The land for The Colonial was initially granted to Henry James Vicary circa 1850.
The Colonial
Historic family retreat in Triabunna, Tasmania
1850
1870
The Colonial, or at least the adjacent shop (where the shed now stands) has been built.
1890
The Colonial is a shop owned by Albert J McGrath and Mrs R A McGrath (from the Assessment and Valuation Rolls from the Tasmanian government gazette).
1895
The Colonial is recorded as a shop and dwelling – still with the McGraths (from the Assessment and Valuation Rolls from the Tasmanian government gazette). However, the below receipt from 1895 indicates that Luttrell’s had commenced using the Colonial as a shop by this time.
1899
According to the Assessment and Valuation Rolls from the Tasmanian government gazette, The Colonial changes ownership to Arthur Leopold and Herbert James Luttrell and function recorded as a house, stables and shop (the house presumably occupied by Mrs McGrath). Arthur and Herbert Luttrell were brothers, born in Spring Bay to Edgar Luttrell and his wife Mary France nee Switzer. The Luttrell name is still prominent in the district.
1890 ~ 1920
A and H Luttrell now occupy The Colonial and it functions as a house, stables and shop.
“Luttrell’s owned The Colonial and a shop next door which stocked groceries, jumpers, trousers as well as shoes and boots. When owned by Mr Luttrell, a barn at the rear was used to stable horses from the coaches stopping over at Triabunna House.
Mr Luttrell also dealt in possum skins; these also being stored in the stable. After selling their wares to Mr Luttrell many of the young lads in the town would then ‘repossess’ the skins and try and sell them back to him! “By faith I think I’ve seen these skins before” Mr Luttrell would exclaim sending the lads racing from his premises!”
Unknown date
Charles Street Spring bay hotel (before second story added) The Colonial on the right.
Circa 1920
Jack Broderick bought the business and added ready-made dresses to the stock, it was the first shop in Triabunna to do so. (Jean Aa Adams interview, 1987)
1925
The Colonial is still a house and shop, and still owned by Arthur Leopold Lutrell, but occupied by John Broderick.
Circa 1925
The Colonial becomes a maternity hospital. As roads and transport improved, home births became less common, and in 1921 it became compulsory for midwives to be trained. Mrs Broderick applied to the Spring Bay Council in 1924 for a subsidy for the Triabunna Maternity Hospital on the corner of Vicary and Charles Streets (Swan’s Corner) and had extra rooms added for the purpose. (Tom & Dulcie Gillow Interview, 1987)
Unknown date
Circa 1930
Evelyn Webb and Roy Castle in Vicary Street (next to current IGA).
1947
The Swans move into The Colonial. The Swan family (Cliff and Ivy) moved from Wielangta, Rheban with 16 children. You will find the grave of one of Cliff and Ivy’s infant children at the start of the Wielangta Forest Trail bush walk.
1993 ~ 2016
Sufi’s craft shop. In the 2000s, The Colonial was a year-round Christmas and craft shop run by Pat Bell.
“Nestled in this coastal paradise is Sufi’s Craft And Tearoom. Visitors will find a treasure trove of haberdashery, Christmas decorations, craft supplies, souveniers, patchwork & patchwork supplies and local crafts. There are also patchwork and quilting classes available.”