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Gin Gin, Queensland facts for kids

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Gin Gin
Queensland
Gin Gin 002.jpg
Bruce Highway passing through Gin Gin
Gin Gin is located in Queensland
Gin Gin
Gin Gin
Location in Queensland
Population 1,053 (2016 census)
 • Density 31.06/km2 (80.4/sq mi)
Postcode(s) 4671
Area 33.9 km2 (13.1 sq mi)
Time zone AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s) Bundaberg Region
State electorate(s) Callide
Federal Division(s) Flynn
Localities around Gin Gin:
Monduran Damascus Mardoondan
Moolboolaman Gin Gin McIlwraith
Tirroan Redhill Farms McIlwraith

Gin Gin is a rural town and locality in the Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Gin Gin had a population of 1,053 people.

History

The town name Gin Gin was derived from the original station name, which used a local Aboriginal word indicating "red soil thick scrub".

The Gin Gin district was originally settled in 1847 when Gregory Blaxland and William Forster moved into the area with sheep and cattle. The site where the town now stands was once part of the sprawling Gin Gin Station owned by Sir Thomas McIlwraith, who was Premier of Queensland three times between 1879 and 1893.

The Gin Gin district is nicknamed Wild Scotsman Country due to the capture of one of Queensland's few bushrangers, James Alpin McPherson, in the area on 30 March 1866. McPherson, who went by the same nickname, was captured at Monduran Station, 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) north of town.

Gin Gin Post Office opened on 15 March 1875.

Gin Gin Provisional School opened on 26 June 1882. It closed on 31 October 1890 to be replaced by Gin Gin State School which opened on 3 November 1890 with 8 students under teacher Arthur William Moore. In 1956, the school expanded to offer secondary schooling, until a separate Gin Gin State High School was established on 1 February 1972. Gin Gin State Pre-School opened on 25 October 1977 and closed in 2006 when it was absorbed into Gin Gin State School.

Heritage listings

Gin Gin has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Events

The Wild Scotsman Festival used to be held in Gin Gin on the third week of March each year to commemorate the capture of the bushranger James MacPherson. The Wild Scotsman Markets are held next to the historical Grounds each Saturday morning.

In popular culture

Gin Gin is the eighteenth town mentioned in the original (Australian) version of the song "I've Been Everywhere".

Population data

At the 2006 census, Gin Gin had a population of 892.

Economy

Gin Gin, like Bundaberg, is heavily dependent on the sugar industry, with sugarcane plantations dotted throughout the area. An extensive system of sugar cane tramways service the area. Cattle production also features prominently. In recent years small cropping has taken off across farms in the district, with varied success.

Demographics

In the 2011 census, Gin Gin had a population of 1,190 people.

Education

Gin Gin State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 13 May Street (24°59′33″S 151°57′18″E / 24.9924°S 151.9551°E / -24.9924; 151.9551 (Gin Gin State School)). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 290 students with 21 teachers (20 full-time equivalent) and 18 non-teaching staff (11 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program.

Gin Gin State High School is a government secondary (7-12) school for boys and girls at 30 High School Road (24°59′26″S 151°58′08″E / 24.9906°S 151.9689°E / -24.9906; 151.9689 (Gin Gin State High School)). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 450 students with 45 teachers (43 full-time equivalent) and 31 non-teaching staff (20 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education As well as the students from Gin Gin itself, many students travel, mainly by bus, from surrounding properties and townships like Wallaville, Bullyard, Tirroan, McIlwraith, Maroondan and Mount Perry.

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