The Goombungee Public Hall
In 1887 the Goombungee Progress Association made application to the Queensland Minister for Lands for the grant of land on which a public hall may be built . In 1888 the land adjoining King, Edward and Barker street was allotted and so the fund raising began. Over the next few years a wide array of concerts, dances and public dinners were held featuring the performance, dancing and culinary talents of a large proportion of the local residents. By early 1893 sufficient funds had been raised and the building of the Goombungee Town Hall commenced. The hall was not quite complete when the Opening Ball was held on 9th November 1893. But that did not seem to deter the program of songs, scenes and dances which went on till dawn. The story of the Goombungee Public Hall had begun.
The story continues...
Over more than a century there have been numerous additions, renovations and redesigns of the Goombungee Public Hall. The following are a list of some of the more notable:
1906 - the addition of a School of Arts building at the East end of the hall.
1912 - the first iteration of a drop curtain featuring tapestry and quilt representations of some of the town's most prominent businesses.
1913 - Gas lighting fitted and a picture theatre licence granted.
1920 - Ladies toilets fitted
1936 - the addition of the south-side supper room.
1949 - electric wiring completed and electric lights first turned on.
1989 - The Goombungee Public Hall Incorporated
1996 - The original roof was replaced.
And now...
A succession of dedicated local residents have administered the hall on behalf of the people of Goombungee. As with many such buildings over the generations, the hall has ebbed and wained as the social and cultural centre for the town.
Most recently, the current Hall Association President, Bryan Matthews, presided over an extensive re-stumping of the building. The famous old dancefloor is ready to serve the people of Goombungee again.
The 2023 Creative Arts Holiday Workshop Program is a part of the Hall Committee's determination to reposition the hall as a meeting place and a doing place for the people of Goombungee.
With the generous assistance of the Flying Arts Alliance and the Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund, the hall is able to provide this workshop series free of charge.
All it requires is you.