Longreach Ambulance Centre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Longreach Ambulance Centre |
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Longreach Ambulance Centre, 1998
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| Location | 111 Ibis Street, Longreach, Longreach Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1921 |
| Architect | George Meacham and Archibald Solway |
| Official name: QATB Centre (former), Longreach Arts & Crafts Centre | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600663 |
| Significant period | 1921 (fabric) 1920s-1950s (historical) |
| Significant components | residential accommodation - superintendent's house/quarters |
| Builders | Edwards, Martin Ltd |
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The Longreach Ambulance Centre is a special building in Longreach, Australia. It used to be an ambulance station and is now a place for arts and crafts. This historic building was designed by George Meacham and Archibald Solway. It was built in 1921 by Edwards, Martin Ltd.
The building is also known as the Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade Centre (QATB Centre). Today, it is called the Longreach Arts & Crafts Centre. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992 because of its important history.
Contents
A Look Back: The Ambulance Centre's Story
The building you see today was built in 1921. It was made especially for the Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade (QATB). For many years, it helped people in need. Since 1973, it has been used as an Arts and Crafts centre.
How Ambulances Started in Queensland
The Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade began in Brisbane in 1892. A man named Seymour Warrian started it. He saw someone get hurt and then moved badly, making their injuries worse. He wanted to make sure sick and injured people got proper help.
At first, the Brigade was paid for by donations from people. But it was so important that the Queensland Government started helping. From 1895, the government gave money. They also helped build ambulance stations.
Longreach Gets an Ambulance Service
The Longreach branch of the QATB started on June 24, 1919. They bought a special car, a modified Buick, to use as an ambulance. The service first operated from the Commercial Hotel. Then it moved to other places in town.
In 1920, the ambulance committee asked the Queensland Government for land. They wanted a special place just for the ambulance office. They were given land at 111 Ibis Street.
Building the New Ambulance Station
The community worked hard to raise money. They were very successful! In 1921, they hired Edwards, Martin Ltd to build the new station. The plans were made by George Meacham and Archibald Solway.
The building cost £3,185, which was a lot of money back then. It was opened in May 1921 by Mr. Edward Rowland Huey Edkins. He was the chairman of the Longreach Shire.
What the Building Looked Like Inside
The new ambulance station had two floors. It followed a standard design for QATB centres.
- Ground Floor: This floor had a casualty room for first aid. There was also an office and a storage room. Ambulance workers had two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, and bathroom. A special cement-floored area was for parking the ambulance vehicles.
- Upper Floor: The superintendent, who was in charge, lived on this floor. It had three bedrooms, a study, kitchen, and bathroom. There was also a large verandah where all meals were eaten.
From Ambulances to Art
In 1958, the Ambulance Service moved to the Longreach Hospital. After that, the top floor of the old station was rented out as a home. But the ground floor stayed empty. The building started to get old and needed repairs.
In 1971, some people in Longreach formed an Arts and Craft group. They asked to use the empty ambulance building. In 1973, the building was given to local groups to use for cultural activities. The Longreach Cultural Association started to fix it up.
Local Rotarians helped, and the Queensland and Australian governments gave grants. These grants helped pay for the restoration work and art programs.
The Arts and Crafts Centre Today
Today, the building is a busy Arts and Crafts Centre. It hosts many activities:
- Art and craft classes
- An art gallery
- A potters' workshop
- Activities from Flying Arts (a group that brings art to regional areas)
- A theatre group
- Meetings for community groups
The upper floor now has the Gallery, a room for visiting art tutors, and a craft display room. There's even a room with old QATB items! The Gallery officially opened in 1979.
In 1988, another building was added next door. This new part houses the potters' group and the theatre group. It was built as a bi-centennial project, celebrating 200 years since European settlement in Australia.
Building Design and Features
The former QATB centre is a two-storey building made of timber. It has a corrugated iron roof. Wide verandahs surround both levels.
The front of the building looks like it's made of bricks and stone. This is because it's covered with special pressed metal sheets. This look is made even better by how it's painted. The metal goes up to a parapet wall, which hides the roof from the street. On the parapet, you can see the QATB Maltese cross symbol and the year 1921.
The rest of the building shows its timber frame. The upper verandah has wooden dowel railings. It also has panels of lattice at the front corners and back. There are decorative wooden pieces between the verandah posts. These pieces are cut into shallow arches.
The building has not changed much since it became an arts centre. The newer building next door is connected by a light pergola with climbing plants.
Why This Place is Special
The former QATB Centre is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it's an important part of Queensland's history.
Showing Queensland's Past
This building shows how the Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade grew. It also highlights how important Longreach was as a regional town.
A Great Example of Design
It's a good example of a regional ambulance station. It uses the standard design: a garage, casualty room, and workers' room on the ground floor. The superintendent's home was on the floor above.
Beautiful to Look At
The old ambulance station is in a main street in Longreach. Its size, shape, and materials make it stand out. It's a well-designed building that fits the local climate well.
Important to the Community
This building has a strong connection with the people of Longreach. It served the community for many years as an ambulance station. Now, it continues to serve as a cultural centre.
