Austral Society
Encyclopedia
The Austral Society was founded in 1903 due to the influence of The Toowoomba poet George Essex Evans
to promote Australian Arts and Culture. The Society ceased in 1911.
The Society purchased part of the closed Toowoomba Gaol
grounds and let a tender to roof part of the goal yard in September 1904. The Austral Hall
was built on this site.
The plaque located at 84 to 88 Margaret Street (Park Motor Inn) reads:
"On this site stood the Austral Hall which was reported capable of accommodating 500 stage performers and an audience of 5,000.
"Toowoomba’s Austral Society was founded by George Essex Evans
in 1903 for the promotion and advancement of music, literature, art and science. The Society bought the site of the former gaol (1864-1904) and Architect William Hodgen designed the building using three remaining outer walls. The roof was supported by cast iron columns made by the Toowoomba Foundry.
"The Hall was officially opened on 5 November 1904 by Sir Hugh Nelson
, Lieutenant Governor of Queensland."
A few other Australian towns (Bundaberg, Belgrave
) also erected a communal use Arts & Culture building called Austral Hall.
George Essex Evans
-Biography:Evans was born in London on 18 June 1863. Both his parents were Welsh. Evans's father, John Evans, Q.C., died in 1864 when Evans was only a few months old. John Evans, who was the Treasurer of the Inner Temple and a member of the House of Commons, left his family a fortune of 60 000...
to promote Australian Arts and Culture. The Society ceased in 1911.
The Society purchased part of the closed Toowoomba Gaol
Toowoomba Prison
Toowoomba Gaol is a historic Australian prison site in Toowoomba, Queensland.-History of site:The original Toowoomba Gaol was closed after the prisoners were transferred to Boggo Road Gaol and demolition commenced in 1903....
grounds and let a tender to roof part of the goal yard in September 1904. The Austral Hall
Austral Hall
The Austral Society was founded in 1903 because of the influence of The Toowoomba poet George Essex Evans to promote Australian Arts and Culture.The Society purchased part of the closed Toowoomba Gaol grounds and let a tender to roof part of the goal yard in September 1904...
was built on this site.
The plaque located at 84 to 88 Margaret Street (Park Motor Inn) reads:
"On this site stood the Austral Hall which was reported capable of accommodating 500 stage performers and an audience of 5,000.
"Toowoomba’s Austral Society was founded by George Essex Evans
George Essex Evans
-Biography:Evans was born in London on 18 June 1863. Both his parents were Welsh. Evans's father, John Evans, Q.C., died in 1864 when Evans was only a few months old. John Evans, who was the Treasurer of the Inner Temple and a member of the House of Commons, left his family a fortune of 60 000...
in 1903 for the promotion and advancement of music, literature, art and science. The Society bought the site of the former gaol (1864-1904) and Architect William Hodgen designed the building using three remaining outer walls. The roof was supported by cast iron columns made by the Toowoomba Foundry.
"The Hall was officially opened on 5 November 1904 by Sir Hugh Nelson
Hugh Nelson
Sir Hugh Muir Nelson, KCMG was Premier of Queensland from 1893 to 1898.Nelson was born at Kilmarnock, Scotland. His father, Dr William Lambie Nelson, was elected to the first Queensland parliament in 1860 but was unseated because he was a minister of religion...
, Lieutenant Governor of Queensland."
A few other Australian towns (Bundaberg, Belgrave
Belgrave, Victoria
Belgrave is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 35 km east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Yarra Ranges. At the 2006 Census, Belgrave had a population of 4094...
) also erected a communal use Arts & Culture building called Austral Hall.