Millbrook: The Building

‘Millbrook House’, home of Mr William Henry Groom, the first Mayor of Toowoomba, was built in the 1860’s on Ruthven Street near the end of the Toowoomba Railway Station. After his death, Millbrook House was relocated to its current address by his widow Mrs Grace Groom (nee Littleton) in 1902, as the area was getting too busy.

Mrs Groom was a well-known figure in the Toowoomba community and was regularly invited to present school awards and open events. She also held numerous garden parties at Millbrook. The gardens at Millbrook were fitted out with stables, a chicken run, prize-winning flowers, fruit trees and vegetable gardens.

In 1932 after Mrs Groom’s passing, Millbrook stood vacant for only a short period before it was occupied by Dr Allan Warren Rowe. Dr Rowe opened his own surgery at Millbrook, using the formal sitting room as his practice and the northern closed veranda as the surgery entrance and waiting room. After Dr Rowe’s passing in 1979, his wife Mrs Rowe began to refurbish the house. Mrs Rowe was well-known through her involvement in SPELD (Specific Learning Difficulties), The National Trust of Queensland and the Repertory Theatre.

Due to its significant history, Millbrook was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 2001.

A New Chapter

In 2019, for the first time in nearly 160 years, Millbrook came up for sale, with Mr Josh Poynter (a well-respected local builder known for his expertise in heritage housing) securing the purchase in January 2020. However, COVID delayed plans to bring new life to Millbrook soon after this purchase was made.

In late 2021, Mr Poynter began investigating how to transform Millbrook into an Early Education Centre. After a chance conversation with Business Owners (Michelle and Nicarla) a shared vision emerged – to restore Millbrook and return it to the community as a place of learning, connection and legacy.

The project has ensured that original materials were thoughtfully reused – including wood from the old stables (now part of the walkway). Historical artifacts discovered during renovation have been preserved and are on display in the centre. The orchard, vegetable gardens and chicken run once utilised and maintained by Mrs Groom have been reinstated on the grounds. An artwork titled “Millbrook” by local artist Peter Conaghan – who had a personal connection with Mrs Rowe – was purchased by the business owners at a local school art show. This timeless piece is displayed in the foyer, honouring the past and also inspiring the future of this property.

The redevelopment of Millbrook meets the highest standards. Every element of the build supports the centre’s philosophy, values and goals. Millbrook Montessori is more than an Early Learning Centre – it is a living legacy, created by people who care deeply about children, history, and the future of Toowoomba.