Alpha, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alpha Queensland
The main street of Alpha
Alpha Location in Queensland
Population	559 (2021 census)
• Density	2.7483/km2 (7.118/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4724
Area	203.4 km2 (78.5 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	1,051 km (653 mi) NW of Brisbane 439 km (273 mi) W of Rockhampton 169 km (105 mi) W of Emerald 140 km (87 mi) E of Barcaldine 249 km (155 mi) E of Longreach
LGA(s)	Barcaldine Region
State electorate(s)	Gregory
Federal Division(s)	Maranoa
Localities around Alpha: Jericho Laglan Clermont Quetta Peak Vale Jericho Alpha Willows Blackall Windeyer Mantuan Downs Lochington

Alpha is a small town in Queensland, Australia. It is located in a rural area, meaning it's surrounded by countryside. In 2021, about 559 people lived in Alpha. The town is an important hub for nearby farms and for people traveling through the region.

Exploring Alpha's Geography

Alpha is found in the middle-west part of Queensland. It sits right next to Alpha Creek.

Roads and Railways in Alpha

The main road, called the Capricorn Highway, goes through Alpha from east to west. Another road, the Clermont-Alpha Road, comes in from the north-east. The Central Western railway line also runs through the town. You can find the Alpha railway station here.

Alpha's Interesting History

Alpha is about 400 kilometers west of Rockhampton. Its name comes from the Alpha Pastoral Station. This was a very large farm established in 1863. By the 1890s, it covered more than 1,600 square kilometers!

How Alpha Town Began

The area was first explored in 1846. This led to more people settling here in the 1860s. Alpha started as a temporary stop for workers building the Central Western railway line. This railway was being built west from Rockhampton. Rockhampton wanted to connect with the rich farming areas inland. The railway reached Alpha on September 22, 1884. Even after the railway construction moved on, a town stayed in Alpha.

Schools and Churches in Alpha

Alpha Provisional School opened on August 30, 1886. It became Alpha State School in 1894. A preschool was added in 1987.

Churches also came to Alpha. A Catholic Church opened in 1890. The United Protestant Church opened in 1894. The Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart started a Catholic primary school in 1902. Three Sisters arrived in Alpha on May 15, 1902. They taught many students. The church was used as a temporary school at first. A two-story building for the convent and school was built by 1906. Boys and girls from nearby areas could even board at the convent to attend school.

St. Joseph's School Buildings

St Joseph's Convent School got its own building in 1918. It cost £820, mostly raised by the local community. In 1922, the convent building had to be replaced because of white ants. A new single-story building was put up.

In November 1950, Alpha had a big flood. The Sisters had to move to the top floor of the school. They carried supplies through waist-deep water!

The school celebrated its 50th birthday in 1952. A new two-story school building was opened in 1963. It was built by local builders.

The Sisters left Alpha in December 1977 after 75 years of service. Many nuns had taught in Alpha and were remembered fondly. The school continued for two more years with lay teachers. But by the end of 1979, it closed because there were only about 25 students left.

Music and Community in Alpha

The Sisters of St Joseph were very important for music in Alpha. They taught piano, violin, and singing. Students took exams and many passed with high marks. Children traveled far to learn music from the Nuns. This music teaching led to many concerts over the years. Local people also played dance music at community events like balls and rodeos. This continued long after St Joseph's School closed.

Changes to Alpha's Area

The Shire of Jericho, which included Alpha, was formed in 1917. Its main offices were in Jericho.

In 1941, a goods train crashed through a wooden bridge over Alpha Creek. Two people were killed.

In 2019, the Queensland Government changed the local areas in the Barcaldine Region. Alpha's area was made much larger. It now includes several smaller places like Beaufort and Pine Hill.

Alpha's Population Over Time

The number of people living in Alpha has changed over the years.

• In 2006, Alpha had 402 people.
• In 2011, the population grew to 571 people.
• In 2016, it was 335 people.
• In 2021, the population was 559 people.

Mining Around Alpha

Alpha is near the Galilee Basin, which has a lot of coal.

Coal Mining Projects

On May 29, 2012, the first big coal mine in the Galilee Basin was approved. It's called the Alpha Coal Project. This project is a partnership between an Indian company called GVK and Hancock Coal.

Another company, Waratah Coal, also plans to build a mine near Alpha. This mine is called the China First Coal Project. It would be built on the Bimblebox nature refuge. This refuge is home to the endangered black-throated finch. Some people argue that Bimblebox is a former grazing property that is now unmanaged and has many weeds.

Waratah Coal's plans for the China First Project say there would be good and bad effects on Alpha. They admit it would "cause irreversible change to the physical landscape and the social fabric of towns." However, they also believe that these mines offer a special chance for Alpha to grow and benefit.

The Bimblebox Documentary

A documentary film called "Bimblebox" explores the "China First" mega mine project. It also shows how the owners of the Bimblebox nature refuge are against the project. In 2012, the CEO of Waratah Coal, Clive Palmer, even claimed that environmental groups and the filmmakers were funded by the Central Intelligence Agency.

Education in Alpha

Alpha State School is a government school for students from Prep (kindergarten) to Year 10. It is located at 11 Milton Street (23°39′03″S 146°38′32″E / 23.6507°S 146.6422°E / -23.6507; 146.6422 (Alpha State School)). In 2018, the school had 39 students.

For students in Years 11 and 12, the closest high schools are in Barcaldine (140 km away) and Emerald (169 km away). Students can also do distance education (learning from home) or go to a boarding school. Alpha State School helps students who are studying Years 11 and 12 by distance education.

What Alpha Offers

Alpha has many useful places and services for its residents and visitors.

Community Facilities

• A tourism information centre
• A golf course
• An art gallery
• A showground for events
• Parks and a swimming pool
• Tennis courts
• A museum
• A library at the Alpha town hall on Tennyson Street

Shops and Services

• Hardware store
• Newsagents
• Bank
• Pub
• Grocery store
• Butcher
• Baker
• Post office
• BP and Caltex service stations
• Craft shop
• Hairdresser
• Pharmacy
• Hospital
• Police station
• Fire station

Churches and Groups

• Alpha Uniting Church is at 25 Milton Street (23°39′00″S 146°38′21″E / 23.6500°S 146.6392°E / -23.6500; 146.6392 (Alpha Uniting Church)).
• The Alpha branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA) meets at the Uniting Church Hall.

See Also

• Alpha railway station