AMERICAN CENTRE
OLD TOWN HALL ARCADE
QUEEN ST, BRISBANE, QLD
DURING WWII

visits since 9 September 2011

The American Centre was opened in the Old Town Hall Arcade, in Brisbane, Queensland on Sunday 4 July 1943 by Brigadier General W. H. Donaldson, Jr., the Commanding Officer of Base Section 3.  When Brigadier General Donaldson arrived he was not allowed to use the elevator until he was presented with the Gold Key for the Centre from its Controller, Lieutenant Laurence Jones.

Early in the afternoon hundreds of civilians gathered outside the entrance to the Old Town Hall Arcade but US Guards told the crowd that it was only for American troops and people working for the Americans. The official guests at the opening were entertained in the club from 3:30pm until 5:00 pm. The Base Section 3 orchestra played dance music and the dance floor was officially christened when Brigadier general Donaldson danced with the American Red Cross Are Supervisor, Miss Mary K. Browne.

The American Centre was thrown open to all American troops at 5:00 pm and dinner was served in the restaurant. The Menu included Tomato Soup, cold slaw, lettuce, tomatoes, roast chicken, or grilled steak and American apple pie.

The American Centre became a home for American forces particularly those visiting Brisbane from New Guinea and north Queensland. It provided them with a place where they could bathe, shave and eat in comfort. There were reading and writing rooms, bowling alleys, game rooms, shower rooms and a snack bar which served hundreds of hamburgers and cups of coffee every night.

The American Centre included accommodation for several hundred men.

Heaps of WW2 books available at Amazon.com

"Australia @ War"

This page first produced 9 September 2011

This page last updated 09 September 2011