Waverley Cottage was part of the Renwick State Ward Home and on December 8 council gave approval for it to be knocked down.

The cottage is located on the grounds at Frensham and headmistress Julie Gillick said they tried desperately to save the building, but heritage architects and structural engineers reported it was unfit for refurbishment or renovation.

The school's staff put on a morning tea on Sunday for the former residents to say goodbye to the cottage.

"I'm glad we got the opportunity to do this for the residents," she said.

Ms Gillick presented Renwick Association president Leeallison Downie with the Waverley Cottage plaque that was previously nailed over the door.

"I just wish we had students here to meet the people and hear their stories," Ms Gillick said.

Alice Benenfant spent six years at Renwick with the last three in Waverley Cottage with 14 other girls.

"They were the best six years of my life," she said.

"It's the house I grew up in and they're taking it away from me.

"I feel like I'm losing part of myself."

Renwick Association president Leeallison King said at one stage the cottage was a nursery for the babies, then the home of physically disabled girls, the Catholic state ward boys and then the Raymond Terrace boys with mental health issues.

"I only ever stayed in the cottage for one week over the holidays because I didn't have family," she said.

"Everyone asked me how they were going to get to say goodbye, because it's the family home they grew up in.

"I'm grateful that Frensham put on the morning tea and we got to say goodbye."