Woody Point Memorial Hall facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Woody Point Memorial Hall
Side of building, 2016
Location	Hornibrook Esplanade, Woody Point, Moreton Bay Region, Queensland, Australia
Design period	1919 - 1930s (interwar period)
Architect	Hubert George Octavius Thomas
Owner	Moreton Bay Regional Council
Queensland Heritage Register
Official name: Woody Point Memorial Hall
Type	state heritage (built)
Designated	14 March 2014
Reference no.	602828
Significant period	1922-present
Significant components	flagpole/flagstaff, memorial - honour board/ roll of honour, stage/sound shell
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The Woody Point Memorial Hall is a special building in Woody Point, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Hubert George Octavius Thomas and is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it's an important historical place.

The hall first opened on March 4, 1922. It was originally called the Woody Point Memorial School of Arts. Inside, you can find an honour board. This board lists the names of 94 men from the Redcliffe Peninsula who joined up for World War I (WWI). It also includes three "war workers."

This building is important for two main reasons. First, it was part of the "school of arts" movement. These places helped adults learn and read. Second, it's a memorial to remember those who served in WWI. It's a "useful" type of memorial because it's still used by the community today.

What is the History of Woody Point?

For a long time, the Redcliffe Peninsula was known as Humpybong. This was the name given by the local Aboriginal people, the Ningy Ningy. In 1861, a large area of land was set aside for farming. Land in Woody Point was first sold in 1864.

Not much happened in Redcliffe until the 1880s. That's when people started buying land in Brisbane, and this interest spread to the peninsula. Woody Point became known as a seaside holiday spot. However, farming continued in many areas until the 1940s.

How Did Woody Point Grow?

A small town grew up at Woody Point. This was because it was the closest point to Sandgate. A railway line opened to Sandgate in May 1882. A jetty was finished at Woody Point by March 1882. This allowed ferries to bring people and goods from Sandgate.

The Woody Point jetty was made longer in 1889-90. A new jetty opened in 1922, and another one in 2009. Ferries ran regularly between Sandgate and Woody Point until 1930.

Even though many people visited for holidays, it was hard for the area to grow because it was quite isolated. The first road on the peninsula, from Woody Point to Scarborough, was cleared in the early 1880s. This road later became Oxley Avenue.

What Was Life Like in Early Woody Point?

Holiday visitors led to more shops and services in Woody Point. These included a Post and Telegraph Office, general stores, a bakery, a butcher, and a garage. Hotels like St Leonard's (opened 1883) and Belvedere (opened 1901) were built. Boarding houses also welcomed visitors.

Fishing was popular from the jetty and beaches. By 1902, "buses and wagonettes" (horse-drawn carriages) traveled between Woody Point and Redcliffe. Sailing was another popular activity. From 1884, an annual regatta (boat race) took place. The Humpybong Yacht Club has held sailing events since 1938. Celebrations after sailing events were often held at the Woody Point Memorial School of Arts. The Yacht Club also held dances there to raise money.

What is a School of Arts?

The idea to build a school of arts in Woody Point started around 1909. In March of that year, the Woody Point Progress Association was formed. They asked for land for a school of arts. The land for the current building was set aside in 1912.

Schools of arts were very important for adult learning in Queensland during the 1800s and early 1900s. At that time, there were almost no government high schools. These "schools" were like early libraries and technical colleges. They were started and paid for by local communities.

Why Were Schools of Arts Important?

These places helped working people learn new skills and improve their education. They offered books to borrow, which was a big help for learning and fun. The first one in Australia was in Hobart in 1827. In Queensland, the first was in Brisbane in 1849.

In Australia, these places became known as "schools of arts." This showed they offered more than just technical skills. They also included cultural and social activities. Besides formal classes, they encouraged debating, plays, and had libraries and reading rooms.

How Did Schools of Arts Help Communities?

When new towns were settled, local groups would form to create a school of arts. Their goal was to "promote moral, social and intellectual growth for the community." In country areas, these schools often served as public halls too. They helped create a sense of identity for the district.

By 1880, only 26 schools of arts existed in Queensland. But the government encouraged them by helping with local fundraising. The movement grew fast in the 1880s and 1890s. By the time Australia became a nation, almost every town had a school of arts or at least a reading room.

A typical school of arts was a timber building. It usually had a public hall and a few rooms for a library, reading, or meetings. These buildings were important symbols of progress. Building one showed that a community had "come of age."

How Was the Hall Built?

Fundraising for the Woody Point School of Arts began in 1911. People held events like musical evenings to collect money. By the start of WWI, they had raised about £80 to £90. Fundraising stopped during the war, and the money was saved.

After WWI ended, planning for the school of arts started again. In July 1920, a meeting was held to form a committee. Locals thought the building would also make a good WWI memorial. On November 22, 1920, they decided to call it the "Woody Point Memorial School of Arts." This new name was officially approved in September 1925.

Why Were War Memorials Built?

WWI had a huge impact on Australia. Many young people from almost every community died or were wounded. Even before the war ended, communities started building memorials. These memorials were a way to show their sadness and remember those who died far from home.

WWI memorials came in many forms. These included honour boards, stone monuments (like statues or obelisks), memorial avenues (tree-lined roads), parks, and useful buildings like halls. In Queensland, soldier statues were most popular.

There was a big discussion across Australia: should a war memorial just be a monument, or should it have a useful purpose? People who liked the "useful" idea thought it was more helpful. They believed donations could help pay for needed buildings. But others argued that useful buildings might change over time and not feel like a true memorial. Most places chose monuments, but some built useful buildings like halls. After World War II (WWII), useful memorials became more popular.

Memorial halls were expensive, but banks were more willing to lend money for projects that had a practical use. People who donated also knew they were helping to create a public building as well as a memorial. These halls were often used by returned soldiers, but they also served many community purposes.

How Was Woody Point's Hall Funded and Designed?

Fundraising for local war memorials was usually done by the community. This was the case at Woody Point. There were some delays in building the Woody Point Memorial School of Arts. This was partly because people were also raising money for Anzac Memorial Avenue, another WWI memorial on the Redcliffe Peninsula.

Returned soldiers helped finish the building's foundation in November 1921. The Redcliffe branch of the Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia (RSSILA) helped raise money through events like teas, fetes, and dances. By December 1921, about £800 had been raised.

Tenders (bids) for building the hall were received by September 24, 1921. The architect, Hubert Thomas, chose the bid from Messrs F and A Pitfield. Hubert Thomas was an architect from Wales who moved to Brisbane in 1883. He lived and worked in Sandgate from 1898. He died just two days before the Woody Point Memorial School of Arts officially opened.

The building he designed was a hall 30 feet (9.1 m) wide by 50 feet (15 m) long. It had a stage area 30 feet (9.1 m) wide by 15 feet (4.6 m) long. There were small rooms on each side of the stage. Verandas (porches) ran along each side of the hall. The front entrance had a porch. The building originally had decorative details and a large flagpole.

When Did the Hall Open?

The building was finished and handed over on December 21, 1921. It was supposed to open on January 26, 1922, but this date clashed with the Queensland Governor, Sir Matthew Nathan. So, the opening was delayed so he could open new jetties at Redcliffe and Woody Point on the same day as the Memorial School of Arts.

The Governor officially opened the Woody Point Memorial School of Arts on the afternoon of March 4, 1922. He also revealed its honour board. The honour board was made from a single piece of red cedar wood. It lists 94 servicemen from the peninsula (seven of whom died) and three "war workers."

Who Was on the Honour Board?

The decision of who to put on a war memorial varied. Some only listed those who died, while others also included those who returned. Some committees were asked to include people who helped with the war effort but didn't fight, like munitions workers.

The Woody Point Honour Board included three war workers: John Tebby, George Carpenter, and CD Skene. John Tebby and G. Carpenter were among a group of Queensland munitions workers who returned home from Great Britain in 1919. CD Skene was a builder and contractor who helped set up the Memorial School of Arts.

The Governor spoke about the library in the building and the joy of reading. In 1922, the library had almost 600 books. By 1923, it had 900 books, and the reading room had many papers and magazines. By 1931, there were 2035 books.

At the time of opening, there was still a debt of £500. The debt was cleared in 1924. Returned soldiers paid 1 shilling per year for membership. In 1927, membership was 10 shillings per year. The library was open a few evenings a week.

How Has the Hall Changed Over Time?

In 1928, changes were made to the hall so movies could be shown. A projection room was built above the front entrance. "Talking pictures" (movies with sound) started being shown on September 27, 1930, and continued until 1937. Movies were often followed by a dance.

When the Hornibrook Highway Toll Bridge opened in October 1935, more people moved to the area. More holidaymakers also came, and many camped along the Woody Point foreshore during Christmas. A bathing pavilion was built in 1937 across from the hall. During Christmas, entertainment was held nightly in the hall.

By the late 1930s, the management of the hall changed. In October 1943, the Redcliffe Town Council became the official trustees (managers) of the land. The land was renamed a "Soldiers Memorial Hall Reserve."

On June 26, 1943, the hall's name was changed to Woody Point War Memorial Hall. The "school of arts" part of its purpose ended. The library closed, and its books were moved to start the council's library. A management committee became responsible for running the hall.

What Repairs and Additions Were Made?

Over the years, many repairs and additions were made. Painting and roof repairs were ongoing. These often required fundraising. For example, in 1944, people advertised for donations to buy bricks for a fence at the front of the hall (this fence is no longer there). In 1952, the Memorial Hall was the only public hall on the peninsula.

In the 1950s, the hall was made 25 feet (7.6 m) longer towards the stage end. This made the hall 90 feet (27 m) long in total. These extensions were officially opened on March 5, 1955. The new stage was also leveled and raised in 1958.

In January 1964, toilets were installed in the western wing of the hall. A small extension was built between 1964 and 1969 to hold an accessible toilet.

How is the Hall Used Today?

Even though the hall's look changed, the community continued to use it. The RSSILA (now called the RSL) held its monthly meetings there until 1954. Anzac Day ceremonies have been held in the hall since it opened. Even when the main ceremony moved to the Pier Theatre in the 1950s, the lunch afterwards was still held in the hall.

Many social events have taken place in the hall. For example, the RSSAILA held a Christmas Party for children of ex-servicemen in 1949. In 2014, the RSL continued to hold formal Anzac Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies in the hall, where the honour board is very important.

The hall also hosted events for the Harmony Club, which started in 1939. This club held weekly dances and entertainment. During WWII, the club held "Farewell Evenings" for locals joining the military and "Welcome Home" celebrations for returning soldiers. Service personnel based nearby often attended the weekly dances. This club continued its dances until the 1950s.

What Other Groups Use the Hall?

During WWII, the Women's National Emergency League held meetings in the library room. They made camouflage netting and woollen items for British bomb victims. They also held fundraisers in the hall.

Local people say the hall is very important to the social life of the area. They have many fond memories of the activities held there. It has a "sense of place" in the community's memory. Many organizations have used the hall, including:

• The Order of the Eastern Star
• The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes
• Redcliffe Musical Arts Society
• Redcliffe Eisteddfod Committee
• Redcliffe Youth Club
• Redcliffe Marching Girls
• Indoor Bowls Club
• Humpybong Yacht Club
• Woody Point and Clontarf Progress Association
• The Queensland Country Women's Association
• Redcliffe Citizens Cultural Club
• Pensioners League

Local dance schools also used the hall, like the Sylvena School of Dancing and the Sylvia Curie Dance School. Modern dance classes are still held there every Friday evening.

During Christmas school holidays, church services were held in the hall for campers. Local election campaigns were launched there. In 1924, the Redcliffe Town Council met in the hall. Frank Nicklin, a Queensland Premier, spoke at the hall during his election campaign. During WWII, it was a place to get ration cards. It has always been used as a voting booth for elections. Wrestling and boxing events have also been held there. Music classes were held as late as the 1990s. The hall has also been used for many fundraising events, like the Cancer campaign's "Dark Night" Masquerade Ball. Local schools use the hall for balls and concerts.

In 2014, groups like the Bethesda Baptist Church, Margate, Woody Point and Clontarf Pensioners League, AA Volunteers, Legal Aid, and Healing and Reconciliation outreach had regular bookings. The hall is often used for dancing groups and classes because it has a great dance floor. It's also used for social events like birthday parties and wedding receptions. The Lions Club of Kippa-Ring helps look after the hall.

The Woody Point Memorial Hall continues to be an important and well-used war memorial and community center in the 21st century. As of 2017, the Moreton Bay Regional Council owns and operates it.

What Does the Hall Look Like?

Signage, 2016

The Woody Point Memorial School of Arts building is on a wedge-shaped piece of land at the corner of Hornibrook Esplanade and Oxley Avenue. It's a simple, one-story timber building. It has a large hall at the front and a stage with side wings at the back.

The building is covered with timber boards. The front of the building is covered with a rough plaster finish. The roof is made of corrugated metal sheets. You can see two different building times: the original front part (1921) is on short concrete posts, and the later back part (1955) is on concrete walls.

The front of the hall is balanced, with a gable (the triangular part of the wall under a sloping roof) that has decorative timber supports. The main entrance is in the middle, under a small roof. A flagpole stands in front. Windows on either side of the entrance have decorative timber hoods.

Along both sides of the hall are more windows with timber hoods. The side wings mostly have modern aluminum windows. On each side of the building, there's a timber deck that leads into the hall through double timber doors. At the back, there's a timber veranda that leads to the back of the stage.

What's Inside the Hall?

When you enter from the front porch, you step into a large, well-proportioned hall. It has a timber floor and timber board walls up to a certain height. Above that, the walls are covered with sheet material and timber strips. The ceiling at the front is lined with timber boards, changing to sheet material further back. There are timber cupboards near the front door.

On the northeast wall of the hall, you'll find the timber World War I honour board. It has decorative timber carvings, including a curved top with painted Australian and British flags. It lists the names of servicemen and war workers.

Under the raised stage, there's a storage area. The stage has an archway and doors leading to it. There are also doors from the stage into the side wings. The eastern wing has a change room and a modern kitchen. The western wing has toilets, a small storage room, and another change room. The kitchen and bathroom parts are modern and not considered historically important.

Part of the nearby croquet club's building extends into the hall's property at the northern end. This part is not considered historically important either.

Why is This Hall Important?

The Woody Point Memorial Hall was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on March 14, 2014. This means it meets certain important criteria.

Demonstrates Queensland's History

This hall, opened in 1922, shows Queensland's part in a major world event: World War I. War memorials, like this building with its honour board, remember those who served and died from a community. They are often the focus of Anzac Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies. They are an important part of Queensland's towns and cities. They also show how people across Queensland and Australia remembered the war.

The hall is also important because it shows the history of the "school of arts" movement in Queensland. This way of adult education was very popular in the 1800s and early 1900s. It helped people learn by providing a library where they could borrow books.

Shows Key Features of Cultural Places

The Woody Point Memorial School of Arts is an early, well-preserved, and good example of a "useful" WWI memorial. It had two main jobs: to remember the war and to provide a place for the community to learn and have fun.

The building is in a noticeable spot in the community. It has a hall, a stage, and still has its library and reading room spaces. It has been made bigger and changed over time to keep up with how the community uses it.

The honour board inside the hall is the main focus of the building's memorial purpose. It's unusual because it also lists local war workers.

Strong Community Connection

The ceremonies held in the hall show how much people respect these memorials across Australia. Because it's a focus for Anzac Day ceremonies, the building and its honour board are highly valued by the community. They are important for spiritual, symbolic, cultural, and social reasons.

The Woody Point Memorial School of Arts has been used by the community continuously since it was built. First, it was a memorial school of arts, and then a memorial hall. It's a very used building and holds many fond memories for generations of people. It has a long-standing and ongoing social and cultural connection with the Woody Point community and the Redcliffe sub-branch of the Returned and Services League.