Gona Barracks facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gona Barracks
Gona Barracks, 2003
Location	3, 7,12, 25 & 26 Gona Parade, Kelvin Grove, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Design period	1914–1919 (World War I)
Built	c. 1914 – 1960s
Queensland Heritage Register
Official name: Gona Barracks, Kelvin Grove Military Reserve, Kelvin Grove Training Area
Type	state heritage (built)
Designated	7 February 2005
Reference no.	601966
Significant period	1910s-1960s (fabric) 1910s-1990s (historical)
Significant components	drill ground/parade ground, workshop, slab/s – concrete, hut/shack, shed – gun park, petrol – bowser, trees/plantings, store/s / storeroom / storehouse, tree groups – avenue of, garage, road/roadway, hall – drill, toilet block/earth closet/water closet
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Gona Barracks is a special place in Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It's a heritage-listed barracks, which means it's an important historical site. It was built between 1914 and the 1960s. This site was once known as the Kelvin Grove Military Reserve and Kelvin Grove Training Area. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 7 February 2005 because of its historical importance.

History of Gona Barracks

The Gona Barracks site started just before World War I in the 1910s. Its main purpose was to train special military units. These were made up of people who had to join the army for a short time. Over the years, it grew into a big training complex. In the 1950s, it became a training center for the Citizens Military Force. Later, it was used as a place to recruit people for the Australian Army Reserve.

Early Days of the Site

The city of Brisbane began in 1825 as a prison colony. By the 1860s, the area now called Kelvin Grove was cleared. Land was sold off for people to build homes. The land where Gona Barracks now stands was known as Portion 322.

In 1879, this land was given to the Brisbane Grammar School. The school kept the land until 1911. They leased it out for grazing animals to earn money. No buildings were put up during this time. Only a few fences were built on the land.

Becoming a Defence Reserve

In May 1911, the Australian Government bought the land from Brisbane Grammar School. They renamed it the Kelvin Grove Defence Reserve. The government needed more places to train Australia's growing military forces. Before 1901, each Australian colony had its own small army. After Australia became a country in 1901, defence became the job of the new Commonwealth Government.

In 1909, a report suggested Australia needed more soldiers. This led to the creation of the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1911. The government also made military training compulsory for men and boys. Most soldiers served part-time in the Australian Military Forces (AMF). They trained once a week and attended camps.

By 1911, about 90,000 men and boys were training across Australia. This number grew to over 130,000 in two years. Existing training halls in Brisbane were too small. The Department of Defence decided to swap these city sites for a larger piece of land. The Grammar School land was chosen because it was big enough and close to a tram line. In May 1911, the land became the "Kelvin Grove Defence Reserve."

Building the Barracks: World War I Era

The first buildings at Kelvin Grove Defence Reserve were finished in 1914. These included an Infantry drill hall and a workshop for army mechanics. This started a busy time of building. Australia joined World War I in August 1914. To build more, the land had to be made flat. This work was finished by October 1915.

An Engineer's depot, a two-story timber building, was added. It was designed by Queensland Public Works Department architects. This building was for the 23rd and 15th Engineer Companies. It had space for wagons and harnesses.

Later in 1915, an Artillery drill hall, a Brigade office, and two gun parks were built. The Artillery drill hall was a long building with offices and sheds. The gun parks stored large artillery pieces. These buildings were designed by the Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs. They are some of the earliest Commonwealth designs in Queensland.

A drill hall for the Australian Army Service Corps (AASC) was also built. This was a single-story timber building. Other small buildings were added by the end of World War I. These included a military laundry and a "disinfector" building.

Between the World Wars (1919-1939)

After World War I ended in 1918, military training continued at Kelvin Grove. By 1921, it was a training center for the AASC, Signallers, Engineers, and Artillerymen. Some buildings changed use. The AASC drill hall became offices and stores. One gun park became an ordnance store.

More buildings were added in the 1930s. Many were moved from other places. In 1934, the Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) drill hall was moved from Toowong to Kelvin Grove. It was made into a two-story building. A captured German gun from World War I was placed outside. Living quarters for an Army staff officer were also built.

Frank Moran Memorial Hall

The Frank Moran Memorial Hall was another important addition. Frank Moran was a cadet officer before World War I. He trained military cadets at Brisbane Grammar School. He fought in the war and died in 1915. The hall was built with money he had raised for a recreation building. It was finished in 1929. This simple timber building was for recreation and training.

As the 1930s ended, another war seemed likely. More changes were made to the barracks. The Engineers moved to the relocated Toowong drill hall. The Army Signals Corps moved into the old Engineer's depot. A new lavatory block with a female toilet was built. A wireless hut and a social and lecture hall were also added.

Gona Barracks During World War II

Army barracks at Kelvin Grove, Brisbane during WWII

Australia joined World War II in September 1939. Many army units gathered at Kelvin Grove. These included Artillery Regiments and Signals Units. The 61st Battalion also used the 1914 infantry drill hall.

Two permanent buildings were added during the war. A garage and workshop for AASC vehicles was built around 1942. This was needed as the army switched from horses to motor vehicles. The School for Linesmen-in-Training building was finished by July 1941. This two-story timber building was used to train militia forces.

Many temporary buildings were also put up to house soldiers. By 1945, the Military Reserve was full of buildings. The US Army also helped at Kelvin Grove. They leveled the parade ground area.

After the Wars: Post-War Years

World War II ended in August 1945. Kelvin Grove Military Reserve helped soldiers return home. Many buildings were sold off. In 1947, the Australian Regular Army was created. This was a full-time army. The part-time army was renamed the Citizens Military Forces (CMF) in 1948.

In 1951, Australia started the National Service Scheme. This meant all 18-year-old Australian males had to do six months of military training. Kelvin Grove, renamed the Kelvin Grove Training Area in 1948, became a major CMF training center.

In 1952, a new CMF complex was built for Engineers and Signals. Some buildings were new, others were moved from the Wacol Army Camp. The Engineers' buildings were painted blue, and the Signals' buildings were brown. The School for Linesmen Building became the headquarters for the 5th Cadet Brigade. This group controlled all school cadet units in Brisbane.

Renaming to Gona Barracks

In the 1960s, the Australian Army started renaming barracks after famous battles. The Kelvin Grove site became "Gona Barracks." This name comes from the Battle of Gona in Papua New Guinea during World War II.

New units moved to the site. In 1965, five brick houses were built for married soldiers. The parade ground was resealed in 1966 for helicopter landing pads. In 1974, the 1934 staff officers quarters building was moved to Indooroopilly. Parts of the land were sold to the Queensland University of Technology.

Gona Barracks became a main Army recruitment center in south-east Queensland. Many buildings were changed inside. In October 1998, Gona Barracks officially closed. Army units moved to other bases.

Kelvin Grove Urban Village

After the barracks closed, the Queensland Department of Housing bought the site in 2000. The Queensland University of Technology wanted to expand its nearby campus. The Brisbane City Council also wanted to develop the large site.

A study found that the buildings around the parade ground were very important. A partnership was formed to create a new urban village. The university used some of the old Gona Barracks buildings for its Creative Industries precinct. New buildings were also added. This redevelopment won major awards for planning and design.

Buildings at Gona Barracks

Gona Barracks covers almost seven hectares. It has about 70 buildings. These are split into two main areas: the "upper barracks" and the "lower barracks." The upper barracks has a large central parade ground with buildings around it. The lower barracks has two groups of buildings.

Upper Barracks Buildings

The upper barracks area has many important historical buildings.

Gun Park Sheds

There are two gun park sheds. They are long, single-story timber buildings with corrugated steel roofs. They were used to store artillery. You can still see horse-hitching rails on the side of these buildings.

Artificers Workshop

This small, single-story building was for army mechanics. It has been changed a lot over the years.

Artillery Drill Hall

The 1915 Artillery drill hall is a long, mostly single-story timber building. It has a two-story section at one end. It faces the central parade ground. Some original doors and windows are still there. The lecture room on the first floor looks much like it did originally.

Engineer's Depot

The 1915 Engineer's depot is a two-story timber building. It has an extra two-story wing. It was used by the Engineers. Inside, there are original timber walls on the upper level.

Toowong Drill Hall

This large timber building was moved from Toowong. It sits on concrete stumps, creating a basement level.

Army Service Corps Drill Hall

The AASC drill hall is a long, single-story timber building. It has a taller section in the middle. Some original windows and doors remain. Inside, the main drill room space has been divided into offices.

Frank Moran Memorial Hall

This is a single-story timber building. It sits on low concrete stumps. The inside has original timber walls and ceiling.

Infantry Drill Hall

The 1914 Infantry drill hall is a large, single-story timber building. It has a corrugated iron roof. Most of the drill room space inside is still open. There are offices with original timber walls. A small latrine building from 1914 is next to it.

Garage and Workshop

This large building from 1941-42 was for servicing army vehicles. It has a unique saw-tooth roof. Inside, you can see the original steel structure.

Lower Barracks Buildings

The lower barracks area is to the north-east of the upper barracks. It has buildings for Engineers and Signals units.

The Engineers area has seven buildings. These include administration buildings, a bridging store, and a training hall. Some were built here, and others were moved from Wacol Army Barracks in 1953.

The Signals area has buildings arranged in an "L" shape. These include a battery room, assembly hall, and administration buildings. Some were built here, and others were moved from Wacol in 1953.

Between these areas is the PMG School for Linesmen in Training building. It's a two-story timber building.

Trees and Plants at Gona Barracks

The Gona Barracks site has many different trees and shrubs. Some were there before the army, some were planted, and some grew by themselves.

Older Trees

One fig tree (Ficus platypoda) near Kelvin Grove Road might be the only tree left from before the army took over.

Trees from the 1920s and 30s

A beautiful row of Jacaranda and Grevillea robusta trees stands along the road between the Engineer's depot and the Toowong drill hall. These trees were likely planted around 1925.

Newer Trees

There are also groups of different trees, including some from Queensland's rainforests, on the slopes below the parade ground. Many other trees have grown by themselves across the site.

Why Gona Barracks is Important

Gona Barracks was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 2005. It's important for several reasons:

• Shows Queensland's History: It shows how Queensland prepared for different wars. It highlights the growth of military training from 1911 until 1998. The World War I drill halls show the different parts of the armed forces back then.
• Rare Buildings: The World War I buildings in the upper barracks are rare. They are a surviving group of buildings from that time. They also show early designs by the Commonwealth government. Having so many different types of drill halls in one place was unusual.
• Helps Us Understand History: The World War I buildings show how military technology changed. For example, the buildings for artillery and service corps show how important horses were. Later, vehicles took over.
• Typical Military Site: The layout of the World War I buildings shows how military sites were planned. They were carefully placed around a central parade ground. This was a common practice in Australia. The World War II buildings also show typical designs for that time.
• Looks Good: The World War I buildings in the upper barracks look good together. They are similar in size and made of timber. They are arranged around an open parade ground. Their outside appearance is still mostly original.
• Special to the Community: Gona Barracks has a strong connection to Queensland's military community. Thousands of servicemen and women trained here from World War I until 1998. It played a big role in Australia's defence history. In recent years, it was an Army recruiting center, especially for the Army Reserve.