Abraham Luya


Abraham Fleetwood Luya was a businessman and politician in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He was a mayor of South Brisbane and a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.

Early years

Luya was born in Liverpool, England, to parents Abraham Luya and his wife Maria. Educated at Liverpool, he worked as a shipping clerk in England before finding work as a midshipman on the Anglia eastern trade. He arrived in New South Wales in 1855 before moving to Queensland in 1864 and worked at several jobs before opening Cootharaba Sawmills in 1869 at Gympie. In 1871, Luya helped established McGhie, Luya & Company, a merchant and sawmilling business. From 1888–1899 he was managing director of the Queensland Milling Company.

Political career

Luya was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland, holding the seat of Brisbane South on two separate occasions, from 1888 until his defeat at the 1893 colonial election, and then from March 1899 until his death four months later.
During his career in parliament he formed an alliance with the Premier of Queensland, Thomas McIlwraith.
Luya was also an alderman in the South Brisbane Municipal Council, serving as its mayor from 1896–1898.

Personal life

In 1857 Luya married Eliza Clare in New South Wales and together had 3 sons and six daughters. Luya died in July 1899 and his funeral proceeded from his late residence at Boggo Road Junction to the South Brisbane Cemetery.