Interest in the recent re-construction and renovation of the Maleny community hall is a reminder the site was first used by Maleny School of Art. This hall was built around 1908 for £219. The hall burned to the ground in 1952 and was rebuilt a few years later. In its early days the hall was used for every kind of community activity but the two remembered best are dancing to the music of an accordion that went on until 1.00 am and the Grand Balls with people coming from farther away on horseback and buggy. Dancing continuing all night with a substantial supper served at midnight to avoid the danger of travelling home through muddy bush tracks in the dark. For some, early morning breakfast was served before setting out for the long journey home.
When a Grand Ball was celebrated it was a good occasion for the gathering of the clans. Young and old folk arrived on horseback from all parts of the district. Grandmothers and grandfathers danced the lancers and the polka with erect carriage and an energy that puts the younger generation of today entirely in the shadow.
In 1921 a circus performance at the School of Arts resulted in a child, Mary McLean, being mauled about the head by a lion that was tied up on the stage. The local vet and butcher came to her rescue. The child was not seriously hurt.