Toowoomba Trades Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Toowoomba Trades Hall |
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Toowoomba Trades Hall, 2014
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| Location | 19A Russell Street, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Architect | Matthew Williamson |
| Architectural style(s) | Classicism |
| Official name: Toowoomba Trades Hall | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 29 October 2010 |
| Reference no. | 602768 |
| Significant components | shop/s, hall, office/s, booth/stall |
| Builders | Kell & Rigby |
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The Toowoomba Trades Hall is a special building in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. It's listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's an important part of history. This building was designed by Matthew Williamson and built by Kell & Rigby. It officially opened in 1934 and has been a central place for workers and unions ever since.
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Why Was the Toowoomba Trades Hall Built?
The Toowoomba Trades Hall was built in 1934 for the Toowoomba Trades Hall Board. This group worked with the Toowoomba Trades and Labour Council. They wanted a central place for workers' unions to meet and organize.
What Are Trade Unions?
Trade unions are groups of workers who join together to improve their working conditions. They fight for things like fair pay, reasonable hours, and safe workplaces. Unions have been important in Queensland since the 1860s. They helped workers get better deals and have their voices heard.
Toowoomba's Role in Worker Rights
Toowoomba became a key city for union activities. In 1865, railway workers marched into Toowoomba to ask for better pay and shorter hours. In 1866, carpenters in Toowoomba started an "eight-hour system," meaning they worked eight hours a day. The Queensland Shearers Union was even formed in Toowoomba in 1875.
In the early 1900s, Toowoomba was a big industrial center. Many people worked in factories and for Queensland Railways. This made Toowoomba a perfect place for unions to grow.
How Did Unions Grow in Queensland?
Queensland's first big union group, the Brisbane District Council of the Australasian Labour Federation (ALF), started in 1889. Later, the Australian Workers Union (AWU) became very strong. By 1922, many union groups joined to form the Queensland Trades and Labour Council (QTLC).
From 1915, union membership grew a lot. New laws made it easier for workers to join unions and get better conditions. Even though there were some tough times, union membership in Queensland stayed high. By 1935, Queensland had more women in unions than the rest of Australia.
The Idea of a Trades Hall
Trades and Labour Councils helped create "trades halls." These were buildings where unions could meet, organize events, and educate their members. Queensland's first trades hall opened in Brisbane in 1891. Many other cities, like Ipswich and Toowoomba, built their own. These halls usually had a large meeting space and smaller offices.
Building the Toowoomba Trades Hall
The Toowoomba Trades Hall Board tried to build a hall for many years. They bought land in Bowen Street in 1916, but couldn't afford to build. In 1919, they bought an old church in Margaret Street and used it as a trades hall. But by 1929, it wasn't suitable.
Finding the Right Location
In 1929, the Board bought the current land on Russell Street. They planned to build a two-story building with shops. It took a few years for their finances to improve.
Choosing the Architect and Builders
In 1933, the Board hired Matthew C Williamson as the architect. Williamson was born in Toowoomba and had designed many buildings in the area. The Board wanted local workers and materials to be used.
In February 1934, Kell & Rigby won the contract to build the hall. They were a Sydney company with offices in Brisbane and Toowoomba. They had also built the Empire Theatre in Toowoomba.
What the New Hall Looked Like
The new hall was a two-story brick building. The front had fancy cement decorations. There was a main entrance in the middle with shops on either side. Inside, the ground floor had committee rooms and a kitchen. Upstairs was a large hall with a special dance floor, cloak rooms, and a ticket booth. Balconies opened from the hall onto Russell Street for fresh air.
Laying the Foundation Stone
A ceremony for the foundation stone was held on March 23, 1934 (though the stone says March 21). Local politician E. J. Llewelyn spoke, saying the building would be a "memorial of working class ideals." A fete was held to help raise money for the building.
The Grand Opening
The Toowoomba Trades Hall officially opened on Saturday, July 14, 1934. Many important Labor politicians and union leaders attended. They celebrated the achievements of the workers' movement. A "smoke concert" (a social gathering) was held that evening. The following week, a grand opening ball took place, which was the first of many dances held to help pay off the building's debts.
How the Trades Hall Was Used
The Trades Hall Board created a Rents Committee to manage the building. Unions used the rooms and hall for meetings. In 1934, unemployed workers could use rooms for free. The hall was a place to discuss important workplace issues and disputes.
Other Uses and Changes
Besides unions, many other groups used the hall. From dance classes to bands, the building was a social hub for Toowoomba. During World War II in 1942, the building was used by the Australian Military Forces as their headquarters.
The Trades Hall Board has always managed the building. Important people like Jack Duggan, who became a well-known politician, served on the Board.
Over the years, some parts of the building have been changed. In 1954, a new dance floor was installed. More work was done in 1959-60, often by volunteers. In 1994, some internal offices were reorganized to meet the needs of new tenants, like the Toowoomba Community Legal Service. Even with these changes, you can still see how the building was originally designed.
The Toowoomba Trades Hall is believed to be the oldest purpose-built trades hall in Queensland that is still used for its original purpose. Many other older trades halls have been torn down or are used for other things.
Why Toowoomba Trades Hall is Important
The Toowoomba Trades Hall is special for several reasons:
- It shows Queensland's history: The building helps us understand how trade unions grew and influenced Queensland's history. It shows Toowoomba's long role as an industrial center.
- It's a rare building: It's the oldest purpose-built trades hall in Queensland that is still used today. Many others from the early 1900s are gone or have different uses.
- It shows what a trades hall is like: From the outside, its design looks important and strong. Inside, it has offices, meeting rooms, and a large hall, which are all key features of a trades hall. Even with changes, you can still see its original purpose.
- It looks great: The building's size, shape, and design make it a noticeable and important part of Toowoomba's city center. Its classical style shows the strength and stability of the union movement. This style was popular in the 1920s and 1930s for important buildings.
