Coominya, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids CoominyaQueensland |
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Cafe and post office at Coominya
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 Coominya
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 1,029 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 8.971/km2 (23.23/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4311 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 80 m (262 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 114.7 km2 (44.3 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Somerset Region | ||||||||||||||
| County | Cavendish | ||||||||||||||
| Parish | Esk | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Nanango | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Blair | ||||||||||||||
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Coominya is a small town and area in the Somerset Region of Queensland, Australia. It is located about 83 kilometers (52 miles) west of Brisbane, the state capital. The town is also close to Wivenhoe Dam, which is a large water storage area. In 2021, Coominya had a population of 1,029 people.
The land where Coominya is located originally belonged to the Indigenous Jagera people.
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Exploring Coominya's Location
Coominya is surrounded by natural features. Logan Creek is to the north and Buaraba Creek is to the south. Even though it's near Atkinson Dam and Lake Wivenhoe, the town itself isn't directly next to these large water bodies.
The Brisbane Valley Highway runs close to Coominya's north-east side. A railway line, called the Brisbane Valley railway line, also goes through the town. The Coominya railway station used to serve the town, but the railway line closed in 1993.
Coominya's Past: A Look Back
From 1886 to 1906, this area was known as Bellevue, named after a large local farm. The name Coominya comes from the Yuggera language. Kung means water and nya means to see. This likely refers to the lagoons in the area.
The Coominya Post Office opened in December 1907. Before that, there was a smaller "receiving office" for mail since 1887.
Coominya State School, the local primary school, welcomed its first students on September 17, 1912.
In 1920, a special plan called the Coominya Soldier Settlement began. This plan aimed to help soldiers returning from World War I become farmers. About 100 farms, each around 30 acres, were set up for growing grapes and fruit. However, the plan didn't work out well. The land wasn't very good for farming, and the new farmers didn't get enough help. By 1929, only two farms were still running, and the settlement closed.
The first church in Coominya was the Coominya Presbyterian Church. It officially opened on March 4, 1920.
A Catholic church, St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, also opened in Coominya. Its foundation stone was laid on November 21, 1920. A local person, John Newman, generously gave the land and timber for the church. The church was blessed and dedicated on March 6, 1921.
During World War II, an airfield was built west of Coominya. This airfield was used by US air force squadrons. Today, this airfield is used by a flight training school.
The Coominya War Memorial is a special monument on Railway Street. It was dedicated on April 25, 1997, to remember those who served in wars.
People of Coominya
The population of Coominya has changed over the years. In 2006, there were 1,751 people living here. By 2011, the population was 1,174. In 2016, it was 1,200 people. The most recent count in 2021 showed a population of 1,029 people.
Historic Places in Coominya
Coominya has some important historical sites. One of them is the Bellevue Homestead. This old house was moved to Coominya from the Wivenhoe Dam area to protect it.
What Coominya Produces
Coominya is known for its fresh produce, meaning fruits and vegetables. A major employer in the town is an abattoir, which is a place where animals are processed for meat. There's also a growing interest in olive farming, and a company called Comvita has a plant in Coominya that makes olive leaf extract.
Learning in Coominya
Coominya State School is a government primary school for students from Prep (the first year of school) to Year 6. It is located at 7 Cornhill Street. In 2017, the school had 118 students.
There isn't a high school in Coominya. Students who want to continue their education after primary school usually go to secondary schools in nearby towns like Lowood or Toogoolawah.
Coominya's Services and Fun
Coominya has several useful places for its residents. These include a post office, a general store (which also sells newspapers), a cafe, and a pub.
For those interested in flying, a flight training school operates at the Coominya Airfield.
There are also a few churches in Coominya:
- St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, located at 453 Coominya Connection Road.
- Coominya Presbyterian Church (also known as Central Church Coominya), found at 18–20 West Street.
Things to See in Coominya
One of the main attractions in the Coominya area is the historic Bellevue Homestead. It's a great place to learn about the past.
Coominya is also famous for its beautiful scenery and wildlife. You might spot colorful lorikeet parrots, cute koalas, and kangaroos hopping around.
To celebrate Queensland's 150th anniversary (called Q150), the local heritage group created a series of murals. These murals show what early life in Coominya was like.
