From a young age, Meade Murphy showed a strong indication of an entrepreneurial spirit and passion for restoring old furniture back to its former glory.
Born into a local family he attended Clontarf Beach State School and Clontarf Beach High School.
At 12yrs of age, he commenced restoring antique furniture after school had closed for the day.
Aged 15, he helped a teacher restore and old building. Finishing school he opened his first business predictably calling it Murphy's Antique Restorations.
At 19, he completed his fist heritage listed building restoration, which was Dodd's House on Brisbane's Wickham Terrace. During this time he collaborated with others in the trade, namely Alro's Antiques at Woody Point, Alloway and Lord's Restorations at Geebung and Clayfield's Brisbane Antique Market. and opened another shop in Virginia.
He was also elected spokesman for Queensland's Secondhand Goods industry and was the original architect of the Brisbane Antique Trail for the Antique Dealers in Brisbane.
In 2003 he opened an antiques restoration and marketing business at High St Kippa Ring.
Murphy's Antique Restorations played a major part in restoring the badly damaged furniture from The Gap storm in 2008; The restoration of the church pews from Trinity Church in 2009; The restoration of the antique furniture in Government House in 2010; Sir Edward Hornibrook old house in Ascot; The restoration of St Thomas' Church in 2011; The restoration of St Mary's Church and St Augustine's Church in 2012; the restoration of St. Pascals Church in 2013; Our Lady of Lourdes at Sunnybank in 2016; St Lukes hail storm damage 2017 and St Columba's and St Flannan's 2019.
For his restoration work he has received a Papal blessing in 2017 from the Vatican as well as the Queensland National Trust Heritage Award and the International Excellence Award.
A keen fisherman since the age of 12. Meade was awarded life membership of the Redcliffe City Amateur Anglers Club for his outstanding contribution to the club and the sport.
He is also publicity officer for the South Queensland Amateur Fishing Association (SQAFACA)
Meade Murphy is listed on the wall of the Redcliffe Wall of Fame:
A collection of portrait and information honouring the achievements of individuals who have influenced and shaped Redcliffe. The collection is in the Jetty Arcade at 139-141 Redcliffe Parade.
For a complete list of people who appear on the wall click on the following blog post: