Cyril Fryar Bennett (Licensed Surveyor)
1883 - 1962

Cyril Fryar Bennett 1883 - 1962, born at Coorparoo, youngest son of James S. Bennett secretary of the Land Council, Department of Lands, Queensland. Grandson of Sir William Fryar, Surveyor. Bennetts Road, Fryar Street, Ethel Street, Cyril Street are named after the family and the original home is still there. Obtained a senior pass and University matriculation from Brisbane Grammar School and as he was asthmatic his father believed a dry climate would be beneficial and arranged for him to be articled to Staff Surveyor/Shield in the Clermont district where he remained for three years. Upon returning to Brisbane he obtained a position in the Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board as a cadet draftsman surveyor and studied for the surveyors board examination which he passed with credit and was registered as an Authorised Surveyor in 1917.

During that time he surveyed the route for the sewerage main from Hamilton to Luggage Point which is still operative today.

He was retrenched and with the support of a family friend, Skipper Love of Isles Love, he was set up with a table and chair on the first floor of their auction room, which was located in Adelaide Street, at the present site of Post Office Square.

His first job was a Girls Guide site at (Cleveland Capalaba Victoria Point see modern map). He was met at the Camp Hill tram terminus by the land owner with horse and dray and he shared the survey fee with his chainman.

The real work was subdividing Nestles Farms at Toogoolawah for which Isles Love were the selling agents and was a considerable amount of survey work that continued for some years.

He developed a very personal survey practice due to growing up and being educated in Brisbane and concentrated on connections with solicitors, architects, engineers, real estate agents, banks, commercial and industrial land owners.

He was one of the two surveyors who survived in practice in Brisbane through the 1929-30 depression years. At one stage he surveyed farms at Stanthorpe, bought a home and operated two field parties on a profit share basis.

About 1938 he surveyed the residential resumptions for the approaches to the Story Bridge for the Co-ordinator General. The Titles Office did not have sufficient staff to examine and register the plans within the prescribed time. CF Bennett was asked to do the work, which at his request and by special arrangement, was done at night time.

He was the part time lecturer in surveying in the faculty of engineering of the University of Queensland during the time of Professor Hawkins, Fellow of the Institution of Surveyors.

He was President of the Queensland Institution of Surveyors from 1931 to 1939, Director and Sergeant at Arms, Rotary Club of Brisbane for many years and a Director of Brisbane Crematorium Limited. Always a keen student of literature he was an eloquent public speaker, loved Shakespeare, Gilbert and Sullivan and poetry. He had a gentle manner and a keen sense of humour. A man of strong character, proud of his profession, dedicated to a high standard, often quoting:

"speed and accuracy" ... or ... "hallmark of quality"

He was a frugal and shrewd business man and at the same time of compassionate and generous disposition.

In 1958, he formed a partnership with Robin Tremlett Francis.