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History & Culture
The Colonial on Elizabeth Boutique Hotel — a modern and well appointed accommodation complex and function centre.
The hotel still retains much of the character and charm of the old school. Wherever possible, original fixtures have been incorporated — schoolboys’ initials carved in architraves date back to 1853, whilst convict-pressed bricks have been left in place on the stair landing and milestone posts from the old highway between Hobart Town and Launceston feature in the delightful, award winning front gardens.
Grammar in its first year had 29 scholars who wore “bum freezers” and wide Eton collars as they toiled at their lessons with quill and ink, 6½ hours per day, four days a week. Homework lasted an hour every weekday evening. Wednesday and Saturday afternoons were free to play sport in the school grounds. Cricket came first, then after the 1860’s, school football.
Restoration and construction began in 1972 to transform the old school into what is now.
The “Big School Room” where pupils once gathered for assembly now houses the elegant and stylish QC Brasserie whilst the former school gymnasium has been converted to the popular Three Steps on George bar-restaurant-café.
It is also interesting to note that the old grammar school had some famous ex-pupils. The most significant coincidence is that of students Hudson Fysh, Warren McDonald and Ivan Holyman — all of whom were later to become knights of the British Empire and went on to head each of Australia’s major airlines: Qantas, TAA (now Qantas) and ANA (Ansett Airlines of Australia) respectively.
The Colonial on Elizabeth Boutique Hotel
a stylish testament to Tasmania’s rich heritage.
A truly unique experience!
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