Murgon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids MurgonQueensland |
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The park on the main street of Murgon
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Population | 2,378 (2016 census locality) | ||||||||||||||
• Density | 36.03/km2 (93.3/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
Postcode(s) | 4605 | ||||||||||||||
Area | 66.0 km2 (25.5 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
Location | |||||||||||||||
LGA(s) | South Burnett Region | ||||||||||||||
State electorate(s) | Nanango | ||||||||||||||
Federal Division(s) | Wide Bay | ||||||||||||||
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Murgon is a rural town and locality in the South Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, the locality of Murgon had a population of 2,378 people.
History
Murgon Post Office opened by June 1908 (a receiving office had been open from 1904).
The foundation stone of the Murgon War Memorial was laid on 25 April 1920 (ANZAC Day) by Lieutenant Colonel Wilder Neligan. On 11 November 1921, the digger memorial was dedicated by RSL chairman, Major General Spencer Browne.
In the early 20th century the Nanango railway line reached the town. The town was the administrative centre for the former Shire of Murgon which existed from 1914 until 2008.
Heritage listings
Murgon has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
- Macalister Street: former South Burnett Co-operative Dairy Association Factory
- 62-70 Lamb Street: Murgon Civic Centre
Fossils
Murgon is also close to a famous fossil site. The Murgon fossil site is the only such site in Australia with a diverse vertebrate fauna dating to the early Eocene epoch, around 55 million years ago, only 10 million years after the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Amenities
The South Burnett Regional Council operates a library in Murgon.
Education
Murgon State School is a government primary (Early Childhood-6) school for boys and girls at 91 Gore Street (26°14′23″S 151°56′36″E / 26.2397°S 151.9433°E). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 242 students with 21 teachers and 23 non-teaching staff (14 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program.
St Joseph's School is a Catholic primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 32 Angel Avenue (26°14′22″S 151°56′46″E / 26.2394°S 151.9462°E). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 107 students with 12 teachers and 14 non-teaching staff (9 full-time equivalent).
Murgon State High School is a government secondary (7-12) school for boys and girls at 2 Dutton Street (26°14′14″S 151°56′41″E / 26.2372°S 151.9446°E). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 347 students with 43 teachers (41 full-time equivalent) and 30 non-teaching staff (24 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program.
Notable residents
Notable residents of Murgon include:
- Gavin Cooper, Australian rugby league player born in Murgon
- John Mickel, Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly born in Murgon
- Steve Renouf, Australian rugby league player born in Murgon
- Leah Purcell, Australian actress, director and writer was born in Murgon.