Community Hall, Camooweal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Community Hall, Camooweal |
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Former Barkly Shire Hall
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| Location | Barkly Highway, Camooweal, City of Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1922 - 1923 |
| Architect | Rooney Brothers |
| Official name: Community Hall, Camooweal, Barkly Tablelands Shire Hall | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600740 |
| Significant period | 1920s-1930s (fabric) 1920s-1960s (historical, social) 1920s - ongoing (social) |
| Significant components | office/s, memorial - honour board/ roll of honour, hall |
| Builders | Hogarth & Hammond |
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The Community Hall in Camooweal is a special old building. It used to be a town hall. It's located on the Barkly Highway in Camooweal, Queensland, Australia. This hall was designed by Rooney Brothers and built between 1922 and 1923. Hogarth & Hammond were the builders. It's also known as the Barkly Tablelands Shire Hall. This historic building was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. This means it's officially recognized as an important part of Queensland's history.
History of the Camooweal Hall
The Camooweal Community Hall was built in 1922 and 1923. It was made for the Barkly Tableland Shire Council. A "shire" is like a local government area. The building served as both a council office and a place for community events.
Early Days of the Barkly Tableland
The Barkly Tableland is a large area of land. William Landsborough was the first European to explore it in 1861. He was looking for missing explorers Burke and Wills. Landsborough named the area after Sir Henry Barkly, who was the Governor of Victoria.
A few years later, the first European settlers arrived. They were pastoralists, which means they raised sheep and cattle. They set up large farms called "runs." After a tough time in the late 1860s, more cattle farms started in the 1870s. This area was part of the Burke Division, which later became the Burke Shire.
Camooweal: A Busy Supply Town
Camooweal became an important town because of its location. It was a supply center for the farms. It was also on a major route for moving cattle. The town was officially marked out in 1883 and became a gazetted town in 1884.
Its location was very important. It was halfway between Burketown and Cloncurry. It was also only about 11 kilometers from the border of Queensland and the Northern Territory. Before Australia became one country, each colony had its own rules. Camooweal was a "customs post." This meant it collected taxes on goods moving between colonies.
By 1892, Camooweal was a busy place. It had a customs post, a court, and a police station. There were also two hotels, a school, and many shops. It was a vital place for people living in the spread-out farming areas.
Building the Shire Hall
The Barclay Tableland Shire was created in 1914. Camooweal was its main town. The shire's name changed to Barkly in 1919. The land for the new shire hall was chosen carefully. It was in a key administrative area, near the police station and courthouse.
The hall was built in 1922-23. The Queensland Government helped by lending the shire money. The plans were drawn by Rooney Brothers from Townsville. Hogarth and Hammond built the hall. They had the lowest bid for the job. The hall was used for many things. The local hospital could use it for free for events. They also held their monthly meetings there.
In 1924, a special "honour board" was put in the hall. This board was made of copper and wood. It remembered the brave men from the area who served in the First World War.
Expanding the Hall
By 1935, the hall was becoming too small. More people were living in Camooweal and the surrounding areas. The Shire asked the Queensland Government for more help. They wanted to extend the hall and build a house for the shire clerk. This project also helped provide jobs for people who didn't have work during that time.
Rooney Brothers were asked to design the extension. They made sure the new part matched the old building. The hall was extended by about 9 meters. A small apartment was also added to the back of the hall much later.
Camooweal During World War II
During the Second World War, the Barkly Highway was made stronger. This was to help military supply trucks. Camooweal became an important stop for refueling. The airport was also improved and used as a base.
The hall has always been a central part of Camooweal life. It has hosted church services, weddings, dances, and concerts. It has also been used as a voting place. Important visitors to the town were often welcomed there.
In 1962, the shire changed its name to Mount Isa Shire. This showed how much Mount Isa had grown. Later, in 1968, it became the City of Mount Isa. The hall had major repairs in 1984 for Camooweal's 100th birthday. More work was done in 1993.
What the Hall Looks Like
The Camooweal Community Hall is easy to spot on the Barkly Highway. It's a single-story building made of timber. It has wide verandas all around it. These verandas are supported by low stumps. The roof is a special shape called a gambrel roof and is covered with corrugated iron.
The hall is shaped like a rectangle. The main entrance faces Nowranie Street. You go up a few steps to reach the front door. There are windows on either side of the door. The outside walls show the timber studs. French doors open onto the verandas on the north and south sides. The veranda roof is held up by timber posts. These posts are connected by wooden railings. The southern veranda has been closed in with timber louvres. There are also offices on the eastern side.
Inside the hall, the ceilings are covered with decorative pressed metal. The special copper honour boards, remembering those who served, are on the east wall.
A small living area is attached to the back of the building. It has a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom.
Why the Hall is Special
The Community Hall in Camooweal was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. This means it's considered very important for several reasons:
Showing Queensland's History
This hall helps us understand how towns grew in western Queensland. Small towns like Camooweal were vital supply stops. They provided goods, services, and a place for people to connect. The hall also shows the history of the Barkly Tablelands Shire. This shire is now part of the Mount Isa local government.
A Great Example of a Shire Hall
The Camooweal Community Hall is a wonderful example of a timber shire hall. It was built in a simple, local style. Even when it was made bigger, the new parts matched the original design. The wide verandas and French doors are good examples of how buildings were designed to stay cool in a hot climate.
Visually Important to the Town
The Community Hall is a key building in Camooweal. Its design, size, and materials make it an important and attractive part of the town's look.
Important to the Community
The Community Hall has been connected to the people of Camooweal for a very long time. It has been the center for many important community services and social events. It holds many memories for the local people.
