The action-packed career of Largs' most notable native-born son Major General Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane was the topic of a recent event hosted in the town.

Largs Probus Club probed into the life and times of the decorated solider, astronomer and city governor, who never forgot his roots.

Brisbane gave back to the town philanthropically, building a school, and a sewer system to provide clean water and help rid the town of cholera.

Born in Brisbane House on July 23, 1773, he spent his early years at home before attending Edinburgh University and boarding school in London’s Kensington. 

At the age of 16, Brisbane embarked on his army career, joining the 38th Regiment of Foot in 1789 with the rank of Ensign. 

He first served in Ireland, where he struck up a lifelong friendship with another young officer Arthur Wellesley - who later became the Duke of Wellington. 

Brisbane's army service took him to Flanders, the West Indies, Spain, France and Canada, with numerous decorations awarded along the way.

In 1821, he was appointed Governor of the British colony of New South Wales, which was still very much a penal colony but transitioning to a free settlement. 

Brisbane introduced a wide range of improvements to the wellbeing of the population and the economy of the region, though not without making some enemies. 

His tenure as Governor was cut short after four years, but not before a river and fledgling penal settlement 500 miles to the north of Sydney was named after him, which grew to be the modern-day city of Brisbane.

Outside of the army and colonial administration, Brisbane's great passion was astronomy. 

He built Scotland's second only observatory on his own Brisbane estate, a further observatory in Parramatta, outside of Sydney, and two more on his wife's inherited estate of Makerstoun in the Scottish borders.

Brisbane also catalogued 7,835 stars in the southern hemisphere and received many awards for his astronomy studies from his scientific peers.

In his later years, he did much to improve both the town of Largs and the health and well-being of its inhabitants.

Brisbane died on January 27, 1860, and is interred, together with his family, in the ancient Brisbane Vault in the old Largs Churchyard.

People who wish to learn more about his remarkable life are encouraged to read local author Valerie Campbell’s book We Will Not Forget, which will be available in Largs Museum when it re-opens or by sending an email to secretary@largsmuseum.org.

Delegates from Brisbane visited Largs last summer looking to strengthen the cultural links between the two locations ahead of the Australian city hosting the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.

Largs Probus Club will next meet in the Willowbank Hotel on Wednesday, January 17, starting at 10am, when Dave Dewar will speak on the life of Andrew Carnegie.