Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum, Heritage art gallery and museum in Goondoon Street, Gladstone, Australia.
The Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum occupies the former Gladstone Town Hall and Municipal Chambers at 144 Goondoon Street, designed by Rockhampton architect Roy Chipps and built in 1933–34. The council offices and meeting room stood at the western end fronting Goondoon Street, with a public hall 70 feet long by 38.5 feet wide behind them, entered through a foyer from Goondoon Street and a side entrance on Bramston Street. A short winding staircase near the proscenium led down to the basement supper room, and the stage, dressing rooms and toilets were also reached from the basement.
The building began as a Town Hall built in 1934 during the Great Depression and later became an art gallery and museum. This change in use shows how a heritage structure found a second role serving the community.
The building's name recalls its former role: the council offices and meeting room occupied the western end fronting Goondoon Street, and the town's First World War Honour Board was moved there from the old chambers. The hall behind held balls, stage shows, bingo and three-times-weekly "talkies" with canvas chairs in the auditorium.
The museum welcomes visitors during hours that are best checked in advance as they may vary by season. Guided tours and art classes are offered but benefit from booking ahead to ensure availability.
The town hall was funded by a Queensland Department of Labour subsidy of nearly £5,000 under the Unemployed Worker's Scheme, which required men on the dole to work 13-week rotations rather than a day or two a week. Bricks were made in Rockhampton, and the foreman was FH Cecil of Brisbane.
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