Pubs overlooking the railway station have long defined the streetscape of Barcaldine and this week the landmark Globe Hotel added a futuristic element when its transformation into the community’s cultural complex was unveiled, complete with perspex and metal sheeting veranda sides.
The Barcaldine Regional Council bought the iconic hotel, known as ‘The Workers’ Pub’, in 2011 and announced a vision for it as a Visitor Information Centre and art gallery. The first stage of that vision was opened on Thursday evening at a cost of $3 million.
It was a jointly funded project, with the Australian government providing $500,000, the Barcaldine Regional Council $2,461,419 and the Queensland government $17,500.
The night was an occasion to celebrate Barcaldine’s roots as well as look to the future.
Architects Brian Lavery and Michael Hooper retained as much of the original 1910 structure as possible, which “represented a history of unique bush carpentry”, according to Brian.
“It was a big project, and a tough one, but it’s the start of something much bigger,” he told the 500-strong crowd gathered for the opening. “Barcaldine has already built on its culture, and now this council has had a vision and never given up.”
It’s a vision of tourism as the emerging hero in western economies looking for options to diversify from primary production.
Barcaldine mayor Rob Chandler told the crowd the revamped building would be a hub for outback tourism, “one of the few emerging industries here”.
“We are babes in the woods – the Hall of Fame was only opened 27 years ago, but with all the other attractions in our towns, we’ve created an industry that gives us a future.
“Country people are doing it very tough at the moment, and tourists have been coming out specifically to spend money in the bush.”
The Globe Hotel was known for many years as “the friend of the workers”, largely through the efforts of Pat Ogden, who was the publican there for 41 years.
It was described on Thursday night as having shaped the destiny of Barcaldine.
Cr Chandler said another $300,000 was needed to complete the cultural centre project, mostly to turn the upstairs space into a state-of-the-art art gallery.
Federal Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott said the work done so far included a complete overhaul of the building’s foundations, fittings and structure including floors, air conditioning and lighting.
“The new Visitor Information Centre will give local artists and the Central West Aboriginal Corporation a dedicated space to display their art and crafts,” he said.