Addresses
Type of place
Hall
Period
Interwar 1919-1939
This is an image of the local heritage place known as Chelmer School of Arts (former)
Chelmer School of Arts (former)
Addresses
Type of place
Hall
Period
Interwar 1919-1939
After years of lobbying by the local community, the Chelmer School of Arts was finally opened in May 1923 through community-raised funds and a donation of land by the Sherwood Council. This multi-purpose building, which comprises a large hall, a stage and two committee rooms, was used to host concerts, dances, club meetings, church services, library services and the local annual show. By 1946, membership had fallen to five, which was in line with trends all over Brisbane and in the 1960s the building was declared a public hall. This building has continued to serve the local community’s cultural and recreational needs for more than 85 years.
Also known as
Chelmer Public Hall
Lot plan
L359_SL8357
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (D) Representative; (G) SocialInteractive mapping
Also known as
Chelmer Public Hall
Lot plan
L359_SL8357
Key dates
Local Heritage Place Since —
Date of Citation —
Criterion for listing
(A) Historical; (D) Representative; (G) SocialInteractive mapping
History
School of Arts buildings in Queensland were a sign that the town or suburb that possessed them had reached a certain point in their development as a community. Whilst seen as status symbols, Schools of Art were also highly functional, multi-purpose buildings, simultaneously serving as libraries, lecture theatres, political meeting rooms, theatres, dance-halls, fund-raising centres, and venues for sporting and religious groups. As such, they acted as a focal point, or glue, for the community; at least until modern transport, city and state-provided education and library systems, and the centralisation of political administration, reduced their relevance.
The Chelmer School of Arts was opened in May 1923, with A. C. Eliphinstone MLA performing the ceremony. According to the Brisbane Courier at the time, the land had been granted by the Sherwood Shire Council (1891-1924), after concerted efforts by locals that extended back to 1914; yet in 1915 the Governor in Council had declared a reserve for a School of Arts, Chelmer, with J.K. Cannan, Daniel Wienholt, R.D. Neilson, W.J. Morley and R.D.A Frew as trustees. The original building, consisting of a large hall, stage and two committee rooms, was built thanks to the subscription of 800 pounds by local residents. Although the building has since been altered in its appearance, the original structure remains obvious and intact.
Over the years the building was the site of the local annual show, and was used as a library (1741 volumes in June 1934), for church services, Masonic Clubs, concerts and dances. However, reflecting the trend for other Schools of Art, Membership had dropped to 5 in 1946. In 1968, the Governor in Council declared a reserve for a Recreation and Public Hall, Chelmer, and community use of the building has continued, with the current trustee being the Centenary Theatre Group Inc.
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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Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland Certificates of Title
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Walter Taylor South Character and Heritage Study, BCC Heritage Unit, 1997
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Chelmer Through the Years 1860-1973, Cyril Bodes
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Statistics of Queensland, 1933-1934
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Brisbane Courier, 16 May 1923
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Queensland Government Gazette, 1915, No 244, Vol CV, p.2183, and 1968, Vol 1, p.296
Citation prepared by — Brisbane City Council (page revised June 2022)