Alternative NameAuchenraherDescription
Tait-Duke Community Cottage, was built by Mr William Bowden in 1919 as a residence for Charles and Emma Tait, and was originally known as ‘Auchenraher’, a reference to the family’s Scottish ancestry. Emma was the daughter of James Duke, Noosa Shire’s first Chairman in 1910. Charles, the son of John and Catherine Tait, owners of the Royal Mail Hotel, provided boats for hire and ran fishing trips and pleasure cruises on the Noosa River and lakes.
Originally on the corner of Poinciana Ave (Gooloi Street) and Sidoni St, Tewantin, the house remained in the Tait family until their daughter, Esme Tait, donated it to Sunshine Coast Regional Council in 2009.
In 2015 Noosa Council relocated the house to its current location in Earl Street, Tewantin and oversaw the renovation of the former residence for use as a community centre which opened in 2017.The house is historically significant for its association with the Tait and Duke families. Its form is representative of a Federation Bungalow, but other elements such as the timber detailing and layout, are unusual and illustrate important local aesthetic values.Address14 , Earl Street, Tewantin
