Look at this building. It is more than just sandstone and iron. This is The Moreton Club, a place with a unique story. The Moreton Club has been a haven for women since 1924.
In 1924, some Brisbane women met at Eschenhagen’s cafe in Queen Street. They wanted a place for women to socialize. They established The Moreton Club in the ballroom at Lennon’s hotel on October 1, 1924. The name “The Moreton Club” was chosen to refer to Moreton Bay. Mrs. J M Bruche, later Lady Bruche, led the 126 founding members. Back then and now, membership was by invitation only.
The Moreton Club moved around the city several times. It was at King House in Queen Street, Eskdale in Wharf Street, and other locations. The Club finally found a permanent home in 1957.
In July 1957, The Moreton Club found Bertholme, an 1880s house on Moray Street. Andrea Stombuco, an Italian architect, built it as his home. He designed many buildings in Brisbane during the 1880s boom. Bertholme was a handsome sandstone house. But in 1957, it was quite dilapidated. It had been a nursing home and a boarding house.
The Moreton Club transformed Bertholme into elegant club rooms. An accommodation wing was added for country members. It was also for members of affiliated clubs. J G Trude, a Brisbane architect, designed the new wing.
The Moreton Club expanded further. Land was purchased to protect the river view. The Club bought land behind Bertholme. Another block was bought on the eastern side. A small house on that land became known as “the Cottage”.
The Dining Room has always been central to The Moreton Club. The dining room in Bertholme’s lower level could only hold fifty people. The area under the accommodation wing became the River Room. The River Room hosted larger events like lunches and weddings. It was opened in 1961.
The River Room grew over time. A breezeway connected it to the main house. The breezeway was enclosed to create a larger River Room. A courtyard became a place for drinks before events. A deck overlooking the river offered city skyline views.
The Moreton Club hosts many activities. The Show Week cocktail party is a long-standing tradition. It began as a grand ball. It is accompanied by a Town and Country luncheon.
Flowers have always been important to The Moreton Club. Members arrange beautiful flowers every day. The first committee allocated £1 per week for flowers.
The Moreton Club has grown over the years. But its purpose remains the same. It is a private social club for women to gather in beautiful surroundings.
Bertholme itself is a significant building. Andrea Stombuco acquired the land in 1882. He was a noted architect in Brisbane. The house was built within three years. Stombuco sold the property in 1885 to Giovanni Pulle.
The house later became known as Bertholme. Henry Cohen, manager of Elliot Brothers, named it after his wife, Bertha. In 1939, Miss Jane Ingram converted it into a nursing home.
Bertholme is a single-story sandstone residence. It has a hipped roof, now made of corrugated iron. The house has a convex roofed verandah. The front verandah retains its original cast-iron balusters and posts. A modern wing was added to the rear.
The Queensland Heritage Register listed Bertholme on October 21, 1992. It is a rare example of riverside residences in New Farm. Its stone walls and decorative fence give it a distinctive texture. It is significant as the home of The Moreton Club. It is also associated with Andrea Stombuco.
As you leave The Moreton Club, remember its rich history. It is a place of community, tradition, and enduring friendships. The Moreton Club is more than a building. It is a legacy.