Rosewood Farmers Hall

The Farmers’ Hall, now the St Vincent de Paul shop (Vinnies), was built in 1900 by F R Bradfield of Ipswich. Originally, the building was on 2.5 acres of land which was owned by St Brigid’s church and was leased by the Farmers’ Club. Registered as a Friendly Society in 1906, the Farmers’ Club changed its name to the Rosewood Agricultural and Horticultural Association in 1911. On 29 November 1912, a meeting was held in the hall to consider forming a branch of the Qld Farmers’ Union.

The current hall has been renovated and refurbished over the years. In 1922, a fundraiser in aid of the Farmers’ Hall was held at the Showgrounds in the form of a Paddy’s Market and combined schools’ sports day. Over £220 was raised on the day.

As a result, the Farmers’ Hall underwent considerable renovations in February 1923 and reopened with a party and social. New scenery and a drop curtain were added to the stage area as part of the renovations.

The Hall was the venue for many dances, performances, community and public meetings which have shaped Rosewood over many years. Rural Youth held meetings in the hall in the 1970s.

It hosted recruiting rallies during World War I. When the Dungarees passed through Rosewood 25-26 November 1915, a social event was held in the Farmers Hall and new recruits were sworn in.

In February 1926, a public meeting, held in the hall, condemned the post office at the time. Convened by the Chamber of Commerce president, W E Thomas, the meeting heard from various speakers representing local bodies who spoke about the unpleasant conditions for the workers, the need for better facilities and privacy for the public when it came to their telegraph and banking transactions. The meeting urged the local member of parliament to lobby for immediate action on their behalf.

In terms of performances, a musical comedy company appeared at the Farmers’ Hall in July 1919, starring the Aerial Levartos who had been appearing throughout Queensland. After this was the performance of ‘Little Willie’ with Joe Bruce in the leading comedic role. A dance followed the comedy performances.

The hall was the venue for fancy dress balls and dances for various churches and groups in the community.

In October 1926, St Luke’s Church of England Girls’ Guild held a fancy-dress ball at the Farmers’ Hall. The newspaper provided a full run down of the prize winners as well as the costumes of other attendees.

Similarly, a ‘Mystery Dance’ was held on June 28 that year in aid of St Luke’s Church of England.

An unusual social event called ‘Back to Childhood’ was held on 28 March 1930, organised by the Women’s Guild of the Congregational Church, Rosewood.

The Lodge Members’ Jubilee was held on March 7, 1930, organised by the Masonic Lodge members in honour of secretary Mr Charles Brooks and to celebrate his golden Jubilee as a lodge member.

In 1934, the Hall Committee recommended further repairs to the hall. Whilst some work could be carried out by a working bee, the committee estimated that £36 was needed for repairs. This was approved, and the committee was authorised to commence the work after the show that year.

1934, the Silkstone Apollo Club held a concert in aid of the Congregational Church Funds.

In the same year, at a public meeting in the hall, residents decided to protest the planned Federal electoral boundaries redistribution including Rosewood in the Darling Downs rather than Ipswich.

The hall was the venue for private celebrations such as Miss Thelma Sellars’ pre-wedding social afternoon on 20 July 1935. Thelma married Vincent Mullan in St Brigid’s Catholic Church the following day.

A Queensland Times Ipswich article (7 November 1950) opens with the line, ‘The Farmers’ Hall Rosewood was transformed into a world of make-believe on Friday night when St Luke’s Church of England conducted the annual children’s fancy dress ball.’

The Farmers’ Hall and now St Vincent de Paul shop have played an integral role in the development of Rosewood with many people having fond memories of attending events there over the years.