The school of arts building straddles a creek on the corner of Willow and Ailanthus Streets. Three trustees applied for a loan of 100 pounds in 1888 to erect a building on the land. The earliest surviving minutes dating from January 1916 discuss the purchase of a billiard table, the addition of 50 books to the library, and an offer from the school of arts librarian at Wynnum to purchase books from Mc Whirters in Brisbane. It was decided to repair the old gas plant, which provided the lighting, and an option was secured on five drums of carbide. In March 1916 thanks was expressed to Mr Canning for the use of a hall, and Mr Mc Intosh for a room for the library. The new building was due to be completed by Easter, complete with furniture purchased for 22 pounds.

The school of arts staged flower shows in conjunction with the Agricultural Society and also raised funds from exhibitions by the Poultry Club. In the July minutes of 1916 there is a reference to dressmaking classes and the need to protect tables from the damage of tracing wheels. As from January 1917 the Warwick Technical College was permitted to run classes free of charge in the meeting room on Friday evenings. The activities of the billiard room were frequently discussed in the minutes. Any member guilty of dishonourable behaviour was to be expelled from the room. As from May 1917 the room was to open three evenings each week under the supervision of a designated member.

Records of book loans 1921-22 list such books as ‘Lovely woman’, ‘The Settler’, ‘The Viper of Milan’, ‘The Cowboy Countess’, ‘The Swindler’ and ‘Bullets and Billets’. Books were exchanged with the schools of arts at Tannymorel and Yangan. Despite the possibility of closure because of financial difficulties in 1917, the School of Arts continued to serve the community as a venue for dances and concerts, and meetings for local groups such as the Returned Soldiers League and Agricultural Society. The billiard tale was sold in 1922, and in 1923 three rooms were let to the Primary Producers Bank. The library, however, continued to operate. The Country Women’s Association took possession of the building in 1953 when the school of arts closed.

References:

Minute books of the school of arts held at the Killarney and District Historical Society.

Memories of Killarney and District, Killarney and District Historical Society, 1999.