Warringa

Warringa is a large elegant private home on Melton Hill, and is not publically accessible. It was built in 1912 by local contractor Edward Crowder, for solicitor Jacob Leu. Swiss-born Leu was a partner in the prominent Townsville law firm of Roberts and Leu. Jacob Leu immigrated to Queensland as a child with his parents in 1871. He completed his education in Brisbane, and in 1876 commenced his articles with Brisbane solicitor Daniel Foley Roberts. In 1881, Roberts' son, George Alexander Roberts established a practice in Townsville, and Leu went with him as an articled clerk. After qualifying as a solicitor in 1884, Leu joined GA Roberts as a partner. The firm of Roberts and Leu developed into North Queensland's most prominent law practice. In 1886, Leu married Susan Hansen Overland. The Leu’s held a party at Warringa in August 1912, presumably to celebrate its completion, with dancing on the verandahs, an orchestra in the drawing room and a large marquee erected in the grounds as a supper room. Susan Leu left Warringa following Jacob's death in 1921. George Vivian Roberts (jnr), grandson of Leu’s former partner George Alexander Roberts, purchased the house in 1981.