Raymont Lodge

Raymont Lodge is a student residential college located in Auchenflower, Queensland, Australia. It shares its grounds with the Trinity Theological College, Brisbane College of Theology and the Queensland Synod of the Uniting Church of Australia.

It is nationally listed heritage building, for its architectural significance and as one of the last grand mansions constructed in Brisbane. It is the work of architect Claude Chambers and is historically significant as the home of William Davies who made his fortune as a mining entrepreneur on the Gympie gold fields. [ [http://www.aussieheritage.com.au/listings/qld/Auchenflower/RaymontLodge/1506 Aussie Heritage] ] [ [http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahdb/search.pl?mode=place_detail&place_id=8520 Register of the National Estate] ]

Students come from the University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Queensland College of Art and Southbank TAFE. [ [http://www.raymont.com.au/ Raymont Lodge Residential College] ]

History

The beginnings of Raymont Lodge date back to 1904 when Drysliwyn, the old building at the centre of Raymont's grounds, was originally built for William Davies and his family. From 1942 to 1945, it housed part of Somerville House displaced by war activities. [ [http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A130582b.htm Biography of Elinor Frances Craig] ] In 1944-45, the property was acquired and converted into a hostel for country girls studying in Brisbane by the Methodist Church, now the Uniting Church of Australia. It was formally named as Raymont Lodge in honour of Mrs E. Raymont, who had left a generous bequest to the church. The hostel was run by the Central Methodist Mission. A parsonage for its Superintendent was erected in the western corner of the property. In the 1960s, a new dormitory wing was added to house both male and female students. [http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/projects/heritage/index.cgi?place=600051&back=1 Queensland EPA] ]

The residential college commenced in the 1980s when a new building was constructed to house tertiary students. The Uniting Church also relocating its state headquarters and Trinity Theological College to the grounds.

References