Wamuran Historical & Visitor’s Centre Inc.
Wamuran Historical and Visitors centre- P.O.Box 98- Wamuran 4512
or phone 54966560 or 0448900115 or email whvc2007@gmail.com
Meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of the month at the Wamuran Historical and Visitors Centre near the Wamuran Hall at 3.30p.m. All are welcome
The first Wamuran Public School building is the last historic building still in Community hands in the area. All of the original old shops, churches and other buildings of interest have either been moved away or demolished over the years.
This single room school building was first erected in 1921 on a Soldier’s Settlement in Twin View, on a small block south of Twin View Road on what is now Powell Road. It was then known as the Twin View State School. This school was closed in 1924.
In January 1925, August Mollenhagen & Bob Clews transported the building from Twin View to the Old North Road school site on the corner of Campbell’s Pocket Road by bullock team and flat-top wagon. Wamuran State School, No. 1724, commenced classes there on 30th March 1925. School classes continued at that location until May 1967, at which time the staff and pupils were relocated to the new brick school on the D’Aguilar Highway.
The original school building then became the Wamuran Church of England’s ‘Church of St Martin’. The final church service was held in the building on Sunday 26th July 1992. The property was then sold and the building modified to become a private residence.
The property was eventually bought by developers to establish a child-minding centre and in September of 2007 the old school building was donated by the developers to the Community of Wamuran. Eventually, on Thursday 23rd October 2008, after strenuous fund raising efforts, and with the assistance of the Morton Bay Regional Council, the old school building was moved during the night to its current position in the Wamuran Hall grounds. Here it has been developed into the Wamuran Historical and Visitors Centre for the use of the Community of Wamuran.
The old building was restored and renovated by volunteer labour and by donations provided by local residents and businesses. It was re-wired, re-stumped and plumbed to meet current building codes and then re-painted in the colours of the era of its inception. Generally the building was in remarkably good condition for its age, but some structural renovations were required in order for the building to meet current building code requirements.
The old building has some interesting architectural features not seen today. Around the lower section of the walls, at floor level, were fitted a series of lift up flaps that were opened on a hot day to allow convection currents to move the air within the building. This was aided by the hinged windows above the doors and the high and vented ceiling. This natural air conditioning could lower the inside temperature by several degrees on a hot and steamy day. Perhaps an idea that could be adopted in today’s green focused environment.
The activities of the Wamuran Historical and Visitor’s Centre Inc. are overseen on behalf of the Community by an elected Committee. In order to continue development and up-keep of the building a number of activities are currently held on the premises e.g. month;y markets, craft days art days and club meetings – with more planned for the near future. Amongst those activities are:
Wamuran Country Markets. Held every 4th Saturday morning from 7 am to 12 noon these markets attract a wide range of stalls selling a variety of locally grown produce, craft items, plants, Devonshire Teas, sausage sizzles and many other interesting bits and pieces.
For information on the markets or for stall bookings please contact Cheryl on 0481 340 048 whvc@wamurancountrymarkets.com.au
Wamuran Community Pre-Loved Book Sales are held every Wednesday and Thursday from 9am to 12.30pm, except for public holidays, and at the monthly Saturday Wamuran Country Markets. A wide range of good quality donated books are on sale and all proceeds go towards the up-keep of the building. Donations of books are always well received and very much appreciated.
Craft work items are also on display, and for sale, whenever the building is open.
A Community Social Craft group is also held each Wednesday from 9am to 12.30pm. This is an ad hoc craft and social gathering where ideas are exchanged and craft projects worked on, along with a yarn or two over a cup of coffee.
Local history details and historical photo displays are in place in the building and these are up-dated from time to time and a Usb of Wamuran History is available for $30.00. For enquiries phone 07 54298108.
An Art Group is hels between 9 a.m. and noon on a Thursaday and works by local artists are on display, and some are for sale, in the main room of the building.
Wamuran Historical and Visitors Centre sponsored the establishment of a Men’s Shed behind our building and this is now operating very successfully and new members are always welcome.
