Naoum and Emily Coungeau
Naoum and Emily Coungeau built their Bribie retirement home in 1916. The couple ran a successful restaurant for 30 years in Queen Street, Brisbane and their commercial success allowed them to become significant patrons of the arts and contributors to charity.
Emily at the age of 50 became a celebrated poet and lyricist, writing the words for Auster, the first Australian opera ever performed by a professional theatre company.
Naoum and Emily, in 1936, left their home on Bribie Island to the Church of England as a rest home for Clergy. Coungeau House was sold by the Church to Toc H in 1967.
After extensive fund-raising by the Bribie and Brisbane Toc H communities, renovations were finished in 1974 and the house (with attached dormitory) was opened to provide holiday accommodation for people with disabilities and people in need. The spacious Hall built under the house has been a meeting place for many organisations on Bribie Island as well as a venue for concerts and other community gatherings.
Emily at the age of 50 became a celebrated poet and lyricist, writing the words for Auster, the first Australian opera ever performed by a professional theatre company.
Naoum and Emily, in 1936, left their home on Bribie Island to the Church of England as a rest home for Clergy. Coungeau House was sold by the Church to Toc H in 1967.
After extensive fund-raising by the Bribie and Brisbane Toc H communities, renovations were finished in 1974 and the house (with attached dormitory) was opened to provide holiday accommodation for people with disabilities and people in need. The spacious Hall built under the house has been a meeting place for many organisations on Bribie Island as well as a venue for concerts and other community gatherings.
Bribie Island
Bribie Island is only an hour away from Brisbane and one of a large group of islands in Moreton Bay. Bribie has an enviable climate due to its sub-tropical position with dry, warm and sunny days in spring, autumn and winter.
Bribie Island is connected to the mainland by a bridge across the Pumicestone Passage and has been a holiday destination since the early 1900s and has maintained its traditional sea-side charm.
From Coungeau House it’s only a five minute stroll to the Jetty along the Pumicestone Passage Esplanade where sea views and bird life abound as well as cafes and shops. The ‘Passage’ has safe family beaches with white sand and calm water while the ocean side is a surfing beach and is protected by Surf Life Savers.
The Returned Services Club and the Bribie Bowls Club are close by for meals and entertainment and you can catch up on history at the Seaside Museum. Bribie has everything to make your holiday an enjoyable, fun and relaxing occasion.
Bribie Island is connected to the mainland by a bridge across the Pumicestone Passage and has been a holiday destination since the early 1900s and has maintained its traditional sea-side charm.
From Coungeau House it’s only a five minute stroll to the Jetty along the Pumicestone Passage Esplanade where sea views and bird life abound as well as cafes and shops. The ‘Passage’ has safe family beaches with white sand and calm water while the ocean side is a surfing beach and is protected by Surf Life Savers.
The Returned Services Club and the Bribie Bowls Club are close by for meals and entertainment and you can catch up on history at the Seaside Museum. Bribie has everything to make your holiday an enjoyable, fun and relaxing occasion.
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Coungeau House today
Coungeau House is the major project of Toc H Queensland. Close to 200 community members visit the hall each week, where a variety of local not-for-profit organisations provide social opportunities, mostly for the older members of the Bribie Island community. Short-term emergency accommodation continues to be provided through St Vincent de Paul and Pumicestone Community Support, and Toc H also supports a U3A initiative for people caring for a family member with dementia.
Visit or hire the hall
Address: 36 Banya Street, Bongaree, Bribie Island QLD 4507
Bookings and enquiries: coungeauhouse@gmail.com
Caretaker: Tim Bujeya
Recent improvements (2026)
- New carpet throughout the house
- New blinds on the verandah
- A master-key system for the house, hall and dormitory
- New ovens and dishwasher in the hall
- Repairs to the access ramp
You can help keep Coungeau House running by joining the 100 Club. Read more in The Link: Queensland Coungeau House Project and Toc H Bribie Island Branch.
