The Austral Society was founded in 1903 because of the influence of The Toowoomba poet George Essex Evans to promote Australian Arts and Culture.
[1][2] The plaque located at 84 to 88 Margaret Street (Park Motor Inn) reads:[1] "On this site stood the Austral Hall which was reported capable of accommodating 500 stage performers and an audience of 5,000.
[1] "Toowoomba’s Austral Society was founded by George Essex Evans in 1903 for the promotion and advancement of music, literature, art and science.
[4] A town rock was directed on the open space and over the remaining western part of the wall basalt foundations after an archaeological dig was conducted by Dr Bryce Baker of The University of Southern Queensland in 1997.
[2] A few other Australian towns (Bundaberg, Belgrave) also erected a communal use Arts & Culture building called Austral Hall.