Addresses
Type of place
House
Period
Federation 1890-1914
Style
Queenslander
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Residence
Rayham
Addresses
Type of place
House
Period
Federation 1890-1914
Style
Queenslander
This timber Federation style is the former house of Austin Douglas Graham, a Brisbane solicitor. The house has been moved from its former position in Hewitt Street where it was built in 1899. The house, named 'Rayham' by Douglas, was designed by Robin Dods, a Brisbane architect from this period renowned for the 'simplicity and reticence' of his domestic designs and his imaginative reworking of traditional Queensland architecture.
Also known as
Rayllam
Lot plan
L4_RP42634
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Roof: Corrugated iron;Walls: Timber
People/associations
Robert Smith (Robin) Dods (Architect)Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (E) Aesthetic; (H) Historical associationInteractive mapping
Also known as
Rayllam
Lot plan
L4_RP42634
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Roof: Corrugated iron;Walls: Timber
People/associations
Robert Smith (Robin) Dods (Architect)Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (E) Aesthetic; (H) Historical associationInteractive mapping
History
Austin Douglas Graham was a solicitor and a partner in the legal firm of Hamilton and Graham. The firm’s office was at 37-41 Adelaide Street. Graham purchased over an acre of land between what is now Harle Avenue, Hewitt Street and Jeffrey Street in 1899 and 1900. His wife, Wilhelmina, purchased another 32 perches in 1904. In 1900, Graham mortgaged the land for ₤800. He is first listed in postal records as residing in Rayham (sometimes appearing as Rayllam in the directory) in 1900. This is consistent with Robin Dods designing the house in 1899.
At this time, the Wilston/Grange area was still largely rural with dairy farms and noxious industries such as fellmongeries and tanneries situated on Kedron Brook. The opening of the railway line through Windsor, Wilston and Newmarket in 1899 opened up the area for residential development. The area between Kedron Brook Road and the new railway station at Wilston was subdivided as Harle Estate in 1910. The Graham’s house was one of the first to be built in Hewitt Street. Graham died in 1941.
The house is shown in its present position facing the railway line near Wilston Station on a 1934 BCC detail plan in 1934, suggesting it was moved between the late 1910s and early 1930s. During the 1950s, the house was used as flats. It has since been returned to a private residence.
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 History Group. Stafford and Wilston-Grange Heritage Tour. Brisbane: BHG, 1995
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John Oxley Library Estate Map Collection
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Queensland Post Office Directories
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Watson, Donald & Judith McKay 1994, Queensland Architects of the 19th Century, University of Queensland Press, St. Lucia
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Windsor and Districts Historical Society, records pertaining to Wilston
Citation prepared by — Brisbane City Council (page revised June 2022)