Maryborough Waterside Workers' Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maryborough Waterside Workers' Hall |
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Maryborough Waterside Workers' Hall, 2011
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| Location | 96 Wharf Street, Maryborough, Fraser Coast Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1914 - 1919 (World War I) |
| Built | 1918 |
| Official name: Maryborough Waterside Workers' Hall | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 9 July 1993 |
| Reference no. | 600717 |
| Significant period | c. 1918 (fabric) 1918--1963 (historical) |
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The Maryborough Waterside Workers' Hall is an old building in Maryborough, Queensland, Australia. It used to be a meeting place for a group of workers called a trade union. This hall was built in 1918. It is now listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's an important historical site.
Contents
The Hall's Story: A Place for Workers
The Waterside Workers' Hall in Maryborough is a timber building. It was built around 1918 for the Maryborough branch of the Waterside Workers Federation. This group was a union for people who worked on the wharves.
Maryborough's Busy Port
The Port of Maryborough was once a very busy place. Many ships came and went, especially those carrying timber. In 1850, the town of Maryborough moved to its current spot. This new location on the Mary River was better for ships. Maryborough became an official port in 1859. It grew into a major port and a central hub for the Wide Bay region.
How Workers Got Jobs
The Hall was a meeting spot and a place where workers could get jobs. It was paid for by a small fee from all union members. The hall was built on Wharf Street, close to the wharves. Other important buildings like the Bond Store and Customs House were also nearby.
Before 1943, workers were chosen by shipping bosses. This was called the "Bull System." The bosses would pick who they wanted for each shift. After 1943, the union chose workers in a fair rotation. Both systems meant workers had to show up when a ship arrived. Some companies made workers meet at the wharves. But others, like Hyne and Son, used the Hall. Workers preferred the Hall because it was a sheltered building with seats.
The Port Changes
Over time, new ways of communication and transport developed. Also, Urangan became a very important deep-water port for sugar. Because of this, the Port of Maryborough started to decline. By the 1950s, many Maryborough wharf workers found jobs in Urangan. However, Maryborough still remained the place where local workers were picked up for jobs.
On March 18, 1963, the last work was done by waterside workers in Maryborough. The Maryborough Branch of the union and the Hall stayed open. But all work for Maryborough workers was now done in Urangan, Bundaberg, and Gladstone. In 1972, the list of waterside workers in Maryborough was closed. A new list was opened in Urangan. The Urangan Branch then took control of the Maryborough Branch's property.
What Happened to the Hall?
In the 1960s, the back part of the hall was rented out for storage. The front part was also rented to bands for practice. Weightlifters also used it as a training center. In 1980, the current owner bought the building. This owner runs a marine engineering business next door. Today, the hall is mostly used for storage.
Hall's Design and Features
The Waterside Workers' Hall is a single-story building made of timber and iron. It faces Wharf Street to the north. From the front, you can see the Mary River to the northeast.
This long, rectangular building has a roof shaped like a triangle, called a gable roof. It stands on timber stumps. The front wall, which faces the street, is made of timber boards called chamferboard. It has a central entrance that is set back. There is a window on each side of the entrance. These windows have metal covers. A flagpole is on the front gable.
The east side of the building is made of weatherboard. It has windows and is next to a service lane. The other sides are made of corrugated iron. There is a smaller section at the back with a slanted roof. This part has a lifting machine, called a gantry, for unloading equipment.
Inside, the main entrance leads into the hall. There is a room on each side of the entrance. These rooms have thin timber walls made of tongue-and-groove boards. Most of the wall is missing from the room on the northwest side. The roof inside is not covered. The back section with the slanted roof has a raised timber floor. You can get to it through an opening that looks like a stage arch.
The Criterion Hotel is next to the hall on the west side. A diesel workshop and a large boarding house are on the east side. The back of the property is a grassy area.
Why the Hall is Important
The Maryborough Waterside Workers' Hall was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on July 9, 1993. This means it is important for several reasons:
- Shows Queensland's History: The hall, built around 1918, helps us understand how Queensland's history unfolded. It shows how Maryborough grew as a shipping port for the Wide Bay area. It also shows how Wharf Street developed to support the port.
- A Typical Worker's Hall: It is a good example of what a worker's hall and meeting place looked like.
- Looks Good: The building has a simple and elegant look that local people value. It fits well with the buildings around it. It also adds to the overall look of Wharf Street and the town of Maryborough.
- Connected to a Special Group: The hall has a strong link to the Waterside Workers' Union in Maryborough. This union played an important role in Queensland's history.
