Imbil facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Imbil Queensland
The historic Railway Hotel
Imbil Location in Queensland
Population	1,071 (2021 census)
• Density	5.439/km2 (14.09/sq mi)
Established	1868
Postcode(s)	4570
Area	196.9 km2 (76.0 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	160 km (99 mi) N of Brisbane 40 km (25 mi) S of Gympie 20 km (12 mi) N of Kenilworth
LGA(s)	Gympie Region
State electorate(s)	Gympie
Federal Division(s)	Wide Bay
Localities around Imbil: Upper Kandanga Kandanga Creek Melawondi Kandanga Bollier Bella Creek Imbil Brooloo Lake Borumba Kenilworth Kenilworth

Imbil is a small town located in the Gympie Region of Queensland, Australia. It is a rural area, meaning it's mostly countryside with farms and natural spaces. In 2021, about 1,071 people lived in Imbil.

Where is Imbil?

Imbil is found in the Wide Bay–Burnett district. It sits in the beautiful Mary River valley. The town is about 160 kilometers (100 miles) north of Brisbane, Queensland's capital city.

A Look at Imbil's Past

How Imbil Got Its Name

The name Imbil comes from a large farm area called the Imbil pastoral run. This name was given in 1857 by two farmers, Clement Francis Lawless and Paul Lawless. Imbil is a word from the Kabi language. It refers to a type of bamboo vine. It also describes a lagoon near the old Imbil farm.

Early Days and Gold

The town of Imbil officially started in 1868. This was when a gold rush began in the area. People came hoping to find gold. In 1887, a large amount of land was made available for small farms. This helped the town grow even more.

Schools and Learning

The first school in Imbil was called Imbil Provisional School. It opened on July 19, 1897. The school sometimes closed and reopened because the number of students changed. In 1915, it reopened as Imbil State School. A section for high school students was added in 1962. Today, it is known as Mary Valley State College.

The Railway Arrives

In 1914, a new railway line opened. This line, now called the Mary Valley Rattler, brought more growth to Imbil. The town had its own train station on William Street. The railway made it easier for people and goods to travel.

Churches in Imbil

Over the years, several churches were built in Imbil.

• The Imbil United Protestant Church opened in 1919. It was later sold and became the Imbil Methodist Church.
• Christ Church Anglican was dedicated in 1924. It closed around 2018.
• St Columba's Presbyterian Church opened in 1955. This building was later moved next to the Methodist Church. It is now the Imbil Uniting Church. The old Methodist Church building is now used as a church hall.

Remembering History

On November 13, 1926, the Imbil Memorial School of Arts opened. This building was created to honor those who served in World War I. It was built by a local group of veterans.

The Imbil War Memorial honors those who served in World War II. It was dedicated on November 11, 1997.

Education in Imbil

Mary Valley State College, 2023

Mary Valley State College is a school for students from Prep (kindergarten) to Year 10. It teaches both primary and secondary students. The school is located at 15 Edward Street. In 2017, about 155 students attended the college. It also has a special education program for students who need extra support.

For students who want to continue their schooling up to Year 12, the closest high school is Gympie State High School. This school is located in the town of Gympie.

Things to Do in Imbil

Community Hubs

The Gympie Regional Council runs a public library in Imbil. It's a great place to find books and learn new things. The Imbil branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association also meets in the town hall. This group helps women in rural areas.

Sports and Clubs

Imbil has a Bowls Club on Yabba Road, where people can play lawn bowls. The town is also home to the Mary Valley Stags Rugby League Club. This is a local team that plays rugby league.

Exciting Events

Mary Valley Art Festival

Imbil hosts the annual Mary Valley Art Festival. This festival started in 2000. It's a chance for artists to show their work. You can see all the amazing artwork at the Imbil public hall.

International Rally of Queensland

The town is also a big part of the International Rally of Queensland. This is a motor rally event where race cars compete. It's a very old and famous event in Australia. The rally stages are held in the forests around Imbil. The showgrounds in town are turned into garages for about 70 race cars during the three-day event.

Images for kids

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  Imbil War Memorial, 2008