Holy Cross Laundry, Heritage-listed benevolent institution in Wooloowin, Queensland, Australia
Holy Cross Laundry is a historic laundering operation in Wooloowin housed in a single-story brick building with high ceilings, large sash windows, and verandahs designed for ventilation and work efficiency. The structure was purpose-built to process large volumes of linens for hospitals, aged care homes, and schools across the Brisbane region.
The laundry was founded in 1889 by the Sisters of Mercy, initially serving as shelter for unmarried mothers and destitute women. Over time it became Brisbane's oldest charitable laundry, eventually focusing on providing work for people needing support.
The laundry operates as a workspace where people with support needs find meaningful employment and contribute to their community. This social mission reflects how the place has evolved from charity work into a modern business with purpose.
The site sits at 60 Bridge Street in Wooloowin and is accessible by car or public transport. Keep in mind this is a working facility, so visiting may require advance notice or have limited viewing hours.
The building preserves two working steam rollers from the mid-20th century that remain in use today. These machines create a direct link between the site's industrial past and its current operations.
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