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Beechmont, Queensland

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Beechmont is a rural town and locality in the Scenic Rim Region, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] In the 2021 census, the locality of Beechmont had a population of 848 people.[1]

Beechmont
Queensland
Beechmont
Beechmont is located in Queensland
Beechmont
Beechmont
Coordinates28°06′28″S 153°12′48″E / 28.1078°S 153.2132°E / -28.1078; 153.2132 (Beechmont (town centre))
Population848 (2021 census)[1]
 • Density24.65/km2 (63.85/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4211
Area34.4 km2 (13.3 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)Scenic Rim Region
State electorate(s)Scenic Rim
Federal division(s)Wright
Localities around Beechmont:
Witheren Lower Beechmont Advancetown
Flying Fox
Illinbah		 Beechmont Numinbah Valley
Illinbah Binna Burra Numinbah Valley

Geography

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Beechmont is positioned on a forested ridge leading from the Lamington Plateau to Tamborine Mountain. Outstanding views in nearly all directions means that on a clear day Cunninghams Gap and other Scenic Rim landforms are visible as well as Flinders Peak, Moogerah Peaks and the D'Aguilar Range to the north west of Brisbane. To the north west of Beechmont sits the locality of Lower Beechmont and to the south is Binna Burra.

Roads in the area are narrow and windy, some are prone to rockfalls and some with very steep slopes. The road to Binna Burra Lodge and access to Lamington National Park goes through Beechmont. The § Rosins Lookout Conservation Park is a popular launch site for hangliders and paragliders.[citation needed]

Beechmont has the following named peaks:

Killarney Falls is a waterfall on Back Creek in the north of the locality (28°04′33″S 153°12′18″E / 28.0758°S 153.2049°E / -28.0758; 153.2049 (Killarney Falls)).[7]

History

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The Beechmont district was occupied by the Yugambeh people before the arrival of European timber cutters in the 1880s.[8][9] The district takes its current name from the White Beech trees in the area.[2]

The Beechmont area was opened up for selection in 1886, however many of the early settlers left after a short stay on the mountain. By the turn of the century, only three families had established themselves in the area.[10]

The Beechmont State School opened on 15 August 1904.[11]

Fruit such as apples were grown in the 1910s in the rich Beech Mountain soils of the area,[12] but were halted due to fruit fly infestations.[13]

St John's Presbyterian Church opened on Sunday 21 February 1932 with a service commencing conducted by Reverend Alexander Duff.[14][15] It was the first church in Beechmont and part of the Southport parish.[16] In May 1947 two memorial windows were dedicated to Keith Scott and Kent Summerville, members of the congregation who died in the RAAF during World War II.[17][18] Following the closure of the church in 1980, the memorial windows were removed and on 25 April (Anzac Day) 1998 the windows were unveiled in a memorial gazebo at Graceleigh Park in Beechmont Road (28°07′32″S 153°11′12″E / 28.1255°S 153.1866°E / -28.1255; 153.1866 (Memorial gazebo)) adjacent to the Beechmont War Memorial.[19] The church is now used for holiday accommodation.[20]

The tourism potential of Beechmont was realised in 1910 as one of the motivations to build a railway line to Canungra,[21] which led to the Queensland Government deciding in 1911 to construct the Canungra branch line from Logan Village railway station on the South Coast railway line to Canungra.[22] Construction began in 1913 and the line opened to Canungra railway station on 2 July 1915.[23][24][25]

A dairying property located near Beechmont on the Nerang River was advertised to be sold by auction 23 November 1920 by Cameron Brothers auctioneers.[26] The plan shows the land for sale, 858 acres, being subdivision 2 of portion 106, Parish of Gilston, on Beech Mountain, facing the present Binna Burra Road, within 13 miles of Nerang Township.[27]

From the 1920s, the area became known as a mountain tourist destination.

In July 1936, Dr John Bradfield, the designer of the Story Bridge in Brisbane and the Sydney Harbour Bridge was forced to stop at Beechmont when heavy rain prevented the completion of his journey to Binna Burra.[28]

On 4 February 1942, a US P-40 Kittyhawk, piloted by Flight Lieutenant Donald Harry Hunter from 3 Service Flying Training School (3 SFTS) RAAF at Amberley, crashed on the side of Battens Ridge.[where?] Hunter was killed in the accident.[29]

On 23 January 1971, Rosin Lookout was established as a rest area. It was named after either banana grower Frederick John Rosin, a pioneer of the Nerang district who was the first owner of the land on which the lookout stands or his son John Henry Rosin who owned the land in 1968, when the Beaudesert Shire Council acquired the land.[30]

On 18 July 1971, RAAF Sabre jet A94-962 flying out of Numinbah Valley, struck and severed high voltage powerlines between Beechmont and Binna Burra. The jet suffered damage to the nose, canopy, and tailplane but was able to return to Amberley.[31]

On Sunday 11 November (Remembrance Day) 1990, the Beechmont War Memorial was unveiled in Graceleigh Park.[32]

As at 2019, there are still dairy farms operational in the area,[33][34] but only three remain in operation as the area is experiencing increasing levels of development.[35]

Demographics

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In the 2016 census, the locality of Beechmont had a population of 842 people,[36] of which 50.2% are males and 49.8% are females with a median age of 46, 8 above the national average. The average weekly household income is $1,399, $39 below the national average. 1.6% of Beechmont's population is either of Aborigional or Torres Strait Islander descent. 64.6% of the population aged 15 or over is either registered or de facto married, while 35.4% of the population is not married. 25.8% of the population is currently attending some form of a compulsory education. The most common nominated ancestries were English (31.7%), Australian (28.2%) and Scottish (9.4%), while the most common countries of birth are Australia (73.4%), England (5.1%) and New Zealand (5.0%), and the most commonly spoken languages at home are English (90.9%), French (0.5%) and German (0.4%). The most common nominated religions were No religion (44.0%), Anglican (14.5%) and Catholic (14.1%). The most common occupation was a technician/trades worker (18.4%) and the majority/plurality of residents worked 40 or more hours per week (36.8%).[36]

In the 2021 census, the locality of Beechmont had a population of 848 people.[1]

Heritage listings

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

Education

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Beechmont State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 1922 Beechmont Road (28°07′29″S 153°11′08″E / 28.1248°S 153.1856°E / -28.1248; 153.1856 (Beechmont State School)).[38][39] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 109 students with 10 teachers (7 full-time equivalent) and 8 non-teaching staff (5 full-time equivalent).[40]

There is no secondary school in Beechmont. The nearest government secondary schools are Tamborine Mountain State High School in Tamborine Mountain to the north and Nerang State High School in Nerang to the north-east.[41]

Amenities

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St John's Catholic Church is on Windabout Street (corner of Flemington Road, 28°06′45″S 153°11′09″E / 28.1126°S 153.1858°E / -28.1126; 153.1858 (St John's Catholic Church)). It is part of the Nerang parish and services are held on the fourth Sunday of each month.[42][43]

Graceleigh Park is a general purpose sports ground located next to the Beechmont State School. The park was named after the 'Graceleigh' property, one of the early dairy farms in the area and owned by John Sharp.[44]

The park area provides facilities for cricket, soccer, football, tennis, and netball. The Beechmont Cricket Club and Beechmont Tennis Club both operate club rooms on the site.

The Scenic Rim Regional Council operates a mobile library service which visits Graceleigh Park.[45]

The 'Hall on Graceleigh' is a multi-purpose school hall located adjacent to the Beechmont State School and Graceleigh Park. It was built under the Building the Education Revolution stimulus program in 2011. Under an agreement with the local community group and Scenic Rim Council, the hall was built on council land in exchange for it being made available for general community use.

The 'Providence Farm Hall' was the original Beechmont community hall built in October 1948 on land donated by the McKenzie family. The hall was the venue of many community dances, celebrations, and social events.[46] In 2011, the hall was sold back to the McKenzie family and the proceeds reinvested in community projects.[47]

The Beechmont Community Centre is located on the old state school grounds at Beechmont. The centre is home to many community groups and clubs. The Headmaster's Cafe operates from the original headmaster's residence at the site. The Beech Mountain Association, who manages the site, operates the monthly Beechmont Markets. [48]

Rosins Conservation Area is part of a collection of linked conservation areas, including Springbrook National Park and Pocket Road Conservation Area, that provide a large area of core habitat for a wide range of native fauna.[49]

Infrastructure

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There is a mobile phone tower near the village.[50] Internet is available with ADSL1 and ADSL2+ over copper lines. The Beechmont exchange is connected via a microwave link to the Telstra National Network. Beechmont is listed on the National Broadband Network (NBN) roll-out plans for Jul-Dec 2019 with a deployment of fixed wireless technology.

Tarred roads are available to Canungra and to Nerang. The roads are narrow and windy and sometimes closed or reduced to one lane passes after landslides and other rain induced incidents.

Attractions

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View from Rosins Lookout, 1994

Rosins Lookout is a lookout on top of the ridgeline near 1684 Beechmont Road (28°07′01″S 153°12′09″E / 28.1169°S 153.2025°E / -28.1169; 153.2025 (Rosins Lookout)). It offers views across over the Numinbah Valley across to Springbrook and Mount Warning. There are barbeque and picnic facilities.[30][51] The lookout is a popular launch site for hang gliders and paragliders.[52]

Beechmont War Memorial is in Graceleigh Park in Beechmont Road (28°07′32″S 153°11′12″E / 28.1255°S 153.1867°E / -28.1255; 153.1867 (Beechmont War Memorial)).[53][32]

Notable residents

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Notable people from or who have lived in Beechmont include:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Beechmont (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.  
  2. ^ a b "Beechmont – town in Scenic Rim Region (entry 2058)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Beechmont – locality in Scenic Rim Region (entry 45110)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Mountain peaks and capes - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 12 November 2020. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  5. ^ "The Summit – mountain in Scenic Rim Region (entry 34149)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  6. ^ "Warples Hill – mountain in Scenic Rim Region (entry 36559)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  7. ^ "Killarney Falls – waterfall in Scenic Rim Regional (entry 18128)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  8. ^ "Lower Beechmont history". www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au. Gold Coast City Council. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  9. ^ Queensland Environmental Protection Agency (2000). Heritage Trails of the Great South East. State of Queensland. p. 19. ISBN 0-7345-1008-X.
  10. ^ Pike, J. Maxwell (1974). Land Use Survey: Mount Tamborine and Beechmont, S.E. Queensland. St Lucia. pp. 24–26. Archived from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  11. ^ "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  12. ^ "Beech Mountain Fruit". The Week (Brisbane). Queensland, Australia. 22 February 1918. p. 4. Archived from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2020 – via Trove.
  13. ^ "BEECHMONT". The Brisbane Courier. Queensland, Australia. 10 November 1928. p. 13. Archived from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2020 – via Trove.
  14. ^ "SOUTHPORT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH". South Coast Bulletin. Vol. 4, no. 166. Queensland, Australia. 19 February 1932. p. 10. Archived from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. ^ "Presbyterian". The Telegraph. Queensland, Australia. 20 February 1932. p. 11 (FIRST EDITION). Archived from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. ^ a b "Local Heritage Register" (PDF). Scenic Rim Regional Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  17. ^ "MEMORIAL WINDOWS DEDICATED". South Coast Bulletin. No. 488. Queensland, Australia. 21 May 1947. p. 18. Archived from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  18. ^ "BEECHMONT". South Coast Bulletin. No. 488. Queensland, Australia. 21 May 1947. p. 8. Archived from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  19. ^ "Memorial Windows & Gazebo". Monument Australia. Archived from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  20. ^ "Rooms: Old St Johns Church". Clouds on Beechmont. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  21. ^ "PROPOSED Railway to Canungera". The Beaudesert Times. Queensland, Australia. 13 May 1910. p. 4. Archived from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2020 – via Trove.
  22. ^ "SKETCHER". The Queenslander. Queensland, Australia. 25 November 1911. p. 15. Archived from the original on 15 March 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2020 – via Trove.
  23. ^ Kerr, John (1990). Triumph of narrow gauge : a history of Queensland Railways. Boolarong Publications. p. 224. ISBN 978-0-86439-102-5.
  24. ^ "The Canungra Branch" Australian Railway History January 1993 pp12-19
  25. ^ Quinlan, Howard; Newland, John (2000). Australian Railway Routes 1854 - 2000. Redfern: Australian Railway Historical Society. p. 38. ISBN 0909650497.
  26. ^ "Plan showing position of land for sale : on Beech Mountain". onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au. Archived from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  27. ^ "Advertising". Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933). 20 November 1920. p. 8. Archived from the original on 15 September 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  28. ^ "BEECHMONT". The Beaudesert Times. Queensland, Australia. 31 July 1936. p. 5. Archived from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2020 – via Trove.
  29. ^ "4 February 1942 Crash Of A P-40 Kittyhawk On Battens Ridge, Becchmont In The Numinbah Valley". Australia@War. Archived from the original on 28 September 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  30. ^ a b "Rosins Lookout – lookout in Scenic Rim Regional (entry 49618)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  31. ^ "Sabre". RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  32. ^ a b "Beechmont War Memorial". Monument Australia. Archived from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  33. ^ "Genetics Australia: Queensland trials test controlled breeding using CIDRs". Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  34. ^ "Beechmont State School: Community". Archived from the original on 5 March 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  35. ^ "Beechmount Mountain Sales: About Beechmont Plateau". Archived from the original on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  36. ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Beechmont (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.  
  37. ^ "Binna Burra Cultural Landscape (entry 601899)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  38. ^ "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  39. ^ "Beechmont State School". Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  40. ^ "ACARA School Profile 2018". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  41. ^ "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  42. ^ "MASS TIMES". St Brigid's Catholic Parish, Nerang. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  43. ^ "St John's Catholic Church" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  44. ^ "Graceleigh homestead at Beechmont". One Search Catalog. State Library of Queensland. Archived from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  45. ^ "Mobile Library" (PDF). Scenic Rim Regional Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  46. ^ "About Us". Providence Farm Hall. Archived from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  47. ^ "Beechmont Hall Auctioned off". The Gold Coast Hinterlander. Marie Robb. December 2012. Archived from the original on 23 March 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  48. ^ "Old School (Beechmont Community Centre)". Beechmont Area Progress Association. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  49. ^ "Pocket Road Conservation Area". City of Gold Coast. Archived from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  50. ^ "Optus Tower Locations". Whirlpool.net.au. Archived from the original on 6 December 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  51. ^ "Rosins Lookout". Visit Scenic Rim. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  52. ^ "Beechmont - Rosin's Lookout". Australian National Site Guide. SAFA. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  53. ^ "Beechmont War Memorial". Queensland War Memorials Register. Queensland Government. 23 June 2014. Archived from the original on 9 March 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2021.

Further reading

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