Essential maintenance work to the verandah of the iconic Hinkler House, situated within the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens, will soon begin.
The project will involve replacing sections that have deteriorated over time due to rot, with Bundaberg Regional Council set to close the attraction for six weeks from Monday 10 February to allow for the work to be carried out safely and efficiently.
Arts, Heritage, and Asset Management portfolio spokesperson Cr John Learmonth said the refurbishment was a vital step in safeguarding the future of the local heritage treasure.
“This important work will ensure that Hinkler House remains a significant part of Bundaberg’s history while providing visitors with a safe and enjoyable experience,” Cr Learmonth said.
Hinkler House is identified as a Local Heritage Place under the Bundaberg Regional Council Planning Scheme.
Cr Learmonth said Council had ensured the work would comply with the Local Heritage Character Overlay Code to preserve the cultural integrity of the house.
“We are committed to ensuring that the verandah is replaced with materials and methods that closely replicate the original design, in line with its heritage significance,” he said.
Key features of the replacement include:
- Hardwood posts replicating the original decorative chamfered edges
- Repainting the verandah to match the existing colour scheme
- Salvaging and repurposing timbers where possible
- Documenting the works, including the preparation of archival-quality photographic records.
Cr Learmonth said, while Hinkler House would be closed during the upcoming renovations for safety and efficiency, visitors to the Hinkler Hall of Aviation could explore the history of the house via a virtual tour available in the exhibition hall.
“We’re excited to continue preserving Hinkler House as a key part of our community’s heritage,” Cr Learmonth said.
“We look forward to reopening the house once the work is complete and sharing its rich history with future generations.”
Construction will begin on Monday, 10 February and will take approximately six weeks to complete, pending weather.
History of Hinkler House
Bert Hinkler built a modest detached house on Thornhill Estate in Southampton, England in 1925.
He named the home “Mon Repos” to celebrate the beachside location of the same name in his Australian hometown of Bundaberg where he had fuelled his love of flight.
Following Bert’s untimely death in 1933 the home eventually became the property of the Southampton City Council and was ultimately threatened with demolition.
In 1983 the Hinkler House Memorial Museum & Research Association was formed to oversee the relocation of Bert’s home from Southampton back to Bert’s birthplace of Bundaberg, Australia.
In May and June of 1983, the house was painstakingly dismantled brick-by-brick, carefully catalogued and transported to Bundaberg and rebuilt as a memorial museum to honour the deeds of Bert Hinkler.
For more information visit the Bundaberg Regional Council website.
Didn’t know the full history of the home. Very pleased to appreciate it more. A wonderful venue for functions and a ‘must see’ for visitors. Congratulations Cr Learmonth…always in the right place at the right time for all the right reasons!