Mareeba Shire Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mareeba Shire Hall |
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Mareeba Shire Hall, 2010
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| Location | 136 Walsh Street, Mareeba, Shire of Mareeba, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1940s - 1960s (post-World War II) |
| Built | 1960-1961 |
| Architect | Eddie Oribin |
| Architectural style(s) | Functionalism |
| Official name: Mareeba Shire Hall (former), Former Mareeba Shire Hall | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 11 October 2013 |
| Reference no. | 601553 |
| Builders | Ernest William Lepinath |
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The Mareeba Shire Hall is a special building in Mareeba, Queensland, Australia. It used to be the main meeting place for the local council. Famous architect Eddie Oribin designed it, and it was built between 1960 and 1961. This hall is important because of its unique design, especially its cool curved roof. It's now listed on the Queensland Heritage Register as a heritage site.
Contents
A Brief History of Mareeba
The area around Mareeba, called the Atherton Tableland, was first settled by a pioneer named John Atherton in the late 1870s. A small inn and store were set up, helping people travelling between Port Douglas and the tin mining town of Herberton.
In 1891, the town of Mareeba was officially mapped out. It became an important railway stop in 1893, connecting to Cairns. By 1919, Mareeba was the biggest town in the area. It became the main office for the local council, which was first called Woothakata Shire and later changed to Mareeba Shire in 1947.
Mareeba grew a lot after World War II because of its farms, especially tobacco. By 1954, the town had over 3,300 people.
Building the New Hall
The new Mareeba Shire Hall was built on the same spot where an older community building, the Mareeba School of Arts, burned down in 1954. Losing this building was a big deal for the town. It took a while for the council to decide to rebuild because they argued about where it should be and how much it would cost.
In 1955, they finally decided to build a new hall on the old site. It was going to cost about £37,000. The plans were drawn by architects Barnes and Oribin. The new building was described as an "igloo building" with a brick front and a large hall. To make space for the new, wider hall, the council bought more land next door.
The Architect: Eddie Oribin
Eddie Oribin was born in Cairns in 1927. During World War II, he worked on aircraft engines. After the war, he started training to become an architect. He became a registered architect in 1953 and partnered with Sid G Barnes.
Oribin was known for trying new ideas in his designs. He paid close attention to details and how light entered his buildings. He was also very skilled at making models and building things himself. The Mareeba Shire Hall was his first big project on his own.
A Special Roof Design
The Mareeba Shire Hall has a very special roof made of laminated timber arches. These arches are made by gluing together many thin layers of wood. This makes them very strong and able to span large spaces without needing many support poles. This technology was quite new in Queensland at the time.
The "igloo" shape of the hall was popular because it was a cheaper way to cover a large area. This design was also familiar to Oribin, who had worked in similar "igloo" buildings during the war.
The Hall's Opening and Features
The Mareeba Shire Hall officially opened on 15 March 1961. It cost about £74,000 to build. The main hall could seat 800 people and had a large dance floor. There was also a kitchen and supper room.
The entrance area had a cloak room, ticket booth, and a drink bar. Sliding screens made of metal and colored glass separated the entrance from the main hall. There was also a library with its own entrance and "outdoor reading rooms."
The hall was designed to have lots of natural light and good airflow. Oribin's clever design and attention to detail were clear everywhere, from the layout to the use of circle shapes in the decorations.
A Community Hub
The new hall quickly became the center of social life in Mareeba. It hosted dances, plays, concerts, and movie showings. Its strong design helped it survive many cyclones. It even served as a community shelter during Cyclone Yasi in 2011.
Since 1999, the Mareeba Police-Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) has used the hall. It is still used for many community activities today.
What the Hall Looks Like
The former Mareeba Shire Hall stands out on Walsh Street with its tall, curved roof. It's located in the middle of a town block. The building has a main entrance with steps leading up to it.
The hall's design uses a square pattern and a circle shape for decoration. It uses natural materials like unpainted brick and stained wood. The main structure is made of brick with a timber and steel roof. The roof is supported by eight semi-circular arches made of laminated timber.
Natural light comes into the hall through clear sections along the top of the roof. The roof itself is covered with corrugated metal.
The front of the building has different shapes that overlap. A tall brick tower is next to the main entrance. The lower side walls are angled and wrap around the old library section. The steps and pavement in front of the entrance are made of green concrete with a square pattern.
The main entrance doors are made of timber and glass, decorated with semi-circle and quarter-circle wood pieces. Inside the entrance, the floor has vinyl tiles with a circle pattern.
The tower has a pattern of raised bricks. Two curved parts stick out from the tower, matching the curve of the roof.
The side walls have brick sections with special patterns that help with ventilation. Windows near the roof let in more light.
Inside, the hall has an entrance area, a main auditorium, a stage, and dressing rooms. There are also toilets and a former supper room. The old library area has been changed into offices and storage rooms.
Throughout the building, you can see the base of the laminated timber arches. The lighting is often circular, and the ceilings have perforated panels.
The Mareeba Shire Hall is a very striking building with excellent architecture.
Why it's a Heritage Site
The Mareeba Shire Hall was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 2013 for several reasons:
- Showing Queensland's History: It shows how local councils in Queensland built impressive halls to show their pride. It's a great example of a modern public hall built after World War II.
- Unique Design: It's a top example of Eddie Oribin's work. His buildings are known for their complex shapes, unusual roofs, new ways of using materials, and how they use natural light and air.
- Beautiful Architecture: The hall is considered a very beautiful and unique building. Its strong, curved shapes and tall brick tower show the influence of modern architecture from around the world.
- Creative and Technical Achievement: This hall was Oribin's first big project on his own. It shows his excitement for trying new things and adapting international ideas to suit the local climate. The use of glue laminated timber arches was also very new in Queensland at the time.
