

There Was Once an Asylum

This site not only provides an overview of mental health history and its implications for Goodna, but also explores the complex relationship between memory and history.
There are stories we may never know, but this site uncovers the history, revealing the layers of understanding that underpin the present.
It is done in a way that honours the patients, clients, and the people.


Riverbank & Nyunda Park Area
This area comprises a mix of open and enclosed bushland, a dam, picnic facilities adjacent to the dam and was the location of the former John Oxley Centre. It has remained substantially undeveloped throughout the history of the institution and was prominent in the outlook of the female wards. This area is an important component of the landscape character of the site, and contrasts with the more open and developed golf course area. This area also contains two former sandstone quarry sites, which were worked by Joshua Jeays. Stone from these quarries was used in a number of buildings in Brisbane and Ipswich, the most notable example being Parliament House. It was also the source for the stone used in the female no 1 ward and later in kerbing for the driveways. One site is adjacent to the riverbank and has evidence of workings remaining, while the other site is partially submerged by the dam.
Former Sandstone Quarry and Track (1860s)
The area west of Explorer’s Walk contains a series of quarry workings where stone was extracted from outcrops along the sandstone ridge. This quarry was one of the first sandstone quarries developed in Queensland. It was owned by Joshua Jeays, and sandstone from the quarry was used in the construction of Parliament House in 1864. The quarry is regarded as significant as one of the first sandstone quarries in Queensland. There are two main workings (north and south) and other smaller workings
scattered around the centre of this area. The workings are evidenced by worked faces (vertical) and benched areas (horizontal). They are accessed by a track along which stone was transported to a jetty on the river, approximately 600m to the north. A second track diverts southeast to access the main hospital complex. Northern workings, comprising a group of four faces and benches that step down towards the river; the largest face (closest to the river) is approximately 80m in length. Southern workings, comprising a single face and bench approximately 50m in length. Smaller workings, comprising a collection of worked faces scattered throughout the centre of the area. Early tracks, including route, clearing and formation. Stone jetty remnants along the riverbank (not sighted in 2020), timber bridge remnants, located along the track approximately 60m southeast of the jetty remnants (not sighted in 2020).
Hospital Dump Sites
The Hospital Dump Sites comprise a series of medium- to high-density artefact scatters located adjacent to a modern powerline easement north of the former Quarry Workings. The scatters contain discarded material associated with the hospital and farm complex, with some evidence that it has been deposited systematically, grouped by type. The largest scatter contains a concentration of glass, ceramic, and metal kitchenware and tableware, including large and small fragments of white-glazed earthenware and stoneware jugs, cups, and other vessels; white-enamelled metal jugs and pans; and assorted metal containers and utensils. Other scatters contain collections of metal milk cans, water tanks, bed frames, wire fencing and electrical equipment.
















