192 Spencer Street

The house at 192 Spencer Street, known as Eagle Towers, is located on the corner of Clarke and Spencer Streets and is a single-story brick and iron building in Victoria Georgian and Federation Bungalow style. It was probably constructed in the early 1900s, and an earlier structure was likely incorporated into the house. The building likely underwent many renovations throughout the years, as indicated by the building techniques. It was also extended in the late 1970s.

The earlier structure incorporated into the house is a part of local legend. According to local tradition, the first structure was built in 1877 on 20 acres of land owned by a British army officer from India. In legend, he equipped the land with stockyards and stables for horses which he intended to breed and then supply to the Indian army. While documentation is yet to be found to support this, the physical evidence of an older structure at 192 Spencer Street indicates some truth to the legend.

What documentation does say is that 192 Spencer Street was originally part of Location 26. The area became part of the Mangles Estate subdivision in 1899. Mangles Estate was named after George Mangles, who was a cousin of Lady Ellen Stirling.

In 1900 Alice Edith Speed purchased Lot 13, now 192 Spencer Street. The house was likely built at this time.

The property changed hands to Alfred Stuart Teede in 1907. He was a farmer and grazier from Balingup. His parents, George and Mildred Teede, arrived in Western Australia aboard the Diadem in 1842 as part of the failed Australind Settlement under the Western Australian Company. Alfred was the youngest of 11 children. Alfred was born in York c. 1861, where he spent his former years before moving to the South-West (reference). He was known in the community as the owner of several racehorses, including Bob Panic and Bunbury Lass (reference). Alfred passed away in December 1920 (reference).

In 1910 the property’s ownership was transferred to Emma Russell Teede, Alfred’s wife. Emma also owned Lots 14-17 in the Mangles Estate subdivision, on the southwest corner of Clarke Street and Vasse Road. Alfred’s brother Ernest was the occupant from 1914 to 1916. Alfred and Emma lived there from 1917 to 1927.

After Alfred died in 1928, the property was sold to Walter Shirley Hayes, the Secretary of the Bunbury Anglican Diocese. The sale was financed by a £900 mortgage to Emma Teede. The house then became the home convent of the Sisters of St Elizabeth of Hungary for 24 years. In late June 1928, the Convent of St Elizabeth was blessed.

The Order of Sister of Elizabeth of Hungary was founded in London in 1916. Reverend Mother Elizabeth (Elizabeth Hodges) founded the Order named for the 13th-century saint and princess Elizabeth of Hungary (Elizabeth of Thuringia).

The Western Australian Chapter was set up to provide “spiritual encouragement” to young English women, particularly those who had come out as part of group settlements. The Sisters arrived in Bunbury in March 1928 and soon established houses at Margaret River and Busselton. They raised funds for small churches to be built in the group settlements. The Sisters lived their lives according to the Franciscan tradition. As they wore a habit of grey, they were often referred to as St Francis’s “little grey sparrows.” As well as providing support for the group settlers, they also comforted many in the community through the Great Depression and World War II. The Sisters also helped the clergy with parish duties and ran a Correspondence Sunday School throughout the Great Southern. 

Due to an increase in numbers, the Sisters purchased a bungalow diagonally opposite the convent for extra accommodation. The Sisters opened the Mary Clementina Hostel for high school girls next door to the convent in 1932. The hostel was named for its benefactor, Miss Mary Clementina Benthall. In the first year, the hostel was fully occupied and places were in high demand. As a result, the bungalow was requisitioned for the senior girls.

In the 1940s, the hostel was closed and the Sisters moved in, making it their new convent. The Chapel was moved to the new convent and enlarged. The old home (later Eagle Towers) was used as a summer holiday accommodation for the clergy and their families. In 1954 the Sisters sold the bungalow and their Busselton house. In 1957 they withdrew from Western Australia. One reason for their withdrawal was that their work with the English amongst the group settlers was finished. Lots 13, 14 and 15 were sold to the Bunbury Diocesan Trustees. The old house was then occupied by the clergy of the South Bunbury Parish as their rectory.

In 1971, it was purchased by William Alfred Potter Garland, a cabinet maker. It was sold again in 1977 to Thelma Rowe, Colleen Haese and Audrey Eagle. Thelma withdrew from the partnership. Colleen and Audrey established a restaurant called Eagle Towers. Extensive renovations were undertaken to convert the place into a restaurant. Audrey became the sole owner in 1989. The restaurant changed hands in 1998 and the name changed to Connors Restaurant.

Residents of 192 Spencer Street

1900 Alice Edith Speed

1907 Alfred Stuart Teede

1910 Emma Russell Teede

1928 Walter Shirley Hayes

1971 William Alfred Potter Garland

1977 Thelma Rowe, Colleen Haese and Audrey Eagle

Information retrieved from Inherit with permission. This history is based on the Documentary Evidence in Heritage Council of Western Australia, ‘Register of Heritage Places Assessment Documentation: Eagle Towers – Below Threshold’, prepared by Irene Ham.