Cooroy Memorial Hall & School of Arts

DETAILS

Alternative NameANZAC Memorial HallDescriptionIn March 1921, the Cooroy Sub-Branch of the RSSIL decided that a park adjoining the existing School of Arts was a suitable site for a Memorial Hall. Fundraising efforts began and by 1925 the Memorial School of Arts Committee was ready to discuss builder Mr Fred Fenwick’s proposal for a memorial hall. The hall was to be 60 feet deep by 40 feet wide, with a 20-foot stage with dressing rooms either side and two rooms at the front of the building. The School of Arts building (1910) was to be incorporated but moved to the rear of the new structure as a supplementary supper and anteroom.

A room inside the Memorial Hall was also set aside for use by the Cooroy Women’s Guild in appreciation for the work undertaken by women of the district in supporting soldiers during the war. By 1926, construction was ready to begin at an expected cost of £1700.

The hall was officially opened at a ceremony on 20th August 1926 with a large crowd in attendance. A British flag was unfurled to reveal a new honour board, bearing the names of the soldiers from Cooroy who had paid the supreme sacrifice. The outside walls were constructed of chamfer boards, oiled then painted chocolate brown with white windowsills and trims. The inside walls were pine, with a floor of seasoned crows ash due to the expectation that it would be used regularly for dancing.

As well as the sizeable hall, a ticket office was included at the front and an operating box had been constructed overhead to house a projector for the new entertainment technology of cinema. Two rooms either side of the front vestibule were to be used as a reading room and library. The hall was connected to electricity in 1941.

The Cooroy Memorial Hall & School of Arts serves many community purposes with recreational and social activities routinely held in the hall to the present day.
AddressMaple Street,Cooroy

Photograph

Festival of Waters Ball, Cooroy Memorial Hall, Cooroy, 1 September 1979

Bouquet presentation, Debutante Ball, Cooroy Memorial Hall, Cooroy, 1980s

Crowned, Festival Queen, Festival of Waters Ball, Cooroy Memorial Hall, Cooroy, 1 September 1979

Crowning, Festival Queen, Festival of Waters Ball, Cooroy Memorial Hall, Cooroy, 1 September 1979

Dance performance, Cooroy Memorial Hall, Cooroy, ca November 1952

Dance performers, Cooroy Memorial Hall, Cooroy, ca November 1952

Debutante Ball attendees, Cooroy Memorial Hall, Cooroy, 1980s

Distinguished guests, Debutante Ball, Cooroy Memorial Hall, Cooroy, 1970s

Distinguished guests, Debutante Ball, Cooroy Memorial Hall, Cooroy, 1980s

Entertainer, Festival of Waters Ball, Cooroy Memorial Hall, Cooroy, 1 September 1979

Festival Queen and runners up, Festival of Waters Ball, Cooroy Memorial Hall, Cooroy, 1 September 1979

Festival Queen entrant, Festival of Waters Ball, Cooroy Memorial Hall, Cooroy, 1 September 1979

Festival Queen entrants, Festival of Waters Ball, Cooroy Memorial Hall, Cooroy, 1 September 1979

Festival Queens, 1978 and 1979, Festival of Waters Ball, Cooroy Memorial Hall, Cooroy, 1 September 1979

Festival of Waters Ball, Cooroy Memorial Hall, Cooroy, 1 September 1979

Floral presentation, the Hon Bob Katter, Debutante Ball, Cooroy Memorial Hall, Cooroy, 1980s

Article & Manuscript

Cooroy Memorial Hall - Local Heritage Place Card

IDENTIFIERS

Subject (Keywords)HallsMemorialsRemembrance

CONNECTIONS

LocalityCooroyOrganisation & ClubCooroy RSLHeritage ListingNoosa Local Heritage RegisterMenuLocation | CooroyTopic | Community