Addresses
Type of place
School, Residence (group), House, Private school
Period
Victorian 1860-1890
Style
Arts and Crafts, Free Gothic, Italianate, Tudor
This is an image of the local heritage place known as St Margaret's Anglican Girls' School
This is an image of the local heritage place known as St Margaret's Anglican Girls' School 1
St Margaret's Anglican Girls' School
Addresses
Type of place
School, Residence (group), House, Private school
Period
Victorian 1860-1890
Style
Arts and Crafts, Free Gothic, Italianate, Tudor
The Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent, an Anglican order, opened a girl’s boarding school here in 1910, acquiring the former Patrick Durack residence (‘Maryview’ 1885-86) to house staff and students. The adjoining residence built by Andrew Lang Petrie (‘Mooloomburram’ 1886) was purchased in 1918 to become a boarding house, and the Loft and ancillary buildings were also adapted. As the school grew additional structures were added including the Sisters Chapel in 1914, a canteen and swimming pool (1930s), the West Wing in 1929, East Wing in 1948 and Eton Hall (commenced 1948), a music building commenced in 1950 and new Chapel (1958).
Also known as
Community House
Lot plan
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
People/associations
Holmes and Cohen - 'Maryview' (Architect);Robert Ferguson - 'Mooloomburram' (Architect)
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (E) Aesthetic; (G) Social; (H) Historical associationInteractive mapping
Also known as
Community House
Lot plan
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
People/associations
Holmes and Cohen - 'Maryview' (Architect);Robert Ferguson - 'Mooloomburram' (Architect)
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (E) Aesthetic; (G) Social; (H) Historical associationInteractive mapping
History
‘Maryview’/ ‘Donatello’/‘St Margarets House’/Community House’;
William Graham sold his ten acre allotment to Patrick Durack in September 1885. Durack was a grazier of considerable wealth, Patrick Durack commissioned architectural and engineering firm Holmes & Cohen to design his Albion property. It was nearing completion in June 1886 when the Brisbane Courier described it as ‘of two stories, in brick and stone, containing twelve large rooms, exclusive of bathroom, kitchen, pantry, and servants quarters. There are stables and coach-house, and a well to contain 20,000 gallons of water. The front of the house is surmounted by a tower, from which there are magnificent views of the surrounding district.’ The contract price for the residence, which Durack named ‘Maryview’, was £4200.
MLA John Dunmore Campbell, managing director of James Campbell and Sons, purchased the house in September 1901, re-naming it ‘Donatello’. He resided there until his death in 1909. The Corporation of the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane purchased the house from the Campbell family in 1910, and the Church of England School occupied the site. Two years later the school became St Margaret’ Church of England School. The residence was renamed ‘St Margaret’s House’.
‘Mooloomburram’/’Avoca’/’The Hall’
Andrew Lang Petrie acquired land from Durack on which he erected his residence ‘Mooloomburram’ circa 1886. Andrew Petrie was the eldest son of Brisbane’s first mayor John Petrie. The house was designed by his uncle, Robert Ferguson, who was also responsible for the design of numerous State Schools throughout Queensland. Petrie inherited the family business and also stood for the Legislative Assembly, holding the seat of Toombul almost continuously from 1893 to 1926.
The house was known as Avoca by 1909 and was being offered for lease by Isles Love. They advertised it as “ALBION.-Butler and Kidston streets, convenient to cars-‘Avoca’-Gentleman's magnificent residence, built of stone, and all on one floor. It contains living and drawing rooms, sitting room, 4 bedrooms, and dressing room, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, 2 servants' bedrooms, and laundry ; water laid on. The situation is excellent, and views of Hamilton and Bulimba Reaches of river are obtainable from front veranda.”
Auctioneer and businessman John Cameron acquired the Petrie residence circa 1910 Cameron died in 1914 and after his wife’s death in 1917, ‘Avoca’ was purchased by the school.
Statement of significance
Relevant assessment criteria
This is a place of local heritage significance and meets one or more of the local heritage criteria under the Heritage planning scheme policy of the Brisbane City Plan 2014. It is significant because:
References
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Brisbane Courier, 1864-1933
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Courier Mail, 1933-1954
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Queenslander, 1866- 1939
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www.stmargarets.qld.edu.au
Citation prepared by — Brisbane City Council (page revised June 2022)