Community & Business
17 July, 2025
Bowenville Hall - 100 years of history
Bowenville Hall was founded in 1925, and is still serving as a social hub 100 years later.
The story of the Hall begins in 1924, when a public meeting was held by Mr W. Miller to raise money for the building.
It was originally known as the Irvingdale-Bowenville Memorial Hall in order to commemorate those from the district who served in the First World War.
First trustees were the aforementioned Mr Miller and Mr A. Jackson.
On the occasion of the Hall’s opening, The Dalby Herald of 17 July 1925 reported that:
“The hall has a southerly aspect, built on substantial blocks two feet from the ground.
“The dimensions are 46ft x 25ft, 12ft walls, hardwood studding enclosed with ripple iron, corrugated iron roof, tongue and grooved crows ash flooring, two large windows on either side and it is the intention of the committee to erect a stage at a later date.
“The ground on which the hall stands was donated by Mr F. Grant, a former licensee of the Bowenville Hotel.
“The seating accommodation was donated by Mr G. Wicks.
“The total cost of the building is £266, and there is still a debt of £110, less £25 collected during the evening.
“The dance was well patronised, visitors being present from Dalby, Irvingdale, Jondaryan, Brymaroo, and many other centres.
“It was estimated that 200 people were present, 40 couples gracing the floor at one time. The Dalby Black Cat orchestra supplied the music, extras being played by Misses Wockner, Mitchell, Marguard and Mr F. Genser (piano) and Dr D. Thieman (accordion).
“At an interval during the dancing, Mr J. R. O‘Keeffe, who presided, briefly called on Mr A. E. Moore, M.L.A., to come forward and perform the official opening, which that gentleman did in one of his characteristic speeches.
“Mr Moore then unveiled the Honour Board, on which is inscribed in golden letters, the names of the men who enlisted from Bowenville and Irvingdale.”
The Hall progressed steadily over its first decade. A man, Mr Paget, came once a month to show a silent film, and after the purchase of a piano by the Hall Committee, he brought a young man along to accompany the film on piano.
In 1937, additions were made to the hall, with an official re-opening night held. The Dalby Herald of 8th May, 1937 reported that:
“The improvements to the building comprise the enlargement of the hall by the erection of a stage, 16ft by 25ft, and the addition of a supper room, 75ft by 16ft, a smokers’ lounge, 25ft by 10ft, a commodious entrance porch, and ticket window.
“Sliding windows are provided between the supper room and the hall to give added ventilation to the interior and the building is effectively lighted with an electric light plant, supplied by Messrs Hitzke Bros of Oakey and Dalby, at a cost of about £60. The extensions to the building were responsible for the expenditure of about another £200.
“The Committee responsible: Messrs P.J. O’Mara (Chairman), Gordon G.H. Corner (Secretary) and Mrs M. Glowes (Treasurer).
“A feature of the function was the selection of the Belle of the Ball, and this honour fell to Miss May Morgan (Bowenville).
“Mr Victor Drury (Chairman of the Dalby Chamber of Commerce)spoke at the meeting, congratulating the committee on their up-to-date improvements and modern lighting.
“Bowenville was going ahead,” he said.
“Thanks largely to Mr Herbert Yeates (Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce), they now had an all-weather road to Toowoomba.”
“Mr Yeates also congratulated Bowenville on the wonderful progress being made and on the additions to their Hall.
“He hoped that before very long there would be one wheat area from Oakey to Dalby including the Jondaryan Estates.
“He had been struck by the fine class of girl in the ballroom - “and I’m a good judge,” he said, amid laughter and cheers - and wonderful bachelors.”
Bowenville’s QCWA branch started meeting at the Hall in 1939 before moving elsewhere.
Later that year, local men were sent off to the Second World War.
During the War, the hall was also used by the Australian Comfort Fund to raise money for the troops serving in the European and Pacific theatres.
Dances continued after the War. Formartin’s John Kummerow remembers having to pay 40¢ entry to get in during the 1960s.
Outside of dancing, the Bowenville State School and Bowenville Tennis Club regularly hosted fundraising events.
In 1987, the hall was restumped by Mr David Wassell of Jandowae in 1987 to the cost of $6650, while Mr Lloyd Kummerow was President.
Names involved with the administration of the Hall over the years have included Graham and Kaye Walton, Doug and Dulcie Bell, Brian Bryant and Gary Pukallus.
Stalwarts of the Hall Committee are President Shane Reimers, and his wife Narelle Reimers, who has been involved with the Hall since 1992.
For the past nine years, the Bowenville Hall has been used as the town’s Post Office, which is open weekly from Monday to Friday, 8am-11am.
Shortly after the Post Office began operating, a ramp was constructed with help from a Council grant.
Today, dances are still being held at the Bowenville Hall several times a year.
Shay Yeats from Kingaroy is a regular attendee at these dances.
“I always come down to Bowenville’s dances and it was a privilege to be here for their 100th anniversary as a member of the younger generation,” she said.
