Atherton Performing Arts Theatre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atherton Performing Arts Theatre |
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| Location | 6 Silo Street, Atherton, Tablelands Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1939–1945 World War II |
| Built | 1943 |
| Official name: Atherton Performing Arts Theatre (WWII Igloo) | |
| Type | state heritage |
| Designated | 9 October 2015 |
| Reference no. | 650001 |
| Type | Defence: Depot-stores/canteen |
| Theme | Maintaining order: Defending the country |
The Atherton Performing Arts Theatre is a special building in Atherton, Queensland. It used to be a military storage building during World War II (WWII). Today, it's a theatre where people perform plays and shows. This building is also known as the Atherton WWII Igloo. It was built in 1943 and is now protected as a heritage site.
Contents
A Look Back: The Theatre's History
The building you see today is a unique "igloo" style hut. It has a steel frame and a curved roof that goes all the way to the ground. It was first built around c. 1943 at a large military supply base in Tolga. This base was called the 13th Australian Advance Ordnance Depot.
From Military to Maize
After World War II ended, the military no longer needed the building. In 1947, the Atherton Tableland Maize Marketing Board bought it. They moved the igloo to its current spot in Atherton. Here, it was used as a workshop to fix farm equipment. A nearby building with a gabled roof was likely built around this time too.
From about 1958 to 1979, the local council used the buildings as a depot.
A New Life as a Theatre
In 1979, two local performing groups joined together to form Atherton Performing Arts (APA). They needed a place to perform. Around 1981, they leased the old igloo. They worked hard to clean it up and turn it into a theatre.
In 1982, a stage was built inside. They added new lighting and seating. Over the years, more changes were made. A kitchen, dressing rooms, and a backstage area were added. Today, the igloo is a busy place. It hosts youth theatre, concerts, plays, musicals, and even Eisteddfods. An Eisteddfod is a festival of music and performance.
Why This Building is Special
This igloo is important because it's one of the few buildings left from the huge military presence during WWII. The Atherton Tablelands became a major training and rest area for Australian soldiers. This was during the Pacific Campaign of WWII. The igloo shows us how much the war changed the area.
It's also special because of its unique steel frame. It's a rare example of an "ARMCO hut" from that time. ARMCO was a company that made these pre-fabricated buildings.
What the Theatre Looks Like
The Atherton Performing Arts Theatre is on the western side of Atherton's town centre. It includes the main igloo building and a smaller gabled-roof workshop next to it.
The ARMCO Igloo
The igloo is a long building with a semi-circular shape. It has metal walls and a metal roof. The building is about 38 feet 9 inches (11.81 m) wide and 98 feet 9 inches (30.10 m) long. Most of the doors and windows you see today are newer additions.
Inside, you can see the steel frame that supports the building. It has 21 D-shaped arches. These arches are made of strong steel pieces that interlock. This design makes the building very sturdy.
The inside of the igloo is divided into different areas for the theatre. There's a foyer, a kitchen, and an office at the front. In the middle is the main auditorium with a stage. At the back, there's a backstage area with dressing rooms.
The Gabled-Roof Workshop
Next to the igloo is a building with a gabled roof. This used to be a workshop. It's a single, open space inside. At the back, there's a newer section with toilets. This workshop building is not considered a heritage item.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The Atherton Performing Arts Theatre was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 2015. This means it's a very important historical place.
- It shows how Queensland's history changed: This igloo is a rare survivor from the 13th Australian Advanced Ordnance Depot in Tolga. It helps us understand how important the Atherton Tablelands was during WWII. It was the main base for Australian soldiers fighting in the Pacific.
- It shows what these types of places were like: The igloo is one of only two known surviving ARMCO huts of its size from WWII in Queensland. Its unique steel frame shows how these pre-made buildings were designed and used. Its move and reuse after the war also shows how military buildings were often sold and used for civilian purposes.
See Also
