Addresses
Type of place
Defence site
Period
Federation 1890-1914
Style
Queenslander
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Albion Drill Hall (former)
Albion Drill Hall (former)
Addresses
Type of place
Defence site
Period
Federation 1890-1914
Style
Queenslander
The former Albion Drill Hall was constructed in 1914 following the 1911 introduction of compulsory military training in Australia. Having served as a training locale through both world wars, the Albion Drill Hall continued in Australian Defence Force service until 1988, when it was acquired by private owners. It has since been used as a community hall.
Lot plan
L3_RP179550
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Roof: Corrugated iron;Walls: Timber
People/associations
John Kelsall (Builder)Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (B) Rarity; (D) RepresentativeInteractive mapping
Lot plan
L3_RP179550
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Construction
Roof: Corrugated iron;Walls: Timber
People/associations
John Kelsall (Builder)Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (B) Rarity; (D) RepresentativeInteractive mapping
History
Following the introduction of compulsory military training in Australia in July 1911, all males between the ages of 18 and 20 (with few exclusions) were to undertake a specified amount of drills per year. Compulsory cadet corps were also established for youths 12 to 18. The small number of drill halls, which had been erected in various suburbs and towns during the late nineteenth century to aid the training of volunteer and militia forces, were inadequate. A program of drill hall construction was undertaken, intensifying during the World War I years. The drill halls, although often used as recruiting bases for the AIF, were not used to train the Australians volunteering for overseas service. They continued to be used for the training of the citizen militia.
The various State Governments undertook the construction of drill halls on behalf of the Commonwealth, and in 1914 the Queensland Government let the contract on the Albion drill hall and offices. The drill hall, which included offices and an earth closet block, was built by John Kelsall for a contract price of £1383. Based on a design used for the drill hall at Ayr, the hall was wooden framed and sheeted with iron. It covered an area of approximately 101 feet by 68 feet. This included a drill area of 100 feet by 50 feet, the remainder being taken up with offices. Steel trusses supported the roof, and a continuous ventilator ran along its ridge.
After World War I the citizen military forces were re-established to reflect the divisional organisation of the original AIF. The compulsory training provisions of the defence act were also watered down after the war, though a voluntary militia continued. Over the years and usually around the time of a major international conflict, compulsory military training has been re-introduced. A corresponding growth was experienced in the militia, known after WWII as the Citizens Military Forces and lately as the Army Reserve. Evidence suggests that work was carried out to the premises in 1924, 1948 and 1965.
During World War Two, the drill hall was used initially as the Australian Army Albion Training Depot. Later in the war, it accommodated the Army’s 4th Advanced Base Stores Depot (ABSD).
With the establishment of larger Reserve training centres within Brisbane, the Albion training depot was surplus to Defence requirements. The property containing the drill shed was sold by the Commonwealth of Australia in 1988 to the Peace, Social Justice and Development Centre Incorporated. As “The Albion Peace Centre” it was home of the Australian Peace Committee – Brisbane Branch, Brisbane Organic Growers Inc, Community Aid Abroad, Global Learning centre, People for Nuclear Disarmament and the Youth Enterprise Trust.
Statement of significance
Relevant assessment criteria
This is a place of local heritage significance and meets one or more of the local heritage criteria under the Heritage planning scheme policy of the Brisbane City Plan 2014. It is significant because:
References
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Queensland Government Gazette, Vol CII, 1914
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Queensland Parliamentary Papers, Vol III, 1914
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Series BP 378, Property Plans, Department of Army, Australian Archives
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The Australian Encyclopedia, Vol II. Sydney: Angus and Robertson, 1926
Citation prepared by — Brisbane City Council (page revised June 2022)