Goovigen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids GoovigenQueensland |
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Slab hut in Goovigen, 1930
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 Goovigen
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 349 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 0.6186/km2 (1.602/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4702 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 564.2 km2 (217.8 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Shire of Banana | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Callide | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Flynn | ||||||||||||||
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Goovigen is a small rural town in Queensland, Australia. It is located in the Shire of Banana. In 2021, about 349 people lived in Goovigen.
Another town called Rannes is also part of the Goovigen area. It is found near the western edge of the locality.
Koorngoo is a small area within Goovigen. It used to be a railway station.
Contents
Where is Goovigen?
Goovigen is in the south-east part of its local area. It is about 660 kilometers (410 miles) north-west of Brisbane. Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland.
Roads and Railways
The Burnett Highway passes through the area. It comes from the north and goes towards the east. The Leichhardt Highway enters from the south-west. It forms part of the south-west border of the area. This highway also passes close to the town of Rannes.
A railway line, called the Callide Valley railway line, used to run through Goovigen. This line is now closed. Several old railway stations were along this line:
- Rannes railway station
- Jooro railway station
- Goovigen railway station
- Koorngoo railway station
Goovigen's Past
Goovigen started as a place to supply things for the railways. The name "Goovigen" was given by the Queensland Railways Department in 1920. It is an Aboriginal word for a type of box tree.
The name "Koorngoo" also comes from an Aboriginal word. It means food or feed bag.
Schools in the Past
Many schools have opened and closed in the Goovigen area over the years:
- Rannes State School opened in 1916. It closed in 1960, reopened in 1962, and closed for good in 1966.
- Woolein State School was open from 1918 to 1924.
- Lake Pleasant State School opened in 1925. It closed and reopened a few times before closing permanently in 1964.
- Goovigen State School opened in 1926 and is still open today.
- Jooro State School was open from 1935 to 1963.
Other Important Places
The Goovigen Post Office opened in 1927. A "receiving office" for mail had been there since 1925.
The Goovigen School of Arts opened in 1929. This building is no longer used for its original purpose, but it is still standing.
The Goovigen branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association (QCWA) started in 1932. This group helps women and communities. They bought their own building in 1956. The branch closed in 2017.
St Brigid's Catholic Church opened in 1935. It was built from timber. Today, the church is closed and looked after by the Goovigen Historical Society.
St John the Baptist Anglican Church was built in 1955.
A mobile library service started visiting Goovigen in 2004.
What Goovigen Does
Goovigen supports the farms around it. Farmers in this area grow cotton, raise cattle, and grow grain.
Learning in Goovigen
Goovigen State School is a primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. In 2018, it had 6 students.
There is no high school in Goovigen. Students usually go to high schools in nearby towns like Biloela or Mount Morgan.
Community Services
Goovigen has a Police Station and a Rural Fire Station.
The Goovigen Post Office is located inside the Goovigen Hotel Motel.
There is also a cemetery in Goovigen.
Places to Visit
The Banana Shire Council provides a mobile library service that visits Goovigen and the school every two weeks.
The Goovigen Community Hall is a place for local events. Inside the hall, there is a special display honoring those who served in World War II.
St John the Baptist Anglican Church is part of the Anglican Parish of Callide Valley.
The Goovigen War Memorial remembers people who served in all wars. It is located in Nissen Park.
