Mount Chalmers, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mount Chalmers Queensland
Rural landscape, Mount Chalmers, 2016
Mount Chalmers Location in Queensland
Population	226 (2021 census)
• Density	6.494/km2 (16.82/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4702
Area	34.8 km2 (13.4 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	29.45 km (18 mi) SW of Yeppoon 30.0 km (19 mi) NE of Frenchville 32.6 km (20 mi) NE of Rockhampton 652 km (405 mi) NNW of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Shire of Livingstone
State electorate(s)	Keppel
Federal Division(s)	Capricornia
Localities around Mount Chalmers: Ironpot Cawarral Cawarral Mount Archer Mount Chalmers Tungamull Mount Archer Nankin Nankin

Mount Chalmers is a small rural town and area in the Livingstone Shire in Queensland, Australia. It is a quiet place with a rich history, especially linked to mining. In 2021, about 226 people lived in Mount Chalmers.

Where is Mount Chalmers?

Mount Chalmers is located in the northern part of its local area. There is also a small neighbourhood called Mount Nicholson in the south.

This area has a few interesting hills and mountains:

• Cabbage Tree Hill, which is about 543 metres (1,781 feet) tall.
• Mount Chalmers itself, standing at about 146 metres (479 feet) high.
• Mount Standish, reaching about 423 metres (1,388 feet) tall.

A Look Back: Mount Chalmers History

Fitzroy Copper Mine, Mount Chalmers, 1907

Gold was first discovered in Mount Chalmers way back in 1860. However, serious gold mining didn't start until 1869. The town was named after a Mr. Chambers, who set up a special machine called a battery to crush rocks and get the gold out.

Later, in 1899, people started mining for copper in the area too.

Schools and Learning

Panoramic view of Mount Chalmers, circa 1909

Mount Chalmers Provisional School opened its doors on January 23, 1901. It became Mount Chalmers State School in 1909. Sadly, the school closed down at the end of 2006. In 2014, the local council bought the old school site. Today, it's used as a community centre.

A Catholic primary school, run by the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, also opened in 1913.

The Railway Line

In 1908, a railway line was built. It connected Mount Chalmers to other towns like Yeppoon. There were two train stations in the area: Mount Chalmers railway station and Mount Nicholson railway station.

Railway bridge on the Yeppoon railway line, Mount Chalmers, 2016

Passenger trains stopped running on this line in 1978, and the entire railway closed in 2004.

Population Changes

In 1911, Mount Chalmers was quite busy, with a population of 1,181 people. But when mining stopped in 1914, many people moved away. By 1921, the population had dropped significantly to just 95 people.

Who Lives in Mount Chalmers?

The number of people living in Mount Chalmers has changed over the years:

• In 2011, there were 216 people.
• In 2016, the population grew slightly to 235 people.
• In the most recent count in 2021, there were 226 people living in the area.

Education Today

There are no schools directly in Mount Chalmers now. Most students go to nearby schools. The closest primary school is Cawarral State School in Cawarral. For high school, students usually travel to North Rockhampton State High School in Frenchville or Yeppoon State High School in Yeppoon.

Community Life

The old Mount Chalmers State School building is now a busy place! It's home to the Mount Chalmers Community History Centre. There's also a small library run by volunteers, which is supported by the local council. It's a great spot for people in the community to gather and learn.