NEWS
A “living and working Valley legend” has been honoured by having a laneway named after her. Cr David Hinchliffe on Wednesday August 4 unveiled the first Valley Lane Name “Robyn Ward Lane” and plaque at 257 Brunswick Street Fortitude Valley
The lane sits between Delahunty’s Cost-less Chemist and the bottle shop of the Elephant and Wheelbarrow, corner of Brunswick and Wickham Street. The laneway is named after Robyn Ward who for more than 30 years has worked as a senior pharmacist assistant to James Delahunty’s Valley Chemist.
Cr Hinchliffe told guests at the lane naming that while he was the local councillor, Robyn Ward was the local counsellor, dispensing good advice to people for decades.
He said Robyn’s strong personality and common sense approach to life had provided much needed advice and counselling to Valley residents from all walks of life.
She was immensely respected and is a personality in her own right –she called a spade a spade and offers a smiling friendly face to those in need.
The cross road of Brunswick and Wickham Street was originally known as the “Valley Corner” and was a pharmacy site as early as 1895 when Bell & Crease Chemists first opened. They were then taken over by the first radio chemist – Chemist Roush – who then sold onto the first discount chemist – Carl David.
Delahunty’s purchased the chemist in 1979, moving the pharmacy to its current location in 1988. The Delahunty’s purchase of the Brunswick Street building led to the restoration to its original glory which includes a lift to the Brunswick Street Medical Centre.
