Kogan, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids KoganQueensland |
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Kogan State School, 2024
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 Kogan
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 211 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 0.3380/km2 (0.875/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4406 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 624.2 km2 (241.0 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Western Downs Region | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Warrego | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Maranoa | ||||||||||||||
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Kogan is a small rural town and area in the Western Downs Region of Queensland, Australia. It's known for its farming and energy industries. In 2021, the Kogan area had a population of 211 people.
Contents
Exploring Kogan's Landscape
The Kogan area is shaped a bit like an upside-down "U". The town of Kogan itself is in the north-west part of this area. Several main roads connect Kogan to other towns. These include roads leading to Montrose, Warra, Dalby, and Tara.
Rivers and Creeks in Kogan
Several waterways flow through or near Kogan. The Condamine River runs along Kogan's north-eastern border. Wilkie Creek and Wambo Creek also flow through the area. Kogan Creek, which passes right through the town, is another important waterway. All these creeks eventually join the Condamine River.
Land Use and Forests
The lower, flatter parts of Kogan are mostly used for grazing animals. Higher areas, around 400 metres above sea level, remain as natural bushland. Most of the land in Kogan is privately owned. However, there are two state forests, Dalby State Forest and Braemer State Forest, located in the eastern part of the area. Kogan is also part of the Surat Basin, a large geological area.
Kogan's Past: A Brief History
The name Kogan comes from an old grazing property called Kogan Creek. This property was owned by different people in the mid-1800s. The name probably comes from Kogai, which was one of the Aboriginal tribes from this region.
Early Transport and Hotels
Before railways were built, Kogan was an important stop for coaches traveling between Dalby and Roma. There was even a hotel called the Kogan Inn. But when the railway line was completed, coaches were no longer needed, and the hotel eventually closed.
Schools Through the Years
Kogan has had several schools over its history.
- Kogan Provisional School first opened in 1897. It closed for a short time but reopened in 1905 and became Kogan State School in 1910.
- Other schools like Perth Provisional School, Brooklyn Provisional School, Kogan North State School, and Millbank State School also operated in the Kogan area at different times, but they have all since closed.
The Wilkie Creek Coal Mine
The Wilkie Creek coal mine started operating in 1994. It was later bought by a company called Peabody Energy in 2002.
Kogan's Economy: Energy and Farming
Kogan is a hub for energy production. Many parts of Kogan have petroleum leases, meaning companies can extract oil and gas. There are also many coal seam gas wells and pipelines in the south-east of the area.
The Wilkie Creek Coal Mine Today
The Wilkie Creek coal mine is an open cut mine located on the eastern edge of Kogan. It produces a special type of coal called thermal coal, which is low in nitrogen and sulfur. This coal is transported by train to the Port of Brisbane. From there, it's shipped to Asia and used to generate electricity.
Power Stations in Kogan
Kogan is home to several power stations that generate electricity:
- The gas-powered Darling Downs Power Station.
- The gas-powered Braemar Power Station, which actually has two parts: Braemar 1 and Braemar 2.
- The gas-powered Daandine Power Station.
- The Darling Downs Solar Farm, which uses solar panels to create clean energy.
The main type of farming in Kogan is grazing, where animals like cattle are raised on the natural grasslands.
Learning in Kogan
Kogan State School is a government primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It's located on High Street in Kogan. In 2018, the school had 24 students.
There isn't a high school in Kogan. Students who want to continue their education after primary school usually travel to nearby towns. The closest high schools are in Chinchilla, Jandowae, Dalby, and Tara.
Community Facilities
The Kogan District Rural Fire Brigade is located on the corner of High Street and Henry Street. This fire brigade helps keep the community safe.
Remembering Hugh Sawrey
The famous Australian painter Hugh Sawrey spent many years living in the Kogan area. He was known for painting murals on local buildings to pay for things. After serving in World War II, he came to Kogan to work on cattle stations. He even painted murals for the Kogan Hotel and the ceiling of the Kogan post office.
A Documentary and a Sculpture
In 2009, a documentary film about Hugh Sawrey was made. It was called Banjo Paterson with a Paintbrush. This film premiered at the Art at Kogan festival, with the Queensland Governor attending.
Kogan honors Hugh Sawrey with a special sculpture and walkway. The sculpture, called Bush Friendship, is on the Kogan-Condamine Road. It shows Sawrey sitting across a table from his friend, Nelson "Darkie" Dwyer, who used to run the Kogan Hotel. They are shown playing cards, just as they often did. This life-sized bronze sculpture is part of the Hugh Sawrey Walk of Fame. There's also a sculpture of a stockman on a horse at the entrance to the Kogan Community Centre, reflecting themes Sawrey often painted.
