Banana, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Banana Queensland
Statue of the bullock "Banana", 2014
Banana Location in Queensland
Population	356 (2016 census)
• Density	0.3788/km2 (0.981/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4702
Area	939.9 km2 (362.9 sq mi)
LGA(s)	Shire of Banana
State electorate(s)	Callide
Federal Division(s)	Flynn
Localities around Banana: Kokotungo Woolein Orange Creek Baralaba Moura Banana Prospect Tarramba Kianga Lonesome Creek Castle Creek

Banana is a small town and rural locality in the Shire of Banana, Central Queensland, Australia.

Geography

Banana is located at the intersection of the Dawson and Leichhardt highways, 46 kilometres (29 mi) west of the shire's administrative centre, Biloela.

History

The town was named in the early 1860s. The name derives from an old dun-coloured working bullock, called Banana, used by local stockmen to help them when herding some of the wilder cattle into the yards.

At the time of the Canoona rush, gold was found in Banana's Gully (as it was then called) and a town of at least 2,000 people sprang up there.

The post office at Banana was established on 1 September 1861.

Banana Provisional School opened on 18 September 1871 and was upgraded to Banana State School on 16 February 1874. The school closed in 1935, but reopened on 25 January 1960.

In 1880, the local government area Banana Division (later the Shire of Banana) was established with its headquarters in Banana (taking its name from the town). However, in 1930 the shire headquarters became Rannes and the shire offices were physically relocated from Banana to Rannes. Since 1946, the shire has its headquarters in Biloela.

Amenities

Banana Uniting Church, 2014

Banana has a Uniting Church at 39 Bowen Street (Leichhardt Highway) at the corner with North Street (24°28′08″S 150°07′42″E / 24.46875°S 150.12821°E / -24.46875; 150.12821 (Banana Uniting Church)).

Past population

At the 2006 census, Banana had a population of 627.

Economy

The beef industry is still a mainstay of the town and area, along with coal and agriculture.

Education

Bull statue, Banana State School, 2014

Banana State School is a government primary (P-6) school at 36 Bramston Street (24°28′09″S 150°07′52″E / 24.469134°S 150.131069°E / -24.469134; 150.131069 (Banana State School)). In 2012, there were 37 students enrolled with 3 teachers (2.5 full-time equivalent). There is no secondary school in Banana; the nearest are in Moura to the west and Biloela to the east.