Government House Queensland
Among the many treasures housed at Government House is a remarkable piece of Queensland craftsmanship with a unique story spanning more than 130 years.
In the State Dining Room stands the magnificent Queensland yellow-wood (Flindersia xanthoxyla) dining table, set as it would be for a formal vice-regal occasion with crisp linen napery, fine Aynsley bone china, Waterford crystal glassware and silver cutlery. While it appears to be a single grand table, it is in fact two halves of one extraordinary piece of furniture.
Crafted in Brisbane in 1896 by cabinet-makers John Hicks and Co., the table was originally commissioned for Old Government House and designed to seat 24 guests.
Just two years later, Lady Lamington, wife of Queensland's Governor, Baron Lamington, found the imposing 3.6-metre table impractical for everyday family dining and requested that it be divided into two sections. The alteration created a more versatile arrangement, but it also introduced an unexpected challenge.
When the dining suite moved to Fernberg with the establishment of the current Government House in 1910, the two halves came with it. For more than a century, guests seated where the tables joined often found themselves awkwardly navigating around the intersecting central legs.
That challenge was finally resolved in 2020 during the term of Governor Paul de Jersey. Brisbane-based Barnes Construction & Joinery designed and installed a custom winding mechanism featuring a trapezoidal thread, allowing the central legs to be repositioned seamlessly and improving the comfort of diners while preserving the historic furniture.
See It for Yourself
The State Dining Room is one of many fascinating spaces visitors can experience on a guided tour of Government House.
Free public tours, group tours and school tours are offered throughout the year, providing a unique opportunity to explore Fernberg and discover the stories behind some of Queensland's most significant historical and cultural treasures.
Book a free guided tour today and experience Queensland's living history firsthand.
