In 1892, Oscar Bancke built a new Town Hall to replace the original. The Western Champion described it as having:
nla.news-article77216616.3 Bancke’s new town hall WC 13Dec1892a total depth of 100 feet, of which 20 feet is occupied by shops in front and 24 feet stage depth, leaving the auditorium 56 feet. The building is 24 feet wide. The stage is nearly as large as the hall itself, being 54 x 24, the dressing rooms being large, well-lighted and comfortable, the floor, of Maryborough pine, having a fall of four inches. A feature of the main hall is the excellent floor, which is of Maryborough three inch boards secretly nailed. Terpsichoreans will have a chance to try it at Mr. Chandler’s benefit on Thursday night. Ventilation is amply provided for, there being a louvred ventilator, 25 x 8 feet, and in addition two skylights, which can be opened so as to admit of further supplies of fresh air when required. On the western side a door opens into a supper room 40 by 15 feet ; a wall of seven foot iron hides the interior from the outside gaze, while ample ventilation is provided between the top of the wall and the roof.
The building will be lighted throughout with sun lights provided by Messrs. Meacham & Leyland. Near the double entrance doors a ticket box has been erected, which will be found very convenient. A new piano is, at time of writing, waiting at the goods shed for carters ; it is a first-class Hapsburg, and has been chosen specially by Mr. Chandler. Mr. Bancke is to be congratulated for at last providing a building for public purposes that is a credit to the town ; he has taken carpe diem for hie motto, and we do not think he will regret having done so.
It is rumoured in town that Mr. Oscar Bancke has disposed of his property in Oak Street, and that the various shops, together with the town hall, will be pulled down to make room for a first-class hotel. It is also rumoured that Mr. Bancke intends giving up his Barcaldine Business and migrating to Longreach. Should the ‘ professor ‘ carry out his intention, he will be much missed in our little community. (Western Champion, 16 November 1895).
In 1896, just after Bancke had sold the building, it was burnt down in the 1896 Oak Street fire. The Divisional Board lost its first meeting place – it had been meeting in the Town Hall.
