Eumundi School of Arts facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eumundi School of Arts |
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Eumundi School of Arts, 1997
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| Location | 63 Memorial Drive, Eumundi, Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900–1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1912 |
| Architect | William David Fenwick |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Eumundi School of Arts | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 24 March 2000 |
| Reference no. | 601658 |
| Significant period | 1910s (historical) 1910s–1920s (fabric) 1912–ongoing (social) |
| Significant components | school of arts |
| Builders | William Henry Bytheway |
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The Eumundi School of Arts is a special old building in Eumundi, Australia. It's like a community center that has been around for a long time! It was designed by William David Fenwick and built in 1912 by William Henry Bytheway. This building is so important that it's listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's protected because of its history and unique features.
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A Look Back at the Eumundi School of Arts
The Eumundi School of Arts building you see today is actually the second one built on this spot. It was constructed in 1912 by a builder named W Bytheway from Gympie. Back then, Eumundi was a busy town in the Sunshine Coast area. It was known for its timber, dairy farms, and other farming activities.
How Eumundi Grew
The first settlers arrived in the Eumundi area in the 1870s. One of them, Joseph Gridley, chose the land where the hall now stands in 1877. He used the land for timber cutting.
In 1886, the government decided to create a town at Eumundi. This was because a new railway line was being built between Brisbane and Maryborough. The railway opened in 1891, making it easier to transport timber and other goods. By 1893, Eumundi even had its own school. Dairy farmers started moving to the area in the early 1900s, bringing their cows by train or walking them overland.
Building the First Hall
In 1905, land was set aside for a public hall. People wanted a place for meetings and community events. A simple wooden hall was built on the site in 1908 by Peter Denholm.
The New and Improved Hall
Just four years later, the community had grown so much that they needed a bigger space! So, in 1912, the first hall was replaced. The new, larger hall was built from beech timber with an iron roof. It had a big main hall with a stage, plus smaller rooms at the front for a library and reading area. There was also a supper room underneath.
The new hall officially opened on November 15, 1912. It was a big event with a two-day bazaar. The building was designed by W Fenwick from Cooroy and cost about £1000 (around A$100,000 today).
In 1919, a writer named AH Corrie described Eumundi as a very successful town. He said its School of Arts was one of the "largest and best appointed" buildings of its kind on the North Coast Line between Brisbane and Gympie.
Changes Over Time
Like many old buildings, the School of Arts faced some challenges. By 1931, termites (tiny insects that eat wood) had caused a lot of damage. By 1950, the building was in such bad shape that a planned dance had to be cancelled!
In 1953, the building's foundations were replaced with cement blocks. However, more termite damage happened in 1964. To save the building, the lower level was removed in 1968. The original front steps were also replaced. Parts of another hall from Eerwah Vale were even used to help repair Eumundi's hall.
In 1967, more land was added to the School of Arts area for parking. Today, the Eumundi & District Historical Association helps look after the building. The School of Arts is still a very important place for social and cultural events in Eumundi.
What the Building Looks Like
The Eumundi School of Arts is a single-storey building made of timber. It has a gabled roof covered with corrugated iron. The building sits on concrete stumps. Most of the outside walls are covered with a type of timber called chamferboard.
Outside Features
The front of the building has a veranda with timber posts and decorative supports. The original fancy wooden trim and top decoration have been covered, but you can still see a round, airy opening. The porch ceiling is made of wooden boards. There are two doors on the veranda leading to storage areas, and a main timber door in the center.
Inside the Hall
Inside, there's a storage room on the south side with stairs leading to a projection room. From this room, you can go into a newer part of the building (added in 1968) which now has a kitchen. The two storage rooms at the front of the hall still have small viewing slots. In the 1960s, people used these slots to collect tickets for movies.
The main hall has a wooden floor and two sloped timber ceilings with air vents. There are six large windows on the northern wall that can open from the top and bottom. Four new air vents have been added near the floor. A trapdoor near the stage used to lead to the lower floor before 1968. There's also a single door near the stage for outside access.
The stage has wooden steps and a wooden front. There's a small bar area with a pull-down hatch and a lockable door. This is located near the steps that lead to the toilets at the southern end of the building. The southern wall of the hall's addition has six windows.
Emergency exit doors and steps lead down from the kitchen door to the carpark. There are also several paved parking spaces next to the building.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The Eumundi School of Arts was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on March 24, 2000. This means it's recognized as a very important place for several reasons:
- It Shows How Queensland Grew: The building helps us understand the history of Queensland. It was a key part of community life in Eumundi, serving as a school of arts and a public library. Built in 1912, it shows how the town grew after the railway opened in 1891 and as timber and dairy farming became important.
- It's Visually Appealing: The Eumundi School of Arts is a good example of a traditional timber public building. It fits in well with other historic buildings along Memorial Drive, including the Eumundi War Memorial Trees.
- It's Important to the Community: For almost 90 years, the School of Arts has been the center of social and cultural activities for the people of Eumundi. Inside, there's a special plaque listing the names of 87 local men who fought in World War I. This shows its strong connection to the community.
Images for kids
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Eumundi School of Arts, 1912
