Education
Monks" early education was at Wagga Wagga Public School in Gurwood Street. At fourteen, he moved with his family to Petersham, a suburb in the Inner West of Sydney, and attended Newington College from 1883 to1885. Late in 1885 he left school and was articled to the Sydney firm of architects Stockham and Hassall.
In the ensuing five years he studied at Sydney Technical College.
During this period the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney held classes in architecture, and it is likely that Monks attended these with contemporaries such as Henry Budden.
Career
Monks "had one of the most successful and extensive architectural practices in country New South Wales. He was based in Wagga Wagga for over 40 years and designed buildings in practically every district in the southern half of the state." Born in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Monks was the eldest child of Alfred James and Ellen Bowe Monks. Monks had two younger sisters, Bessie and Nell, and a younger brother, Alfred.
Monks returned to Wagga in 1890 and opened an office in space provided by his father at the Pastoral Hotel.
His domestic designs were in the Federation bungalow style (asymmetrical, single storey, verandahs, detailed roof, exposed rafters, casement windows) with a strong national identity. By the turn of the century he had established a design office in Gurwood Street, Wagga.
Later, Monks employed Christopher Ernest Jeffs as a draftsman. In 1938, Monks retired.
In his younger years Monks played cricket and tennis locally but was not a strong sportsman.
He was involved with the School of Arts and the Murrumbidgee Pastoral and Agricultural Association and enjoyed hunting, shooting and fishing. The following buildings are listed by the Heritage Council or by Local Councils, Shires and State Government Agencies. Up-To-Date Store and Garth Jones Collection of farm machinery, 127-129 Cowabbie Street, Coolamon, New South Wales Hairdresser (Junee Barber), 21 Seignior Street, Junee, New South Wales Home Care Service of NSW, 21 Seignior Street, Junee Junee Hotel, 21 Seignior Street, Junee Medical Centre, 34 Belmore Street, Junee Retail Shop, 21 Seignior Street, Junee Saint Brendan"s Roman Catholic Presbytery, 47 Langham Street, Ganmain, New South Wales.
