Search

Female Patients' Recreation Area While male patients had spacious outdoor recreational amenities since at least 1895, most notably the cricket oval, no similar facilities existed for female patients. In keeping with gender stereotypes, the recreational opportunities provided for females were restricted to indoor 'domestic' type activities such as needlework. In 1946, Medical Superintendent Boyce proposed the construction of a special female recreation area. The rationale for such a facility was that it would provide 'a more congenial environment to assist patients towards recovery'. More pragmatically, an area where female patients could spend part of the day. Despite the completion of a new female block with accommodation for 60 residents, overcrowding was still a major problem. The need to fill almost every available space with beds, such as verandahs and corridors, resulted in an even more acute shortage of space for daytime activities. Only a limited number of patients could undertake needlework or work in the sewing rooms or laundry. The remainder were confined to sitting about in an extremely cramped environment. The Director of Mental Hygiene, Basil Stafford, endorsed the idea and, in March 1948, reported that the 'scarcity of a recreation area for a large number of female patients is a considerable handicap in the administration of this hospital'. An area of approximately 2.5 hectares on the western edge of the reserve, adjacent to the Brisbane River, was selected. Pm of the area occupied the site of the original male wards, and ironically, a portion comprised a low-lying area that was originally designated in the 1860s to be laid out as pleasure grounds. Construction of facilities and landscaping commenced in 1951. The principal building within the area was the cafeteria with facilities to serve 500 patients. This building enabled patients to spend much of the day in the area without the need for returning to the ward for midday meals. The building was also used for occupational therapy. Other buildings included a sewing room, storage sheds and viewing shelters. A tennis court and bowling green were constructed, and the lower area levelled to form a large playing field. A landscaping scheme was devised by M Rose, the Acting Superintendent of Institutional Gardens. Existing trees (including several dating back to the 1860s) and shrubs were incorporated into a scheme that included native species such as silver wattles, Brisbane Golden Wattle, and Bauhinias, as well as exotics like Jacaranda and Poinciana regia. A row of palms was planted adjacent to the six-foot-high wire fence along the lower playing field. The grounds were developed by the staff and inmate labour. The Female Patients Recreation Area comprises buildings (a Cafeteria, Bowling Green, Change Room and Stores Shed) laid out along a curved ridge that forms a natural amphitheatre around former playing fields on the lower terrace at the edge of the Brisbane River. A further building (Packing Shed and Patients Shelter) stands southwest of the others. It overlooks the south-sloping ground, historically used for vegetable cultivation. Developed on the site of the former Simpson Residence (1843-44) and the subsequent Early Asylum Site (former Woogaroo Insane Asylum, established 1865, demolished 1890-93 floods), the area now forms part of the Wolston Park Golf Club course (1970s), which contributes to the spacious open grounds and landscape setting of the hospital complex. The work on the buildings and grounds was completed by 1954 and immediately utilised daily. In his Annual Report for 1955, Medical Superintendent Boyce reported the success of the female recreation area and, in particular, the cafeteria. By 1957, more than 200 patients were regularly using the facilities. They enjoyed 'the picnic atmosphere' of the grounds, where they were served a midday meal, and participated in a variety of sports and handcrafts in the occupational therapy centre. The area to the rear of the Riverside ballroom was farmed until at least the 1950s. 24 June 1961 Click to view Croquet being played by a nurse in the late 1950s. Click to view Bowling Green in the 1950s Click to view Bowling Green & Croquet areas in the 1955 Click to view 1987 aerial overhead Click to view Looking across Woogaroo Creek from Brisbane Terrace towards the now Golf Club and former asylum site were once this land was farming. Click to view Former bowling green Click to view Former sports field Click to view A former patient's chair remains at the former recreation area today Click to view The Visual Connection Click to view

Early Road Network The roads and pathways are no less integral to the story of the development of the site than individual buildings. Most existing roads and pathways are significant for how the site functioned. Roadways are significant for their location and alignment. Material was quarried on site and laid by patient labour. The main driveway is of special significance. It was constructed in the l870s and partly realigned in 1913-6s and broadly followed the alignment of an earlier road. The new driveway was constructed to facilitate easier entry to the site and to serve as the principal entrance. A new bridge was constructed across Woogaroo Creek, and trees were planted on each side of the drive to form an avenue. The first bridge was timber with sandstone abutments and replaced a bridge that was further upstream. The new bridge created a shorter route from the train station from the site to Ipswich Road in a more direct line with the railway station. The bridge was 180 feet long and 19 feet in breadth and was built using recycled masonry from Old Men's 1 & 2, which was under demolition at the time. The bridge eventually collapsed in 1956. A study of vehicular and pedestrian circulation patterns was considered in the early 90s to determine the viability of re-establishing bridge access over Woogaroo Creek. This would enable the main point of address for the whole complex to be re-established. The existing access road to the north could then be limited to service access. Boyce Road (by 1896) is now the main entrance to the site, running roughly east to west from near the Ipswich Motorway and connecting to Ellerton Drive. Ellerton Drive (c1870s, partly realigned 1913-6) is the connecting road running roughly south to north from the Female Patients Recreation Area to the Central Administration, Services, and Staff Residences Area. It has been partially removed at its southern end, where it historically crossed Woogaroo Creek on a sequence of bridges (a footbridge in the 1870s and a road bridge by 1896) that provided the main entrance to the site; however, this route remains open space. Hogg Lane (by 1896) and Barrett Drive (by 1986, and its extensions by 1932 and 1948)75 are secondary roads that separate the Central Administration and Services Area from the Male Patients Area and serve the rear of the male patient wards. Wolston Park Road runs roughly south to north, connecting the Central Administration Area to the northern parts of the site and was historically another main entrance to the site from the north. Only the southern section (by 1896) of this road is of state-level cultural heritage significance, comprising only the portion of the road running from Ellerton Drive to its intersection with Explorers Walk. The two long farm roads, Explorers Walk (south to north) and Aveyron Road (east to west), run from patient wards to the northern farm area. Only the road routes are of state-level cultural heritage significance; none of their infrastructure or materials are. The following road networks are of cultural heritage significance: Boyce Road Ellerton Drive Hogg Lane Barrett Drive Wolston Park Road (Ellerton Drive to Explorers Walk) Farm Roads Explorers Walk Aveyron Road Local History: The day the bridge across Woogaroo Creek, Goodna, collapsed - with a car on it! The bridge across Woogaroo Creek collapsed in about 1957 or 1958. One of the legends arising from the collapse has it that taxi driver Toby Rissman was driving over it at the time. After the collapse, the only access to the campus was via the level crossing at Wacol Station. A "temporary" detour was built about a mile or so down Brisbane Road. This detour ultimately morphed into Boyce Road, one of the main entrances to the hospital. It had been deemed uneconomical to replace the bridge, which is sad because we were deprived of the beautiful, tree-lined avenue from the bridge up the hill to the main Hospital. Patrick Boyce Photo Gallery 1 First Bridge over Woogaroo Creek, Brisbane Terrace Goodna, 1907 Click to view Ellerton Drive Click to view Ellerton Drive Click to view Woogaroo Creek Bridge Click to view 29 January 1956 Click to view The day the bridge collapsed Click to view Remains of the bridge abutment today after the collapse in 1956 made out of recycled sandstone from old men's 1 & 2 Click to view Boyce Road Click to view Boyce Road Click to view Boyce Road Click to view Ellerton Drive Click to view Ellerton Drive Click to view Ellerton Drive Click to view Ellerton Drive Click to view Ellerton Drive Click to view Ellerton Drive 1949 Click to view Ellerton Drive 1949 Click to view Wolston Park Road southern section (Ellerton Drive to Explorers Walk) Click to view Wolston Park Road southern section (Ellerton Drive to Explorers Walk) Click to view Ellerton Drive and curving toward the Assistant Medical Superintendent’s Residence. Click to view Hogg Lane Click to view Hogg Lane Click to view Hogg Lane Click to view Barrett Drive 1938 Click to view Barrett Drive late 2000s Click to view Photo Gallery 2 1939 Main Entrance gates Click to view Todays remains Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Take a Google Streetview tour

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

Cemetery Sites “Many burials occurred at the institution from the 1890s to 1944. Between 1895 and 1912, more than 1500 patients died there and were presumably buried in a cemetery, no 2 and possibly some no 3. In addition, the remains of staff members and their families were interred in the cemetery. Between 1914 and 1940, approximately 4670 patients died – an average of 155 per year. With perhaps few exceptions, all would have been buried in the hospital cemetery. A new plaque (post-2007) states that ‘approximately 200 bodies’ were transferred to Goodna Cemetery. The highest number on the grave markers is 2,300.” From the Blake, ‘Wolston Park - Police Academy Cultural Heritage Survey. Archaeological excavations at and in the vicinity of the three previous cemetery locations could elucidate the existence, character, and scope of interments. Coupled with the identification and examination of related artifacts and features, this research can provide insights into the treatment of the deceased patients and the burial customs at the hospital, the spatial organisation and layout of graves, as well as the scale and techniques of reburials. "The asylum of the nineteenth century, and the mental hospital after it, were not intended to function as hospices for the dying or depots for the senile and abandoned aged. But in an era when there were few other options for residential care for the physically as well as mentally ill, the mental hospital was the final resting place for many... " Finnane, Mark (2008) Wolston Park Hospital, 1865-2001: Early articles relating to the complex's cemeteries May 1869 Click to view September 1926 Click to view July 1939 Click to view Cemetery Reserve Click to view Cemetery Reserve Click to view Cemetery Reserve Click to view Cemetery Site 1 (1865 - 1894) Historical records indicate that the Early Asylum Site included a cemetery near the confluence of the Brisbane River and Woogaroo Creek, at the southern end of the site, with the river serving as an access point. Site plans from around 1869 and 1878 reveal the establishment of a cemetery at the far western end, close to where Woogaroo Creek meets the Brisbane River. The severe floods of February 1893 caused significant damage to the male quarters and submerged the primary staff residences along with the original cemetery. There is potential for archaeological findings at the original asylum cemetery site, which may contain interments, stone and metal grave markers, and various artefacts and features related to the asylum's burial practices. During research, Mr James Clifford, who is mentioned on the Caring page, also certified burials at site 1 Location Survey Plan Click to view 1944 Image overhead corner was left untouched as framing was being conducted Click to view Untouched in 1961 Click to view Location today is part of the golf course near Woogaroo Creek Click to view Cemetery Site 1 currently apart of the Golf Course Click to view 1869 newspaper artricle Click to view 1913 newsaper article Click to view 1901 QLD Government Estimates Meeting Click to view Visit the Debbie Manson Research page Click to view Visit the Debbie Manson Research page Click to view Cemetery Site 2 (1895 - 1912) The second cemetery linked to the hospital is situated on the western flank of the Male Patients Area and presents archaeological potential. Historically, it lay to the north of the main hospital structures and west of the cricket field. The cemetery operated from 1895 to 1912, after which it was closed to facilitate the construction of two-story male wards, and burials were believed to have been transferred to a third cemetery by 1913. The site was later used for housing (1910s-c1958) and for kitchens and workshops (1970s), which have since been relocated or demolished. Possible archaeological remnants in this vicinity may include burials, reinterments, stone and metal grave markers, and various artefacts and features related to burial customs. According to the heritage report between 1895 and 1912, more than 1500 patients died there and were presumably buried in cemetery no 2 and possibly some in no. 3 1944 overhead with location circled Click to view Heritage register report location Click to view Current location today Click to view location of site 2 early 2000s Click to view Click to view November 1899 article Click to view October 1910 article Click to view June 1911 article Click to view Cemetery Site 3 (c1913-1945) The third cemetery associated with the hospital is located immediately northeast of the Wacol Repatriation Pavilion Complex and exhibits archaeological potential. This area served as the hospital's cemetery from around 1913 to 1945, after which the burials were transferred to Goodna Cemetery. Cleared initially, the site now features regrowth bushland, flanked northwest by Wolston Park Road and a carpark, and southeast by Orford Drive, both roads elevated above the cemetery's ground level. Possible archaeological remnants in this vicinity may include burials, reinterments, stone and metal grave markers, and various artefacts associated with burial customs. A few years ago, a bushfire went through the former site, and old headstones were still found amongst the burnt-out scrub September 1926 Click to view Queensland Times newspaper article Click to view 1946 newspaper article Click to view 1946 exhumation Click to view November 1946 Click to view 1947 article Click to view 1961 Click to view Site today Click to view Site today Click to view Site today Click to view Site today Click to view Site today Click to view Site today Click to view 2025 Click to view The Bottom Drawer Book Articles By Lisa Joy Lost remains of Wolston Park Mental Asylum patients buried in trenches. An aerial photo and a sharp memory: location of missing Wolston Park Mental Hospital patients identified Site of asylum’s hidden and forgotten cemetery acknowledged on Qld Heritage Register Mental asylum mass exhumations and missing remains: the tale of Wolston Park’s lost and forgotten patients.

Miscellaneous Photos from our Facebook group 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

Magdalen Asylum Magdalen Asylum, in Wooloowin, was operated by the Order of the Sisters of Mercy. It opened in 1889 as a home for unmarried mothers, disabled girls and infants. It ceased operating as a home for very young children in 1959. From 1974, it no longer cared for children but provided continuing care for physically and intellectually disabled persons and single mothers. In 1978, its function changed to a centre for persons with intellectual and physical disabilities and was renamed Mercy Centre. Mother Mary Vincent was instrumental in the establishment when she came to Queensland from Ireland in 1861. The foundation stone was laid on Sunday, 22nd April 1888, by Archbishop Dr Dunne. The Holy Cross Retreat was then opened on 13th October 1889 by Governor Sir Henry Norman. The asylum was a haven for destitute women (usually 'fallen' or with children out of wedlock) and, in common with most similar institutions, employed the women in laundry work in the running of the institution. Holy Cross Retreat was licensed in 1895 under the Orphanages Act 1879, then under the State Children Act 1911. It was licensed again under the Children's Services Act 1965. In 1977, the dormitory building and kitchen wing were demolished, but the steam laundry was maintained as a sheltered workshop for intellectually handicapped women and men. Today, all that remains from the days gone by is the laundry building and the church on site. Former Names Magdalen Asylum, Wooloowin Holy Cross Magdalen Asylum, Wooloowin Holy Cross Retreat and Infants Home 1895 map Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view Click to view

Goodna Cemetery The New South Wales Government proclaimed Goodna Cemetery as a Cemetery in 1859. The earliest tombstone dates back to 1864, but the first recorded burial did not occur until 1873. In the 1940s, bodies of former patients were exhumed and relocated to the Goodna Cemetery. In 1970, the remaining headstones at the Asylum were also transferred to the Goodna Cemetery. In 2024, more headstones were found among vegetation away from the current location and were moved to the area where the current headstones are grouped. At one point, several of the original metal grave-number indicators from the original cemetery were collected and grouped to commemorate the patients. Goodna Cemetery, Woogaroo Asylum Memorial List Tuesday 18 May 1869 Asylum possibility for interments at Goodna Cemetery Click to view September 1865 Kearsey Cannan Superintendent & Matthew Googs who owns Wolston House appointed Trustess Click to view Picture Ipswich taken in 1991, we see where originally the grave markers from number “3” cemetery were located at the Goodna cemetery before moving to where they are today, all together down the back corner Click to view Click to view Click to view Heritage documents for The Park have noted this in their endnotes, so I decided to follow up on this document for its relation to the Asylum. Still, all I could see were the familiar names of the first Medical Superintendent and asylum designer Kersey Cannan and former Wolston House owner Matthew Goggs. 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 Site today being maintained and cleaned the former patients are being looked after by a former Wolston Park Patient and volunteers Front View Click to view 1/2 Sections Click to view 1/2 Sections Click to view Lost headstones found in 2024 Click to view Lost headstones found in 2024 Click to view Lost headstones found in 2024 that were found dumped Click to view Lost headstone found in 2024 Click to view Lost headstones found in 2024 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 Memorial Plaque Click to view Sr M Agatha Stoutte Click to view Louis Hugonin Click to view Louis Hugonin Click to view

Osler House (Male Ward 14), Osler House is a single-storey brick building. It was designed specifically for more difficult patients who needed to be accommodated in single cells. As part of the major upgrading and expansion of the male section, plans were prepared in 1916 for two small wards for the more violent and troublesome patients. Construction was postponed due to other priorities for more than a decade. Work on the new ward finally commenced in 1918, and it was opened on 10 August 1929 by Home Secretary JC Peterson. The building was brick, with a tiled roof and tiled iron verandah. It provided accommodation for 34 patients in single bedrooms. While the building was planned along standard principles of moral treatment, it did include several innovations and refinements compared with the wards erected in the 1910s. The building had no square corners as all external corners were rounded and all internal corners cavetted. The building was enclosed with a K-wire fence. The building overlooked the vegetable garden, and Ellerton hoped this would have a beneficial effect on the patients and induce a desire to work in the garden. In 1963, the ward was converted to a security ward, £7,600, with further security provisions made in 1967. Chronolgy 1929: building opened for patients 1963: additional security - barbed wire fencing 1965: conversion of single room to staff room 1967: additional security - windows, doors, and skylights 1977: additional security - personal lock to main entry Pearce House (Male Ward 15) Pearce House was opened in 1934 and was designed to accommodate the violent and difficult patients. As part of the major upgrading and expansion of the male section, plans were prepared in 1916 for two small wards for the more violent and troublesome patients. Construction was postponed due to other priorities for more than a decade. Work on the new ward commenced in 1932, and it was completed in 1934 for a cost of £10,156 and was opened on 14th May 1934 by Home Secretary Edward Hanlon. It was immediately occupied by epileptic patients who were disruptive in other wards, as it was believed that segregation would promote peace and quiet in the institution. The original plan was identical to Osler House; however, to maximise accommodation, the eastern wing was converted to a dormitory in the final plans. It comprised 23 single rooms, dining rooms, a servery, two observation rooms, a general dormitory ward, an attendants' office, a bathroom and lavatories. Chronolgy 1934: building construction complete 1967: additional security added 1928 Plan Click to view 1928 Plan Click to view 1928 Plan Click to view 1928 Plan Click to view 1928 Plan Click to view 1928 Plan Click to view 1932 Plan Click to view 1932 Plan Click to view 1932 Plan Click to view 1932 Plan Click to view 1932 Plan Click to view 1932 Plan Click to view Life at Osler & Pearce Houses Click to view Barbed Wire Click to view Fenceline with the mango trees Click to view Pearce house possibly 70s Click to view One of the rooms located inside Osler House Click to view Osler & Pearce 2024 Click to view Osler female ward had an air lock system two doors to get into Pearce ward Click to view Osler with the mango trees remaining in place Click to view Osler & Pearce with the mango trees remaining in place Click to view Pearce with the mango trees remaining in place Click to view Osler with the mango trees remaining in place Click to view Pearce at night Click to view Front 2024 Click to view