Kenilworth, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids KenilworthSunshine Coast, Queensland |
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Kenilworth Town Park
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 Kenilworth
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 604 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 3.204/km2 (8.30/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4574 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 188.5 km2 (72.8 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
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| LGA(s) | Sunshine Coast Region | ||||||||||||||
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Kenilworth is a small rural town in the Sunshine Coast Region of Queensland, Australia. It's a quiet place where many people live and work. In 2021, about 604 people called Kenilworth home.
Contents
Exploring Kenilworth's Location
Kenilworth is located in the beautiful Mary Valley area of the Sunshine Coast. It's a rural area, meaning it's mostly countryside, about 50 kilometres (31 miles) from the coast. The main industry here is dairy farming, which means lots of cows and milk!
Natural Parks and Forests
A big part of Kenilworth is covered by nature. The western side of the town is within the Conondale National Park. This is a protected area with lots of trees and wildlife. The northern part is in the Imbil State Forest, and the south-west has the Walli State Forest. These forests are great for exploring.
Kenilworth's Past: A Look Back in Time
The land around Kenilworth has a rich history, especially for the Aboriginal people.
Aboriginal Heritage
The Dalla people, also known as Dalambara, are the traditional owners of this land. Their language, Dalla, was spoken in the Upper Brisbane River area. The Mary River was originally called the Numabulla by the Aboriginal people, and the Kenilworth area itself was known as Hinka Booma.
How Kenilworth Got Its Name
In 1842, a man named Andrew Petrie named the river the Wide Bay River. But in 1847, Governor Fitzroy changed its name to Mary, after his wife.
The name Kenilworth came from a book! In 1850, Richard Joseph Smith started the first cattle farm on the Mary River. His wife was reading a novel by Sir Walter Scott called Kenilworth, and she decided to name their property after the book.
Early Settlers and Farming
Over time, more people came to Kenilworth. In 1877, a large area of land was set aside for small farmers. Many settlers arrived in 1891, hoping to grow crops. However, after big floods in 1893, 1895, and 1898 destroyed their crops, most people switched to dairy farming and raising pigs.
In 1901, the Kenilworth Farmers' Association was formed. They built a hall in 1907, which was used for a library and dances. This group also helped set up a butter factory in Caboolture in 1907, helping farmers sell their dairy products.
Growth of the Town
The town slowly grew. A post office opened by 1926, though a smaller "receiving office" had been there since 1896. The first store in Kenilworth opened in 1924, and a butcher's shop appeared in 1925.
Schools in Kenilworth
Education has been important in Kenilworth for a long time.
- The first school, Kenilworth Provisional School, opened on 22 January 1900. It later became Kenilworth State School but closed in 1959. This school was in the area now called Gheerulla.
- A new school, Kenilworth Township Provisional School, opened in the main town area on 21 October 1924. It later became Kenilworth State School and then Kenilworth State Community College. Today, it teaches primary school students (Prep to Year 6).
Community Buildings
The Kenilworth Hall opened in the town on 21 October 1924. It was even used to show silent movies in 1926! In 1933, the hall was moved to a new spot, which became a public recreation ground.
Kenilworth also had several churches built over the years:
- The Kenilworth Baptist Church was built in 1937. It's no longer there today.
- St John Bosco Roman Catholic Church was built in 1938 on a hill overlooking the town.
- St Luke's Anglican Church was built in 1954.
Kenilworth Cheese Factory
The Kenilworth Cheese Factory first opened in 1952. It was bought by former employees in 1990 and is now known as Kenilworth Dairies. They make delicious cheese and other dairy products!
Kenilworth's Population Over Time
The number of people living in Kenilworth has changed over the years:
- In 2006, there were 238 people.
- In 2011, the population grew to 559 people.
- In 2016, it was 558 people.
- In 2021, the population increased to 604 people.
Historic Places in Kenilworth
Kenilworth has some places that are listed as important heritage sites because of their history:
- Kenilworth Homestead, located on Eumundi-Kenilworth Road, is one of these special places.
Learning in Kenilworth
Kenilworth State Community College is the local primary school for boys and girls. It teaches students from Prep (the first year of school) up to Year 6. In 2018, about 59 students attended the school. It also has a special program for students who need extra support.
For high school, students from Kenilworth usually go to Mary Valley State College in nearby Imbil (for Years 7-10) or Maleny State High School in Maleny (for Years 7-12).
Local Services and Places
- The Sunshine Coast Regional Council runs a public library at 4A Elizabeth Street, where you can borrow books and use computers.
- St Luke's Anglican Church is located at 17 Anne Street.
- St John Bosco Roman Catholic Church is at 21 Anne Street.
Fun Things to Do in Kenilworth
Kenilworth offers several interesting places to visit and activities to enjoy:
Kenilworth Living History Museum
The town has a 'Living History' Museum. Here, you can watch a video about the district's past and see displays that show what life was like long ago. It's a great way to learn about Kenilworth's history.
Kenilworth Homestead
Kenilworth Homestead is a historic property that was once a huge cattle station. Today, it's much smaller, but the original homestead buildings have been carefully restored. It's now used as a camping and horse riding centre, offering a fun outdoor experience.
Other Attractions
- You can visit the local cheese factory to see how cheese is made and perhaps even taste some!
- The Kenilworth State Forest is a great place for walking, camping, and even 4-wheel driving adventures.
