Elgin Vale, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elgin Vale Queensland
Elgin Vale Sawmill, 2008
Elgin Vale Location in Queensland
Population	0 (2021 census)
• Density	0/km2 (0/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4615
Area	117.7 km2 (45.4 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	37.5 km (23 mi) NE of Nanango 41.9 km (26 mi) SE of Murgon 113 km (70 mi) SW of Gympie 184 km (114 mi) NNW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Gympie Region
State electorate(s)	Nanango
Federal Division(s)	Wide Bay
Suburbs around Elgin Vale: Johnstown Barambah Manumbar Johnstown Elgin Vale Manumbar Johnstown Mount Stanley Mount Stanley

Elgin Vale is a quiet, rural area in the Gympie Region of Queensland, Australia. It's a place with a lot of natural beauty. In the 2021 census, it was recorded as having "no people or a very low population," meaning it's mostly untouched land.

Exploring Elgin Vale's Geography

Elgin Vale is a countryside area. It has a small neighbourhood called Tinglemara in its western part. This area is known for its natural features, including creeks.

A Look Back at Elgin Vale's History

Early Days and Land Use

The story of Elgin Vale began a long time ago. In 1847, a man named John Mortimer chose a huge piece of land called Manumbar. It was about 64,000 acres! This land included the spot where the Elgin Vale sawmill would later be built.

Later, in 1878, some of this land was set aside. About 400 acres became a special "Camping and Water Reserve." This reserve was important because it had the only reliable water source in the area. In 1879, J & A Porter bought much of the land nearby. They built a home called "Elgin Vale" close to this water reserve.

Schools and Sawmills

The first school in Elgin Vale was a "Provisional School." It opened in May 1899 but closed just six years later in 1905.

The first sawmill in the area started in 1908. It was built by Ross and Company on the Camping and Water Reserve. This sawmill likely moved to Goomeri in 1914.

A new sawmill was set up in Elgin Vale between 1926 and 1927. Thomas Herbert (Harry) Spencer moved his sawmill from another town to this spot. By late 1927, it was busy processing timber.

The sawmill brought many workers and their families to Elgin Vale. This led to the opening of a second Elgin Vale Provisional School on January 24, 1927. It became the Elgin Vale State School in 1948. This school was right next to the sawmill. It closed on August 10, 1979. In 1982, the school building was bought by the Elgin Vale branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association. They still use it today!

Over the years, the sawmill was bought and sold by different owners. However, by 1986, there wasn't enough timber nearby to keep it running. The Elgin Vale sawmill stopped working as a business on March 16, 1987.

People of Elgin Vale

In 2016, the census showed that 24 people lived in Elgin Vale. By the 2021 census, the population was recorded as "no people or a very low population." This means it's a very quiet place with few residents.

Important Places in Elgin Vale

Leyland prime mover hauling a semitrailer loaded with sawn timber, Elgin Vale, around 1934.

Elgin Vale has some special places that are listed as heritage-listed sites. These sites are important because they show the history of the area. One of these is the Elgin Vale Sawmill on Manumbar Road.

Learning in Elgin Vale

There are no schools directly in Elgin Vale today. Students living nearby can attend schools in other towns. The closest primary school is Moffatdale State School. For high school, students can go to Goomeri State School (up to Year 10), Murgon State High School (up to Year 12), or Nanango State High School (up to Year 12).

Community Spirit

The Elgin Vale branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA) is an active community group. They meet at the old Elgin Vale State School building, which they now own. This group helps bring people together in the area.