Gramenz Farmhouse & Dairy

In July 1903 the property was acquired by Paul Gramenz Snr (also known as Herman Heinrich Gramenz) and farmed. By around 1933 Paul Gramenz’s eldest son, Ernst Leo Bernhard Gramenz, according to family history, moved onto the property, eventually acquiring the title to the land in circa 1933. Family records (bank document dated 6 January 1937 for ‘unspecified purposes”) provide an indication that a dwelling and dairy may have been constructed for Ernst during the 1937-38 period. The dairy was run by Ernst and his son Alexander and possibly underwent modernisation/alteration in the 1950s.

The dwelling appears to be a blend of interwar style with the inner core roofline exhibiting aspects of earlier Queensland housing styles. Construction of the dwelling is attributed to Syd Brown. Brown, from family history information, had a long association with the Gramenz family, erecting houses for other family members well into the 1950s.  

The Gramenz family residence was constructed at what could be regarded as a time of community consolidation at Brookfield. The teacher’s residence was acquired by the Trustees of the Brookfield Recreation and Show Ground Reserve circa 1932 and was subsequently leased as a store. In addition the current hall on the showgrounds land was erected during the 1932-34 period. 

While the property has remained under the control of the Gramenz family the title deeds disclose that in September 1945 the property was resumed under section 8 (this section deals with the resumption of land for roads) of The Land Acts 1910-1948 (Qld). However in October 1948 the land was returned to the ownership of Ernst Leo Bernard Gramenz under a new Deed of Grant. The current Gramenz family members intend to restore the buildings.

The centre core of the dwelling’s roof is raised and exhibits characteristics of traditional Queensland style colonial housing. The rear of the dwelling is at ground level, while the stumps gradually increase in proportion to the slope of the land. There is arched and full-length subfloor batten infill towards the front portion of the house.

The dwelling is situated with an easterly aspect taking advantage of the elevated site, with mature trees to the rear of the residence. Currently the residence is situated in large paddock area that contributes to the rural setting of the farmhouse.

Dairy:

Located in the lower portion of the paddock closest to the road, the dairy, as with most farm buildings, is designed and constructed with function the foremost priority. Utilising commonly found materials the dairy is of sheeted roofing iron over a wooden frame, with internal partitions, pens, and wooden floors. As with many utilitarian farm buildings the structure has evolved over a period of time, with additions occurring in later periods. Currently much of the interior of the dairy remains as it was when its use as a diary/milking shed ceased. 

Both the residence and the dairy are notable local landmarks in the Brookfield area.

1. Certificates of Title.

2. Family History information supplied by Angela Gramenz

3. John Oxley Library Photograph Collection

4. Meadows, Jane. Brisbane's Western Suburbs: Our Heritage in Focus. (Brisbane: State Library of Queensland Foundation. 1994)

5. Post Office Directories.

6. Queensland Electoral Rolls

7. Wager, Libby. Historic Brookfield. (Pullenvale: Pullenvale Field Study Centre. 1988)

8. Wager, Libby. Different Tracks. (Brookfield: Kenmore-Brookfield Parish of the Uniting church in Australia. 1998)