Hidden under the floorboards of the QCWA’s Mary Tregear Hostel is a secret part of Ipswich’s history, as Jane Pinder discovers.
years the Mary Tregear Hostel building has stood on Limestone Street
years the QCWA has used the building as a hostel for people in need
Two small, dark rooms with tiny windows and narrow doors. Thick walls that muffle sounds of the outside world, and a bare dirt floor.
Underneath the historic Mary Tregear Hostel in Limestone Street is a mysterious cellar. With one of the earliest known owners of the house being Chief Constable Edward Quinn, QCWA West Moreton president Annette Pickering said the small and secure rooms could have been a watchhouse.
A hard decision has been made to sell the character-filled building, and the 1960s QCWA Ipswich brick hall next door, with expressions of interest through Walkers Real Estate.
Originally built around 1860, the QCWA converted the Georgian-style house into a hostel in 1947 and named it Mary Tregear Hostel after the first president of the Ipswich branch.
The QCWA has created its own history over its 70-year ownership, with the building offering important crisis care, emergency accommodation and hostel for up to seven residents.
Walkers Real Estate director and manager June Frank, who is marketing the property, said both buildings had a special place in the history of Ipswich.
“A lot of people you talk to say ‘The CWA hall, my sister had a reception there, or someone had an engagement party there’. It was quite the place,” she said.
Ms Walker said the heritage building was an “extraordinary” property, with original features such as extra-wide timber wall and floorboards.
“The fact that it’s stood the test of time, in the middle of town, with all the developments that have gone on around it, is amazing,” she said.
“It is right up there with some of the first buildings raised out of the dirt with the town.”
QCWA West Moreton president Annette Pickering said the important work of the QCWA would continue in Ipswich.
Some of the group’s ongoing programs include Kits for Kids school supplies, DV Connect essentials bags, as well as catering locally and fundraising for international projects.
It’s coming up to 50 years since Val Shelton joined the QCWA. On this Wednesday morning she is making dozens of pocket teddies for Ipswich Hospital and domestic violence families. She also has some tatting work on the table, and at home there are a dozen crocheted coathangers, fridge towels and rabbits made from hand towels and facewashers ready for a QCWA stall at Bunnings before Christmas. “Just because I love doing handcraft, and the friendship from the group. Sometimes it depends on what you’re doing – if you get any craft done it’s a bonus, otherwise it’s a chat session,” she laughed. Everyone is welcomed to the weekly handcraft meetings, and Val said there were crafts suitable for any level of ability. “All sorts of things, I loved doing Brazilian embroidery… Knitting and crochet, a few of the ladies today did macramé. Next month I’m doing a refresher on blackwork. I’ve just finished a piece of hardanger,” she said. “Some are easy, some take a fair bit of time and concentration.”
The QCWA West Moreton Division Handcrafts group will be moving to a new home at Silkstone when the Ipswich hall is sold, where members will keep the traditions going. Anyone interested in joining the group can call 0402 550 950.
A treasured QCWA Shelley cup and saucer, and Val Shelton’s pocket teddies.
The Mary Tregear Hostel in the 1980s (image from Picture Ipswich)
Ipswich’s CBD has many examples of heritage buildings that have been given a new life while retaining their character. Recent examples include:
- 88 Limestone Street. Formerly the Queen Victoria Silver Jubilee Memorial Technical College built in 1901. Now it’s 88 Limestone, a precinct for professional office suites, retail outlets, cafes and restaurants.
- 164 Brisbane Street. The Ipswich Electric Supply Company Limited was based in this Top of Town building from 1917-1941. In the 1950s it was known as the City Electric Light Company. Today it has restaurants, cafes and offices.
- 215 Brisbane Street. A hotel has stood on this Top of Town site since the days of the Shamrock Hotel, which burned to the ground in 1885. It was replaced by the Club Hotel, and renamed Settler’s Inn, before major restoration work. Today it is Dusty’s Bar and BBQ.
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