QPRC Reconnect Program has started.

A little piece of  History was made today with the first STA Mobile Office in QPRC at Rusten House in Queanbeyan.

STA Executive Director Rose Marin spent the day meeting with creatives, council staff and locals in the Arts and Cultural Centre. A huge thank you to Janita Byrne the QPRC Team Leader Culture Arts and Museums, who supported the Reconnect Roadshow part of the day.

The current arts centre was formerly opened on 21 April 2021. The magnificent restoration created a series of gallery spaces spaces where you can view a rotating program of exhibitions and enjoy creative workshops. 

Originally built as a hospital in 1862. Rusten House is named after Matron Rusten who was employed along with her husband to care for the ill of the district until 1875.

Over the years it has had many purposes including as a hospital, nurses’ quarters, a home to various allied health services and even a café. The building is strongly associated with one of the region’s most respected Aboriginal elders Queen Nellie Hamilton, who passed away in care on 1 January 1897.

The restoration and transformation of Rusten House into a new art centre commenced in 2013 with a grant from the NSW Government Premier’s Rural and Regional Grants Fund. It was further made possible through the Justice and Liquor NSW Infrastructure Grant Fund with matched funding from Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council and the NSW Government Stronger Communities Fund. 

No trip to Queanbeyan is complete without a visit to Rusten House.