Historic Hamewith to be restored and used for disability support services

Over the course of its 130 year history, Hamewith has served as a home, as a school for children with disabilities, as a base for the Endeavour Foundation, and then again as a private residence. Here’s what is next.

One of Toowoomba’s remaining historic homesteads – Hamewith – will be preserved for future generations, after it was purchased by the head of disability support service Holistic Community Care.

The heritage-listed property, designed by prominent Toowoomba architect Harry Marks and built in C. 1894, sold to Ruth Mayger last week.

Hamewith on Drayton Road has been sold. It will be renovated and used for disability services with the focus on the arts

Pending an application to Toowoomba Regional Council, Ms Mayger said the organisation was planning to use Hamewith to provide services to NDIS participants, as Holistic Community Care currently does out of Smithfield Homestead at Harristown and Glenroy at Torrington.

If the plan goes ahead, the renovation and establishment of Hamewith as a venue for providing disability services will bring the history of the home full circle.

Hamewith on Drayton Road has been sold. It will be renovated and used for disability services with the focus on the arts

The home’s second owner, Dr David Horn, converted the home into the Hamewith Special School, a learning facility for children with disabilities.

It passed into the hands of the Endeavour Foundation in 1954, and in 2002 the home became a private residence once more.

Ms Mayger said old homesteads like Hamewith and Smithfield had a beautiful atmosphere to them – which was what made them such great places to provide support services to participants.

Hamewith on Drayton Road has been sold. It will be renovated and used for disability services with the focus on the arts. Holistic Community Care administrative staff Corina Nicolls (left) and Sharon Poore

“I’ve worked in disabilities all my life, and I’ve seen it go from one type of institutionalised mentality to another, but since the NDIS was rolled out we have been able to change the way support services have been offered, where the participant has choice and control” Ms Mayger said.

Ms Mayger said she hoped Hamewith would eventually complement the activities offered at Smithfield and Glenroy, seeing it as having a focus on the performing and visual arts.

She expects the renovation will take roughly two years and will not be making any changes to the home’s structure.

“It needs a lot of love and care, but it’s part of the history of disabilities in this town, so that’s a good thing. It’s come full circle.”