. Bill Van Leeuwen was tragically killed in 1937 during the construction of the Innisfail Shire Hall when he was crushed by a girder.
He was taken to Townsville Hospital for treatment and remained there until his death several months later.
Peter Van Leeuwen’s daughter, Wilma Eric of Flying Fish Point, said while her father and uncle were commemorated with a plaque at the shire hall many years ago, there had been many other unsuccessful attempts to get further recognition for them over the years.
“I was happy with the plaque on the wall, but now they have decided to do this other part, I am really pleased about that,” she said.