Amamoor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids AmamoorQueensland |
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amamoor township, circa 1931
|
|||||||||||||||
Population | 720 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
• Density | 20.87/km2 (54.1/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
Postcode(s) | 4570 | ||||||||||||||
Area | 34.5 km2 (13.3 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
LGA(s) | Gympie Region | ||||||||||||||
State electorate(s) | Gympie | ||||||||||||||
Federal Division(s) | Wide Bay | ||||||||||||||
|
Amamoor is a small country town in Queensland, Australia. It is located in the Gympie Region. In 2021, about 720 people lived here. Amamoor is known for its beautiful natural surroundings. It is also famous for hosting a big country music festival.
Contents
Exploring Amamoor's Location
Amamoor is about 18 kilometres (11 miles) south of the city of Gympie. The main highway, the Bruce Highway, runs to the east of the town. To the west, you will find the Amamoor Forest Reserve.
Rivers and Valleys
The town sits along the Amamoor Creek. This creek flows into the larger Mary River. Amamoor is one of several towns located in the scenic Mary Valley. Other towns in this valley include Imbil, Dagun, and Kandanga.
Amamoor's Past: A Brief History
The name Amamoor comes from an Aboriginal word. It means "swimming in water" or "swimming creek." This name was first used for a large farm in the 1850s.
The Railway Story
In the late 1800s, people wanted a railway line to connect Brisbane and Gympie. One possible route was through the Mary Valley. However, this route was not chosen at first. People in the valley kept asking for a railway. Finally, a special branch line was built for the Mary Valley.
The first part of this railway opened in October 1914. It connected Monkland to Kandanga, passing through Amamoor. The Amamoor railway station was built to serve the town. The railway helped people and goods travel easily. In 1994, the entire railway line closed.
Town Services and Schools
The Amamoor Post Office opened around 1920. This helped people send and receive mail. Amamoor State School opened its doors on 10 October 1921. It has been teaching local children for over 100 years. The school moved to its current spot on Elizabeth Street in the 1950s.
Local Churches
A Methodist church opened in Amamoor in 1935. It later became the Amamoor Uniting Church. This church closed in 2017. In 1986, a new church, the Mary Valley Wesleyan Methodist Church, started. It bought an industrial building and turned it into a place of worship.
Who Lives in Amamoor?
In 2016, about 636 people lived in Amamoor. By 2021, the population had grown to 720 people.
Important Places: Heritage Listings
Amamoor has several places that are important to its history. These are called heritage-listed sites. They include:
- The Amamoor Cream Shed: This shed was part of the old railway station. It was used to store cream from local farms.
- The Amamoor General Store: A historic shop that served the community.
- The Amamoor Butcher Shop: Another important local business from the past.
- The Amamoor Hall: A community building where events and meetings are held.
- Amamoor State School: The local primary school.
Learning in Amamoor
Amamoor State School is a government primary school. It teaches boys and girls from Prep (the first year of school) to Year 6. In 2018, the school had 78 students.
There are no high schools directly in Amamoor. Students can go to Mary Valley State College in Imbil for high school up to Year 10. For Years 11 and 12, the closest high school is Gympie State High School in Gympie.
Community Life and Events
The Mary Valley Wesleyan Methodist Church is located on Amamoor Dagun Road. It is part of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Australia.
The Gympie Muster
Amamoor Creek State Forest Park is home to a very popular event. It hosts the annual Gympie Muster. This is a huge country music festival that attracts many visitors.
Fun Things to See
The Amamoor railway station is a popular attraction. It is part of the Mary Valley Rattler. This is a heritage train ride that takes visitors on a scenic journey through the Mary Valley.