Cook Shire Hall

The timber and tin community hall in Helen Street, Cooktown, typifies halls in country towns: it has served a multitude of uses over the years and is much loved by the community. The site was home to the Presbyterian Church, built here in 1898. In 1906, the property was transferred to the Trustees of the Loyal Captain Cook Lodge of the North Queensland Branch of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows Friendly Society. Unfortunately, the original building was severely damaged by a cyclone in January 1907. It was reputedly rebuilt in a similar style using many of the remnant timbers. The property was transferred to the family of the Lodge secretary, Charles Victor Standen, in 1937, and after his death in 1939, was rented out for community activities as Standen Hall. The property was acquired by the Cook Shire Council in 1941 which continues to manage the building as a public hall.