Magnificent Toowoomba home on 2018 Heritage Bank calendar

22 November 2017 

The magnificent home “Whyembah”, immediately adjacent to Toowoomba’s beautiful Botanic Gardens, has been chosen to feature on the Heritage Bank calendar for 2018.

This will be the 36th edition of the much-loved Heritage calendar, which every year features a painting of an architecturally and historically important Queensland house, along with a brief history of the home.

The aim is to recognise and celebrate the finest examples of excellence in Queensland’s domestic architecture.

Thousands of the calendars are distributed across Queensland, with copies available to people at Heritage branches for a gold coin donation. Almost $30,000 will be donated to Queensland charities next year thanks to the monies raised by the calendar.

“Whyembah” sits on one of Toowoomba’s best locations, on tree-lined Campbell Street adjacent to the city’s Botanic Gardens.

Whyembah was built circa 1896 for businessman John Rosser. The ornate timber home was renovated and enlarged in 1906, and the ceilings and walls lined in pressed metal. After John Rosser’s death in 1925, his wife Margaret remained in the home until her death in 1952, aged 91.

The house has had a number of owners and renovations since then, including a two-storey extension at the rear that faithfully replicated the home’s exterior look.

In the 1970s it was turned into flats for a short period. More recently “Whyembah” has had an extensive internal renovation to restore the superb original architectural features including red cedar doors, stained glass entry, hard wood floors, and the rare combination of pressed metal walls and ceiling sheeting.

The home now has five double bedrooms; an office with separate external entry; a formal dining room; a separate living room; a children’s play loft; and a stylish kitchen/meals area.

Whyembah was placed on the Queensland Heritage Register in 1993. Current owners Jayne and Ciaran Gentry purchased the home in 2015.

CEO Mr Peter Lock said Heritage was delighted to showcase excellence in local domestic architecture through the calendar tradition.

“We’re delighted to promote the best in Queensland’s architectural heritage by featuring homes such as Whyembah on our calendar,” he said.

“This home has a long and rich history, as well as striking visual appeal.  We’re delighted that we can showcase this home, and raise money for charity at the same time, to give something back to the community. That’s what Heritage is all about.”

Proceeds from this year’s calendar donations will be distributed to homelessness support service Night Ninjas, school and family assistance service iSEE CARE, the Breast and Prostate Cancer Association of Queensland, The Shack Community Centre, the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation; and Wildlife Rescue Education.