William Monks

• Name — William Monks – Architect • Born — 1869 • Birthplace — Wagga Wagga, NSW • Died — 2 July 1943 • Place of death — Melbourne, NSW • Practice — W. J. Monks Monks, Jeffs and Shaw W. J. Monks and Jeffs • Significant Buildings — Extensions to St John's Church, Wagga, including the addition of two aisles, narthex, clergy vestry and belltower (1912) Completion of St Michael's Cathedral, Wagga (1922) • Significant Projects — Company Office Building for the Murrumbidgee Flour Mill (1890s) J. J. McGrath's saddlery, Fitzmaurice Street Wagga (1893) Hogan's Brewery, The Esplanade Wagga (1899)

Born in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Monks was the eldest child of Alfred James and Ellen Bowe Monks. He lived until his teenage years in the Pastoral Hotel, Wagga, which was owned and managed by his publican father. Monks had two younger sisters, Bessie and Nell, and a younger brother, Alfred. Monks remained single throughout his life and maintained a close relationship with his sisters and brother.

Monks' early education was at Wagga Wagga Public School in Gurwood Street. At fourteen, he moved with his family to Petersham, a suburb in the Inner West of Sydney, and attended Newington College from 1883 to 1885. Late in 1885 he left school and was articled to the Sydney firm of architects Stockham and Hassall; in the ensuing five years he studied at Sydney Technical College. During this period the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney held classes in architecture, and it is likely that Monks attended these with contemporaries such as Henry Budden.

In his younger years Monks played cricket and tennis locally but was not a strong sportsman. He was involved with the School of Arts and the Murrumbidgee Pastoral and Agricultural Association and enjoyed hunting, shooting and fishing.

The following buildings are listed by the Heritage Council or by Local Councils, Shires and State Government Agencies. • Up-To-Date Store, 127–129 Cowabbie Street, Coolamon, New South Wales • Hairdresser (Junee Barber), 21 Seignior Street, Junee, New South Wales • Home Care Service of NSW, 21 Seignior Street, Junee • Junee Hotel, 21 Seignior Street, Junee • Medical Centre, 34 Belmore Street, Junee • Retail Shop, 21 Seignior Street, Junee • St. Brendan's Roman Catholic Presbytery, 47 Langham Street, Ganmain, New South Wales • Illustration — St Michael's Cathedral, Wagga Wagga (completed by Monks in 1922) • Illustration — St John's Church, Wagga Wagga (additions including belltower by Monks in 1912) • Illustration — Up-To-Date Store 127-129 Cowabbie Street Coolamon, New South Wales • Illustration — Wagga Wagga District Hospital Nurses quarters and kitchens (1908–1909)

The following is established of the heading itself.