Information
Built c1900. Insurance broker Thomas Steele had his home ‘Waterton’ built on 1.5 acres here by 1901. From 1913-39, it was the residence of Alison Frew, a prominent engineer who worked on both the Story and Hornibrook Bridges projects. Frew increased the site to nearly 4 acres in 1938. He was declared bankrupt in 1939. The Queensland Public Trustee subdivided the land for sale. In December 1940, the Australian Red Cross bought 3.5 acres with ‘Waterton’ and added it to ‘Glenroma’, across the road in 1941. This became the Australian Red Cross Convalescent Home for Returned Servicemen. It was renamed Lady Wilson Red Cross Convalescent Home in 1947. The Home required alteration and additions to ‘Waterton’. After patient numbers declined the Home closed and (1953) leased as a Womens Royal Australian Army Corps (10th WRAAC) barracks. The Red Cross sold-off much of the land for housing in 1964. The state bought the Home in 1969 for the Queensland Police College (1970-2012).
Citations
Department of Enviroment and Heritage Protection, Queensland Heritage Register citation No.602340; Discover Queensland at war, www.ww2places.qld.gov.au;
Image Citations
Map References
QSA. QSA Series ID 2043 City of Brisbane and Suburbs Maps – A1A Series. 4 chains to the inch. Brisbane and suburbs. Sheet 1. 4 chains to the inch. Brisbane, Survey Office.. 634532