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Female Wards 1 & 2 In 1866, a ward for fee-paying patients was constructed on an adjacent ridge approximately 400 metres northeast of the main asylum buildings and was completed on the 5th June 1866, but was not occupied until 24 June 1868. Because of insufficient funds. By then, additions of stone and timber, consisting of eight refractory cells and a lavatory, laundry, nurses' quarters and a large tank, had been made to make the building more suitable as a general female. The ward was built so that patients could receive better treatment than "pauper lunatics". The building was constructed from local sandstone extracted from a quarry near the former Male Division, which was owned by Joshua Jeays, who later became Lord Mayor of Brisbane. Also, it supplied stone for the construction of Old Government House (1862) and Parliament House (1865). With plans prepared by Colonial Architect Charles Tiffin and construction by William Crumb, with some inmate labour. The superintendent, Dr Cannan, claimed responsibility for the building's design, based on principles recommended in the standard treatise on asylum construction at this time, Conolly's The Construction and Government of Lunatic Asylums.' Built by WE Wright . However, the Asylum was not in a position to accept fee-paying patients, and the building remained unoccupied for two years until alterations were made to enable female inmates to be transferred to this block. A partial second storey was added, constructed to the design of Charles Tiffin in 1875, and other substantial alterations and additions were made to the building in 1905-6, 1923, 1937 and 1951. This building housed female inmates for more than 100 years and was the first of several in the separate ‘female area’. Female Wards 1 & 2 is mostly intact, and is a large building of different construction phases standing on a slope near the top of a ridge toward the southern end of the Female Patients Area. Its surrounding land falls steeply to the west to the Brisbane River and gently to the south, where it was formerly fenced off as a yard. This affords the building visual prominence from Ellerton Drive and extensive panoramic views of the Brisbane River and the surrounding area from the southwest to the north. Originally built (but never used) as a ward for fee-paying patients, the building has been extended and adapted for use as a general ward for female patients. In 2020, it is vacant, and its interior has been stripped of floorboards, some floor structure, fixtures, ceilings, and fittings. The building has a complex layering of significant fabric from different periods of construction, and considerable alterations of earlier fabric. Chronology 1866: construction 1868: additions - 8 refractory cells, toilet and laundry 1870: alterations 1875: second storey added and verandah extended to east and north 1904: building re-roofed 1905: ground floor extended to the west 1906: the building was converted to two storeys 1923: Two new bathhouses were added to the southern elevation; verandahs were added to the southern elevation, and the ends of the northern verandah were extended 1937: verandah widths increased to 4.5 m 1951: two-storeyed ablutions were added to the south-east and south-west ends of the building 1955: new upstairs bathing and toilet facilities, and new clothing store rooms and nurses' day rooms downstairs 1984: fire to the ground floor, western end 1988: floors and ceilings were removed for safety reasons Female 1 was the admission ward where patients travelled by boat along the Brisbane River and entered the side of the building, and were detained before being assessed by the medical team. This building was located near the nurses' quarters. Over the years, the floorboards became rotten. This was visible while walking around the building, even though it was fenced off. I used to take student nurses to this location and talk about the history Former Staff Member Charles Tiffin - Architect Joshua Jeays - Building Supplier Earliest known photo of Old Womens 1 & 2 taken 1906 1875 plan Plan for proposed additions for Female wards 1 & 2 in 1875 1906 additions plan 1906 additions plan First-floor plan shows the original layout 1937 Verandahs and Balcony extensions plan 1945 layout plan 1906 block plan 'Day Room' Day Room today 90's photo Former Cells located underneath the extensions. Former Cells located underneath the extensions. Former Cells located underneath the extensions. Former Cells located underneath the extensions. Former Cells located underneath the extensions. Former Cells located underneath the extensions. A lonely fridge Sandstone Footings Sandstone Footings Sandstone Footings Womens Cell Extension

Assistant Medical Superintendent’s Residence & Garden Built-in 1912 The building was erected in 1912 as a residence for the Following an extensive fire in 1911, the senior assistant medical superintendent's residence was destroyed by fire. Plans were put in place for a new residence immediately. Ellerton recommended that the building be built in brick, but this was rejected as too expensive. However, Ellerton did persuade the Department of Works to specify Wunderlich pressed metal ceilings in the dining room and sitting rooms for the new building. Tenders were called in June 1911, and construction was completed the following year. Also had a former tennis court along with rendered masonry garden stairs, including concrete lion statues Chronology: 1912: construction was completed 1930: front verandah extended Assistant Medical Superintendent Residence Click to view Assistant Medical Superintendent Residence location of former tennis court Click to view Assistant Medical Superintendent Residence location of former tennis court rendered masonry garden stairs including concrete lion statues Click to view Assistant Medical Superintendent Residence Click to view Assistant Medical Superintendent’s Residence Click to view Assistant Medical Superintendent Residence Click to view Original and early brass door, fanlight, and window hardware Click to view timber joinery. Click to view Original and early brass door, fanlight, and window hardware Click to view Timber joinery Click to view Timber joinery including moulded architraves, picture rails, panelled doors, fretwork fanlights, multi-paned windows, window seats (dining room) Click to view Facebrick chimney Click to view Lion statues Click to view Lion statues Click to view

The Powerhouse Built-in 1917 The power house was erected in 1917, replacing an earlier building on the site. The erection of a new power house was another initiative of HB Ellerton and part of his plan to create a modern mental hospital. The expansion of the institution and the need to replace kerosene lighting with electricity made a new power house necessary. The building was designed based on advice from the tile electrician and engineer, Mr Burrows. Construction commenced in 1916, but because of delays in receiving machinery and boilers from England due to the war, the power house was not operational until late in 1917. With the closing of the boiler room on the 28th February 1998, another chapter in the interesting history of the complex closed. Folklore has it that one of the boilers was sunk in a ship during transit. A search of hospital records substantiates this. The 1917 Annual Report stated that although the building itself was completed early in 1917, "with the exception of the accumulators, none of the machinery arrived until the year was well advanced". The report further states that the war was responsible for the delay in receiving the machinery, as part was commandeered for war purposes when it was ready on the wharf for shipment, and other portions were on ships sunk by submarines. Morrie Sams, boiler attendant, who has been employed at the Wolston Park Hospital for the past 18 years, stated that this is the only steam boiler of this type known to be still running in Australia. The boiler is fully manual. Everything is done manually, from shovelling the coal to putting in more water to cool the boiler if it gets too hot. Before closure, the boilers were run year-round with one boiler online for 12 months while the second boiler was offline for maintenance. In the past, the boiler house ran two shifts, but as patient numbers declined. In 2025, it remains largely intact. The building comprises two parts: a large double-height boiler room and an adjacent single-storey engine room, the floor of which is at the level of the upper gallery of the boiler room. The building includes an open ‘coal bunker’ on the side of the boiler room, and a tall freestanding brick chimney. In 2020, the boiler room was vacant, retained its boilers and was used as a store for a considerable amount of hospital paraphernalia. The engine room has had partitions installed and is now used as offices, containing a small hospital museum. Chronology: 1917: building construction was completed 1920: disinfectant room added 1944: curved galvanised iron awnings added to coal bunkers 1945: conversion of disinfectant room to a change room 1957: additional coal bunkers to the western elevation 1958: workshops added to the southern elevation. Powerhouse Click to view Coal Bunker 2022 Click to view Coal Bunker 2022 Click to view Former Workshops Click to view Former Workshops Click to view Powerhouse 90s Click to view Chimney 2023 Click to view Chimney 2023 Click to view Chimney 2023 Click to view Chimney 2023 Click to view Inside Chimney Click to view Inside Chimney Click to view Unknown Structure Click to view Coal Bunker Click to view Rear Entrance Click to view Inside Click to view Inside Click to view Engine room 2022 Click to view Engine room 2022 Click to view Workshops Click to view Coal Bunker 2000 Click to view Inside 2000 Click to view Inside 2000 Click to view Inside 2000 Click to view Inside 2000 Click to view

Morgue Built in 1902 The morgue is a low-set brick building situated below the power house. It was erected in 1902 and replaced an earlier building damaged in the 1893 floods. The new morgue comprised a small operating room, a waiting/viewing room, and a hearse shed. Additions were made in 1952 to increase the capacity of the morgue and upgrade the equipment, retaining its functional mortuary layout and fixtures such as its autopsy, scrub and change rooms at its northeast end, waiting and viewing rooms at its southwest end, a central coffin store and refrigerator room with a loading area. In 2020, the building is vacant and is highly intact. Chronology: 1902: construction 1952: additions - autopsy room, coffin store and refrigerator Front of Morgue Click to view Front of Morgue Click to view Front of Morgue Click to view Front Vehicle Door Click to view Rear of Morgue Click to view Autopsy Room Click to view Refrigerator Body Storage Click to view

The Laundry Built-in 1918 The laundry was erected in 1918, replacing an earlier building that had been seriously damaged by fire in 1916. The building was erected for £17,000 and included a steam laundry plant, water services and electric light. This one-storey brick building measures 123 feet by 188 feet. The building contained a receiving room for dirty linen, drying cabinets, an ironing and folding room, a distributing room for clean linen, an engineer's workshop, a store and a messroom. All rooms were equipped with the latest appliances to handle laundry work on the site. The design of the building was subsequently based on the laundry of the Brisbane General Hospital. In 2025, the building is used as an office and a canteen, with hospital complex-related paraphernalia stored within, including a straitjacket, a gurney, medical implements, a gramophone and records, sewing machines, and a restraint chair. It also has a Leadlight window depicting St Dymphna removed from the hospital’s demolished catholic chapel. Chronology 1918: construction 1947: additional toilet accommodation was added to the western elevation. 1957: awning to western elevation over dispatch platform 1961: workshop converted to staff 1962: Office for the Superintendent 1963: new store 1964: alterations to the male staffroom 1967: glass louvres installed together with fly-screening 1970: additional toilet accommodation 1895 Drain Plan from Laundry to Brisbane River Click to view The Laundry front side Click to view The Laundry rear Click to view The Laundry rear Click to view The Laundry front Click to view The laundry Awnings Click to view Leadlight window depicting St Dymphna (installed in Laundry c2007) removed from the hospital’s demolished catholic chapel Click to view Patient Labour Asylum Click to view Photos from heritage report Click to view Photos from heritage report Click to view Photos from heritage report Click to view Photos from heritage report Click to view Photos from heritage report Click to view Layout Plans 1 Click to view Layout Plans 2 Click to view Chief Engineer letter 1957 Click to view Photos from heritage report Click to view Photos from heritage report Click to view Photos from heritage report Click to view Photos from heritage report Click to view

Recreation Hall Built in 1890 The recreation hall was erected in 1890, extended in 1913 and 1972. The construction of an amusement room was recommended by the 1877 Royal Commission, but it was not until 1889 that plans were prepared for a Works and Recreation Room. The building comprised a large workroom, two retiring rooms, a dining room and stores. During the day, the recreation hall was used as a sewing room by female patients, and it was also available for dances, concerts or church services, which were to be a regular feature and which previously had been held in the wards. By 1912, the recreation hall was equipped with a gramophone, billiard table, bagatelle tables and a piano. In 1920, four additional WCs were installed, and two new doorways were added, providing access to the stores. The doors from the stores to the verandah were blocked up. The recreation hall was remodelled in 1972. Chronology: 1890: Construction commenced 1912: Extensions (stage, dressing room, and toilets) 1914: Fire-proof room for cinema operator 1920: Additional toilets 1972: Major additions and renovations Planned additions and extensions. Click to view Earliest photo known of the hall taken in 1907 Click to view Recreation Hall in the late 1950s Click to view Front Click to view Front Side Click to view Front stair entrance Click to view Entrance Click to view Rear stage Click to view Stage Click to view Stage with the piano Click to view New stage when built in 1914 Click to view Entrance Click to view Entrance Click to view Entrance Click to view Entrance Click to view Entrance Click to view Window at entrance Click to view Elevation rose window with tracery and coloured glass (probably 1890 fabric reused) Click to view Elevation rose window with tracery and coloured glass (probably 1890 fabric reused) Click to view Awning Click to view Rear Click to view Today 2024 Click to view Looking towards from Ellerton Dr Click to view Ventilation Shaft Click to view Underneath the stage Click to view

Medical Superintendent’s Residence Built-in 1898 Today, known as Manor House This building was erected in 1897 as a residence for the medical superintendent. It replaced a timber residence which had been severely damaged in the 1893 flood. A new site was selected on higher ground and away from the main asylum. The residence comprised of a drawing room, bedrooms, dining room, pantry, servery, bathroom, kitchen, servants' room, nursery, office, and a detached washhouse and laundry. Fireplaces (marble, timber, tile surrounds) Also located nearby are two small freestanding brick outbuildings retained to the house’s rear (north) – a former garage (coach house) and a smaller, square building (smokehouse) Chronology: 1898: building construction was completed 1912: additions were added 1966: alterations to the kitchen wing Superintendent's Residence 1909 Click to view Superintendent's Residence around the 1950s Click to view Medical Superintendent’s Residence with Smokehouse can be seen in the right corner. Click to view Medical Superintendent’s Residence 1909 overlay with 2022 Click to view Smokehouse heritage collection from State Library of Queensland 2001 Click to view

Hospital Ward Built-in 1917 The former hospital was erected in 1916 and was one of several innovations introduced by HB Ellerton. Two similar buildings were erected at the Toowoomba and Ipswich asylums. HB Ellerton. Two similar buildings were erected at the Ipswich and Toowoomba asylums. Ellerton prepared preliminary plans for a hospital in June 1912, but funding and difficulties in finding a suitable site delayed construction. The site of male ward 8 was finally chosen for its central location between the female and male sections. Construction finally commenced in 1915, the contractor being W Kerr. The building was opened on 24th August 1916 by the Hon John Huxham, Home Secretary, who also unveiled a World War 1 Honour Board which is now located in the Administration Building. The hospital block comprised an eleven-bed male medical ward, a three-bed male surgical ward, a five-bed male open-air verandah dormitory, a nurses' room, and two single rooms with corresponding female wards in the opposite wing. Two rooms for sick staff were also provided. The central portion of the building comprised a waiting hall, kitchen, scullery, pantry, octagonal operating room, electrical treatment room, disinfecting room, bathrooms and lavatories. In 2025, it is used as administrative offices and is highly intact today, known as Gunni House. Chronology: 1916: building construction was completed 1945: bulk store for X-ray, dental equipment and dispensary 1945: X-ray building constructed 1914 Hospital Ward Plan Click to view 1914 Hospital Ward Plan Click to view 1914 Hospital Ward Plan Click to view 1915 Hospital Ward Plan Click to view 1914 Hospital Ward Plan Click to view 1914 Hospital Ward Plan Click to view Hospital Ward 1938 Click to view Hospital Ward 1949 Click to view Nursing staff outside the Hospital Ward 1958 Click to view Hospital Ward 2022 Click to view Former Recovery Ward Click to view Former Recovery Ward Click to view Former Recovery Ward Click to view Former Recovery Ward Click to view Former Recovery Ward Click to view Tile Window Click to view Window Frame Click to view Inside Click to view Inside Click to view Former Recovery Ward Click to view Front entrance Click to view Front entrance Click to view Former Recovery Ward Click to view Former Recovery Ward Click to view Side Front Click to view

The Administration Building Built-in 1917 The original administration block was a small, unpretentious timber building erected in 1894 and situated in a less-than-prominent position The new Administration block was built as a two-storey brick building with a tiled roof. It was completed in 1917 as part of the major building program during the 1910s under the direction of HB Ellerton. Ellerton first suggested a new administration building as early as 1910, but no action was taken. He again requested a new block in 1914, and approval was granted on this occasion. Choosing an appropriate location for a building that was intended to be the centrepiece of the institution was not an easy task. Eventually, a decision was made to demolish male ward no 8 for the new block. Plans were prepared by William Ewart in the Department of Works, construction commenced in 1916, and the building was completed in the following year. The ground floor comprised offices for the medical officers, matron, head attendant and clerk; a hall, porters' room, library, pathological and photographic room, dispensary, strong room, surgery and visiting rooms. Toilets opened off the entrance porches constructed at both ends of the ground floor. The upper storey contained a flat in the central portion, with a sitting room, a kitchen, two bedrooms, a bathroom and a store. The building was built of brick and with a Marseilles tiled roof. The exterior featured exposed brickwork to sill height and roughcast above with a light ochre finish. The main entrance featured a port cochere, and the roof was capped with a decorative fleche. The building was officially opened by Governor Goold-Adams on 6 October 1917, together with the new kitchen. Superintendent Ellerton believed that the new building was made more dignified and imposing by the portico at the main entrance in 1911. Following the construction of the administration block and hospital in the 1910s, the area in front of the buildings was landscaped with formal gardens and a driveway. The area opposite was also landscaped with paths and a lawn where patients met visitors. Terraces were built by the inmates between the Administration building and the new hospital, and five sets of concrete steps were built from the lawn to the hospital and to male wards 1and 5. When a dentist was added to the staff in 1928, an upstairs room was divided into two rooms, one for pathological work and the other for dental surgery. In 1957, the rear verandah was enclosed. In 2025, a considerable collection of hospital complex-related paraphernalia is housed in cabinets in the medical superintendent’s office on the ground floor. Chronology : 1917: building construction was completed 1957: rear verandah enclosed with louvres 1915 Layout Plan Click to view 1938 Photograph of Administration Building & Laundry Building Click to view Front Entrance 1949 Click to view Rear Entrance 1949 Click to view Administration Building Unknown Year Click to view Air Raid Siren Click to view Rear Entrance Click to view Gardens Click to view Front Entrance Click to view Rear Entrance Click to view War memorial honour board which hung in Gunni House former Hospital Ward Click to view Inside Staircase Click to view Inside Office Click to view Rear Entrance Click to view Front Side Stairs Click to view Front Verandah Click to view Front Verandah Click to view Rear stairs with original sandstone guttering Click to view Inside Archway Click to view Rear Verandah Click to view Front Entrance Click to view Front Entrance Click to view Front Stairs Click to view Front Click to view Front looking towards the Laundry Click to view

Chapel of Hope Chapel - The Resurrection, Chapel - St Dympna, Chapel - Christ the King Built-in 1961 The three chapels were erected in 1961 and were similar in design and construction. The Resurrection Chapel (WP 14 A) was erected for Protestant denominations; St Dympha (WP 14 B) for the Roman Catholic, and the Christ of King (WP 14 C) as the Anglican chapel. From an early period, clergy visited the institution to conduct religious services. These visits were encouraged and welcomed, but no special facilities were provided by the government. Services were held in whatever space was available, and when the recreation hall was built, it was regularly used for services conducted by visiting clergymen. In English asylums, chapels were considered a standard part of the infrastructure. No attempt was made, however, to build a chapel or chapels at the Goodna asylum. With the constant problem of overcrowding, the construction of additional ward accommodation was always a priority. A special building for religious services was a luxury. Moreover, in colonial Queensland, with no established church and a climate of denominationalism. Given the rivalry and sensitivity, it would not have been possible to build only one chapel. Clergy continued to visit the institution into the 1950s and conduct religious services until the appointment of three full-time chaplains in 1959 to the Brisbane Mental Hospital. To assist the work of the clergy in the conduct of services and in the counselling of patients, three chapels were erected in 1961. The Anglican Chapel was named the Chapel of Christ the King, the Catholic Church was named St Dymphna in honour of the Catholic Patron Saint of the mentally ill, and the third chapel, conducted by the Council of Churches was the Chapel of Hope {later renamed the Chapel of Resurrection). 66 The chapels were similar in design being simple box like structures with low pitched roofs and floor to ceiling windows on the two principal sides. The chapels were arranged in a semi-circle pattern. The Resurrection Chapel was severely damaged by fire in early 1995. Located at the eastern end of Cricket Lane is the Chapel of Hope. Built as a Christian chapel for patients, it is the sole survivor of three similar chapels of different Christian denominations, erected side by side (the Chapel of Hope was the westernmost). In 2020, it is currently used as an office building, and its exterior cladding was replaced. The building has been semi-integrated with a new building built on its western side. The interior was not inspected. A statue of Saint Dymphna (the Catholic patron saint of people with mental illness) stands approximately 35 metres east of the chapel, the corresponding chapel having been demolished. Chapel being built in 1961 Click to view Chapel being built in 1961 Click to view Chapel in 1962 Click to view Chapel in 1962 Click to view Chapels in 1995 Click to view Chapels in 1995 Click to view Chapel Commoration Cairn 2023 Click to view Statue of St Dymphna 2023 Click to view The Statue of Saint Dymphna amongst the stars Click to view Leadlight window depicting St Dymphna (installed in Laundry c2007) removed from the hospital’s demolished catholic chapel. Click to view 1962 Scale Model Click to view Chapels prior to demolishment Click to view Chapels prior to demolishment Click to view Chapels prior to demolishment Click to view Chapels prior to demolishment Click to view Chapel in 2023 now EFTRU & CSO office Click to view Chapel in 2023 now EFTRU & CSO office Click to view Chapel in 2023 now EFTRU & CSO office Click to view Chapel in 2023 now EFTRU & CSO office Click to view