Grounds & Gardens
The site at Sandy Gallop was approximately 139 acres when acquired but today the campus occupies an area of twenty five hectares. The Sandy Gallop Golf Course extends along the south and western boundaries and provides an extension to the Arcadian quality of the site.
Dr Hogg (Inspector of Asylums) had asked the works department to draw up a block plan for the site, because he could see the need for expansion and did not want this to proceed in a haphazard manner.
The new male ward (Blair Pavilion) was considered to be on a fine site and Dr Hogg instigated the installation of the ha-haA sunken fence designed not to interrupt the view from within. It is invisible until seen from close by and consists of a trench on the inner side. so as not to obstruct the views for the patients. The building has fine views of Mt Flinders to the south, and Denmark Hill to the north. Blair Pavillion has the commanding position on the site, is visible from some distance, and is a well known landmark.
The rest of the buildings follow the line of a curved ridge at the top of the site, and it is this which probably inspired the creation of the radial plan. Flooding had been of some concern at Wolston Park and it is possible this influenced the choice of site as well, so it made sense to position the buildings on the highest point.
From the ridge, the ground slopes gently towards Deebing Creek. A small ridge runs off the main ridge to the west, on which the piggery and dairy were later built. The adjacent land running down to the creek was used for grazing or gardening.
The theory of “Moral Treatment” at the time, required pleasant vistas, quiet surroundings, purposeful and recreational activity and buildings with plenty of natural light and fresh air. The Ipswich site provided these in abundance.
For those physically fit enough to work, the farm work provided useful activity and supplied the asylum with food, the surplus of which was sold. The patients who were involved in the milking would have to rise at 4am to do this task. Recreation was taken very seriously as well, and it was not all hard work.
In 1916 it was written of Mr Lergesner, the stockman, that he "... takes delight in the dairy herd and the pigs...Berkshires...bred by the Asylum, produce a large revenue..." 1 The Ipswich Agricultural Show prize list printed in the Brisbane Courier in 1892 shows that the Asylum was awarded prizes for exhibiting their Berkshire & Yorkshire pigs.
A bush house was also sited nearby for the propagation of plants and as a supply of indoor plants for the wards.
The beautification of the site continued with the planting of trees and with the completion of the Administration building and nurses' quarters, the main entry was changed to finish in front of the Administration building. This was composed of a large circular driveway, the middle of the circle being laid out with palm trees and ornamental flowers, by Mr Bailey, the head gardener, .
The new entry gates were completely constructed by asylum staff and the Inspector’s report of 1915 made note of their “artistic” construction.2
A palm grove was planted in front of Grace House and Male Ward 1. A circular garden in front of Grace House, entered through a wisteria covered pergola, complemented the proportions of the building. This garden is still in existence and at one time was planted with a rosemary (for remembrance) hedge, perhaps in memory of those who lived here in the past. Today this bed is planted with Murraya Paniculata and two Wollemi Pines. The wisteria continues to flourish.
Flower beds surrounded most buildings and were well maintained up until the 1960s, when most of the gardens became considerably run down. This added to the air of dejection at the asylum. By this time there were not many capable male patients left, Ipswich being used mainly to house the criminally insane and intellectually disabled children. There had been a severe drought in the 1950s and by the 1960s most of the livestock on the farm had been sold off. The farm buildings were demolished in the 1970s and the vegetable gardens became overgrown with long grass.
Although there was not enough flat ground to build a cricket field, a tennis court was constructed within view of the male ward. Tournaments played by staff and patients well enough to play, provided a welcome distraction. Dr Ellerton (Inspector for the Insane) was also a keen golf player and it is due to his efforts that the Sandy Gallop and Gailes Golf Courses, both bordering the asylums, came into being. In the 1970s, an oval was finally constructed on the site of the old vegetable gardens.
the importance of a tranquil environment for the patients had not diminished over the years, and Dr Basil Stafford mentioned the “desirable therapeutic effect resulting from the beautification of the grounds. It is our aim that these grounds will be notable for their botanic and scenic excellence.” 3
An item of interest is the sighting of a pair of the now presumed extinct Paradise Parrots by former staff member who was a youth in the 1920’s. 4
With the change to the Challinor Centre in 1968, most of the internal fencing was demolished, so residents could move more easily around the grounds. Gardening competitions between the different houses were instituted, and with the appointment of Mr Dave Sorensen as head gardener, the gardens began a new era of development. The use of native shrubs and trees was instigated around the newly built Arthur Pavilion and the oval. The residents were very enthusiastic about being involved in the gardening competitions. The therapeutic benefit of this was once again recognized, and culminated in the winning of one section of the Ipswich gardening competition in 1983.
Since acquiring the site in 1998, The University of Queensland has worked hard at maintaining the existing plantings. Many of the trees are heritage listed, and have added substantially to the number of trees on the site. The University has also developed a walking trail around the campus. Shade is an important issue and where possible, trees have been planted along paths and carparks. In recent years, the drought has had an impact on some of these. They can no longer be watered, but the extensive use of mulch has helped many survive. Mass plantings between the old and new buildings have helped link the two together.
The main entry to the site is now from Salisbury Road instead of Parker Avenue, and the Ipswich City Council has provided mass plantings along this stretch of road to beautify the entry to the site.1. Queensland Times, 13th January, 1916 as cited in McRobert, E. (1997) Challinor Centre : the end of the line : a history of the institution also known as Sandy Gallop, Brisbane, Qld. Dept. of Families, Youth & Community Care. p102
2. Queensland, Parliament 1916, Report of the Inspector of hospitals for the Insane. Parl. Papers 3rd Session of the 19th Parliament. Vol.2, Brisbane. p.42
3. Queensland, Parliament 1950, Annual Report on the Health and Medical Services of the State of Queensland for the Year 1949-50 . Parl. Papers 1st Session of 32nd Parliament. Vol. 2. Brisbane. p.97
4. McRobert, E. (1997). Challinor Centre : the end of the line : a history of the institution also known as Sandy Gallop. Brisbane, Qld: Dept. of Families, Youth & Community Care. p.63