As Sydney celebrates the 90th anniversary of our iconic harbour bridge, we salute Androvian John Job Crew Bradfield (Fr 1886), the engineer with the vision behind the ground-breaking infrastructure. The heritage-listed steel through arch bridge was designed and built under his direction while he worked for the NSW Department of Public Works.
A copy of Bradfield’s Thesis for his Master of Engineering degree remains in the Archives of St Andrew’s College. In this document, Bradfield outlines his vision for the crossing of the harbour – 36 years before it came to fruition!
A further enduring legacy from Bradfield was the donation of five of the original lanterns from the bridge – which are still in use at College today. They can be spotted in the courtyard of the Junior Common Room, above the Main Reception and at the entrance to the Main Building from the Glen. (Pictured below)
Another College connection is the painting of Bradfield’s vision for the bridge by renowned artist Maico Camilo which is held by the College. (Pictured above)
On opening day, 19 March 1932, around one million people crossed the bridge on trains, trams, cars, on foot and on horses.
From the St Andrew’s Archives
- John Job Crew Bradfield entered St Andrew’s on 26 February 1886 and remained in College until the end of 1888.
- In 1887, Bradfield was the recipient of the Levey Scholarship for Chemistry and Physics, and shared the Smith Prize for the best undergraduate in first year of Experimental Physics.
- Bradfield graduated Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in 1889, receiving the University Gold Medal.
- In 1896, he graduated Master of Engineering (M.E.) from the University of Sydney, and again was awarded the University Medal.
- At the time Bradfield was studying, Engineering was a Department of the Faculty of Science.
- In his first year at the University, Bradfield was enrolled in 1st year Arts. He subsequently moved into the Engineering Department. He was born at Sandgate in Queensland, and educated at Ipswich Grammar School.
