Investigation Dates: 01 April & 24 April 2006
Location: Gowrie House, Mary St Toowoomba
Investigators: Kevin G, Karen B, William E, Joanne E
Background of Location
The main building was designed by HJ Mark for local business person Alexander Mayes and was completed between 1901-1902. The building was named ‘Largo’ and was home to Alexander and Helena Mayes until 1922. The building was occupied by Walter Watts until it was sold to Dr Albert Furness in 1936. Dr Furness conducted alterations to the building through Architect William Hodgen. In 1945 the building was acquired by the Young Women’s Christian Association (YMCA).
The Building was re-named Gowrie House, after Lady Gowrie who was the wife of the Australian Governor General at the time. Brig-Gen Alexander Hore-Ruthven, lst Baron Gowrie was the Governor General between 1936-1945.
The Wadley Wing was constructed in the late 1950s to meet the increase in country girls seeking accommodation to attend secondary school in Toowoomba. In 1971 the Margaret Hofmann Wing was constructed and opened as the demand for accommodation continued (named after a past YMCA President).
A two storey accommodation building was built at the rear of the property in 1990.
In 1995 Gowrie House was heritage listed as a significant historic property.
In 2003 Gowrie House ceased operating as a boarding house due to changes in state legislation relating to safety standards for boarding house accommodation.
Alleged Paranormal Activities
It has been alleged that the apparition of a lady in a long grey dress has been seen walking the hallway of the original building. It has been reported that this alleged apparition appears after 10pm or in the very early hours of the morning. The alleged apparition is claimed to be a former housekeeper.
Doors have been said to have opened apparently on their own.
Date and Time of Investigation
The initial investigation was conducted on the evening of 01 April, 2006.
A second investigation was conducted on the evening of 24 April, 2006. This investigation primarily consisted of video and audio surveillance of the upstairs accommodation section at the rear of this property. The second investigation was conducted after a YWCA official reported hearing sounds like someone walking around in the upstairs accommodation section. Another official inspected the area immediately finding no evidence of anyone in the location.
Equipment Used During Investigation
The following equipment was used for the investigation:
Digital Thermometer
Application: Determine room temperature. Determine if any cold/hot spots in location
Infrared Thermometer
Application: Check for any unusual cold/hot spots from a distance
Electro-Magnetic Field Meter
Application: Check for electro-magnetic fields in location.
Check for unusually high readings
Tri-Field Meter
Application: Check for ‘natural’ electro-magnetic fields.
Check for EM fluctuations(EM fields are emitted by humans and animals among other things)
Anemometer
Application: Check for any drafts coming from doors, windows or any cracks or cavities.
Infrared Camera and Video Recorder
Application: Recorded location under very low light.
Infrared Spotlight
Application: Increase lighting for infrared camera
Digital Camera
Application: Still photos of location
Camcorder
Application: Recording progress of investigation for record of any unusual occurrences.
Polaroid Camera
Application: Instant photos around site.
Equipment Readings and Conditions at Location
The following readings were recorded during the investigation:
Equipment Used During Investigation
The following equipment was used for the investigation:
Digital Thermometer
Application: Determine room temperature. Determine if any cold/hot spots in location
Infrared Thermometer
Application: Check for any unusual cold/hot spots from a distance
Electro-Magnetic Field Meter
Application: Check for electro-magnetic fields in location.
Check for unusually high readings
Tri-Field Meter
Application: Check for ‘natural’ electro-magnetic fields.
Check for EM fluctuations(EM fields are emitted by humans and animals among other things)
Anemometer
Application: Check for any drafts coming from doors, windows or any cracks or cavities.
Infrared Camera and Video Recorder
Application: Recorded location under very low light.
Infrared Spotlight
Application: Increase lighting for infrared camera
Digital Camera
Application: Still photos of location
Camcorder
Application: Recording progress of investigation for record of any unusual occurrences.
Polaroid Camera
Application: Instant photos around site.
Equipment Readings and Conditions at Location
The following readings were recorded during the investigation:
Equipment
Digital Thermometer
Readings and Time
Hallway
21.2 Celsius Time: 11.35pm
Director’s Office
21.2 Celsius Time: 11.35pm
Comments
No unusual changes in temperature was recorded during investigation
Equipment
Infrared Thermometer
Readings and Time
Not required during investigation
Equipment
Electro-Magnetic Field Meter
Readings and Time
Hallway
0.2milliguass Time: 11.40pm
Director’s Office
0.2milliguass Time: 11.40pm
Comments
Very low reading with no fluctuations during investigation
Equipment
Tri-Field Meter
Readings and Time
Hallway
0.5milliguass @ electro Time: 11.45pm
Director’s Office
0.5 milliguass @ magnetic Time: 11.45pm
Comments
Very low reading with no fluctuations during investigation
Equipment
Anemometer
Readings and Time
No wind/draft registered in hallway or director’s room
Time: 11.10pm
Comments
Not a windy night – no drafts
Recorded around rooms observed
Physical Condition of Building/Area
Hallway
Normal airflow from this open area.
Creaky floorboard.
No wind noises (e.g. howling, swishing, voice like)
No noisy plumbing
No noisy/faulty electrical. Including surges.
A few creaks & cracks Were heard. This would probably be Movement of old Building.
Director’s Room
No drafts from windows, doors, etc
No creaky/noisy floorboards, doors, etc
No noisy plumbing
No noisy/faulty electrical. Including surges.
No general movement of building (creaks, cracks, etc)
Side Verandah
No drafts from windows, doors, etc
No creaky/noisy floorboards, doors, etc
No noisy plumbing
No noisy/faulty electrical. Including surges.
No general movement of building (creaks, cracks, etc)
Brief description of construction and condition of building
Gowrie House is a low set brick building. The building appeared to be in good condition.
The two storey accommodation building at the rear of the property is also constructed of brick. This building also appears to be in good condition.
Observations During Investigation at Location
The following observations were made throughout the investigation. The Investigation team continued to remain alert to all sensory perceptions. The purpose of this stage of the investigation was to scan the area under investigation for any activities that may have offered a natural explanation for alleged paranormal activities. The Investigation team noted all activities explainable or not.
During the 01 April investigation, the investigation team spent time in quiet observation in both the hallway and side verandah. This observation period coincides with any instrument, still photography, audio and/or video recordings.
Hallway Area
Nothing to report for – Visual, Auditory, Olfactory, Tactile or any General Sense/Feeling
Director’s Room
Nothing to report for – Visual, Auditory, Olfactory, Tactile or any General Sense/Feeling
Side Verandah
Nothing to report for – Visual, Auditory, Olfactory or Tactile
General Sense/Feeling
Karen reported feeling uneasy while in this area.
Findings From Audio and Video Recordings
Hallway Area
Nothing to report from digital photos or audio recordings taken while at the location.
I.R. Camera in Hallway
(Approximate time frame 12:30am to 4:30am 02 April 2006)
Recordings from the 4 hour video presented some unusual and unexplainable sounds after the Investigation Team had left the premises. An edited video tape highlighting the anomalies recorded was given to two YWCA employees working at Gowrie House for their comments. Both agreed that they were unable to offer an explanation for these sounds:
Auditory
Clicking noises followed by a sweeping like sound
Very slight shuffling sounds
Sound of an object hitting a hard surface (like pebbles hitting glass)
Paper crackling sound
Knocking sounds – like someone knocking on a door
Voice like sound – droning sound – seems to change pitch
Visual
Small white dot floats across hall. May be dust or a moth.
Director’s Room
Nothing to report from digital photos or video taken while at the location.
Side Verandah
Nothing to report from digital photos, audio recordings or video taken while at the location.
Findings From Video Recording of Upstairs
Accommodation Section of Building
Date: 24 April, 2006
Approximate Recording Times: 9.05pm To 1.30am
Some very unusual and interesting sounds were recorded during the evening. While setting up the video equipment the investigation team witnessed the sounds of what was most likely to be a possum moving about either in or on top of the roof of the upstairs accommodation section. The investigation team noticed that floorboards were very noisy and creaky both going up the stairs and along the entry into the hallway.
Dragging noises, scratching sounds
Bumping and knocking sounds
Scraping noises
Sounds like that of a door closing (door to the upstairs section was closed by us as we left the building)
Sounds like that of walking on the floorboards (3 individual instances)
Whistle like sound
Shuffling sounds
Conclusions From Investigation
01 April 2006 Investigation
Extensive readings and recordings were taken using the equipment mentioned earlier in this report. Investigations were undertaken of the Hallway, Directors Room and Side Verandah to the main building.
Readings from the scientific equipment presented no significant or unusual activities. Still photos taken from the Instant camera and the digital camera were normal. There were no anomalies recorded while filming the progress of the investigation on the video camera.
Our inspection of the building found no evidence of drafts, plumbing noises, building movement noises (eg creaks and cracks) or electrical noises (eg humming, buzzing).
The Investigation team did not experience an unusual activities, events or phenomena of any significance during our time in Gowrie House.
The infrared camera and audio surveillance of the Hallway recorded noises that were difficult to explain. The two YWCA staff members who viewed the edited down video tape where also unable to find an explanation for the noises recorded. This does not suggest, however, that the noises recorded were paranormal. The white dot floating across the hallway was most likely dust.
24 April 2006 Investigation
The investigation of the upstairs accommodation section at the rear of the property was that of a 4 hour infrared camera and auditory recording. This occurred between approximately 9:00pm on 24 April and 1:30am on 25 April 2006.
While setting up our equipment we witnessed scratching sounds and what appeared to be the sound of a small animal running about in or on the roof above us. The Investigation Team believe that possums or perhaps cats may have made these noises.
Some of the sounds recorded during the surveillance may have been produced by the small animals we detected during our setup of the equipment. However, sounds like that of:
a door closing;
walking on the floorboards;
Whistling;
are more difficult to explain.
Again, we cannot conclude that any of the recorded sounds were paranormal.
Reference
Talbot,D. (2004) Ghostly Tales of Toowoomba. Greenridge Press, Toowoomba, Australia.
Digital Thermometer
Readings and Time
Hallway
21.2 Celsius Time: 11.35pm
Director’s Office
21.2 Celsius Time: 11.35pm
Comments
No unusual changes in temperature was recorded during investigation
Equipment
Infrared Thermometer
Readings and Time
Not required during investigation
Equipment
Electro-Magnetic Field Meter
Readings and Time
Hallway
0.2milliguass Time: 11.40pm
Director’s Office
0.2milliguass Time: 11.40pm
Comments
Very low reading with no fluctuations during investigation
Equipment
Tri-Field Meter
Readings and Time
Hallway
0.5milliguass @ electro Time: 11.45pm
Director’s Office
0.5 milliguass @ magnetic Time: 11.45pm
Comments
Very low reading with no fluctuations during investigation
Equipment
Anemometer
Readings and Time
No wind/draft registered in hallway or director’s room
Time: 11.10pm
Comments
Not a windy night – no drafts
Recorded around rooms observed
Physical Condition of Building/Area
Hallway
Normal airflow from this open area.
Creaky floorboard.
No wind noises (e.g. howling, swishing, voice like)
No noisy plumbing
No noisy/faulty electrical. Including surges.
A few creaks & cracks Were heard. This would probably be Movement of old Building.
Director’s Room
No drafts from windows, doors, etc
No creaky/noisy floorboards, doors, etc
No noisy plumbing
No noisy/faulty electrical. Including surges.
No general movement of building (creaks, cracks, etc)
Side Verandah
No drafts from windows, doors, etc
No creaky/noisy floorboards, doors, etc
No noisy plumbing
No noisy/faulty electrical. Including surges.
No general movement of building (creaks, cracks, etc)
Brief description of construction and condition of building
Gowrie House is a low set brick building. The building appeared to be in good condition.
The two storey accommodation building at the rear of the property is also constructed of brick. This building also appears to be in good condition.
Observations During Investigation at Location
The following observations were made throughout the investigation. The Investigation team continued to remain alert to all sensory perceptions. The purpose of this stage of the investigation was to scan the area under investigation for any activities that may have offered a natural explanation for alleged paranormal activities. The Investigation team noted all activities explainable or not.
During the 01 April investigation, the investigation team spent time in quiet observation in both the hallway and side verandah. This observation period coincides with any instrument, still photography, audio and/or video recordings.
Hallway Area
Nothing to report for – Visual, Auditory, Olfactory, Tactile or any General Sense/Feeling
Director’s Room
Nothing to report for – Visual, Auditory, Olfactory, Tactile or any General Sense/Feeling
Side Verandah
Nothing to report for – Visual, Auditory, Olfactory or Tactile
General Sense/Feeling
Karen reported feeling uneasy while in this area.
Findings From Audio and Video Recordings
Hallway Area
Nothing to report from digital photos or audio recordings taken while at the location.
I.R. Camera in Hallway
(Approximate time frame 12:30am to 4:30am 02 April 2006)
Recordings from the 4 hour video presented some unusual and unexplainable sounds after the Investigation Team had left the premises. An edited video tape highlighting the anomalies recorded was given to two YWCA employees working at Gowrie House for their comments. Both agreed that they were unable to offer an explanation for these sounds:
Auditory
Clicking noises followed by a sweeping like sound
Very slight shuffling sounds
Sound of an object hitting a hard surface (like pebbles hitting glass)
Paper crackling sound
Knocking sounds – like someone knocking on a door
Voice like sound – droning sound – seems to change pitch
Visual
Small white dot floats across hall. May be dust or a moth.
Director’s Room
Nothing to report from digital photos or video taken while at the location.
Side Verandah
Nothing to report from digital photos, audio recordings or video taken while at the location.
Findings From Video Recording of Upstairs
Accommodation Section of Building
Date: 24 April, 2006
Approximate Recording Times: 9.05pm To 1.30am
Some very unusual and interesting sounds were recorded during the evening. While setting up the video equipment the investigation team witnessed the sounds of what was most likely to be a possum moving about either in or on top of the roof of the upstairs accommodation section. The investigation team noticed that floorboards were very noisy and creaky both going up the stairs and along the entry into the hallway.
Dragging noises, scratching sounds
Bumping and knocking sounds
Scraping noises
Sounds like that of a door closing (door to the upstairs section was closed by us as we left the building)
Sounds like that of walking on the floorboards (3 individual instances)
Whistle like sound
Shuffling sounds
Conclusions From Investigation
01 April 2006 Investigation
Extensive readings and recordings were taken using the equipment mentioned earlier in this report. Investigations were undertaken of the Hallway, Directors Room and Side Verandah to the main building.
Readings from the scientific equipment presented no significant or unusual activities. Still photos taken from the Instant camera and the digital camera were normal. There were no anomalies recorded while filming the progress of the investigation on the video camera.
Our inspection of the building found no evidence of drafts, plumbing noises, building movement noises (eg creaks and cracks) or electrical noises (eg humming, buzzing).
The Investigation team did not experience an unusual activities, events or phenomena of any significance during our time in Gowrie House.
The infrared camera and audio surveillance of the Hallway recorded noises that were difficult to explain. The two YWCA staff members who viewed the edited down video tape where also unable to find an explanation for the noises recorded. This does not suggest, however, that the noises recorded were paranormal. The white dot floating across the hallway was most likely dust.
24 April 2006 Investigation
The investigation of the upstairs accommodation section at the rear of the property was that of a 4 hour infrared camera and auditory recording. This occurred between approximately 9:00pm on 24 April and 1:30am on 25 April 2006.
While setting up our equipment we witnessed scratching sounds and what appeared to be the sound of a small animal running about in or on the roof above us. The Investigation Team believe that possums or perhaps cats may have made these noises.
Some of the sounds recorded during the surveillance may have been produced by the small animals we detected during our setup of the equipment. However, sounds like that of:
a door closing;
walking on the floorboards;
Whistling;
are more difficult to explain.
Again, we cannot conclude that any of the recorded sounds were paranormal.
Reference
Talbot,D. (2004) Ghostly Tales of Toowoomba. Greenridge Press, Toowoomba, Australia.
Queensland Government Environmental Protection Agency web site ‘Queensland Heritage Register’ http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/projects/heritage
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