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  • Female Patients Area | Goodna Asylum

    Female Patients Area This area comprises a group of buildings that were formerly used as female wards. The principal buildings are Dawson House, Female 1 and 2 wards, Anderson House and Bostock House. Several smaller structures are also present. The area has a more open character than previously due to the demolition of a number of buildings during the 1970s and 1980s. The four former ward buildings are an important group and demonstrate not only the distinct development of a female section but also the different approaches to the treatment and care of the mentally ill. The earliest section of the former wards 1 and 2 was built in 1866, and the building is significant for its associations with the early development of the site. Bostock House was erected in 1885 and, despite some alterations, still demonstrates a typical 19th-century ward block with a mix of single rooms and large dormitories. Anderson House was erected in 1917 and displays a different approach with its domestic scale, and was a deliberate attempt to provide a facility with a less institutional character. A further contrast is provided by Dawson House, which was built soon after the introduction of new therapies, including insulin and electric shock treatment. With the exception of female 1 and 2, the buildings are in good condition and substantially intact. Click here to view Click here to view Click here to view Click here to view Click here to view Click here to view Click here to view Click here to view Click here to view Click here to view Click here to view

  • Wolston Park Golf Club | Goodna Asylum

    Wolston Park Golf Club The Wolston Park Golf Club was originally the Hospital Sports Club, combining golf, cricket, bowls and tennis. The Wolston Park Golf Club was formed in 1961 by Dr Clive Boyce, then Medical Superintendent, and the late W. K. Hynd, a Head Male Nurse. The first 9 holes were designed by W. K. Hynd and the late Norm Campbell, Male Nurse; the Treasurer was Bob Howard. When first formed, the nine-hole golf course was used only by hospital staff and patients. The club was affiliated with the B.D.G.A. in 1970 and opened to non-hospital staff. The 120 members, made up of staff and patients, used the facilities of the Gailes Golf Clubhouse, although there was no other application with that club. Wolston Park Golf Course was also built by patients and staff of the said Hospital, again being a therapeutic activity. It was then called the Golf Sports Club for the recreation of staff, patients and relatives. In August 1971, an annual inter-hospital competition between three hospitals, namely Wolston Park, Challinor Centre, Ipswich and Bailie Henderson, Toowoomba, competed for the Dr Noble Cup and the Dr Ellerton Shield by the staff and patients (patients who played the game of golf were automatically made Honorary Members, whilst a patient of Wolston Park Hospital). The Dr Noble Cup was presented to the best single event; the Dr Ellerton Shield was for the best six players from a Hospital. The Dr Noble Cup was won by Lauric Howard, then of Challinor Centre, with 35 points. The winning team for Wolston Park Hospital for the Shield was Doug Henshall, Kevin Halls, Dr Raoul Daniels, Dr John Waller, Terry Hughes and Jack Paddock, with 122 points. Also in 1971, the Club was registered with the Brisbane District Golf Association and the membership opened to non-staff members. The present officials of the Club are: Dr Orme Orford (President), John Jenkins (Captain), Ray Whyte (Treasurer), and Doug Henshall (Secretary). The first Club Champions and Mixed Foursome Champions were: Laurie Howard (handicap - 3) for members and Mrs Patsy Daniels (wife of Dr Daniels, a medical staff member) (handicap - 2), for the associates. A few discharged patients returned each day to work on the course and received a nominal wage, which speaks for itself as a proven therapeutic area over the years. The Clubhouse was situated behind the Canteen, built with funds accumulated by the Club. The old clubhouse had a colourful history, firstly being a canteen at the Redbank Army Camp during World War 2, then shifted to Wolston Park Hospital and used as a hairdressing salon. The Ellerton Cup was won by the late Dr Clive Boyce (past Medical Superintendent of Wolston Park Hospital, then called Brisbane Mental Hospital) in 1950, which was handed back to the club by his son Pat Boyce in October 1982 for all to view. Start of the Wolston Park Golf Club Click to view Club Monthly Medal Pin Click to view 26 January, 1969 Click to view Golf Club when located in the hospital complex Click to view Golf Club when located in the hospital complex Click to view Past Presidents Click to view Trying it out for the first time. Click to view 1979 Cabinet Documents Click to view 1978 Cabinet Documents Click to view 1978 Cabinet Documents Click to view 1979 Cabinet Documents Click to view 1979 Cabinet Documents Click to view 1988 Cabinet Document Click to view The Original Golf Club Plan Click to view 1986 Plaque Click to view 2001 Plaque when moved to the Riverside Ballroom complex Click to view Dr Ellerton Shield Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view

  • Old Womens 1 & 2 | Goodna Asylum

    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 nurse's 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

  • Female Bathroom | Goodna Asylum

    Female Bathroom Block Built-in 1902 The brick building was built in 1902 as a female bathroom. A similar structure was erected for male patients. It comprised two dressing rooms, 30 feet by 20 feet and a bathroom, 15 feet by 30 feet, with two baths and 10 showers. The walls were lined to a height of 6 ft with opalite tiling. In 1935, the building was converted to a workroom for fancy needlework and allied occupations for the female patients. By 1955, the building was converted for use as a convalescent and final rehabilitation ward for women. This small 12-bed ward was an open ward with no nursing staff. Patients looked after their own domestic affairs and cooked their own meals. This ward allowed comparative freedom for voluntary and self-reliant patients and was designed to prepare patients for their return home. In 2020, it was used for archive storage. In 2024, the wooden extension was demolished due to significant wood rot. Chronology: 1902: constructed as a female bathhouse 1935: converted to sewing rooms 1955: converted to a convalescent ward for women 1960: lean to addition to the western end 1994: converted to sewing/mending facility Night rear Click to view Side entrance Click to view Side front entrance extension prior to demolishment Click to view Side front entrance extension prior to demolishment Click to view Front doors extension prior to demolishment Click to view Day shot of extension prior to demolishment Click to view 2024 extension demolished Click to view 2024 extension demolished Click to view 2024 extension demolished Click to view 2024 extension demolished new door and pathway Click to view Window and light fixture Click to view Old retaining wall Click to view Old stairs Click to view Today with recreation hall behind it Click to view

  • Change Room & Stores Shed | Goodna Asylum

    The Change Room & Stores Shed Built-in c1951 The change room & stores shed is a small, timber-framed and -clad rectangular freestanding one-storey building to the west of the cafeteria. situated between the tennis court and the bowling green. This building was used to store equipment for the maintenance of the tennis court and bowling green. Built to accommodate a change room for patients and two storerooms to service the surrounding vegetable fields, it is highly intact and, in 2020, is used as a storeroom. Its original boarded doors have been removed/replaced, and its original roof cladding has been changed from corrugated asbestos sheets to corrugated metal sheets. Shed in 1955 Click to view Rear Click to view Front Click to view Side front Click to view

  • SLQ Collection | Goodna Asylum

    Wolston Park Hospital Complex: Other buildings Photographic record of buildings at Wolston Park Hospital that were demolished in June 2009. 27282 Heritage Survey Photographic Records Lyle Radford; Brisbane John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland Wolston Park Hospital Complex: Other buildings (slq.qld.gov.au) Link to album Wolston Park Hospital Complex: Farm Complex Photographic record of buildings at Wolston Park Hospital that were demolished in June 2009. 27282 Heritage Survey Photographic Records. Thom (Thomas Wesley), 1953- Blake; Brisbane John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland Wolston Park Hospital Complex: Farm complex (slq.qld.gov.au) Link to album Wolston Park Hospital Complex: Female Recreation Block Photographic record of buildings at Wolston Park Hospital that were demolished in June 2009. 27282 Heritage Survey Photographic Records. Thom (Thomas Wesley), 1953- Blake; Brisbane John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Wolston Park Hospital Complex: Female recreation block (slq.qld.gov.au) Link to album Wolston Park Hospital Complex: Workshops Photographic record of buildings at Wolston Park Hospital that were demolished in June 2009. Thomas (Thomas Wesley), 1953- Blake; Brisbane John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view 1970 Black & White Collection Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view

  • Misc Files | Goodna Asylum

    Miscellaneous Files 1877 Royal Commission letter click to view Admission Register Wolston Park Hospital Case Book E (Male and Female Admissions) from 08-May-1875 – 09-May-1920. Ward Book 1922/23 Part 1 of 3 Ward Book 1922/23 Part 2 of 3 Ward Book 1922/23 Part 3 of 3 State Archives general notes from the year 1879 Royal Commission on the Management of the Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum and the Lunatic Reception Houses of the Colony - Report (Q Pp 1877 v1: 1073-1253) [1877] QldRoyalC 2 (15 May 1877) Research Guide to mental asylum records at Queensland State Archives Wolston Park Hospital, 1865–2001: A Retrospect Register of letters received 1878/79 Charitable institutions of the Queensland government to 1919 Commission of Appointment - Commissioner re Enquiry Lunatic Asylum, Woogaroo ‘Façade of success’ Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum 1865-1969 The early history of psychiatric nursing in Queensland Royal Commission of Inquiry into Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum and the Lunatic Reception Houses of QLD Casebook "A" of the Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum: patient demographics and diagnoses Queensland Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] Legislative Council TUESDAY, 17 AUG 1869 Woogaroo Asylum An Act to Consolidate and Amend the Law relating to the Insane. ASSENTED TO 2ND SEPTEMBER 1884 The road to recovery - a history of mental health services in Queensland 1859-2009 Going Up the Line to Goodna Wolston Park cricket Pavilion Conservation Plan Wolston Park Hospital University of Queensland Neuropsychiatric Unit Opening Day October 16 - 1972 1972 UQ Neuropsychiatric Guide Paper on the Park 1 Paper on the Park 2 Paper on the Park 3 Barrett Adolescent Centre Options Study 2015

  • Reservoir & Pump House | Goodna Asylum

    Reservoir & Pump Houses Built-in 1914 The pump houses and reservoir are located adjacent to the main drive. The reservoir (WP 13 D) and pump house (WP 13 E) were erected in 1914. The major expansion of the asylum in the early 1910s necessitated the upgrading of a number of services, including water. Ellerton expressed concern about the inadequate water supply, particularly in case of fire, soon after his appointment in 1909. In 1910, he reported that the Hydraulic Engineer was working on improvements to the institutions' water supply. In 1913, a new low-lying reservoir was constructed, along with a pump and a pumping house. New 6-inch pipes were laid from the Brisbane mains close to Mt Crosby, but an upper reservoir required a delay in the construction of the water tower and a temporary connection between the old existing main and the Brisbane main. The reservoir was of rendered brickwork approximately 5 m deep, surrounded by a structure consisting of 2 m high cast iron columns which support an open lattice-framed perimeter truss. This truss supported a timber-framed roof structure. The pump house was either an existing shed moved from elsewhere on the site or constructed of materials from a demolished building. It is sheeted with pine chamfer boards and has an unusual vented semi-circular openings above all of its windows. The history of the second timber building (WP 13 F) is uncertain. Form and materials suggest it is of earlier construction and possibly was moved. Documentary evidence indicates it was not in its present location in 1936, from elsewhere on the site or constructed of older materials from a demolished building. Reservoir and Pump Houses 1974 Click to view Timber pump houses & reservoir Click to view Timber pump house and pipe Click to view Timber pump house Click to view Timber pump houses. Click to view Reservoir Click to view Reservoir Click to view Reservoir Click to view Reservoir roof Click to view Reservoir Click to view Reservoir Click to view Timber pump houses window Click to view Plan layout showing where water was piped across the Brisbane River to pump houses and up to the elevated water tower. Click to view The elevated water tower (Demolished c2000) that stood in the grounds of the former residences to the east where water was pumped too. Click to view Old Pipe Click to view Old Pipe Click to view Old Manhole Click to view Old Manhole Click to view Reservoir Roof Click to view Reservoir Corner Click to view Manhole Cover Click to view Reservoir Click to view Inside Reservoir Click to view

  • Dunwich Aslyum | Goodna Asylum

    Dunwich Asylum The Dunwich Benevolent Asylum was a Benevolent Asylum for the aged, infirm and destitute operated by the Queensland Government in Australia. It was located at Dunwich on North Stradbroke Island in Moreton Bay and operated from 1865 to 1946. The Dunwich Benevolent Asylum was established under the Benevolent Asylum Wards Act of 1861 to provide accommodation and care for poor people who were unable to care for themselves due to illness or infirmity. It opened on 13 May 1865 with the transfer of initial patients from the Benevolent Ward of the Brisbane General Hospital . More than 21,000 people were admitted to the asylum during its operation, with approximately 1,000 to 1,600 at any one time. Those who died in the asylum were generally buried in the Dunwich Cemetery unless families made other arrangements. In the 80 years spanning 1867-1947, 8,426 former inmates of the Dunwich Benevolent Asylum were buried in the Dunwich Cemetery. It operated until 30 September 1946, after which the patients were transferred to the newly opened Eventide Home at Sandgate , a northern suburb of Brisbane . Most of the buildings were subsequently destroyed. However, some buildings remain, including the heritage-listed St Mark's Anglican Church and Dunwich Public Hall . The 'Aboriginal Gang' that worked at the Dunwich Benevolent Asylum were the first Aboriginal people in Australia to receive equal wages. In 1944, after a 25-year campaign, Aboriginal workers secured equal wages, almost 20 years before anywhere else in Australia. The Asylum closed shortly after, with the Aboriginal Gang only getting equal wages for one and a half years. The asylum occupied most of the current Dunwich township. There were many buildings with wards for men, women and Asiatics. It had a kitchen, bakery, laundry, and other service buildings, including a power station built in 1926. It had a public hall, recreational facilities and a visitor centre for social activities. A farm with associated outbuildings provided meat and dairy products. A 1913 map shows it occupying the coastal area from Dunwich Cemetery down to the present-day jetty and inland to approximately the present-day Mitchell Crescent and Barton Street. Swamps are shown beyond the boundaries. Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Concert in the Victoria Hall for, 1909 Click to view The last surviving inmate accommodation of the former Dunwich Benevolent Asylum, known as Ward 13, has been entered into the Queensland Heritage Register. Click to view


  • ANNOUNCEMENTS
​​
Review into Wolston Park Hospital Complete

Final report

The final report of the Review was released on 19 December 2025.

Please be aware that the report includes descriptions of alleged physical and sexual violence and human rights abuses as told by the participants who spoke to the Review. It is acknowledged that the content may be distressing.

The reporting of this content is not an indictment or conclusion that the events occurred as described or that there is liability to be found in the actions. Instead, it presents accounts from individuals who lived at, were treated at, or had family members or loved ones at Wolston Park Hospital during the review period.

Please get in touch with DG_Correspondence@health.qld.gov.au with any enquiries about the Review.

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For people living with the impacts of institutional childhood abuse in Queensland, please consider contacting Lotus Support Services, Micah Projects on (07) 3347 8500 to access support, resources and community. 

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