The Munbilla school of Arts building was officially approved on 17 November 1916 to obtain the old Milora School building [1]. It opened on 26 May 1917 on land donated by the Wienholt Estates, and was given free of cost by the Department of Public Instruction on condition that all costs of removal were borne by the School of Arts committee. [2] The first trustees were J. Wilkinson, D. Leahy and J. E. C. McLean (president) [3]. The School of Arts was allocated lots 38, 39 and 40, of the resubdivision (part of sub. 4 of portion 181 and part of sub.3 of portion 181). The actual building was located on lot 38. [4]
School of arts - Lots 38 to 40 [5]
The district was very closely settled in those years and with only horse transport (sulkies, buggies or saddle) it was common to see as many as 100 horses tied to the fence around the hall at dances and other functions.
Prior to the relocation of the School of Arts building, a public tennis court was established (reported in the QT - 23-10-1915).[6] On 24 January 1917, tenders were invited for the removal and re-erection at Munbilla of the Old Milora State School.[7] The building was about 20 feet x 40 feet (7.2m x 14.4m). They continued with the tennis and formed a Tennis Club. The purchase of a piano became a reality in late 1925, after a number of years of fund raising.
In April of 1927, a very big improvement was made to the Munbilla School of Arts with the installation of four Gloria lights. The new lights were considered satisfactory, equal to 2000 candle-power. The sum of £14 was passed for payment. [8] By early February 1928, the School of Arts held 366 books in the library, with 155 books being recently purchased. In December of 1928, the School of Arts committee accepted a tender to repaint the outside of the Hall (the contract given to Messrs. Taylor and Hunt, of Wilson Plains). [9]
On 11 July 1931 the School of Arts Committee held a special meeting to open tenders for enlarging the building. There were four tenders and Mr. Robert Hines's tender was accepted, the price being £105. The work was expected to be finished by the end of August (1931) and would make the building 9 feet (2.7m) wider. Work was planned to start on 20 July 1931. [10] This extension would account for the asymmetrical appearance of the School of Arts building. To mark the opening of the additions to the Munbilla School of Arts Hall, a re-opening ball was held in early November 1931. [11]
A very enjoyable time was spent, the hall being nicely decorated with multi-coloured streamers and flowers. Music was supplied by Mrs. Kay's Orchestra, extras being given by Mrs. Sefton (Harrisville), and Mr. H. Pearson. Mr. J. Hines was M.C. The chocolate waltz was won by Mr. Stephan and Miss A. Pearson. A ham, donated by the School of Arts Commiitee, was won by Miss J. Roderick. Supper was served by members of the committee. Mr. W. Sefton auctioned the remainder of the cakes. The total takings amounted to £20.
The township even formed a Munbilla Cricket club in 1931, and there were many fund raising activities carried out to support it in the School of Arts hall.
Newspaper articles 1915 - 1931
Newspaper articles 1922 - 1981
During the 1930s there was a busy time of repairs and maintenance activities, as well as improvements to the School of Arts building. In April of 1936, tenders were requested again for "Additions School of Arts, Munbilla" (specifications from K. Hansen, Munbilla). [12] In June 1936, tenders were requested for repainting the School of Arts. [13] In June 1937, tenders were requested to repair the Tennis Court. [14] In August of 1938, tenders were invited for improvements to the Munbilla School of Arts. [15]
Support continued strongly for 30 years or so but following World War 2, with faster travel and changing farming patterns, interest waned. In October of 1945, the Gloria Lighting Plant was set up for sale. [16] In July 1960 saw the final function at the School of Arts - a farewell party to the Milora School Teacher Mick Rojahn. The last trustees were Don McInnes, Cedric Harsant and Ken McFarlane. [17]
The hall was sold on 29 July 1961 for £254/-/- to the Assembly of God faith [18], and the building was relocated to Ipswich. It became the Assembly of God church hall at 56 Toongarra Road, Leichhardt. The School of Arts land was subsequently purchased by J. R. & D. Scholz in 1981.
Leichhardt Assembly of God Hall - 1964
In 1988, the Leichhardt Assembly of God Hall, ceased to operate as a place of worship and was sold for $39,500 on 29 Jul 1988. It is now a private residence as a 5 bedroom, 2 bathroom house on an 810m² lot.
The old Munbilla School of Arts - as a residence now (2008 - 2012 - 2018)
- [1] The building itself was the original school in Milora which opened in October 1873 with 76 pupils
- [2] Queensland Times - Tuesday 29-05-1917
- [3] The surname has been recorded and noted with several versions - Maclean, McLean, M'Lean
- [4] Unknown - Tuesday 20-01-1981 (refernce: Boonah, C.H. Grant, Shire Clerk)
- [5] Q890-101 Run 4, 31/05/1959 Aerial Map, (QLD) Dept. of Natural Resources and Water
- [6] Queensland Times - Saturday 23-10-1915
- [7] Brisbane Courier - Wednesday 24-01-1917
- [8] Queensland Times - Monday 04-04-1927
- [9] Queensland Times - Thursday 06-12-1928
- [10] Queensland Times - Friday 17-07-1931
- [11] Queensland Times - Friday 13-11-1931
- [12] Queensland Times - Thursday 23-04-1936
- [13] Queensland Times - Tuesday 09-06-1936
- [14] Queensland Times - Tuesday 08-06-1937
- [15] Queensland Times - Thursday 11-08-1938
- [16] Queensland Times - Thursday 31-10-1946
- [17] Eric Farrer letter - dated 1984 (data sourced from Boonah & District Archives)
- [18] Community Service Past and Present - book (data sourced from Boonah & District Archives)