Government House, Brisbane
Government House, Brisbane | |
---|---|
Government of Queensland | |
Official name | Government House, Fernberg |
Type | state heritage (landscape, built) |
Designated | 21 October 1992 |
Reference no. | 600275 |
Significant period | 1860s–1950s (fabric) 1860s–1890s; 1910 (historical) |
Significant components | garden/grounds, office/administration building, basement / sub-floor, lodge, swimming pool, wall/s – retaining, natural landscape, steps/stairway, lawn/s, driveway, tennis court, residential accommodation – staff quarters, tower – observation/lookout, views to, garage, garden – ornamental/flower, residential accommodation – main house, views from, trees/plantings, residential accommodation – staff housing, pathway/walkway, stained glass window/s |
Government House is a heritage-listed mansion at 170 Fernberg Road, Paddington, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is the official residence of the governor of Queensland, the representative of the Australian monarch in Queensland. It was originally designed by Benjamin Backhouse and built 1865, but has been subsequently extended and refurbished. It is also known as Fernberg. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.[1]
The
Government House is open to the general public on certain open days, usually around Queensland Day, 6 June and as part of Brisbane Open House in October. Free public tours for members of the public also run on the first Thursday of each month, while community and schools groups can request tours every Wednesday and Thursday.
History
The land on which the Government House stands was originally granted as two separate portions. Portion 223 was bought in May 1860 by
The Hon Johann (John) Christian Heussler, 1820–1907, was a native of Germany who emigrated to
Heussler commissioned Brisbane architect Benjamin Backhouse to design a residence for Heussler, which was constructed in 1865.[2]
Heussler named his home Fernberg, giving it a name of German origin that meant "distant mountain". Benjamin Backhouse was an architect responsible for several substantial commissions in Queensland,
Due to financial difficulties, Heussler was forced to leave the property by 1871 after which it was leased to Arthur Palmer, then the Premier of Queensland.[3] In November 1877, the estate was advertised for sale; the house and grounds were described as being:[1][4]
"The house is built of brick and stone, being four stories high, having below kitchen and servants' room; on the ground floor spacious drawing, dining, and breakfast rooms; on the first floor three large bedrooms, and one large room on the second floor. The roof is covered with slates, the verandahs and balconies being spacious, and presenting a delightful retreat for the enjoyment of pure air, shade, and widespread and charming view. The whole of the internal and external workmanship and materials are of the very best description, and the out-offices are replete with every necessary. The stable contains a great many stalls. There is also carriage-house, storeroom, groom's room, harness-room, &c, &c."
"The grounds are all enclosed, the timber having been thinned so as to give the place a park-like appearance, and there is a shrubbery and garden round the house. The Enoggera water pipes run through the property so that there is an abundant supply of water in all seasons. The view from Fernberg is something out of the common, both for extent, variety, and beauty; and one of the best proofs that can be adduced in favor of this assertion is the fact that, go where you will the house is seen towering aloft above every tenement in the neighborhood."
The property was transferred to George and Nathan Cohen in 1878, neither of whom resided in the house.[1]
The decision to lease Fernberg as a temporary Vice-regal residence was made in February 1910 following the formal dedication on 10 December 1909 of the
Formal gardens were initially developed in 1910, primarily for the purpose of providing functional spaces for Vice-Regal
In September 1936, suggestions to relocate the Governor back to the original residence were raised by the then Governor,
Minor internal alterations were carried out on Fernberg in the mid-1940s after a change of Governor and in anticipation of visits by various members of the Royal Family (Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester having been appointed as Governor-General of Australia in January 1945). Pressure for additional accommodation for the Governor's private staff in the late 1940s resulted in the construction of a single storied brick Auxiliary Building. This building replaced the earlier timber building that had been relocated onto the site in 1910 and was subsequently moved to another site in Bardon. In 1950 a brick administration building and a new coverway with port cochere were erected. The entire complex was painted white at this time.[1]
In 1953 a balcony with a concrete staircase leading to the ground level was constructed, opening off the reception room. Doors and windows in the billiards rooms were altered so that they opened out onto a terrace beneath the balcony.[1]
Additional residences for staff accommodation were introduced in 1959, 1984 and 1986. A tennis court and swimming pool were built in 1959–1960. Air conditioning services were first introduced in 1957 and were extended in 1978. Refurbishment of the original section of Fernberg, referred to as the guest wing, was carried out in 1981–82. A new guard house was constructed in 1987 and substantial internal works involving the refurbishment of the reception areas were also carried out in the same year. The main house underwent major external refurbishment and painting again in 1992.[1]
Late in 1992 one hectare of Government House grounds was taken over by the
The Governors
In the period 1910–37, when Fernberg was considered a temporary Government House, it served as the home for five Governors:[1]
- 1909-1914 Sir William MacGregor, Scottish born governor who signed the University Act providing the newly inaugurated University of Queensland with a home at Old Government House. He reputedly chose Fernberg because of the grounds in which it stood.
- 1915-1920 Sir Hamilton John Goold-Adams, Irish born governor who played a prominent role in Queensland's politics during his appointment.
- 1920-1925 Sir Matthew Nathan
- 1927-1932 Sir Thomas Herbert John Chapman Goodwin
- 1932-1946 Sir Leslie Orme Wilson, Queensland's longest serving governor who prompted major additions to Fernberg.
Following the declaration of Fernberg as the permanent Government House, the following Governors have resided at the property:[1]
- 1946-1957 Sir John Lavarack, first Australian born governor
- 1958-1966 Sir Henry Abel Smith, Queensland's last English born governor
- 1966-1972 Sir Alan Mansfield
- 1972-1977 Sir Colin Hannah
- 1977-1985 Sir James Ramsay
- 1985-1992 Sir Walter Campbell
- 1992-1997 Her Excellency Mrs Leneen Forde, first female governor
- 1997-2003 Major General Peter Arnison
- 2003-2008 Dame Quentin Bryce, later Australia's first female Governor-General
- 2008-2014 Penelope Wensley
- 2014-2021 Paul de Jersey
- 2021- Dr Jeannette Rosita Young
Description
Fernberg is situated on a rise that is approximately 100 metres (330 ft) above sea level overlooking the Brisbane CBD in the south-east and Mount Coot-tha to the west. The 15 hectares (37 acres) of grounds comprise formal, ornamental gardens around the main house, ancillary administration, staff and maintenance buildings, the whole of which is surrounded by native bushland. The site is bounded by Fernberg Road, Kaye Street, Baroona Road and Murruba Street.[1]
The Main House
Government House is basically a two storied building with a basement level. Stylistically the building demonstrates
The earliest section of the house is the 1860s wing which is located at the southernmost part of the house. The formal entry to the house is via the 1880s section of the house and the 1937 addition form the eastern wing of the house.[1]
Internally the main focus of the building is its large central
At the upper level are the private bedrooms of the governor and several guest bedrooms that are located in the southern (earliest) wing of the house. These guest rooms were subject to major renovations in 1981-1982 and currently are furnished to reflect Australian interiors prior to 1900.[1]
The principal rooms in the basement level of the house are the investiture room, billiard room, private dining room and the kitchen. The interiors of these areas have been greatly altered and some alterations to the original layout have occurred.[1]
Original joinery, partitions, openings and fittings remain extensively through the entire house.[1]
The Grounds
The Government House grounds consist mainly of two different types of gardens; formal and natural bushland. The formal gardens comprise about 25% of the property with the rest being bushland.[1]
The formal gardens include the developed garden areas as well as the drives, paths, retaining walls and steps. Generally, the selection of plant material in this section is exotic and decorative, with some old remnant native trees. There is extensive use of mown grass surfacing in these areas.[1]
The bushland areas are characterised by the presence of remnant eucalypt forest and the lack of extensive built development. Several paths meander through the area. Several gullies feed into a slightly larger stream in the bottom south-eastern corner.[1]
The Ancillary Buildings
The lodge (built before1910, relocated to this site from Old Government House) is a timber building located next to the vice-regal entrance gates. The building, which has two projecting gables, has been extensively altered over a long period of time.[1]
The chauffeur's residence (built 1923) is a spacious timber house with a gabled roof. The building has a verandah attached to two sides and has a faceted bay at the front.[1]
The garages (built 1935) are a timber structure with a galvanised iron roof crown with a fleche and weathervane. The garage contains space for seven cars in three separate rooms, and several other small rooms.[1]
The staff accommodation (built 1937) is a two storied brick and concrete building located south-west of the main house. The building is substantially intact despite several refurbishments.[1]
The administration cottage (built 1948) is a single storied brick building containing several offices, bedrooms and sitting room for the aide-de-camp, the personal assistant to the governor and some guest accommodation.[1]
The gardener's residence (built 1959) is a standard public service D Type residence.[1]
The butler's and the chef's residences (built 1984 and 1986) are recent constructions as are the two staff garages located nearby.[1]
Heritage listing
Government House was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 having satisfied the following criteria.[1]
The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history.
Government House, Brisbane, demonstrates the evolution of the government in Queensland, and is particularly important as the official residence of the Queensland Governor since 1911, and the place for many vice regal functions including Royal visits. It is the Queensland's symbol of British colonisation of Australia.[1]
The creation of an animal "Sanctuary" and the "Woodland Walks" by Sir John and Lady Goodwin contribute to the early appreciation of native flora and fauna in Queensland.[1]
The place demonstrates rare, uncommon or endangered aspects of Queensland's cultural heritage.
The main house, built in 1865 and originally known as Fernberg, is the only remaining substantial residence and villa estate, of almost original proportions, in Brisbane from the 1860s.[1]
The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places.
The residence, as a result of extensive additions in the 1880s, is regarded among the finest examples of a Victorian Italianate villa in Brisbane. Other buildings built in the grounds following the conversion of the house into a vice regal residence contribute to the understanding of the Governor's role and the complex of necessary auxiliary services.[1]
The place is important because of its aesthetic significance.
Government House is important for its strong aesthetic qualities that symbolise the wealth and influence of its residents. The residence's setting, situated on a wooded hilltop position with a tower, has been a significant landmark since its construction. The layout of the grounds, particularly the formal gardens and the surrounding bushland contribute significantly to the intrinsic character of the property.[1]
The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history.
Government House, Bardon has had important associations with the governors of Queensland since 1911. The house and grounds contain evidence of the contribution of each of the vice regal couples and also records the changes that were made for Royal Tours.[1]
The residence is important for its association with several prominent architects who have contributed to the evolution of Government House; Benjamin Backhouse (1865), Richard Gailey (1880s) and the Department of Public Works (1937). The house also has important associations with several early successful settlers in Brisbane. Among these were John Heussler, who built the house in 1865 and was prominent both in business and public life in Queensland and John Stevenson, a pastoralist, stock and station agent and member of the Legislative Assembly, who epitomised the success of the 1880s boom time by changing an 1860s villa to an Italianate Mansion.[1]
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Government House grounds
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The grounds of Government House
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Statue of the Queen at Government House
See also
- Old Government House, Queensland
- Government Houses of Australia
- Government Houses in the Commonwealth
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao "Government House (entry 600275)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- ^ ISBN 9781921606199.
- The Brisbane Courier. Vol. XXVI, no. 4, 415. Queensland, Australia. 25 November 1871. p. 4. Retrieved 15 December 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- The Brisbane Courier. Vol. XXXII, no. 3, 283. Queensland, Australia. 24 November 1877. p. 8. Retrieved 15 December 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
Attribution
Further reading
- Search for a government house by Chief Secretary's Office, Brisbane, in 1909 and 1910, Queensland State Archives, 1912, retrieved 15 December 2016