Lady Bowen Services Hostel

12th Australian Defence Canteen Services Hostel

Albert Park, as the largest park closest to the City, became an important rest and recreation spot for wartime Brisbane. In early 1941, the Lady Bowen Club and Cabaret was built in or near the park to provide accommodation and entertainment for Australian troops on leave. As a large tree-lined space, Albert Park was an ideal location for siting City air raid facilities. One twin shelter, a single shelter and a huge open slit trench were positioned in the park.

Place information

Location

497-535 Wickham Terrace

Spring Hill, QLD 4000

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Place type

Civil defence facility

History

In late 1940, it was decided to build recreation facilities based around Albert Park for service personnel visiting Brisbane. The Lady Bowen Club and Cabaret was completed and opened by April 1941. It comprised a Club located in an old lady Bowen Hospital building at 497-485 Wickham Terrace and a separate cabaret building on the Wickham Terrace side of Albert Park. Army engineers of 1st Australian Civil and Electrical Works Company did both the hospital building’s renovation and the Cabaret building construction.

The Lady Bowen Club was a hostel for servicemen on leave. Troops slept in 16-bed dormitories containing double-bunk beds....

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