The history of the main building of the Yarraman Heritage Centre has been widely debated over the years. The Yarraman Heritage Centre, was previously known as the ‘Sacred Heart Convent’, and was administered by the Sisters of Mercy. In 1945, it was decided that accommodation be established for boys who were attending the Yarraman Roman Catholic School, which was located at the rear of the Yarraman Roman Catholic Church. In June 1945 the ‘Sisters of Mercy’ secured the building and in 1946 the building began operations as a boarding house. The boys were accommodated in the lower storey of the building and the nuns resided on the upper storey, with the kitchen and the cook’s room also located on the upper storey.
After school bus services became readily available, the demand for boy’s boarding accommodation was no longer required, and the convent closed in 1966. The building remained vacant for five years, and in 1971 the ‘Sisters of All Hallows’ from Brisbane, operated the building as a retreat for nuns and for ‘Youth Group’ seminars. In 1975 the building was transferred to the ‘Motor Missions’, and finally, the Roman Catholic Church transferred the building to the Indigenous wing of the Catholic Church. The building became vacant, and fell into a state of disrepair, and was to be sold and scheduled for demolition.
The Yarraman & District Historical Society Inc. was formed in 1996, and in 1997 with the assistance of the Rosalie Shire Council, the building was purchased. Since 1997, a number of works and modifications have been undertaken to the building and grounds, as well as the acquisition of seven additional buildings including, Keid’s Cottage, Butcher Shop, Railway Station, Rocky Hill School, Cream Shed, Slab Hut and Railway Weigh Station, which are all housed in the grounds.
