Central Business District in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

The Nicholas Family

— Wesley Place Heritage Trail —

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 3, 2026

1. The Nicholas Family Marker

Inscription.
Pharmacists and philanthropists

The founders of the Aspro company, Alfred and George Nicholas were generous benefactors to a range of causes in Melbourne. In the 1920s a £15,000 donation from the Nicholas brothers helped the Church construct the Princess Mary Club for the Wesley Central Mission. A further bequest in 1938 led to the construction of Nicholas Hall. Continuing the family tradition, Sophie Paterson, the great granddaughter of Alfred Nicholas, donated the commemorative Princess Mary Club mosaic reinstated on site.

Erected by Wesley Place. (Marker Number C2.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.

Location. 37° 48.619′ S, 144° 58.109′ E. Marker is in Melbourne, Victoria. It is in the Central Business District. It is on Lonsdale Street 0.1 kilometers west of Jones Lane, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 130 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it

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is in Oceania,

Australasia,

the Pacific Ocean,

South Pacific,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Princess Mary Club (here, next to this marker); John Wesley Statue (a few steps from this marker); Wesley Church (a few steps from this marker); Balit-dahn Balit-nganjin (Their Strength, Our Strength), 2021 (within shouting distance of this marker); Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (within shouting distance of this marker); Nicholas Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Former Manse (within shouting distance of this marker); Archaeology and Artefacts (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.

Also see . . . Stop C2: The Nicholas Family. Wesley Place

Pharmacists and philanthropists

The founders of the Aspro company, Alfred and George Nicholas were generous benefactors to a range of causes in Melbourne. In 1920 a £15,000 donation from the Nicholas brothers helped
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 3, 2026

2. The Princess Mary Club Mosaic
the Church construct the Princess Mary Club for the Wesley Mission. A further bequest in 1938 led to the construction of Nicholas Hall.

Brothers, entrepreneurs and benefactors

The Nicholas family were generous benefactors to many organisations in Melbourne during the twentieth century. The brothers Alfred and George Nicholas had established themselves in the immediate post-World War One period with their pharmaceuticals firm.

Pharmacist George Nicholas, with partner Henry Woolf Shmith had successfully applied for the patent for ‘aspirin’ during the war; when German patents were suspended and granted to local manufacturers. He subsequently registered the trademark ‘Aspro’ in 1917, and businessman and brother Alfred joined the fledgling business.

Although the enterprise initially struggled, by the mid-1920s, it was a financial success. A new factory was built in South Melbourne, and the Nicholas Building in Swanston Street was constructed in 1926.

Aside from their business enterprises, the brothers also became known for their philanthropy in this period. They had a particular interest in education and the welfare of young
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 3, 2026

3. The Marker, the Mosaic and the Wesley Church
people and contributed to Wesley College, Methodist Ladies’ College and the Lord Somers Camp, as well as to local hospitals and charities.

(Submitted on June 18, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 18, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.