Williamstown identity John ’Banjo’ Patterson OAM believed that the antiques that he avidly collected over his lifetime should be prominently displayed and shared with the many visitors he loved to entertain at his historic Esplanade home.
John’s passion will now be shared with the wider community when his vast collection of antiques and curiosities is auctioned on Sunday 26 October.
A Williamstown local for more than 70 years, John died on 11 May 2024 aged 91.
He was born in 1932 and completed his plumbing apprenticeship in 1954 starting his business, Banjo Plumbing, a year later.
By the late 1950s his clients included Australian Glass Manufacturer and Pentridge Prison.
When he wasn’t running his business, John proudly served as a Justice of the Peace for more than half a century and was a dedicated member of Rotary for 20 years.
He also sat on the bench of the Williamtown Magistrates Court back in the day when three Justices of the Peace sat on the court bench.
John also served on the boards of The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, the Fairfield Infectious Diseases Hospital and Prince Henry’s Hospital.
John’s grandson Cameron now helps run Banjo Plumbing.
Cameron lived with his grandfather for the last few years of his long life and learnt much about life, business and antiques.
John’s house at 7 Esplanade, which was sold earlier this month, is filled with beautiful furniture, paintings, silverware, glass, lamps, books, paintings, figurines, carpets, clocks and musical instruments, including a large gold harp which reportedly belonged to the Marx Brothers and was shipped to Melbourne from New Orleans.
The historic house is also believed to be haunted by the ghost of an old sea captain. John loved to say hello to the ghost whenever he ascended to the ’widow’s watch’ at the top of the house.
“His obsession was antiques, but he believed that we are only the custodian of these things, just as we are custodians of the land,“ said Cameron.
The whole collection will go under the hammer at an on-site auction conducted by Christian McCann Auctions. Some of the proceeds raised will be donated to the John Patterson Foundation which funds scholarships for medical graduates interested in conducting cancer research.
Cameron says his grandfather would be happy that his treasures will be passed into the care and ownership of new custodians.
“As long as people cherish them, he would be rapt,“ said Cameron.
The auction will be held onsite at 7 Esplanade starting at midday.
