Landsborough Shire Council Chambers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Landsborough Shire Council Chambers |
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Landsborough Shire Museum, formerly Landsborough Shire Council Chambers, 2008
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| Location | 6 Maleny Street, Landsborough, Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1924 |
| Architect | Walter Carey Voller |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Landsborough Shire Council Chambers (former), Landsborough Shire Historical Museum | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 24 June 1999 |
| Reference no. | 601915 |
| Significant period | 1920s-1970s (historical) 1924-ongoing (social) 1920s (fabric) |
| Significant components | views to, council chamber/meeting room, office/s |
| Builders | Alfred Ernest Round |
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The Landsborough Shire Council Chambers is a special old building in Landsborough, Australia. It used to be a town hall where local government decisions were made. Now, it's a museum called the Landsborough Shire Historical Museum.
This building was designed by an architect named Walter Carey Voller. It was built in 1924 by Alfred Ernest Round for the Landsborough Shire Council. The building is considered important because of its history and design. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on June 24, 1999. This means it's protected as a significant part of Queensland's history.
Contents
A Look Back: Landsborough's History
The first European people settled in the Landsborough area in 1871. This place was originally known as Mellum Creek. Isaac Burgess built a simple hut there. His hut became a stop for Cobb and Co coaches. These coaches carried people and mail to the Gympie gold fields.
More people moved to the area when the North Coast railway line arrived in 1890. The town was renamed Landsborough after the explorer William Landsborough. The Landsborough railway station became the main point of the town.
How Local Government Started
Local government for this area began in 1880. It was managed by the Caboolture Divisional Board. In 1903, the Caboolture Shire was created. It was in charge of many areas, including Landsborough.
In February 1912, Landsborough became its own local government area. It was called the Landsborough Shire. The first meeting for this new Shire Council happened on April 20, 1912. At first, they used a small office and a house for meetings. But soon, they needed a proper building.
Building the Council Chambers
The Landsborough Shire Council Chambers was built in 1924. It was designed by architect Walter Carey Voller. Alfred Ernest Round was the builder. The new building had a council meeting room and two offices. It also had a counter for public service and a strong room for important documents.
Walter Carey Voller was a well-known architect in Brisbane. He designed many important buildings. He even had a beach house nearby in Caloundra.
Changes Over Time
In 1967, the areas of Landsborough, Maroochy, and Noosa Shires became known as the Sunshine Coast.
On December 19, 1987, the Landsborough Shire became a city. It was renamed the City of Caloundra. This change happened because many people were moving to the coastal parts of the city. The Council Chambers moved to a new location in Caloundra in 1995.
The original Landsborough Shire Council Chambers building closed in 1974. In 1975, the Landsborough Historical Society took over the building. They opened it as the Landsborough Shire Historical Museum.
The building has been changed a few times. In the 1950s, the front porch was made bigger and closed in. An extension was also added to the side. In 1977, the old wooden fence was removed. A bullock wagon and two large palm trees were placed in the front garden. In 1988, more changes were made when a large museum extension was built. The front porch was put back to how it looked originally. The inside was painted, and a new roof was added.
What the Building Looks Like
The former Landsborough Shire Council Chambers is a simple, timber building. It has a calm and important look on Maleny Street. It's a low building with a hip roof and a rectangular shape. There's an open front verandah. A narrow extension was added to the west side. A large museum building and courtyard are now connected to the east side.
The building is covered with chamferboards, which are special wooden planks. The front porch has a small fence underneath made of chamferboards. The main entrance has a projecting pedimented gabled porch. You reach it by climbing timber stairs. The porch has a curved timber arch with a prominent keystone.
The verandah has four timber panels that divide it into sections. A plain timber cornice runs around the verandah. The verandah is lined with vertical tongue-and-groove wood. It has simple wooden slat balustrading. The main entrance has French doors with clear glass above them. Each door has five panels of colored, textured glass.
Inside, some changes have been made. But the main meeting room is still there. Many original parts remain, like the vertical tongue-and-groove walls. The ceiling is sheeted and battened. There are also picture rails in the meeting room. The original doors, casement windows, and a cupboard are still present.
Why This Place is Special
The former Landsborough Shire Council Chambers is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it's important for several reasons:
- It shows how Queensland's history developed.
This building was the first purpose-built council chambers for the Landsborough Shire Council. It opened in 1924. Even though it has been changed, its original shape is still clear. It helps us understand the history of local government in the area.
- It shows the work of a specific architect.
The building is important because it was designed by Walter Carey Voller. His work is a key part of its history.
- It has a special look.
The building looks like a house but has a dignified, civic presence. It adds a special feel to the street.
- It connects to the community.
This building was used by the local government from 1924 to 1974. It has a strong connection to the Landsborough Shire Council and the local community. It shows how local government grew in the region.
