Addresses
Type of place
House
Period
Victorian 1860-1890
Style
Queenslander
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Residence
Dunholme
Addresses
Type of place
House
Period
Victorian 1860-1890
Style
Queenslander
This timber cottage was constructed for ferry proprietor John Gibbins between 1876 and 1878. It was one of the first houses to be built in Cairns Street and is one of five nineteenth century houses that survive in the street, providing a unique link to the past. After Gibbin’s death in 1885, his estate was placed in trust and later divided among members of his family. The house has since had a number of different owners.
Also known as
Woniora
Lot plan
L2_RP10930; L1_RP10930
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Information —
Construction
Roof: Corrugated iron;Walls: Timber
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (B) Rarity; (D) RepresentativeInteractive mapping
Also known as
Woniora
Lot plan
L2_RP10930; L1_RP10930
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Information —
Construction
Roof: Corrugated iron;Walls: Timber
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (B) Rarity; (D) RepresentativeInteractive mapping
History
This cottage is located on land which was originally purchased by Robert Cribb and former Collector of Customs, William Thornton in 1851.1 It was not until the Shafston Estate was offered for sale by the then owner, notable sugar planter and miller the “Honourable” Louis Hope, in 1874 that land became available for building.1 At the time of sale the entire estate covered over forty four acres.1
Evidence from the title deeds in conjunction with the Post Office Directories (PODs) indicates that John Gibbins purchased one rood of land in October 1875 and that by 1878-1879 he was one of two people living on the “West Side” of Cairns Street.1 His occupation is given as “Ferry Proprietor”.1 The POD of 1876 fails to list Cairns Street.1
In January 1885 John Gibbins died, his occupation at the time of death given as “gentleman”.1 He left, among other properties elsewhere, his Cairns Street house in trust. James Beech and William Hooker were the nominated trustees of the estate. Members of the Gibbins’ family lived in the house to the early 1890s, where upon the house appears to have then been rented out.1 In 1895 the estate was divided among four people, presumably John Gibbins’ children.1
In May 1903 the Gibbins Estate, on the corner of Cairns and Lambert Streets was offered for sale.1 There were 9 blocks offered for sale, ranging in size from 16 perches to 19½ perches. Thirty two perches remained with the house. The house was eventually purchased by John Helsdon in July of the same year.1
The house has had several owners since that time. Applications were made to the Brisbane City Council in 1946 and 1951 for “Dwelling Alterations”.
The house is one of the earliest residences still existing along Cairns Street, and forms an important early link as part of a group of 19th century cottages remaining in the street which development from the mid 1870s onwards.
Description
A timber framed 19th century house with transverse gable roof and open verandah to three sides. This dwelling has almost identical features to no. 35 except with decorative verandah post brackets, dowel balustrades and lattice doors to the front verandah. The walls to the verandah consist of exposed vertical joint boarding and exterior wall frame. French doors with arched glass panes open onto the verandahs.
An attic window within each gable end is shaded by a metal hood with scalloped fringe. A wing extends from the rear of the dwelling clad in weatherboards. Situated on a corner site the dwelling is surrounded on both street frontages by bushes and a lush garden to the rear. The strong horizontal elements of the three neighbouring identical cottages and house at no. 35; uniform setbacks and rhythm of verandah posts are continued in this house.
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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Winifred Davenport, Harbours & Marine: Port & Harbour Development in Queensland from 1824 to 1985. (Brisbane; Department of Harbours & Marine. 1986)
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Photocopy of newspaper article in the National Trust files on Kangaroo Point. Although uncited from the information given, both from within the article and other supporting information, it appears to be an article from the Telegraph. The dating could be July 1929 or July 1939. It is most likely that it is the former date. The question mark in the article (1881?) refers to the last digit of the date as it is illegible in the text. A copy is held in Heritage Unit files
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Certificate of Title & Post Office Directory. 1878-1879. P.30
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Post Office Directory. 1878-1879. P.30
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Ibid, 1876. P.16
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Transmission of Real Estate by Death Index. Vol. I, 1878-1889, Sec 2, p.115 & Queensland Government Gazette. 1885, Vol. 36 May – August p.1934
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Post Office Directories. 1885/86 –1900
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Certificates of Title.
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“The Gibbins Estate”. (Isles, Love & Co, Auctioneers). Dated 23rd May, 1903. Copy held in John Oxley Library Map no: 1978
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Certificates of Title.
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Brisbane City Council microform Building Cards. No: M012.045.023
Citation prepared by — Brisbane City Council (page revised September 2020)