Baralaba, Queensland

Baralaba
Queensland
The Baralaba Hotel
Baralaba is located in Queensland
Baralaba
Baralaba
Coordinates24°10′55″S 149°48′48″E / 24.1819°S 149.8133°E / -24.1819; 149.8133
Population324 (2021 census)[1]
 • Density0.8672/km2 (2.246/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4702
Area373.6 km2 (144.2 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)Shire of Banana
State electorate(s)Callide
Federal division(s)Flynn
Localities around Baralaba:
Alberta Kokotungo Kokotungo
Alberta Baralaba Banana
Alberta Moura Banana

Baralaba is a rural town and locality in the Shire of Banana in central Queensland, Australia.[2][3] In the 2021 census, the locality of Baralaba had a population of 324 people.[1]

Geography

The Dawson River forms the western boundary of the locality. The town is located in the north-west corner of the locality beside the river. The Neville Hewitt weir on the river at the town creates a wide river for irrigation and recreation.[4]

The town is located 33 kilometres (21 mi) west of the Leichhardt Highway.

History

The town's name is derived from an Aboriginal word meaning "high mountain" referring to nearby Mount Ramsay.[2]

Baralaba Provisional School opened on 19 August 1918. It became a state school on 1 March 1922. In 1964, a secondary department was added.[5][6][7]

Baralaba Post Office opened by April 1924 (a receiving office had been open since about 1919).[8]

Lily State School opened in 1925 and closed circa 1927.[6]

Mclellan’s Hotel opened on 3 April 1929, being renamed Stewart's Hotel on 11 February 1953. On 2 December 1965, it was renamed Baralaba Hotel. It was destroyed by fire on 24 August 2024.[9]

St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church was designed by Roy Chipps of Rockhampton. The timber church was built by R. L. Schofeld at a cost of £650. On Sunday 24 February 1935, the church was opened and consecrated by Bishop Hayes.[10][11]

In May 1941, an Honour Board commemorating those who served in World War II was unveiled at the Returned and Services League of Australia Memorial Hall in Stopford Street (24°10′54″S 149°48′40″E / 24.181750°S 149.811143°E / -24.181750; 149.811143 (Baralaba Memorial Hall & War Memorial)).[12] Outside of the Memorial Hall is a white cross commemorating those who served in all wars and conflicts.[13]

In September 1945, a Methodist Ladies' Guild was established to raise funds for a Methodist church.[14] In November 1945, two blocks of land were donated for the church.[15] The land for Baralaba Methodist Church was consecrated in August 1948.[16] In 1977, the Baralaba Methodist Church became Baralaba Uniting Church when the Methodist Church amalgamated into the Uniting Church in Australia.[17]

Two coal mines once operated in the Baralaba region. Both closed, but mining operations recommenced at one mine in 2005.

The mobile library service commenced in 2004.[18]

Demographics

In the 2006 census, the town of Baralaba had a population of 290 people.[19]

In the 2011 census, the locality of Baralaba had a population of 479 people.[20]

In the 2016 census, the locality of Baralaba had a population of 314 people.[21]

In the 2021 census,the locality of Baralaba had a population of 324 people.[1]

Heritage listings

Baralaba has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Economy

The local economy revolves around beef production and more recently coal mining.

Education

Baralaba P-10 State School, 2019

Baralaba P-10 State School is a government primary and secondary (Prep-10) school for boys and girls at 1 Power Street (24°10′52″S 149°48′35″E / 24.1810°S 149.8097°E / -24.1810; 149.8097 (Baralaba State School)).[23][24] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 90 students with 12 teachers (9 full-time equivalent) and 15 non-teaching staff (9 full-time equivalent).[25]

The nearest secondary schools offering Years 11 and 12 are located in Moura and Biloela.[26]

Amenities

Baralaba Supermarket, 2019

Baralaba Golf Club has a 9-hole golf course and is located on Alberta Road.[27]

Banana Shire Council operate a fortnightly mobile library service to Baralaba.[28][29]

Baralaba Uniting Church is at 43 Power Street (24°10′36″S 149°48′42″E / 24.1767°S 149.8118°E / -24.1767; 149.8118 (Baralaba Uniting Church)).[30][31]

St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church is at 29 Power Street (24°10′40″S 149°48′40″E / 24.177843°S 149.811°E / -24.177843; 149.811 (St Patrick's Catholic Church)).[10]

Events

Every March, there is a campdrafting competition at Baralaba.[32]

The annual Baralaba agricultural show is held in May, while the Saratoga Fishing Competition is held each September.[32]

References

  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Baralaba (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ a b "Baralaba – town in Banana Shire (entry 1568)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  3. ^ "Baralaba – locality in Banana Shire (entry 49535)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  4. ^ "Baralaba". Dawson River Towns. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  5. ^ "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  6. ^ a b Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  7. ^ "Agency ID 4818, Baralaba State School". Queensland State Archives. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  8. ^ Phoenix Auctions History. "Post Office List". Phoenix Auctions. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  9. ^ Stokes, Aden; Grewal, Jessica (24 August 2024). "Fire destroys historic outback pub, Baralaba Hotel". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  10. ^ a b Blake, Thom. "St Patrick's Catholic Church". Queensland Religious Places. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  11. ^ "FIFTH CHURCH OPENED". Morning Bulletin. No. 21, 404. Queensland, Australia. 27 February 1935. p. 13. Retrieved 26 August 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ "Baralaba & District Honour Board". Monument Australia. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  13. ^ "Baralaba & District War Memorial". Monument Australia. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  14. ^ "BARALABA". Morning Bulletin. No. 25, 367. Queensland, Australia. 27 September 1945. p. 5. Retrieved 25 August 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. ^ "BARALABA". Morning Bulletin. No. 26, 354. Queensland, Australia. 22 November 1945. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. ^ "EMERALD". The Central Queensland Herald. Vol. 18, no. 1011. Queensland, Australia. 5 August 1948. p. 24. Retrieved 25 August 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  17. ^ Blake, Thom. "Baralaba Methodist Church". Queensland Religious Places. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  18. ^ "Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-17" (PDF). Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. November 2017. p. 11. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  19. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Baralaba (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
  20. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Baralaba (SSC)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 11 June 2014. Edit this at Wikidata
  21. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Baralaba (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018. Edit this at Wikidata
  22. ^ "Dawson Valley Colliery (former) (entry 602723)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
  23. ^ "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  24. ^ "Baralaba State School". Archived from the original on 5 April 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  25. ^ "ACARA School Profile 2017". Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  26. ^ "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  27. ^ "Baralaba Golf Club". World Golf. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  28. ^ "Library: Branches & Opening hours". Banana Shire Council. Archived from the original on 19 March 2017. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  29. ^ "Banana Shire Mobile Library Timetable" (PDF). Banana Shire Council. Retrieved 8 May 2017.[permanent dead link‍]
  30. ^ "Baralaba Uniting Church". Dawson Valley Uniting Church. Archived from the original on 11 March 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  31. ^ "Find a church". Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  32. ^ a b "Simple Pleasures: Banana Shire" (PDF). The Gladstone Region. Tourism Queensland. p. 3. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
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