Rosalie RSL Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rosalie RSL Hall |
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Rosalie RSL Hall, 2006
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| Location | 50 Elizabeth Street, Paddington, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1927 - 1928 |
| Architect | Hall & Prentice |
| Official name: RSL Hall Rosalie, Rosalie School of Arts Commemoration Hall | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 6 September 2005 |
| Reference no. | 602517 |
| Significant period | 1927-1928 (fabric) 1934, 1938, 1942-1957, 1974 (historical) 1928-ongoing (social) |
| Significant components | stage/sound shell, projection booth/bio box, memorial - honour board/ roll of honour, shop/s |
| Builders | W Moody |
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The Rosalie RSL Hall is a special building in Paddington, Brisbane. It was designed by Hall & Prentice and built by W Moody between 1927 and 1928. This hall is also known as the Rosalie School of Arts Commemoration Hall. It is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because of its importance.
A Look Back at Rosalie Hall's History
The Rosalie RSL Hall is a large timber building with a corrugated iron roof. It faces Nash Street in Rosalie, which is now part of Paddington. Since it opened in 1928, the hall has been a busy place. It has hosted many different community events. The ground floor, facing Nash Street, was even designed to have two shops.
How Paddington and Rosalie Grew
In the 1800s, Paddington was a new area. People built homes on the hills. They also grew vegetables in the lower areas. Early roads followed the hilltops. This is where most of the first buildings appeared. By the late 1870s, Paddington was still quite rural. It was known as "Ti Tree Flats."
A famous house called Fernberg was built in 1865. In 1920, the Queensland Government bought it. It became the home for the Governor. By the 1880s, shops started to gather near main intersections. Richer people lived on the highest ground. Workers lived on the slopes. Poorer people built homes in the valleys.
The area became the Ithaca Shire in 1887. By 1903, Paddington was a busy suburb. The tramway arrived in 1898 and 1909. This helped the area grow even more.
Rosalie is a smaller area within Paddington. It is named after a property owned by John Frederick McDougall. In the 1920s, Rosalie started to develop quickly. Local groups wanted to build a community hall.
What is a School of Arts?
The first "Mechanic's Institutes" or "Schools of Arts" started in Britain. This was in the early 1800s. They helped people learn and grow. They offered lectures, discussions, and libraries. At that time, books were very expensive. These places gave people a chance to borrow books. This was an important way to learn and have fun.
In Queensland, the first School of Arts began in Brisbane in 1849. Its goal was to help the community learn. As towns grew, more Schools of Arts were built. They became a main way for adults to get an education. These buildings usually had a hall for talks and shows. They also had a library and a reading room. Building a School of Arts showed that a community was growing up.
A Memorial to Heroes
The Rosalie School of Arts was also a war memorial. After World War I, Australia felt great sadness. About 60,000 service members died overseas. This led to many memorials being built.
The local council offered land for the hall. But the School of Arts Committee chose a different spot. They held a big event in 1926. They raised money to buy the land at Elizabeth and Nash Streets.
The builder, W. Moody, designed the hall in 1926. But the famous architects Hall and Prentice improved his plans. They also designed the Brisbane City Hall. On July 9, 1927, they held a special ceremony. Important guests attended, including the Governor.
Building and Opening the Hall
Moody built the hall for £2,650. The library and furniture cost another £550. They got a loan to help pay for it. They raised more money by selling memberships. They also rented out two shops on the ground floor.
The Rosalie School of Arts Commemoration Hall officially opened on June 28, 1928. Mayor Jolly opened it. The hall's goal was to bring people together. The library and reading room would help them learn.
A Hub for the Community
The RSL Hall has been used for many things over the years.
- The Rosalie Kindergarten was there from 1929 to 1935.
- The local RSL group started in the hall in 1934.
- In 1938, a special court case was held there. It was about an election.
- The Ithaca Youth Club met there from 1945 to 1950.
- It also hosted a Buffalo Lodge for many years.
Other activities included public meetings, concerts, and dances. They also held ANZAC Day events, martial arts classes, and indoor bowls. In 1946, the library books went to the Brisbane City Council library. That same year, the hall was given to the RSL group.
Between 1942 and 1957, the hall became the Beverley Theatre. It showed movies on some nights. Other movie theaters were also in the area. In the early 2000s, a film society briefly brought back movie nights.
The shops below the hall have also had different businesses. One shop was a dressmaker, then a bike shop. Later, it became a child welfare center. Now, an optometrist is there. The other shop was a bootmaker. Today, it is a hair salon.
The RSL sold the building in 2004. But they still rent the hall for their meetings. The hall itself is now a fitness center. There is also a computer business on the ground floor.
The hall was damaged during the 1974 Brisbane floods. Over the years, some parts of the building have changed. For example, a glass-roofed entrance was added. The shops have also been updated.
What the Hall Looks Like
The Rosalie RSL Hall is on a corner. It faces Nash Street. The building is covered in weatherboards. It has a corrugated iron roof. The main hall is on the first floor. On the ground floor, there are three shops. Two face Nash Street. One is under the hall, accessed from the carpark.
The front of the hall has a special design. It has wooden strips that form a pattern. Below this, there are changing rooms and a kitchen. Small wings extend from the hall's sides. One wing has showers. The other has storage rooms. It is also part of the entrance stairway. The ground floor of this wing has toilets.
The main hall has a stage at one end. Stairs go up to small rooms on either side of the stage. At the other end of the hall, curtains hide RSL items. Behind the curtains is a projection room. This room was used for showing movies. There is also a small office. Near the office, you can see a large Honour Board. It lists people from Ithaca who served in World War I.
The carpark, the new entrance, and the small house next to the hall are not part of its historical importance.
Why Rosalie Hall is Special
The Rosalie RSL Hall was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 2005. This means it is a very important building.
A Glimpse into History
The hall shows how adult education worked in Queensland long ago. It also shows how Australians remembered those who died in World War I. Many memorials were built across the country.
A Great Example of a Memorial Hall
The RSL Hall is a wonderful example of a World War I memorial hall. It has been used for many things. These include remembering events, learning, entertainment, and social gatherings. It still looks very much like it did when it was built.
Beautiful Design
This large timber building stands out on its corner. It has always been a landmark. Its size and unique design make Rosalie's streets look special.
Important to the Community
The RSL Hall has served the community for decades. It has a strong connection with local people. It is also very important to the Returned Services League.
Linked to Famous Architects
The building is connected to the well-known architectural firm Hall and Prentice. They also designed the famous Brisbane City Hall.
