Bullyard facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bullyard Queensland
Bullyard Location in Queensland
Population	206 (2021 census)
• Density	6.023/km2 (15.60/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4671
Area	34.2 km2 (13.2 sq mi)
Location	358 km (222 mi) from Brisbane 37 km (23 mi) from Bundaberg
LGA(s)	Bundaberg Region
State electorate(s)	Burnett
Federal Division(s)	Hinkler
Localities around Bullyard: Damascus Bucca Bucca Maroondan Bullyard Bucca Maroondan Delan Bungadoo

Bullyard is a small country town in the Bundaberg Region of Queensland, Australia. It is known for its farms and friendly community. In 2021, about 206 people lived in Bullyard.

Exploring Bullyard's Location and Farms

Bullyard is located in Central Queensland. It is about 37 kilometres (23 miles) west of Bundaberg. The state capital, Brisbane, is about 358 kilometres (222 miles) to the south-east.

The town is mostly made up of farms. Many people here grow sugar cane. Others raise animals or grow fruits and vegetables. You can find farms growing tomatoes, mangoes, pineapples, and potatoes. The Bundaberg-Gin Gin Road (State Route 3) passes right through the town.

What is Tagon?

In the southern part of Bullyard, there is a small area called Tagon. This name comes from an old railway station. The station was part of the Mount Perry railway line, which is now closed. The word Tagon is an Aboriginal word. It means a special kind of tree.

A Look Back at Bullyard's History

Bullyard started as a farming area for sugar cane in the late 1800s. The town's name has a fun story! A drover named Charles Holmes was moving bulls. He built a temporary yard for them. That's how the name "Bullyard" came to be.

A railway station was built in 1881. It was first called Kolan Railway Station. Timber from the forests nearby was loaded onto trains here. More people started to settle in the area later on. A school opened in 1901. This showed that the population was growing. The area became famous for its sugar cane farms. These farms supplied the Bingera Sugar Mill nearby.

The Big Tornado of 1992

On November 29, 1992, a very strong tornado hit nearby Bucca. It was the most powerful tornado ever seen in Australia. Bullyard is only about 15 kilometres (9 miles) away. So, people in Bullyard felt the extreme weather too. They reported heavy rain and giant hailstones. Some said the hailstones were as big as a "cricket ball"! Trees fell over, and many homes had roof damage.

Learning and Community in Bullyard

Bullyard has a state school for primary-aged children. The school first opened in 1921. It currently has about 68 students. Its highest number of students was 82 in 1992. The school's emblem has three parts: a bull, a cane tractor, and a book. Its motto is "Freedom Through Knowledge." Children from nearby towns like Bucca and Goondoon come to school here by bus.

Older students usually go to Gin Gin State High School. There are also buses to Bundaberg for other high schools and colleges.

Across from the school is the Bullyard Multipurpose Hall. This hall is used for many events. It used to host the Bullyard Oktoberfest every year. It is also used for school events and community meetings.

The Historic Bullyard Hall

The Bullyard Hall was built in 1908. It was a very important place for the community. Electricity was added in 1952. The hall was made bigger in 1957 to have a larger dance floor. A stage, kitchen, and ladies' room were also added.

The hall was a popular spot for social events. People enjoyed dances there. Movies were shown at the hall starting in the 1920s. It was also used for church services. In the past, workers for the sugar cane crushing season would sign up at the hall.

The grounds around the hall were used for sports. Athletics competitions were held there from 1911. A tennis club started in 1928, and tennis courts were built. Cricket was also very popular. The Cricket Club even joined with the Hall Committee in 1930. Bullyard hosted cricket matches against other local teams.

The Bullyard Hall is located in the northern part of town. It has a large, fenced sports ground next to it. This area is mostly flat and grassy. It is a great place for outdoor activities.