Another chapter has been added to the legacy of Mary Barry and the once-thriving Commercial Hotel with Mary's Place named joint winner of the Minister's Award for Urban Design at the 2025 Queensland Urban Design Awards.
The Minister's Award for Urban Design recognises projects that deliver exceptional public outcomes through thoughtful, community-led design.
Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Andrew Smith said the project was shaped by the community from the very beginning, with a view to creating a vibrant new outdoor space in the Dalby CBD that honoured beloved local icon Mary Barry.
"It's incredibly meaningful to see Mary Barry's memory honoured through this award through the creation of a space that brings people together, just as she always did," Mayor Smith said.
"The site sat dormant for years after a fire destroyed the once-bustling Commercial Hotel and through collaboration between Council and local contractors, it has been transformed into a modern, accessible venue that reflects both the town's past and its future.
"The community has very much led the design and naming of Mary's Place, and through community consultation Council received 162 name submissions with the overwhelming majority in support of honouring Mary Barry.
"Mary Barry was a symbol of warmth, connection and community spirit in Dalby, and Mary's Place shows the power of good design inspired and informed by local stories and town history.
"By honouring the past and the legacy of Mary Barry, the space has strengthened community pride and reinforced the value of design that celebrates people and place."
Mayor Smith said the award reflected the hard work and passion of the project delivery team, who were charged with bringing the new Mary's Place space to life.
"I'd like to congratulate our Council team on delivering a vibrant, meaningful new outdoor space for Dalby, and their efforts in engaging with our community through the design and naming of Mary's Place have been exceptional," he said.
"From outdoor movie nights to live screenings of the State of Origin, our community is finding new and exciting uses for this wonderful community space, and I know it will continue to be a much-loved social hub in our Dalby CBD for decades to come."
