Bullyard Hall was built in 1908 to meet the needs of a small but growing population in the cane growing district at that time.
The hall has been used for community and social gatherings since its opening, and is listed on Bundaberg Regional Council’s Register of Local Heritage Places.
Historical context
Bullyard developed as a cane farming district in the late nineteenth century, with farms supplying the nearby Bingera Sugar Mill.
As the district developed, a provisional school was established in 1901, which became a State school in 1909, and a new school was built in 1933.
Situated on 10 acres of land opposite the school, Bullyard Hall was built in 1908 by Samual Kent and opened by John White, MLA, who praised the efforts of the ladies of the district that supported the construction.
Dances were regularly held in the hall, with newspaper articles of the time detailing a Bachelor’s Ball, Fancy Dress ball and an Ambulance benefit dance during the 1910s and 1920s.
Movies were shown at the hall from the 1920s and it was also used for church services.
A Roll of Honour war memorial displayed in the hall lists 31 names of people from the district who served in World War I.
Newspaper references from the 1930s through to the 1950s indicate the hall was used as a venue to sign up workers for the local cane crushing season.
The sports grounds next to the hall were used for a range of sporting events and picnic events, and remain in regular use to this day.
A tennis club was formed in 1928 and tennis courts were constructed using crushed ant bed.
Cricket was popular, with Bullyard hosting cricket matches against local teams including Wallaville, Albionville, Gin Gin, Bucca and Bundaberg, on a pitch also constructed from ant bed similar to the tennis courts.
Physical Features
Bullyard Hall is located on the eastern side of Bucca Road in the northern part of the town, with the fenced sports ground extending from the hall to the north and east.
The hall is a lowset weatherboard clad timber structure on timber stumps and features a corrugated iron clad gable roof.
The main entrance is from the front via steps onto a landing covered by a gable roof and through double timber doors.
An annex with skillion roof is attached on both sides of the main building, and there are two casement windows on the façade, one at the main building covered by a straight window hood and a second at the right annex.
The northern elevation facing the sports ground features a side entrance and three casement windows.
On the southern elevation is another door flanked by two casement windows.
A third annex, also with skillion roof, is attached at the rear of the hall with three doors covered by an awning leading into this section.
Ancillary buildings located in the vicinity of the hall include a corrugated iron clad toilet block, timber stalls with bush timber posts and corrugated iron, and a loading ramp.
A large water tank is located towards the southern corner.
The hall was connected to electricity in 1952 and extended in 1957 with a bigger dance floor.
Other additions included a stage, kitchen and ladies’ room.
The hall was repainted in the 1960s, with the exterior painted with linseed oil and burnt umber, giving the hall its distinctive appearance.
Current activities
Today the Bullyard Hall, Sports & Recreation Club Incorporated continues to facilitate activities at the hall.
The Bullyard Hall Markets are held every forth Sunday of the month from 8 am to 12 pm, except for December and January, and have been running for five years.
The hall is also home to the Bullyard Remote Control Car Club which operates a track on the grounds and is now an internationally recognised group.
The Bundy Turf Burners Mower Racing Club has been racing on the grounds at Bullyard for the past 15 years, on a purpose built track in a secured fenced-in area.
They hold two race meets a year in April and September, with the next racing event on 8 September between 9.30 am and 3 pm.
The Happy Crafters meet in the hall every Wednesday from 9 am, with members sharing morning tea and a chat over their favourite craft.
For more information on events at Bullyard Hall, see the club’s page on Facebook.
