Situated on the Darling Downs, 58 kilometres south of Toowoomba, Allora serves a thriving wheat growing area. Surveyed in 1859, it is one of Queensland’s oldest inland towns. The school of arts was established in December 1872 or early the next year. The council made a grant of 60 pounds, and allowed the school of arts to use the new town hall as its home. The library of 150 books was located in a skillion, and the reading room occupied the hall. This arrangement continued for twelve years free of charge. Cultural activities included ‘penny readings’ for which members selected passages from books in the library collection, lectures – sometimes with lantern slides, and performances by the amateur dramatic society. Members’ subscriptions were not raised from 14 shillings until 1920.

Three trustees were appointed when a site in Drayton Street was purchased in 1883. The building committee was allocated 36 pounds from the general fund. For 14 pounds it purchased the court house, which had been built in 1866, removed it to Drayton Street, and spent 60 pounds on improvements. The library had increased its stocks of books to 660 by 1886. Library books were still available in 1971.

Eventually the building was used for other purposes, serving as a scout hall at one stage. It is now a museum, where some of the original library books are housed.

Reference:

Allora’s Past, compiled by “Corbie DHU”, 1930, reprinted 1987, 1999.

Information from Alice Shooter.