FROM TOWN COURTHOUSE TO HOME OF RADIO

When Home Hill was founded in 1911 on the southern banks of the Burdekin River, it was difficult for settlers of Home Hill to do business, as that required the Services of the Court of Petty Sessions who were based in Ayr. With its unpredictable floods, crossing the river was a hit-and-miss affair.
In August 1923, approval was granted for a Court of Petty Sessions in Home Hill, with the Department purchasing Mr P. M. Jensen’s ‘Boot Palace’ building on the corner of 8th Avenue and 9th Street in June 1924. The building was then shifted next to the Police Station. By the end of August, the Courthouse was open for business.
The Court dealt with traffic infringements, drunkenness, illegal gambling raids, lawsuits for lost wages, defamation, whilst murders were sent to a higher court.
By 1936, it became obvious that a new building was needed. The new courthouse consisted of red bricks with a red tiled roof. The public and private offices were located at the front of the building, with the court room abutting the offices, and two corner rooms at the rear – one for the solicitors, the other the witness room. The new Home Hill Courthouse was officially opened in October 1937, while the old court house was converted into the police station, where it remained in use until 1962.
The new Court House was in use for 54 years before finally closing its doors on January 1, 1991.
The Burdekin Shire Council then began negotiations for the use of the facility and by April 1992 had secured a commitment from the Department for its use. Many photographic exhibitions were held in the court room, while the Burdekin Tourist Association also operated from it until shifting to the Home Hill Railway Station. The Court House was also used as a polling booth for various government elections.
A Certificate of Incorporation was granted in 1999 under the name Burdekin Development Council Inc, and was launched on 25 September 1999, broadcasting from the Shire Chambers. It was formed to be used as a station to broadcast into the district in times of emergencies such as floods and cyclones.
By February 2000 the station was installed in the Home Hill Court House in July 2000, when the defunct Burdekin Development Council Inc then became Radio 97.1, Sweet FM!
There were major renovations done to the building in 2020 by the State government, with further renovations by the Shire Council in 2021. Throughout that time, Sweet FM has been the custodian of the beautiful and historic Home Hill Courthouse.
Sweet FM will mark 25 years on air by holding an event on the front lawns in April, to celebrate. Stay tuned!
Contributed with thanks by Charlie Scuderi and Glenis Cislowski

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The beautiful and historic, Home Hill Courthouse: Photo credit: Mark T. Rasmussen
The Courthouse now home to Sweet FM: Photo credit: Mark T. Rasmussen
Mr P. M. Jensen’s ‘Boot Palace’ building (the first courthouse): Photo. Supplied

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