11 Hewitt Street, Wilston

Graham’s home, Rayham, was designed by Brisbane architect Robin Dods and was originally located in Hewitt Street quite close to the location of the house at no. 11. Rayham was moved a short distance to Harle Avenue at some time during the early 20th century. 

It is believed that the servants’ quarters were either part of the original home of the Grahams or modified by Dods from an existing building associated with Rayham. It appears that the house, which has a double transverse ridge roof has been rotated 90 degrees so that the original front of the building (with a verandah that has since been enclosed) now faces north towards Kedron Brook Road.  According to local lore, the house was then organised into 2 halves so those two servants (reportedly a butler and a housekeeper) could each live independently in the building.

A detail plan of the street from 1934 shows the building in its present orientation to the street with a porch at the front and a verandah on the northern side of the house. The land on which the building stands passed from Wilhemina Graham to her husband, Austin Graham, after her death in 1912. The property was sold after Austin Graham’s death in 1941.

The house is known locally as the former servants’ quarters for the Grahams’s house. It is valued by the local community as part of the history and heritage of the area.

1. Brisbane History Group. Stafford and Wilston-Grange Heritage Tour. Brisbane: BHG, 1995

2. John Oxley Library Estate Map Collection

3. Queensland Certificates of Title

4. Queensland Post Office Directories

5. Watson, Donald & Judith McKay 1994, Queensland Architects of the 19th Century, University of Queensland Press, St. Lucia

6. Windsor and Districts Historical Society, records pertaining to Wilston