A PROFESSIONAL HOME FOR DENTISTS: THE STORY OF ADAQ HEADQUARTERS
Until 1972 ADAQ did not have its own headquarters. It sourced hospitality from other organisations
The School of Art Building, Brisbane. ADAQ archives.
The first meeting of the newly established association in 1928 was held at the Library in the Brisbane School of Art Building, 166 Ann Street.
This beautiful building is still standing and now heritage listed. It is currently vacant and awaiting refurbishment. More info: https://www.museumofbrisbane.com.au/mob-sunday-stories-the-school-of-arts/
For the next twenty years the Association hopped between various venues, renting rooms at the RACQ building in Edward Street, the BMA House in Wickham Terrace, and at times the Secretary’s rooms. Meetings and courses were also held at the lecture theatre of the Dental College in Turbot Street. From 1940 to 1950, meetings were held at the Institute of Engineers, in the now demolished Empire Chambers, corner Queens St and Wharf Street.
COUCHSURFING AT THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
From 1950 to 1956 the BMA Council Room was rented again, until the Australian Medical Association Queensland Branch kindly made a meeting room permanently available to us. In 1956, at the initiative of Frederick George Christensen (1913-1969), then President, a special purpose ADA Council Room was set up in the basement of the AMAQ building in Herston. We leased this room from the AMA until December 1970. This basement room was furnished with member donations. Each former President donated a chair. Each chair had the then customary ash tray attached!
By the 1960s a House Committee had been set up to tackle the ‘ADAQ Housing’ situation. At the time, it was seen as shameful that we did not have a physical ‘professional home’ for dentistry in Queensland, owned by the Association. Moreover, the organisation was growing fast, as it organised more education and training for members as well as the Dental Assistant students.
AN UNEXPECTED BEQUEST
Site of George Christensen's Residence, 2005 circa. ADAQ Archives.
In July 1969, FG Christensen passed away. ADAQ soon found out that he had bequeathed his house and land at 535 Coronation Drive, corner of Silvan Road, Toowong, to his beloved professional organisation. A ’magnificent gesture of service to the ADA’ as it was described then.
Unfortunately, the private residence was deemed unsuitable for the growing organisation. Renovations plans were financially impractical. It was decided to sell it to raise funds for a purpose-built headquarters, to be named in Christensen’s honour. This was in line with Christensen’s bequest conditions.
Dr Fred Clements practised at the site for several years while a decision was made. Between 1971 and 1972, Council met at the Queensland Hoteliers Association, corner of Astor and Upper Edwards Street.
In 1971, ADAQ Council decided on a property at 24 Little Edward Street, to be demolished to make way for a six-storey building. The purchase price was $66,287.
Situated between Leichardt and Boundary Streets in a new development area, and close to the central city commercial area, the site was convenient and accessible to south-east members.
FIRST CHRISTENSEN HOUSE – LITTLE EDWARD ST
ADAQ's first headquarters under construction. 24 Little Edward St, 1971. ADAQ Archives.
The 24 Little Edward Street building was presented as an investment for ADAQ members and eventually erected with the financial support of many members.
The building was fully airconditioned by a central unit plant, the office space fully carpeted, and all floors served by an automatic lift.
Finished building. 24 Little Edward St, 1971. ADAQ Archives.
Official opening of Christensen House, 1972. ADAQ Archives.
Governor Sir Colin Hannah officially opened the new headquarters on 16 September 1972. In the presentation speech, the convenor Dr Jim Croker mentioned his wish that:
“Future generations of members of the ADA will say...Thank God for those members [involved with the House Committee and Council] who despite all the obvious and hidden barriers besetting a development of this size and nature, did have the vision and courage to plan and establish this fine building.”
Jim Croker was instrumental as president and later house committee convenor, in bringing the dream of ADAQ’s own headquarters to life.
ADAQ Queensland staff and council took up residence in the top floor, and rented the other floors to generate income.
ADAQ's building, 24 Little Edward St, 1971. ADAQ Archives.
Unfortunately, occupancy for the prestigious building never reached an ideal level to make the arrangement viable in the long run. A ‘chill which then developed in the economic climate’, as put by Jim Croker himself, thwarted any dreams of growing this property as a financial asset for members.
Christensen House no.1 was sold in 1980 for a profit and Christensen House 2 was built soon after with the proceeds of the sale, at 61 Brookes Street, Bowen Hills.
CHRISTENSEN HOUSE II – BROOKES ST
Brooke St building, undated, 1980s. ADAQ Archives.
Ten years after the first official opening, the new Governor Sir James Ramsay opened the Brookes Street building on 15 July 1982.
The building was hailed as a prestigious upgrade, with air conditioning, a ‘smoke-extracted’ auditorium with an area suitable for installing dental equipment for wet-finger clinics.
The kitchen was ‘fully equipped with dishwasher, glasswasher, stove and refrigerator’ and ‘shower facilities incorporated to ‘cater for any out-of-town members wishing to freshen up after a long journey’.
At the time, the site approached half a million dollars in value, of which ADAQ held a substantial equity.
By 2004, the Association again was running out of room, with CPD and training needs expanding. In addition, news came that the site next door had been approved for a high-rise apartment block, thwarting any dreams of extensions.
Once suitable offers to purchase the Brookes St building were received, ADAQ agreed on the 26-28 Hamilton Place site, the current Christensen House.
CHRISTENSEN HOUSE III – HAMILTON PLACE
ADAQ moved into the building on 15 March 2005. The new ADAQ residence would include a state-of-the-art dental teaching laboratory and a fully equipped dental surgery.
Hamilton Place building, the original facade, 2005. ADAQ Archives.
In 2023, ADAQ Council approved the renovation of Christensen House, to ensure it remains fit for purpose and a safe place for staff, RTO students, members and visitors.
The upgrades to the current space feature the latest best-practice workplace health and safety requirements and refreshed meeting spaces.
Here’s what our new professional home looks like! [Renovated building will be unveiled August 2024]