Wikipedia

Baralaba, Queensland

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]

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

Geography

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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

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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

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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

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

Economy

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

Education

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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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Baralaba (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.  
  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.  
  21. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Baralaba (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.  
  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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