By Audrey Kerle, Grade 12 student at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School.
In 1910, the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent purchased a house at the crest of Lapraik Street, Ascot, with a vision that stretched far beyond its walls: to provide young women with an education rooted in faith, compassion, and service.
More than 115 years later, the building has been given new life as a Student Wellbeing Centre, placing the Sisters’ mission of care at the spiritual heart of St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School.
The refurbishment of Community House is, as Reverend Jazz Dow reflected, a living symbol of the Sisters’ enduring compassion and of our school’s commitment to preserving their legacy.
“This refurbishment ensures we have not lost sight of our story,” she explained.
“It is one way of remaining faithful to our Anglican identity, and an outworking of the Sisters’ original vision of making space for God.”
The home, overlooking the Albion brickworks, was originally built by visionary pastoralist Patrick Durack who in 1885 commissioned architectural and engineering firm Holmes & Cohen to design what he named ‘Maryview’.
In 1890, the home was sold to Frederic Horwood and renamed ‘Roslyn’ and in 1901 John Dunmore Campbell purchased the property, naming it ‘Donatello’.
It was 130 years ago, in 1895, that the Sisters began their educational mission with the opening of Eton High School in Nundah, a modest day and boarding school for girls.
By 1907, under the leadership of Miss Juliet Lyon, the school had moved to the now heritage-listed Toorak House situated on Annie Street in Ascot and expanded to 35 students.
Their vision to nurture not just girls’ minds but their whole selves expanded in 1910, when the Sisters purchased ‘Donatello’ on Lapraik Street, renaming it ‘St Margaret’s House’.
From here, the school flourished under the guidance of Sister Teresa.
It became the first school building on the current site and later, the home of the Sisters, who at that time renamed it ‘Community House’.
Last year, Ashley Cooper Construction transformed the grand old home into a wellbeing centre for St Margaret’s students, receiving recognition for their craftsmanship at the 2025 Brisbane House and Construction Awards.
Now home to the school’s counsellors and chaplain, the building is a dedicated space for students to pause, reflect, and unwind.
“The refurbishment makes space for God,” Reverend Dow said, “in that it facilitates exploration of connection, faith, and spirituality, not only in times of crisis but as a permanent vessel for compassion, open to the whole community at any time, ensuring we remain faithful to our Anglican identity.”
“For students to outwardly flourish in their endeavours, they must first be flourishing inwardly. Community House provides that, a dedicated space, with the tools and resources to nurture inner wellbeing.”
Community House stands as both sanctuary and springboard from which students can step forward ready to flourish in every endeavour.
