40 sites ¡ RVs, Tents10 acres ¡ Bullyard, QLDThe town of Bullyard was developed primarily as a cane farming district in the late nineteenth century. The name, however, apparently relates to when a drover named CHARLES HOLMES was transporting bulls between Walla and Tantitha stations and he constructed a temporary yard for the bulls, hence "Bullyard". A railway station, called Kolan Railway Station, was erected in 1881 (on the Bundaberg-Mount Perry railway line, completed in 1884) and timber from the surrounding area was loaded onto trains there. Closer settlement, however, appears to have occurred somewhat later. A provisional school was established in 1901. Then becoming a state school in 1909 (and a new school built in 1933), reflecting a small, but growing population at this time. The district was dominated by cane farms supplying the nearby Bingera Sugar Mill. Bullyard Hall was built in 1908 by Samuel Kent on 10 acres of land purchased for that purpose. The hall was connected to electricity in 1952 and the hall was 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).The hall was, like other local public halls, used for social events such as dances. Movies were shown at the hall from the 1920s and it was also used for church services. Newspaper references from the 1930s through to the 1950s indicate the hall being used as a venue to sign up workers for the local cane crushing season.The hall grounds were also used for a range of sporting events. There are references to athletics competitions held at Bullyard from 1911 and the track was improved in 1913. A tennis club was formed in 1928 and tennis courts were constructed using crushed ant bed. Cricket was popular, so much so that the Cricket Club merged with the Hall Committee in 1930. Bullyard hosted cricket matches against local teams including Wallaville, Albionville, Gin Gin, Bucca and Bundaberg and the pitch was also constructed from ant bed, similar to the tennis courts.Bullyard Hall is located in the south-western corner of a 4 hectare reserve that in turn is located in the northern part of town on the eastern side of Bucca Road. A mostly circular fenced sports ground extends from the hall to the north and east. Most of the fenced, predominantly levelled grassed site has been cleared, some remaining scrub vegetation exists in the north and northeast and on the boundaries and it appears that the ring of trees on the perimeter of the sports ground have been deliberately planted.The hall consists of a low set weatherboard clad timber structure on timber stumps with a slight variation in height to level out the site and features a corrugated iron clad gable roof. An annex with skillion roof is attached on both sides of the main building. The main entrance is from the front via some steps onto a landing covered by a gable roof and through double timber doors. 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 with access via some steps 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. Three doors covered by an awning lead into this section. 1 large water tank is located towards the southern corner.A number of ancillary buildings are located in the vicinity of the hall, including a corrugated iron clad toilet block, stalls consisting of timber (including bush timber posts) and corrugated iron and a loading ramp.Men from Bullyard made a significant contribution to World War 1, indicated by the Honour Roll located inside the hall. In 2020 a water bore was placed on the grounds and in 2021 the hall had solar power installed, electricity wiring replaced, new meter box and sub box installed, refurbished glass windows, irrigation put in, 2 new water tanks and pumps purchased, smoke and heat detectors installed, security and spot lights installed.There are markets held monthly and fundraising events held throughout the year such as dances, bingo, car rally, a Halloween party to name a few.
