History
Artworks began as Art Works on Davadi,
formerly located in the building where the ALDI store would be built.
Art Works on Davadi was closed in October 2014.
A number of like-minded individuals took a decision to form a new organisation “Granite Belt Community Space” which would espouse the values, principles and ideologies of Art on Davadi. In November 2014 an application was made to Queensland Rail for the lease of the Railway Station building and part of Queensland Rail land at Stanthorpe.
The Granite Belt Community Space was incorporated under government regulations in October 2014. It espouses the values, philosophies and ideologies of its predecessor Art on Davadi.
In February 2015, in a public announcement, Granite Belt Support Services (GBSS) advised that they no longer auspiced the “ArtWorks Project” (Art on Davadi) but wished to acknowledge the new Committee of ArtWorks and to support its initiative in continuing this important community service. Granite Belt Community Space has now become incorporated as ArtWorks Granite Belt Inc.
Together with our near neighbours in the Railway precinct, Whistlestop & Heritage Gardens; our hub is complemented by our weekend Station Café, and the Boccè and Pickleball courts set amongst the landscaped garden area.
Many local associations have contributed to the establishment of the garden spaces and our gardeners just keep on growing! Every month we greet the Southern Downs Steam Railway excursions and send them on their way recharged from our Station refreshment stalls. It is a lovely welcoming place perched on one of the highest vantage spots in the town with an easy stroll to the shops and amenities in Stanthorpe.
Artworks Granite Belt is a creative community hub dedicated to the building of connections, inspiring new ideas, bringing diverse visions and expanding opportunities. We will offer learning experiences to the community by providing a strong sense of place where artists & community groups can create, learn and display their creativity in a unique and inclusive environment.
The railway station
Stanthorpe Railway Station was opened March 3rd 1881 when the Southern line was extended from Warwick.
Stanthorpe Station was to become an important part of the connection with NSW and in 1887 the line was extended to Wallangarra on the border. The Station pictured (circa 1913) was on the Tyrel St side of the line, today the Station buildings are situated on the Davadi St side. The Tyrel St side has also been the object of garden restoration by the Whistlestop Heritage Garden group who utilise many of the spaces on that side to propagate plants for sale as well as clearing the weeds and restoring the heritage gardens. In the past the Queensland Railways held garden competitions between the various stations on the line - Stanthorpe took the champion garden title one year.
March of the Dungarees Stanthorpe
Brisbane line
Stanthorpe Station was a vital part of the rail system bringing goods and services to this farming district. The rail line also transported many children to and from boarding schools and brought tourists as well. In the lead up to and during world wars, the line carried trains & supplies and formed part of the second line of defence network. Eight Stanthorpe men travelled by train from here to join the March of the Dungarees in 1915.
The QFS Store situated on the Davadi St side of the Railway precinct has been a pivotal part of this region’s history. The Queensland Fruit Growers Co-operative Society opened in 1921. Supplying orchardists needs, the stores also held builders’ materials, paints, and household hardware; had its own radio sales and service and electrical goods departments and, in 1946, set up a modern garage and service centre that carried Stanthorpe’s Austin agency.
The old QFS store
Until 1972, Stanthorpe was served by passenger trains operating between Brisbane and Wallangarra.
The station remains in place and is used as a calling point by Downs Explorer (formerly the Southern Downs Steam Railway) who run a monthly heritage train as well as the occasional special train which brings tourists from further afield.
artworks on davadi
In 2011, a random remark about a space suitable for holding some activities for Disability Action Week, led to the discovery of a real gem and the genesis of Art Works on Davadi.
At that time, Therese Crisp was tossing ideas around with interested people and as she passed the disused warehouse on the corner of Davadi and Lock Street, an idea took root. James Massey, the owner was right on board, and very soon a mini exhibition was on the drawing board. It was to be a six-week project which featured an exhibition space and coffee and tea facilities.
The success of that first exhibition, with its involvement of Granite Belt Support Services’ clients, families, carers and supporters, ignited a passion in the community. Their enthusiasm caused the vision to grow, and before long, negotiations with James allowed them to begin activities on a gradual basis at first, but the concept was so affirming and joyful for all those involved it just kept on growing.
Art Works on Davadi was a sub-committee of Granite Belt Support Services Inc., a not-for-profit organisation founded in 1990 by parents, teachers and interested community members to administer funding for the Early Intervention and School based Therapy Program for children with disabilities. At that time GBSS supported over 140 families and individuals aged from birth to 65yrs in the Stanthorpe area.
GBSS staff were intrinsic to its management in the early stages, however, the volunteer base would increase as Art Works on Davadi became a valued place in the community. Donations of chairs from the RSL, the kitchen from Glen Aplin school and the building of a ramp for disabled access all followed adding to the community’s stake in this hub of arts, poetry, music and friendship so close to the centre of Stanthorpe.
Over time, Art Works would host workshops for all sectors of the community, provide a welcoming drop-in centre, a space for movies and a library. Functions were held there which were important to the community - festivals, parties, launches. Skills were handed on there, people were given the opportunity to learn in a supportive environment.
Major funding was secured from the Fairfax foundation, when unbeknownst to organisers, Tim Fairfax came along as a customer and was impressed - the three-year funding allowed the part time employment of a manager.
When the inevitable day came that the building was sold for redevelopment, a great sense of loss pervaded the whole Stanthorpe community.
Local papers reported the event with sadness:
Former Artworks committee chairman James Massey said it was with great sadness that the board had taken the decision to close the doors on a place that has become the creative and community heart of Stanthorpe.
“The amazing thing about Artworks is that it began as a one-month lease when the building became the venue of an art exhibition which celebrated International Day of People with a Disability in 2011,” Mr Massey said.
“That exhibition, ‘State of Mind’, was a resounding success. (Southern Free Times) 18/9/14
There were demonstrations and pleas but finally, the search began for a similar venue to re-ignite the original enthusiasm. It would be many months before that goal could be realised.
The baton was officially handed to a committed group led by Laurie Astill and Graham Knight, and so began the story of Artworks Granite Belt now housed in Stanthorpe’s historic Railway precinct. They took as their symbol, a phoenix rising from the ashes.
