Irvinebank School of Arts Hall

Irvinebank School of Arts Hall
Irvinebank School of Arts Hall
	Irvinebank School of Arts Hall, 2009
Location	McDonald Street, Irvinebank, Shire of Mareeba, Queensland, Australia
Coordinates	17°25′43″S145°12′16″E / 17.4285°S 145.2044°E
Design period	1900–1914 (early 20th century)
Built	1900
Architectural style(s)	Classicism
Queensland Heritage Register
Official name	Irvinebank School of Arts Hall
Type	state heritage (built)
Designated	29 May 1995
Reference no.	601619
Significant period	1900s (historical); 1900s–1910s (fabric); 1900–ongoing (social); 1900s–ongoing (social)
Significant components	school of arts
	Location of Irvinebank School of Arts Hall in Queensland Irvinebank School of Arts Hall (Australia)

Last updated December 23, 2023

Irvinebank School of Arts Hall is a heritage-listed school of arts at McDonald Street, Irvinebank, Shire of Mareeba, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1900. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 29 May 1995.^[1]

History

The Irvinebank School of Arts Hall was constructed in about 1900, as the third building of the Irvinebank School of Arts Committee. The building reflects the growth of Irvinebank during a period of its prosperity as a base metal mining district.^[1]

In 1880 the Great Northern tin lode was discovered in the Herberton area and prominent businessman, John Moffat, and his company, the Glen Smelting Company, soon secured a monopoly over mining and reduction works in the area. Moffat arrived in Queensland from Scotland in 1862, where he soon opened his own business, from which grew his empire. Whilst Moffat was overseas in 1883, his partner, George Young, bought mines in what was then Gibb's Camp, in the Herberton district. Gibb's Camp was renamed Irvinebank after Moffat's birthplace in Scotland, and the Loudoun Mill, comprising a five headed crushing battery and tin smelter, was opened there on 10 December 1884. Moffat envisaged Irvinebank as a major industrial region of the Atherton Tablelands, and established both his business interests and his home (Loudoun House) in the town.^[1]

A School of Arts Committee was established in Irvinebank by March 1885, at which time a subscribed sum of £ 100, along with a subsidy, was used to construct a building. This first building, which no longer stands, was opened by July 1885.^[1]

Schools of Arts, also known as mechanics' institutes in other Australian colonies, were popular institutions in many Queensland towns, the first School of Arts was established in 1849 in Brisbane. They were based on an English model, which provided opportunities for the education of wider sections of the community; this being a popular nineteenth century social concern. Typically, in Queensland, the schools were set up by the local community who received a government subsidy. The building usually provided a reading room, subscription library and a public hall for lectures and debating. Upon its opening in 1885, the Irvinebank School of Arts was well patronised "...(with) sound judgement...been displayed...in expending a good portion of the funds on books, papers and leading weekly journals...instead of putting too much into the building".^[1]^[2]

Irvinebank experienced rapid development during the late 1880s and 1890s, when tin mining was successful, particularly after the opening of the Vulcan Tin Mine in 1889, subsequently purchased by Moffat, which became one of the most successful tin mines in the district. Irvinebank was further boosted after 1894 when low silver prices lead to adjacent towns, such as Montalbion, experiencing severe downturns.^[1]

This prosperity at Irvinebank is reflected in the various Schools of Arts buildings that were built as previous buildings became inadequate. In 1890 there is evidence of the renovation of the first building that was vacated for a larger and more substantial second School of Arts building. This may have been constructed adjacent to where the Queensland National Bank would be built and across the street from where the third School of Arts building would stand. This second building was a simple rectangular timber building, with exposed stud framing and gabled roof.^[1]

In 1900 a third building was required, and a School of Arts Hall was planned, with a proposal drawn in September 1900 by an unknown author with initials H.H.P., possibly Henry Pope, an architect who was doing work in North Queensland at the time. The new building was planned with a large hall that the previous buildings lacked. Visiting vaudeville and dramatic companies were now able to frequent the town, as provision was made in the new building for stage accommodation. Alterations were carried out to the School of Arts Hall in 1912, enclosing the projecting entrance bay and altering the stage which was to be one of the largest in the north "...(to) suit the largest company which comes around".^[1]^[3]

However, Irvinebank continued in prosperity only until the First World War, when the metal markets fell. John Moffat had retired to Sydney in 1912, and the Irvinebank smelters were sold to the Queensland Government in 1918, since when the town has steadily declined. The School of Arts Hall continues as a community hall and focal point of Irvinebank activities, to this day.^[1]

Description

The Irvinebank School of Arts Hall is a one storeyed timber building, located on a prominent intersection in the Northern Queensland town of Irvinebank. Close to the School of Arts Hall are the Queensland National Bank and John Moffat's House, both of which are culturally significant elements of the townscape. The Hall is surrounded by established trees including several figs.^[1]

The building which is raised from the ground on round timber stumps, has a rectangular plan and a corrugated iron gabled roof. The timber-framed building has exposed timber studwork, with horizontal timber lining in some sections which are protected by verandahs. The symmetrically composed north-eastern facade features three projecting gabled bays, enclosed with weatherboards, with simple decorative barge boards, finials and vertical sash windows. These bays emphasise the central entrance and two end corners of this facade. Between the projecting elements is a bull-nosed verandah with diagonally crossed balustrading. The principal entrance, through the projecting central bay, is accessed via a straight timber stair from the east. High level openings, above the verandah awning, provide light and ventilation to the internal hall as do round openings on the gables of the north-eastern and south-western facades.^[1]

Internally, the building features a large hall with stage and semi-enclosed verandah spaces running along the two long sides. The hall is fully lined with unpainted red cedar timber boards, on the floor, walls and partially raked ceiling. A timber arch, featuring moulded and reeded sections, forms the proscenium over the elevated stage, which is lined with diagonal timber boarding as are some of the doors.^[1]

Heritage listing

Irvinebank School of Arts Hall was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 29 May 1995 having satisfied the following criteria.^[1]

The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history.

The Irvinebank School of Arts Hall provides evidence of the growth and prosperity of Irvinebank, as a result of the successful base metal mining industry, encouraged by the prominent Queensland businessman, John Moffat.^[1]

The place is important because of its aesthetic significance.

The building is on a prominent site in Irvinebank, and is an integral part of a precinct including the Queensland National Bank and Moffat's house. The Irvinebank School of Arts is a landmark in the town.^[1]

The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.

The Irvinebank School of Arts Hall has been continuously used as a school of arts hall since its construction in about 1900. As the only public hall in Irvinebank, the building has been the focal point of social life in the town.^[1]

The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history.

The building has associations with Moffat who reputedly financed its construction.^[1]

The School of Arts Hall provides intact evidence of the workings of a school of arts, a common institution of many Queensland towns in the nineteenth century.^[1]

Related Research Articles

John Moffat was a Scottish-born entrepreneur who developed a mining and industrial empire around Loudoun Mill and Irvinebank in North Queensland which drove the development of north-eastern Australia. He was a devout Swedenborgian who was famous for both vision and enterprise. He was born in Newmilns, Ayrshire and spent most of his youth immersed in books. Extremely shy in temperament, he was known to hide whenever visitors approached. It was a habit he was to retain throughout his life.

Irvinebank Dam (also known as Loudoun Weir) is a heritage-listed timber and concrete weir initially constructed around 1885 when a tin battery was built. The two creeks which form the basis of the dam at Irvinebank were known as Gibbs Creek and McDonald Creek, after the earliest prospectors. The battery was erected on the Gibbs Creek frontage, and the dam was constructed just below the junction of these two creeks and embraced an area, when full, of about 12 - 13 acres (53,000 m²) of water, with depths varying from about 15 feet (4.6 m) down to about two or three feet. The original capacity was 150 million litres (33,000,000 imp gal; 40,000,000 US gal).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irvinebank</span> Town in Queensland, Australia

Irvinebank is a rural town and locality in the Shire of Mareeba, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Irvinebank had a population of 113 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wairuna, Brisbane</span> Historic site in Queensland, Australia

Wairuna is a heritage-listed detached house at 27 Hampstead Road, Highgate Hill, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Robin Dods and built from 1896 to 1900. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Barron Valley Hotel is a heritage-listed hotel at 53 Main Street, Atherton, Tablelands Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Hill & Taylor and built from 1940 to 1941. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 5 February 2010.

Holy Trinity Anglican Church is a heritage-listed church at 38 Broadway Street, Herberton, Tablelands Region, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Eyre & Munro and built in 1889 by H Petersen. It is also known as Holy Trinity Church of England. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Herberton School of Arts is a heritage-listed school of arts at 61 Grace Street, Herberton, Tablelands Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1881. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Herberton Uniting Church was a heritage-listed Uniting church at 2–4 Lillian Street, Herberton, Tablelands Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1891 by R Petersens. It was also known as Herberton Presbyterian Church. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 27 August 1999.

Great Northern Mine is a heritage-listed mine off Jacks Road, Herberton, Tablelands Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1880 to 1940s. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Coolgarra Battery is a heritage-listed stamper battery at Coolgarra Station, Silver Valley, Tablelands Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1896 to 1901. It is also known as Coolgarra Old Furnace. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 25 August 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Patrick's Church, Yungaburra</span> Church in Australia

St Patrick's Church is a heritage-listed Roman Catholic church at 1 Penda Street, Yungaburra, Tablelands Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1914 to 1930s. It is also known as Our Lady of Ransom. The church is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Queensland National Bank is a heritage-listed former bank building at Jessie Street, Irvinebank, Shire of Mareeba, Queensland, Australia. It was built c. 1905. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Loudoun House is a heritage-listed detached house at 16 O'Callaghan Street, Irvinebank, in the Shire of Mareeba in Queensland, Australia. It was built c. 1883–1884. It is also known as Moffat's House. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. It is now operated as the Loudoun House Museum by the Irvinebank School of Arts & Progress Association.

Irvinebank State Treatment Works is a heritage-listed refinery off Jessie Street, Irvinebank, Shire of Mareeba, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1883 to c. 1908. It is also known as Loudoun Mill. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Vulcan Mine is a heritage-listed former mine at Mareeba Mining District, Irvinebank, Shire of Mareeba, Queensland, Australia. It was built from c. 1889 to 1930s. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Stannary Hills Tramways are a heritage-listed pair of tramways at Irvinebank, Shire of Mareeba, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1901 to 1907. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 25 February 2005.

Einasleigh Hotel is a heritage-listed hotel at Daintree Street, Einasleigh, Shire of Etheridge, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1908 to 1909. It is also known as Central Hotel. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 6 February 2006.

The Etheridge railway line is a heritage-listed railway line between Mount Surprise and Forsayth, both in the Shire of Etheridge, Queensland, Australia. It includes Mount Surprise railway station, Einasleigh railway station, Wirra Wirra railway station and Forsayth railway station. Etheridge railway line was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 16 February 2009.

Croydon Shire Hall is a heritage-listed town hall at Samwell Street, Croydon, Shire of Croydon, Queensland, Australia. It was built c. 1892. It is also known as Croydon Shire Office and Croydon Town Hall. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 11 June 1996.

Irvinebank State School is a heritage-listed state school at High Street, Irvinebank, Shire of Mareeba, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by Robert and John Ferguson, Queensland Department of Public Works and built from 1889 to 1906 by Thomas Gordon and August Conrad Ferdinand Ohnesorgen. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 1 May 2015.

References

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 "Irvinebank School of Arts Hall (entry 601619)". Queensland Heritage Register . Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
↑ "Local Items". Cairns Post . Vol. III, no. 116. Queensland, Australia. 30 July 1885. p. 2. Retrieved 13 June 2016– via National Library of Australia.
↑ "News from Irvinebank". Cairns Post . Vol. XXVI, no. 1331. Queensland, Australia. 10 June 1912. p. 3. Retrieved 13 June 2016– via National Library of Australia.

Attribution

This Wikipedia article was originally based on "The Queensland heritage register" published by the State of Queensland under CC-BY 3.0 AU licence (accessed on 7 July 2014, archived on 8 October 2014). The geo-coordinates were originally computed from the "Queensland heritage register boundaries" published by the State of Queensland under CC-BY 3.0 AU licence (accessed on 5 September 2014, archived on 15 October 2014).

External links

Media related to Irvinebank School of Arts Hall at Wikimedia Commons

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[qhr-1] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 "Irvinebank School of Arts Hall (entry 601619)". Queensland Heritage Register . Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.

[2] "Local Items". Cairns Post . Vol. III, no. 116. Queensland, Australia. 30 July 1885. p. 2. Retrieved 13 June 2016– via National Library of Australia.

[3] "News from Irvinebank". Cairns Post . Vol. XXVI, no. 1331. Queensland, Australia. 10 June 1912. p. 3. Retrieved 13 June 2016– via National Library of Australia.

[1]

[2]

[3]