Government House, Brisbane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Government House, Brisbane |
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Government House, 2019
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| Location | 170 Fernberg Road, Paddington, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1840s–1860s (mid-19th century) |
| Built | 1865 |
| Built for | Johann Heussler |
| Architect | Benjamin Backhouse |
| Architectural style(s) | Italianate |
| Owner | 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 |
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Government House is a large, historic mansion in Paddington, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is the official home of the Governor of Queensland. The Governor is like a local representative of the King or Queen of Australia.
The house was first designed by Benjamin Backhouse and built in 1865. Since then, it has been made bigger and updated many times. It is also known by its original name, Fernberg. Because of its history and special design, it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. This means it is an important place to protect.
The Premier of Queensland (who leads the state government) visits the Governor at Government House for important events. For example, the Premier asks the Governor to start a new election. After elections, the Governor officially appoints the Premier and other government leaders.
You can visit Government House on special open days. These usually happen on Australia Day (January 26) and Queensland Day (June 6).
Contents
History of Government House
How the Land Was Acquired
The land where Government House stands today was originally two separate pieces. In 1860, a man named Johann Christian Heussler bought the first part. Two years later, he bought the second part with a partner.
When his partner passed away in 1864, Heussler owned all the land. At that time, this area of Brisbane was mostly undeveloped bushland.
The First Owner: Johann Heussler
Johann (John) Christian Heussler was born in Germany in 1820. He moved to Australia in 1852. He came to Brisbane in 1854 because of his health. Here, he started a successful business called Heussler and Co.
Over many years, Heussler became a very respected businessman and citizen in Queensland. He helped start the Queensland Club and was a consul for Germany and the Netherlands. In 1866, he became a member of the Queensland Legislative Council, which helped make laws for the state.
Heussler hired a Brisbane architect named Benjamin Backhouse to design his new home. The house was built in 1865. Heussler named his home Fernberg, which is a German word meaning "distant mountain."
Benjamin Backhouse was a well-known architect who designed many important buildings. Some of his other works in Queensland include Baroona, Cintra House, Riversleigh, and Old Bishopsbourne.
Changes in Ownership and Design
By 1871, Heussler had financial problems and had to leave Fernberg. The house was then rented out to Arthur Hunter Palmer, who was the Premier of Queensland at the time.
In 1877, the property was put up for sale. It was described as a four-story house made of brick and stone. It had many rooms, including drawing, dining, and bedrooms. The house had wide verandahs and balconies with great views. The property also had stables, a carriage house, and gardens.
In 1878, George and Nathan Cohen bought the property, but they did not live there. Later, in the mid-1880s, John Stevenson, a successful politician and businessman, bought Fernberg.
In 1888, Stevenson hired architect Richard Gailey to make big changes to the house. The project more than doubled the size of the original house. It changed the 1860s villa into a grand Italianate Mansion. The new part of the house had fancy stucco details and a tower at the main entrance.
The road in front of the house, Fernberg Road, was later changed. The old road became the winding driveway to the house. In 1890, a fountain, gates, and gate pillars were added to the grounds. The property also had a coach house, stables, laundry, gymnasium, and a tennis court.
However, the economic downturn in the 1890s affected Stevenson's money. By 1895, the property was mortgaged. In 1897, Walter Russell Hall, a rich philanthropist, took ownership. But he never lived at Fernberg.
Fernberg Becomes Government House
In 1909, the original Government House was given to the University of Queensland. So, in February 1910, the government decided to rent Fernberg as a temporary home for the Governor.
Plans were made for a new Government House at Victoria Park, but it was never built. In June 1911, even though some thought Fernberg was too small, the government bought it as the permanent Government House.
Many changes were made right away. These included painting, new floors, and installing electric lights. Roads were improved, and fences were added. Several buildings from the old Government House were moved to Fernberg. These became offices, a billiard room, and apartments for staff. A lodge and servants' quarters were also moved. A chauffeur's cottage was built in 1923, and a large timber garage in 1935.
Developing the Gardens and Grounds
Formal gardens were created in 1910. These were used for important events like garden parties and fundraising. These gardens mostly had beautiful, non-native plants, along with some native trees.
About 70% of the grounds remained natural bushland. In 1928, Governor Sir John and Lady Goodwin created "woodland walks" through this bushland. They added paths, bridges, and planted more trees like jacarandas and wattles.
Major Additions and Renovations
In 1936, Governor Sir Leslie Orme Wilson suggested moving the Governor back to the original residence. But the government decided to make big additions to Fernberg instead. This settled the question of a permanent Government House.
Governor and Lady Wilson were very involved in the plans. The Department of Public Works designed the additions. In 1937, a new eastern wing was built. It included a large reception room, a billiards and supper room, and a new bedroom. The whole outside of Fernberg was painted cream to make it look consistent. New maids' quarters and a laundry were also built.
In the mid-1940s, minor changes were made inside. This was for new Governors and visits from members of the Royal Family. In the late 1940s, a new brick Auxiliary Building was built for staff. In 1950, a brick administration building and a new covered entrance (a porte cochere) were added. The entire complex was painted white at this time.
In 1953, a balcony with a concrete staircase was built off the reception room. Doors and windows in the billiards room were changed to open onto a terrace under the balcony.
More staff homes were added in 1959, 1984, and 1986. A tennis court and swimming pool were built in 1959-1960. Air conditioning was first added in 1957 and expanded in 1978. The oldest part of Fernberg, the guest wing, was updated in 1981-82. A new guard house was built in 1987, and the reception areas were also updated that year. The main house was painted again in 1992.
In late 1992, about one hectare of the grounds was used by the Queensland Department of Transport. This was for widening Kaye Street. Large retaining walls were built along the western edge of the property because of this work.
The Governors of Queensland
From 1910 to 1937, when Fernberg was considered a temporary Government House, five Governors lived there:
- 1909-1914 Sir William MacGregor: He signed the University Act, giving the University of Queensland its first home. He chose Fernberg because of its beautiful grounds.
- 1915-1920 Sir Hamilton John Goold-Adams: He was very involved in Queensland's politics.
- 1920-1925 Sir Matthew Nathan
- 1927-1932 Sir Thomas Herbert John Chapman Goodwin: He and Lady Goodwin created the "woodland walks" in the bushland.
- 1932-1946 Sir Leslie Orme Wilson: He was Queensland's longest-serving Governor and pushed for the major additions to Fernberg.
After Fernberg became the permanent Government House, these Governors have lived there:
- 1946-1957 Sir John Lavarack: The 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: The first female Governor.
- 1997-2003 Major General Peter Arnison
- 2003-2008 Dame Quentin Bryce: She later became Australia's first female Governor-General.
- 2008-2014 Penelope Wensley
- 2014- Paul de Jersey
What Government House Looks Like
Fernberg is on a hill about 100 meters (328 feet) above sea level. From here, you can see the Brisbane city center to the southeast and Mount Coot-tha to the west.
The property covers about 15 hectares (37 acres). It has formal gardens around the main house, other buildings for staff and maintenance, and is surrounded by native bushland. The property is bordered by Fernberg Road, Kaye Street, Baroona Road, and Murruba Street.
The Main House
Government House is mostly a two-story building with a basement. Its style is called Victorian Italianate. This means it has an uneven shape, a tall tower with classical designs, a roof with a decorative railing, and arched windows. The outside walls are covered in stucco.
The oldest part of the house, built in the 1860s, is at the very south. The main entrance is through the section added in the 1880s. The 1937 addition forms the eastern wing of the house.
Inside, the main part of the building is a large central entrance hall (foyer). It has a big fireplace, timber panels on the lower walls, and a beautifully carved wooden staircase. Above the staircase is a large stained glass window showing a life-size Robert the Bruce, a famous Scottish king.
The main rooms on the ground floor are the formal reception and dining rooms, and the Governor's study. These rooms are still mostly in their original condition, though their decorations have been updated several times. Some of the original furniture from the Old Government House is still in these rooms.
Upstairs are the Governor's private bedrooms and several guest bedrooms. These guest rooms are in the southern (oldest) part of the house. They were renovated in 1981-82 and are now decorated to show Australian styles from before 1900.
In the basement, you'll find the investiture room (where awards are given), the billiard room, a private dining room, and the kitchen. The inside of these areas has been changed quite a bit over time.
Many original features like wooden details, walls, doorways, and fixtures are still throughout the house.
The Grounds and Gardens
The grounds of Government House have two main types of gardens: formal gardens and natural bushland. The formal gardens make up about 25% of the property, and the rest is bushland.
The formal gardens include landscaped areas, driveways, paths, retaining walls, and steps. These areas mostly have beautiful, non-native plants, but also some old native trees. There are also large areas of mown grass.
The bushland areas have natural eucalypt forests and are not as developed. Several paths wind through this area. There are also small valleys that lead to a slightly larger stream in the bottom southeast corner.
Other Buildings on the Property
- The Lodge: This timber building is next to the main entrance gates. It was built before 1910 and moved here from the Old Government House. It has been changed many times over the years.
- Chauffeur's Residence: Built in 1923, this is a large timber house with a gabled roof. It has a verandah on two sides and a bay window at the front.
- Garages: Built in 1935, these are timber buildings with galvanised iron roofs. They have space for seven cars in three separate rooms, plus other small rooms.
- Staff Accommodation: Built in 1937, this is a two-story brick and concrete building southwest of the main house. It is still mostly original, even after some updates.
- Administration Cottage: Built in 1948, this single-story brick building has offices, bedrooms, and a sitting room for the Governor's personal assistant (aide-de-camp), and some guest rooms.
- Gardener's Residence: Built in 1959, this is a standard public service house.
- Butler's and Chef's Residences: These were built more recently, in 1984 and 1986. There are also two staff garages nearby.
Why Government House is Important
Government House, Brisbane, was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992 because it meets several important criteria:
- It shows how Queensland's history has changed.
Government House shows how the government in Queensland has developed. It has been the official home of the Queensland Governor since 1911. Many important events, including visits from the Royal Family, have happened here. It is a symbol of how Australia was settled by the British. The creation of an animal "Sanctuary" and the "Woodland Walks" by Sir John and Lady Goodwin also show an early interest in protecting Queensland's native plants and animals.
- It is a rare and special part of Queensland's history.
The main house, built in 1865 and first called Fernberg, is the only large home from the 1860s in Brisbane that still has almost its original size.
- It shows important features of its type of place.
Because of the big additions in the 1880s, the house is considered one of the best examples of a Victorian Italianate villa in Brisbane. The other buildings on the grounds help us understand the Governor's role and the services needed to support it.
- It is beautiful and has strong artistic value.
Government House is important for its strong beauty. It shows the wealth and influence of the people who lived there. The house is on a wooded hilltop with a tower, making it a well-known landmark since it was built. The design of the grounds, especially the formal gardens and the surrounding bushland, adds a lot to the property's unique character.
- It is connected to important people and groups in Queensland's history.
Government House has been closely linked with the Governors of Queensland since 1911. The house and grounds show the contributions of each Governor and their families. They also show changes made for Royal Tours. The house is important because of the famous architects who worked on it: Benjamin Backhouse (1865), Richard Gailey (1880s), and the Department of Public Works (1937). It also has connections to early successful settlers in Brisbane, like John Heussler, who built the house, and John Stevenson, who turned it into an Italianate Mansion.
Images for kids
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Government House, circa 1981
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Statue of the Queen at Government House
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Government House grounds
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The grounds of Government House
