Coominya Soldier Settlement facts for kids

The Coominya Soldier Settlement was a special community built in Coominya, Queensland, Australia. It was created for soldiers who had returned from war. These "soldier settlements" helped veterans get a fresh start by giving them land to farm. About 100 soldiers moved to Coominya, and each got a block of land around 30 acres big.

A New Beginning for Soldiers

After World War I, the Australian government wanted to help soldiers find new lives. They set up soldier settlements like Coominya. This settlement was in the Somerset Region of South East Queensland.

Setting Up the Farms

The government bought about 3,000 acres of land for the settlement. This land was near the Brisbane Valley railway line. They also bought some land from a cattle station called Bellevue Homestead. The land was divided into 109 farm blocks. Each block was between 22 and 37 acres. The settlement officially opened on 1 June 1920.

What Soldiers Received

Soldiers were encouraged to grow grapes and citrus fruits, like oranges. This was because other farms nearby were successful with these crops. The government helped the soldiers a lot. Each soldier could get land and farming tools worth up to £625 (about $1,250). This money helped them buy:

• Their land
• A four-room house
• A horse and cart
• Basic farming tools like a plough and harrow
• Young citrus trees and grapevines

Buildings and Community Life

Many buildings were constructed for the settlement. A total of 83 houses were built for the soldiers and their families. Other important buildings included:

• A project office
• A home for the supervisor
• Storage buildings and stables
• A Bush Nurses cottage and dispensary (a small clinic)

The Bush Nurses’ cottage is still standing today near the railway station. The supervisor's home also still exists. When the settlement closed, some of the houses were moved to the Coominya township. Timber from other houses was used to build the local public hall. Many other settlement houses were moved to Redcliffe, Queensland.

Why the Settlement Ended

The Coominya Soldier Settlement did not last very long. It started in 1920 but closed just four years later, in 1924. By then, only two soldiers, Mr. C Wills and Mr. P Smith, were still farming there.

Challenges Faced by Farmers

Several problems led to the settlement's closure:

• Poor Soil: The land chosen for the farms had sandy soil. This meant it was not very good for growing crops, even with fertilizer.
• Lack of Water: There wasn't enough water for the farms.
• No Experience: Many soldiers were new to farming and didn't have much experience.
• Delays: It took a long time to clear the land and build fences before planting could begin.
• Plant Disease: A grape disease called ‘Downy Mildew’ damaged the grapevines.
• Low Prices: The 1920s saw the start of an economic depression, which meant farmers got very low prices for their produce.

Moving On

Soldiers who left Coominya were offered land in other settlement schemes. These included places like Kingaroy, Roma, and the Atherton Tableland. The Coominya Soldier Settlement scheme cost about £90,000, but only about £10,000 was recovered. The special laws for the scheme were cancelled in 1929.

Coominya's Development

Even though the soldier settlement was short-lived, it had a big impact on Coominya. Over 80 families moved to the area, which helped the town grow.

• New churches were built for different groups.
• More shops opened.
• The local school was made bigger, and an extra teacher was hired.
• A Bush Nursing Centre was set up, providing important health care.