Julia Warren Farr née Ord was an English-born South Australian philanthropist.
History
Julia was a daughter of Major Sir Robert Hutchinson Ord, of Greensted Hall, Essex and his wife Elizabeth Ord. She married Rev. George Henry Farr, Vicar of St. Wenn's Church in Cornwall, in 1846 after a four-year engagement, the delay being occasioned by her parents' disapproval, the Ords being Plymouth Brethren and in much wealthier circumstances. In 1854 he was offered the position of headmaster of St Peter's College, Adelaide, which he promptly accepted, hoping the drier climate of South Australia would improve her delicate health. George and Julia, their six-year-old daughter Eleanora and Julia's half-sister Edith Bayley sailed to South Australia aboard Daylesford, arriving in Adelaide in July 1854 after a long four-month voyage during which an outbreak of measles affected the children, the ship ran out of provisions, and the captain, missing the entrance to Gulf St Vincent, nearly ran the ship aground at the Murray Mouth. Their first few weeks did not augur well for life in the new colony: the ship's Adelaide agent had gone broke and the captain had to borrow money from passengers before he could continue to Melbourne. The only transportation they could find at the port was an old cart that broke down in Hindley Street and the women had to put up for the night at a temperance hotel. The next day was Sunday and Julia Farr and Edith Bayley were expected at the 11 am service at the College chapel, but could not find a cab and had to walk the two miles of what must have been rudimentary, and possibly muddy, tracks in their best clothes. The Farrs' accommodation was not yet habitable and they had to board with Mrs Baye, the college matron. Farr was concerned at the plight of orphaned girls who had been committed to the Destitute Asylum, an unsatisfactory situation in many ways. She organised a group of like-minded friends and founded the Church of England's Orphan Home for Girls near the corner of Carrington Street and East Terrace, previously a German hospital, opened in October 1861. The girls were looked after, fed, clothed and educated to the age of 14, then most found employment as servants to middle-class households. The first secretary of the Home was H. Kent Hughes, and matron Mrs. Sarah Birt. The Home was relocated to Fullarton Road, Mitcham in 1912. Farr was later concerned with alleviating problems for people with intractable physical problems, and set about establishing the Home for Incurables. A committee was formed in 1878 and a house on Fisher Street, Fullarton was purchased. Over the years, as demand increased, new buildings were added, and wings were appended to those. The complex was demolished in 2011. Julia Farr died at her residence on Barnard street, North Adelaide, after an extended period of ill-health. Her daughter Julia, granddaughter Mary Clift, and great-granddaughter Joan Clift followed her in succession as committee members of the Orphan Home.
Other interests
The Farrs purchased a property near Tea Tree Gully and built there a holiday house, dubbed "Brightlands". Dr. William T. Angove initially used Brightlands' extensive cellars to mature his wines before moving to the St. Agnes property.
The Orphan Home for Girls at 588 Fullarton Road, Mitcham was named Farr House in 1935.
She was accorded the privilege of, on 13 October 1906, laying the foundation stone of the new wing of the Home for Incurables at 99 Fisher Street, Fullarton.
Lewis Henry Ord Farr married Mabel Beatrice Steward Bruce in 1901. He was a surveyor of Teatree Gully, later of Port Lincoln. He disappeared from the vessel Rupara, presumed drowned, while travelling to Streaky Bay on business. Suicide was not suspected. He had "a family of four or five children" including:
Gertrude Margaret Farr studied art, exhibited at least once.
