[1] Located 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) from the centre of Brisbane, Corinda, initially part of a leasehold from 1851, opened for selection in the 1860s and a number of farms of between 25 and 70 acres were established.

Corinda in the 1890s was one of Brisbane's sparsely settled new suburbs where the scattered estates of the wealthy, often set on hills, merged with small farms.

[1][2] Typically, Brisbane's elite resided in spacious properties located on hilltops or beside the river away from the polluted air, noise and commotion of the city, where breezes could counteract the summer heat.

[3] Members of Brisbane's elite "society" at the beginning of the twentieth century, which may be described as upper middle class, comprised pastoralists and wealthy merchants and those in managerial positions,[4] such as Weemalla's first owner, RM Steele.

[1][6] As manager of the Queensland branch of the Victoria Insurance Company Ltd from 1901,[7] Steele was a member of this upper echelon of Brisbane society.

[8] Accompanied by his wife and son, Steele arrived from South Australia where he had opened and managed the Victoria Insurance Co. in Adelaide.

[1][10] In April 1908 Steele purchased two blocks of land, comprising 2 roods 19.5 perches (2,520 m2), as the site of a new house for his growing family.

He attended evening classes at the Edinburgh Architectural Association until 1890 and formed a lasting friendship with (Sir) Robert Lorimer (1864-1929), eminent Scottish architect and fellow proponent of Arts and Crafts.

Dods has been acknowledged as "one of the most significant early 20th century Australian architects"[12] and as a rare practitioner of the Arts and Crafts style in Queensland.

It was led by artist and writer William Morris and architect Charles Voysey and was inspired by the writings of John Ruskin and Augustus Pugin.

[1] Dods' residential work employed local building techniques combined with a sophisticated discipline and a common-sense response to climate.

The plans were generated through a consideration of aspect, with living spaces well-oriented and internal layouts permitting cross ventilation.

Operable shading and enclosure of the piazza was sometimes achieved by adding timber vertical louvres above the verandah handrail, creating a room habitable in most weather.

[1] The composition of facades and circulation routes is a more nuanced element of Dods' houses and highlights his originality and artistic skill.

The western verandah, which faced Dewar Terrace, was semi-enclosed above the balustrade to provide privacy to the adjacent bedrooms as well as sun control.

In September 1937 Weemalla was advertised for auction and described as a sound, commodious bungalow with a north-eastern aspect set on 99.5 perches (2,520 m2).

[1] Weemalla is a detached timber house in a suburban area of Corinda, located 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) south-west of the centre of Brisbane.

It is on a corner comprising two allotments totalling 2,516 square metres (27,080 sq ft) with Ruthven Street to the north and side access from Dewar Terrace to the west.

[1] The north-facing front elevation is flanked by small projecting gables with decorative awnings and timber dentil work.

The north-western gable shelters a projecting room (the bathroom) and has a bay window supported on large timber brackets.

[1] The rear elevation has a wide verandah enclosed with aluminium-framed, sliding windows and a large projecting gable at the eastern end containing the kitchen and service zones.

[1] A verandah runs the length of the eastern (side) elevation and is enclosed at the southern end by weatherboards and timber-framed casements.

[1] The main entrance timber door has bolection moulded panels and glazing surrounded by fan and side lights forming an unusual semi-circular feature.

Timber French doors with fanlights have fine, moulded glazing bars and clear glass lights and open onto the verandah from most rooms.

The room retains early or original fixtures including a concrete washtub and a copper tub built into the chimney breast.

[1] Weemalla (1909) is important in illustrating the contribution of notable architect, Robert Smith (Robin) Dods, to the evolution of Queensland architecture.

[1] Weemalla is important for providing evidence of the lifestyle of Brisbane's prosperous elite in the outer suburbs in the early twentieth century.

[1] Weemalla is a fine, intact example of the high-quality residential work of Dods that is characterised by a pervading sense of tradition, solidity, and an honest use of materials.

[1] Standing on a rise within a leafy suburban landscape, the low-set house with dominant roof and generous garden is important for its Arts and Crafts aesthetic.

A sense of simple elegant suburban domesticity is engendered by its generous verandahs and piazza and spacious living rooms.