Childers, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids ChildersQueensland |
|||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Childers Main Street
|
|||||||||||||||
 Childers
Location in Queensland
|
|||||||||||||||
| Population | 1,682 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 87.60/km2 (226.9/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Established | 1885 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4660 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 109.0 m (358 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 19.2 km2 (7.4 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
|
||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Bundaberg Region | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Burnett | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Hinkler | ||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
Childers is a country town and locality in the Bundaberg Region of Queensland, Australia. It's a place with a rich history and a strong community. In 2021, about 1,682 people lived in Childers.
Contents
Where is Childers?
Childers is located in the Wide Bay–Burnett area of Queensland. It sits right on the Bruce Highway, which is a major road. The town is about 325 kilometres (202 miles) north of Brisbane, Queensland's capital city. It's also about 52 kilometres (32 miles) south-west of Bundaberg. The Isis Highway also starts in Childers and heads south.
What's the History of Childers?
Early Days and Naming
The land around Childers has traditionally been home to the Dundabarra/burra people. They are part of the larger Kabi Kabi nations and have lived in this area for a very long time. Their family members still live in the region today.
Europeans first came to this area in the 1850s. They started farms to raise cattle on the good land. Back then, and even now, sugar was a very important crop grown in the Isis area.
The town of Childers officially started in 1885. A railway line to Childers opened in 1887, which helped the town grow a lot. The Childers Post Office also opened in 1887. The town is thought to be named after Hugh Childers, a British statesman. He worked in Victoria, Australia, in the 1850s.
Important Buildings and Events
An Anglican church was built in Childers around 1888. The current Christ Church Anglican opened in 1901. The Childers Uniting Church was originally built in another town in 1886. It was later moved to Childers and became the Uniting Church in 1977.
Childers Provisional School opened in 1889 and became Childers State School in 1891. A high school section was added in 1913. Later, Isis District State High School was built in 1961. St Joseph's Catholic School started in 1926.
In 2000, the town faced a difficult time when the Palace Backpackers Hostel had a fire. The building was later beautifully rebuilt in 2002. Today, it has a special memorial, an art gallery, and an information centre. The Childers Library also opened in 2000 and was updated in 2014.
Who Lives in Childers?
In 2021, the town of Childers had a population of 1,682 people. Most people living here were born in Australia. Also, most people speak only English at home. When it comes to religion, many people said they had no religion, while others were Anglican or Catholic.
What are Childers' Heritage Sites?
Childers has many buildings and places that are important to its history. These are called heritage-listed sites. Many of them are on Churchill Street, the main street. Some examples include:
- Childers Post Office
- Childers Court House
- Isis District War Memorial and Shire Council Chambers
- Queensland National Bank
- Hotel Childers
- Federal Hotel
- Palace Hotel
- Paragon Theatre
- Childers Pharmaceutical Museum
What is the Economy Like?
Childers is known for its historic look and is called a National Trust town. The old buildings on the main street are surrounded by large, shady leopard trees. The sugar cane industry is very important in Childers and has helped the town for many years. Farmers also grow fruit and vegetables on the land around the town. Local businesses work together to promote tourism in the area.
What Services Does Childers Have?
Childers has its own local newspaper called the Isis Town and Country. There's also a monthly community newspaper, the Childers Chit Chat. The town has a small hospital and a courthouse. For emergencies, there's a police station, ambulance station, and fire station. There are also volunteers who help with emergency services.
What About Education?
Childers has several schools for young people:
- Childers State School is a government primary school for students from early childhood to Year 6. It also has a special education program.
- Isis District State High School is a government secondary school for students from Year 7 to Year 12. It also offers a special education program.
- St Joseph's School is a Catholic primary school for students from Prep to Year 6.
What Amenities Are There?
Childers offers many local services. It has an art gallery called the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) and an Information Centre. The Childers Cultural Centre is a town hall used for cultural events.
The Bundaberg Regional Libraries run a public library on Churchill Street. The Childers branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association also meets in town.
There are several churches in Childers, including:
- Christ Church Anglican Church
- Sacred Heart Catholic Church
- Childers Uniting Church
- Grace Lutheran Church
- Childers Apostolic Church of Queensland
- Childers Wesleyan Methodist Church
- Childers Gospel Chapel
What Events Happen in Childers?
Childers hosts a fun Multicultural Festival once a year, usually at the end of July. The town also has an agricultural show, which is a big event showcasing farming and local life. This show is now held in late May or early June.
What Attractions Can You Visit?
Noakes Lookout is a spot off Rankin Road. It's one of the highest points in the area, about 128 metres (420 feet) above sea level. It used to offer great views all around. However, trees have grown taller, and it's on private land, so public access isn't always guaranteed.
Images for kids
-
Historic Picture
