Community & Business
25 March, 2025
Wyreema Hall linking the community to its history
Anyone driving through Wyreema for the first time could be forgiven for thinking this small township has been developed only in the last few years, as street after street of modern brick houses give the impression of a newly created suburb built on previously vacant land.
However, if the driver continues down the road going over the railway bridge along Umbiram Road the sight of the old General Store suggests this area was populated well before the release of the new estates.
Continue a few metres further and a rather imposing Community Hall becomes visible and is clearly from an age well before the newly created housing areas.
The Wyreema Hall is one of the few buildings that tells the visitor this area has a history.
Wyreema was originally part of the large Eton Vale pastoral station, and began as a railway junction when a branch line to Pittsworth was opened in 1887.
The point at which the Pittsworth line - then known as Beauaraba - joined the main southern line to Warwick was called Beauaraba Junction.
In 1892 the name was changed to Wyreema but the name’s origin is not recorded, and does not have an Aboriginal origin.
When the Eton Vale station was broken up in the late 19th century to encourage more settlers into the area a Wyreema township began to grow.
The new selections were small, of 40 to 160 acres in size, and used almost primarily for dairying.
More of the Eton Vale estate was cut up for sale in 1903, and township blocks at Wyreema sold strongly.
A milk condensary was opened in 1913, continuing until 1927 when it was converted to a cheese factory.
During the 1920s Wyreema had a hotel, three stores, the Community Hall and Anglican and Catholic churches.
With the rationalisation of milk processing plants the cheese factory was closed in 1935.
When the hotel was burnt down in 1959 it was not rebuilt, the loss coinciding with the closure of the railway line to Gowrie Junction.
Built in 1911, Wyreema Hall is therefore one of the few buildings to have survived from the early days of settlement and so plays an important role linking the new Wyreema with its past.
Fortunately the hall has an active and enthusiastic organising committee who clearly understand the importance of preserving the history of the area.
The Committee is currently engaged in developing a “history wall” and is now collecting old photos and memorabilia for what should be an important educational feature of the hall for many years to come.
President Debbie Twidale is keen for anyone with an historic photo of the area to contact the committee if they wish to include the photo on the history wall.
One notable historic feature of the hall is the stage backdrop that most likely dates back to the 1920s and provides a wonderful look back in time to the early days of Wyreema.
The hall committee is determined to preserve this valuable historic feature and residents of Wyreema who have not previously ventured into the hall should do so for no other reason than viewing this unique feature.
Wyreema Hall not only provides an important link to the past it is arguably one of the most active and used community halls on the Downs.
Secretary Sara Jane Howell is kept busy organising a full range of hall activities such as food festivals, markets, trivia nights a monthly social evening, a very popular Halloween event, a community garden, choir rehearsals and exercise groups.
Retiring long time committee members Eric and Maisie Folker have given sterling service to the hall but with Eric now 92 years of age and Massie having served as secretary for 35 years its time for other members of the community to put up their hands.
Wyreema Hall is a prime example of the important role a community hall can play by maintaining a link with the past and providing services for the community.
The Clifton Courier would like to thank hall committee members Debbie Twidale and Sara Jane Howell for their cooperation in the writing of this article and the Clifton & District Historical Society for the use of reference material.
