Family History

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The name "Scully-Power" is a unique and distinguished combination of two family names that have been carefully preserved through generations. This name symbolises the union of two influential lineages, each with its own story of honour, tradition, and contribution to shared history. The Scully-Power name is more than just a family identifier; it serves as a powerful symbol of the family's rich heritage, embodying the values, traditions, and legacies of both the Scully and Power families. Each time the name is spoken or written, it serves as a reminder of the strong foundations upon which the family was built and the commitment to honouring the lives and achievements of their ancestors.

The "Scully" part of the family name traces back to Mary Scully, the great-grandmother of Paul Desmond Scully-Power. Mary was the daughter of Sir Edward Scully, a prominent figure in Australian society during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Sir Edward Scully was known for his contributions to public service and governance, particularly within local government and civic duty. He held significant roles in municipal administration, where he was instrumental in developing policies that benefited the public. His dedication to the community earned him a knighthood, reflecting his status and influence within society. The Scully name, through Sir Edward, became associated with honour, respect, and a strong commitment to public service. This lineage was passed down through the generations, with the Scully name remaining a key part of the family identity.

The "Power" side of the family is represented by Thomas James Power, the paternal grandfather of Paul Desmond Scully-Power. Born in Melbourne, Victoria, in 1888, Thomas James Power was a successful entrepreneur and businessman who played a significant role in Australia’s industrial and commercial sectors during the early 20th century. He was involved in several key industries, including manufacturing and real estate. Thomas James Power was known for his keen business acumen and ability to identify and capitalise on emerging market opportunities. He owned and operated several successful businesses, contributing to the economic growth of the regions in which he was active. His work in these industries helped solidify the Power name as one associated with industry, integrity, and success. The Power family’s legacy, intertwined with that of the Scully family, contributed to the formation of the Scully-Power name, a name that honours both sides of the family.

Paul's mother, Clarisse Grace Hunter (later Scully-Power), born in Sydney in 1909, descended from the Hudson timber dynasty of Redfern. Her grandfather, George Hudson, was associated with the family business, founded by his father William Henry Hudson, a cabinetmaker from Plymouth who sailed for Sydney Cove with his family in 1846, found work in the building boom then underway in the city, and by 1855 had saved enough to build his own joinery shop in Botany Street, Redfern. His reputation grew through commissions including St Paul's Redfern and the Great Hall of Sydney University.

Trading as W. H. Hudson & Sons, the firm became one of Sydney's leading joinery and timber work companies, and its work at the University of Sydney was among the most demanding commissions of its generation. The Hudsons supplied and hand crafted every stick of timber in the building, the joinery and the structural work alike, while the masons raised the sandstone around them. Their signal contribution was the hammer beam ceiling of the Great Hall, a roof carrying its own weight across the span without intermediate columns, modelled on Westminster Hall in London and executed in cedar from the Northern Rivers of New South Wales. Twelve carved wooden angels sit among the beams, holding items that reference the arts and sciences. The roof rises to an apex of 70 feet (21 metres), and the hall spans 135 feet (41 metres) in length and 45 feet (14 metres) in width, built of Pyrmont sandstone with an Australian marble floor. The building remains the ceremonial heart of the university, where Paul Scully-Power and his daughters, Holly and Tara, would each take their degrees more than a century after their forebears raised its roof.

The lineage passed to the next generation after William's retirement in 1866, when the business went to his son Henry, and with brothers Robert, William and George involved it took the name Hudson Brothers, importing the latest woodworking machinery from the United States and rebuilding the Redfern shop as the Steam Joinery Works. Following a fire that gutted the Redfern works in 1898, George rebuilt the timber and joinery operation on the old site, registering George Hudson & Son, Timber Merchants and Contractors, in 1903. Trading as Geo. Hudson, Timber Merchants, the firm manufactured ready to erect kit homes under the Hudson Ready-Cut brand from about 1905 until the mid 1960s and operated the largest timber mill in Australasia at Blackwattle Bay in Glebe, sustaining the dynasty across four generations of Sydney building and construction.

The family connection also includes the Australian Test wicket-keeper Bert Oldfield, who married Ruth Maud Hunter in 1929 and played 54 Tests for Australia, taking 78 catches and 52 stumpings, a career stumping record that still stands. In 1970 he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), the grade of that order recognising achievement or service in the community. He was an uncle to Paul Scully-Power.

The "Scully-Power" family dynasty originated from the union of the Scully and Power families through Anne Clare Scully Young and Thomas James Power. Anne Clare Scully Young was the daughter of Mary Scully, who was the daughter of Sir Edward Scully, and Francis Young. By marrying Thomas James Power, Anne Clare brought the prominent 'Scully' name into the influential 'Power' family. 

Thomas Scully-Power, born in 1909, son of Thomas James Power became the first to carry the combined surname Scully-Power. Thomas was married to Clarisse Grace Hunter born in 1909 in Sydney, Australia. Thomas Scully-Power served as a Wing Commander in the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War. After the war he became the Pan American Airways representative in Australia and played a key role in establishing the airline’s Sydney headquarters. He later served as the Immigration Department representative at the Australian High Commission in London. The decision to combine the Scully and Power surnames reflects a desire to preserve the legacy and heritage of both the Scully and Power families. The order of the names, with Scully preceding Power, honours the noble status of Sir Edward Scully and the prominence of the Scully family. By merging the names, the family ensured that both lineages would be remembered and celebrated through future generations. The Scully-Power surname now stands as a symbol of the union of these two influential families and their rich combined heritage. 

Paul Scully-Power, born in 1944 in Sydney, Australia, is the son of Thomas Scully-Power and represents the second generation of the Scully-Power family. Paul’s remarkable achievements span the fields of space, defence, intelligence and national security, making him a distinguished figure in both Australia and the United States. Paul is married to Frances Anne Urquhart, born in 1948 in Sydney, Australia. As a devoted wife and mother, Frances has played a pivotal role in preserving the family's legacy, ensuring that the values, traditions, and heritage of the Scully-Power name continue to thrive across generations and continents. Together, Paul and Frances have fostered a deep sense of family, identity, and purpose, strengthening the Scully-Power legacy for future generations.

Paul and Frances Scully-Power are the proud parents of six children, each a scion of the third generation of the Scully-Power family, carrying forward their distinguished legacy.

• Adam Scully-Power
• Lincoln Scully-Power
• Holly Scully-Power
• Victoria Scully-Power
• William Scully-Power
• Tara Scully-Power

Each of their children reflects the strong foundation laid by Paul and Frances, upholding the values and traditions passed down through the Scully-Power family dynasty.