Allora, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids AlloraQueensland |
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Main street
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 Allora
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 1,205 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 12.552/km2 (32.51/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4362 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 96.0 km2 (37.1 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Southern Downs Region | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Southern Downs | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Maranoa | ||||||||||||||
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Allora is a country town and area in the Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. In 2021, Allora had a population of 1,205 people.
Contents
About Allora
Allora is located in the Darling Downs area of south-eastern Queensland. It is about 160 kilometres (100 miles) by road south-west of Brisbane, the state capital. The town sits on the New England Highway, which connects Warwick and Toowoomba.
A Look at History
The land around Allora is the traditional home of the Giabal people. Their language area includes places like Toowoomba and Millmerran.
The first church services in Allora were held by Presbyterians in 1854. The town itself was officially mapped out in 1859. Its name likely comes from an Aboriginal word, "gnarrallah", which means "waterhole" or "swampy place".
After European settlers arrived, two large sheep farms, Glengallan and Talgai, became very important to the area's history. The creek running through Allora is named after E. E. Dalrymple, who started the Talgai farm in 1840. Talgai Homestead was built in 1868 for the Clark family. This large sandstone house is now a bed and breakfast.
The Allora Post Office opened on 31 March 1863.
A Wesleyan Methodist church was built in Allora in 1866. A new one was built in 1896. The Allora State School opened its doors on 1 May 1867. It was later renamed Allora P-10 State School in 2008, teaching students from Prep to Year 10.
Allora had its own local government from 1869. It was first called the Borough of Allora, then the Town of Allora, and later the Shire of Allora. In 1994, it became part of the Shire of Warwick.
A permanent Presbyterian church group started in 1873. They built a church in 1879. Later, in 1906, a new, larger Presbyterian church was built on Warwick Street. The older 1879 church building was moved in 1912 to Goomburra, about 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) east of Allora. Moving the church was a big job, taking ten days with two large engines!
The Talgai Skull Discovery
In 1886, an important discovery was made at Talgai Homestead. A very old human skull, known as the Talgai Skull, was found in the wall of Dalrymple Creek. Scientists believe the skull is between 9,000 and 11,000 years old. It is thought to be the skull of a boy, about 15 years old, who died from a head injury.
St Patrick's Catholic Church opened in June 1871. St David's Anglican Church opened in late 1888.
War Memorials and Later Churches
The Allora Boer War Memorial was officially revealed on 19 October 1904. This memorial honours soldiers from the Boer War.
St Patrick's Catholic School was started on 24 January 1916 by the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.
The Allora Shire Soldiers Memorial, honouring those who fought in World War I, was unveiled on 11 November 1921.
An old church building, St Paul's Church of England, was moved to Allora in 1979. It became the Scots Presbyterian Church for people who did not join the Uniting Church.
The current Allora Public Library opened in 1966.
Population Changes
In 2011, the town of Allora had 889 people. By 2016, the area of Allora had grown to 1,223 people. In the most recent census in 2021, the population was 1,205.
Places of Historical Interest
Allora has several places listed for their historical importance:
- Allora Cemetery on Allora–Clifton Road.
- St David's Anglican Church at 1 Church Street.
- Talgai Homestead on Dalrymple Creek Road.
- Boer War Memorial on Warwick Street.
Schools in Allora
Allora P–10 State School is a government school for students from Prep to Year 10. It is located at 21 Warwick Street. In 2017, it had 250 students and also offers a special education program.
St Patrick's School is a Catholic primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It is located at 35 Arnold Street. In 2017, it had 79 students.
For high school students in Years 11 and 12, the closest government schools are Clifton State High School in Clifton and Warwick State High School in Warwick.
Community Places
The Southern Downs Regional Council runs a public library in Allora at 78 Herbert Street. The Allora branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA) meets at 51 Warwick Street.
You can find St David's Anglican Church at 1 Church Street. St Patrick's Catholic Church is at 63 Warwick Street. St Andrew's Uniting Church is located at 44 Warwick Street.
Fun Things to See
One local attraction is the Goomburra Forest Reserve. Part of this reserve was named a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1994.
A copy of the famous Talgai Skull can be seen at the Allora Museum. The original skull is kept at the Shellshear Museum in Sydney.
The old bank building on Herbert Street is known by locals as the "Mary Poppins house". This is because P. L. Travers, the author of the popular Mary Poppins books, once lived in Allora.
Famous People from Allora
Many notable people have connections to Allora:
- Wayne Bennett: A very successful rugby league coach.
- Matthew Denny: A gold medallist in discus throw at the 2013 World Youth Championships in Athletics.
- Laura Geitz: Former Captain of the Australian National Netball Team. She won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.
- Greg Holmes: A professional rugby union player who played for the Queensland Reds and Australia. He also played in England.
- Private John Leak: A soldier who received the Victoria Cross, a very brave award, for his actions in France during World War I. He lived and worked near Allora after the war.
- John McVeigh: A former Australian politician who served in the federal government as Minister for Regional Development.
- Tom McVeigh: A former Australian politician who served as a federal Member of Parliament and a government minister.
- P. L. Travers: The famous author who wrote the Mary Poppins book series.
See also
In Spanish: Allora (Queensland) para niños
