The Austral Society was founded in 1903 due to the influence of The Toowoomba poet

George Essex Evans George Essex Evans (18 June 1863 – 10 November 1909) was an Australian poet. Biography Essex Evans was born in London on 18 June 1863, to Welsh parents. His father, John Evans Q.C., Treasurer of the Inner Temple and a member of the House of C ...

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 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 t ...

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

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 William Hodgen (1866–1943) was an architect in Queensland, Australia. Many of his works are now heritage-listed. He is also known as William Hodgen, junior. Early life William Hodgen was born in Toowoomba on 9 September 1866, the son of pione ...

designed the building using three remaining outer walls. The roof was supported by cast iron columns made by the

Toowoomba Foundry Toowoomba Foundry Pty Ltd is a heritage-listed former foundry at 251-267 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. It was built from to 1940s. It is also known as Griffiths Brothers & Company, Southern Cross Works, and Toowoomba Foundr ...

. "The Hall was officially opened on 5 November 1904 by Sir Hugh Nelson, Lieutenant Governor of Queensland." A few other Australian towns (

Bundaberg Bundaberg is a city in the Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia, and is the tenth largest city in the state. Bundaberg's regional area has a population of 70,921, and is a major centre of the Wide Bay–Burnett geographical region. The B ...

Belgrave Belgrave may refer to: Places *Belgrave, Cheshire, an English village *Belgrave, Leicester an English district *Belgrave, Victoria, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia ** Belgrave railway line **Belgrave railway station, Melbourne **Belgrave (Puffing ...

) also erected a communal use Arts & Culture building called Austral Hall.

References

{{reflist Defunct clubs and societies of Australia History of Queensland Toowoomba 20th century in Australia 1903 in Australia 1911 in Australia 1904 in Australia 1903 establishments in Australia 1911 disestablishments in Australia