Air Force House, "Wyandra" Campbell Street, Bowen Hills

AIR FORCE HOUSE
"WYANDRA" 3 CAMPBELL ST.,
BOWEN HILLS, BRISBANE, QLD
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII

"Wyandra" at 3 Campbell Street, Bowen Hills was previously owned by the late Mr. and Mrs. C. O. Mant when it was taken over and converted to Air Force House. "Wyandra" stood in about an acre of land and half of the grounds were covered with shady trees, garden beds and a tennis court. Most of the 21 rooms were converted into dormitories. The large recreation room was 47 foot long. There was also an open air smoking room, a writing room and sleepouts on the verandahs.

"Wyandra" was taken over on Monday 6 January 1941 by the Women's Air Training Corps RAAF Welfare Club for the rest of WWII. Air Force House was ready for use on Friday 10 January 1941. The official opening was held at a later day with a gift afternoon and a dance later that night.

A long passageway near the kitchen was converted into a breakfast room. An adjacent room was fitted out with a boiler, drip boards and washing-up equipment. "Wyandra" could normally accommodate 95 RAAF personnel, however on one occasion it catered for 120 men.

Some of the volunteers who helped with various activities including lacquering chairs a bright Air Force blue were Miss D. Pratt, Mesdames T. J. Johnson, K. N. S. Hall, H. Horwood and F. Z. Eager. They were assisted by some RAAF personnel from Archerfield who used a day of their leave for the occasion.

Mrs. J. Waters, wife of Wing Commander Waters was the matron in charge and vice-president of the Welfare Club. Air Force House was run by a house committee from the Welfare Club's executive. Mrs. D. V. Duigan, the honorary Secretary, was in charge of bookings and linen. Every department had its own head person.

Miss Sheila MacNeill was in charge of ordering and the 6:30am to 10:30am shift. Miss Kathleen McDonnell looked after the 10:30am to 4:30pm shift and Miss Sheila Weedon looked after the 4:30pm to 10:00pm shift. Mrs. F. Z. Eager was in charge of supplying flowers in addition to those gown in the local garden.

The Welfare Committee were excited when they received an anonymous donation that paid for the first years rent. Mrs. E. Hill also donated a piano, four dozen tea towels, sheets, blankets, three dozen pillow cases and large quantity of soap. One of the busy volunteers Miss Marjorie Mant, donated a number of articles including carpets, an old cedar book case and some beds.

The site of the former "Wyandra" is now the location of the 12th Night Theatre. The newspaper article below references Campbell Street, Bowen Hills but the State Library of Queensland references it as Montpelier Road, Bowen Hills. "Wyandra" was surrounded by Cintra Road on its eastern side, Abbotsford Road on its western side and Campbell Street at the front of the house.

"Brisbane's Historic Homes. CXXVII. - Wyandra", Queenslander (Brisbane), Thursday 27 October 1932

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