Marian, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Marian Queensland
Pioneer River at the Marian Sugar Mill in the Mackay district, circa 1915
Marian Location in Queensland
Population	4,224 (2021 census)
• Density	50.95/km2 (132.0/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4753
Area	82.9 km2 (32.0 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	9.1 km (6 mi) E of Mirani 28.2 km (18 mi) W of Mackay CBD 988 km (614 mi) NNW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Mackay Region
State electorate(s)	Mirani
Federal Division(s)	Capricornia
Localities around Marian: Devereux Creek Hampden Balnagowan Mirani Marian Pleystowe Greenmount Kinchant Dam North Eton Victoria Plains

Marian is a small town and area in Queensland, Australia. It's part of the Mackay Region. In 2021, about 4,224 people lived there.

Where is Marian?

Marian is located in Queensland, Australia. It sits on the south side of the Pioneer River, about 24 kilometers (15 miles) west of a bigger city called Mackay. The Pioneer River forms the northern edge of the town.

To the east, you'll find Mount Vince, which is covered in trees. Around Marian, there's a lot of farmland. Farmers mostly grow sugar cane here. A special network of train tracks helps move the sugar cane to the Marian Mill, which was built in 1885.

A Look Back in Time

The town of Marian got its name from the Marian railway station, which is now closed. The railway station itself was named after a local property called Mary Ann.

Early Churches and Post Office

The first Catholic church in Marian opened in 1901. It was a simple wooden building. A Presbyterian church also opened in 1902. The Marian Mill Post Office started in 1909 and was renamed Marian in 1910.

A Famous Singer's Connection

In 1882, a woman named Helen Porter Mitchell married Charles Armstrong. He was the manager of the Marian Sugar Mill. Helen later became very famous as the opera singer Dame Nellie Melba. They had a house built next to the mill.

Their marriage didn't last long, and they separated in 1883. Later, their old home was moved to a park near the river. It's now called Melba House and works as a museum about Nellie Melba. It's also a visitor center for the Pioneer Valley area.

Schools in Marian

The Marian Mill Provisional School first opened its doors on November 15, 1886. In 1899, it became the Marian State School.

Front elevation of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 1926

In 1921, a group of nuns called the Sisters of Mercy started a convent in Marian. They wanted to open a Catholic school. The Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School officially opened in 1924. This school closed down in 1987.

A new, impressive Catholic church called Holy Rosary Catholic Church was opened in 1927. It was built in a style called Romanesque. The older church building was moved to a lower spot on the same land.

How Many People Live Here?

The number of people living in Marian has grown over the years:

• In 2011, about 3,019 people lived in Marian.
• In 2016, the population grew to 3,903 people.
• By 2021, Marian had a population of 4,224 people.

What Marian is Known For

Sugar Production

Mackay Sugar runs the Marian sugar mill. This mill processes over 2 million tonnes of sugar every year! This makes it one of the biggest sugar mills in Australia.

Growth and Development

Marian, like many towns in Central Queensland, grew a lot during a time when mining was very busy. During this period, a new housing area called Nabilla Riverlink Estate was built in Marian. Many of Marian's residents live in this estate today.

Education in Marian

Primary School

Marian State School is a government primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It's located at 137 Anzac Avenue. In 2018, the school had 564 students.

Special Education

The Pioneer Valley Cluster Special Education Program also operates from Marian State School. This program helps students from Prep to Year 12 who need special education support.

Secondary School

There isn't a high school right in Marian. Most high school students go to Mirani State High School, which is in the nearby town of Mirani.

Things to Do and See

Library Service

The Mackay Regional Council offers a mobile library service. It visits the Mackay-Eungella Road near the school every two weeks, so you can borrow books and more!

Shopping and Services

Marian Town Centre is a shopping area in Marian. It opened in 2013 and has a Woolworths supermarket, The Reject Shop, a Subway restaurant, and a Porters Mitre 10 hardware store.

Churches and Parks

Holy Rosary Catholic Church is located at 284 Anzac Avenue.

There are also several parks in the area where you can relax and play:

• Anzac Park
• Lloyd Park

The Mackay Regional Council also looks after other parks, walking and bike paths, and a cemetery in the Marian area.