Penguin, Tasmania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids PenguinTasmania |
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Penguin-themed rubbish bin in the town
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 Penguin
Location in Tasmania
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| Population | 4,132 (2021 census) |
| Established | 1861 |
| Postcode(s) | 7316 |
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Central Coast Council |
| State electorate(s) | Braddon |
| Federal Division(s) | Braddon |
Penguin is a town on the north coast of Tasmania, Australia. It is part of the Central Coast Council area. The town is located on the Bass Highway. It sits between the towns of Burnie and Ulverstone. In 2021, Penguin had a population of 4,132 people.
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History of Penguin
Penguin was first settled in 1861. It began as a town focused on timber. The town was officially named on October 25, 1875. Because of its thick forests and easy access to the sea, Penguin became an important port. Large amounts of timber were sent across Bass Strait to Victoria. This was especially important during the gold rushes of the 1850s.
The town was named by a scientist named Ronald Campbell Gunn. He named it after the many little penguins that live along the coast.
Trade started when a wharf was built in 1870. This allowed timber and potatoes to be sent out from the town. A silver mine opened near the foreshore in 1870 but closed a year later.
The railway arrived in Penguin in 1901 from Ulverstone. After this, trade by sea became less common. In 1906, Tasmania was divided into 48 local areas. Penguin's first local council was chosen in 1907. In 1993, the Penguin council joined with the Ulverstone council. Together, they formed the Central Coast Council.
Aboriginal History of the Area
About 12,000 years ago, Tasmania became an island, separated from mainland Australia. When Europeans arrived in 1803, about 4,000 to 5,000 Aboriginal people lived there. They were semi-nomadic, meaning they moved around. They managed the land and its changing environment.
There were about 48 Aboriginal groups in Tasmania. They spoke at least four different languages. The Northern people included three or four groups. Their lands stretched along the coast from Port Sorell to Penguin. In winter, the Northern people would leave the cold inland areas. They traveled to the coast and gathered at places like Panatana.
The Northern people also had access to important ochre deposits. Ochre is a natural earth pigment used for art and ceremonies. A mine site at Gog Range, now called Toolumbunner, shows activity dating back to the 15th century.
The arrival of colonists in northern Tasmania was a difficult time. There were many conflicts between 1826 and 1834. Many Aboriginal people were captured or taken from their homes. Sadly, by 1847, there were no Northern people remaining.
Recent Changes in Penguin
From 2005 to 2008, a property developer tried to buy land along the beachfront in Penguin. He wanted to build four-story buildings. People in the town had different ideas about this plan. In the end, the developer decided not to go ahead with the project.
To help protect the town's history, many buildings in the town center were listed as heritage sites. Penguin now has 30 heritage-listed places.
In August 2020, a big project started to protect the Penguin foreshore. This project costs $6.5 million. It will make the existing wave-break wall stronger. New walls will also be built where they are needed. The project also includes new ramps, stairs, and a car park. This work became very important because of increased tides. These tides, possibly due to climate change, caused erosion and waves to crash onto the main road.
Education in Penguin
Penguin has one public school called Penguin District School. This school teaches students from kindergarten all the way to Year 12. It is currently located on two different campuses. A new single campus is being built to bring all year levels together. This new campus is expected to be finished by 2022.
Penguin also has a private school called North West Christian School. It is one of only two Seventh-day Adventist schools in Tasmania. This school also teaches students from kindergarten to Year 12.
Attractions in Penguin
One of Penguin's most famous attractions is the Big Penguin. It is a large statue located in the town center, across from the Post Office. It was made from ferro cement and then covered with fiberglass. The Big Penguin was unveiled on October 25, 1975. It was put there to celebrate 100 years since the town was named. You might also notice that all the street rubbish bins in Penguin are decorated with small cement fairy penguins!
The town sits at the base of the Dial Range. This is a small mountain range. There are four mountains in the Penguin area with popular hiking trails. These include Mount Montgomery, Mount Dial, Mount Gnomon, and Mount Duncan. The four house names at Penguin District School are named after these mountains.
The Penguin General Cemetery overlooks Bass Strait. It opened in the 1860s and closed in 1977. It was listed as a heritage site in 2007. In 2015, a special event called the "Penguin Twilight Celebration of the Dead" was held there. It was a music event among the tombstones. This event remembered the cemetery's history. A sculpture called "Children of the World" by artist Keith Smith stands in a garden there. It is dedicated to the many unnamed children buried in the cemetery.
Since 2018, many shops in the town center decorate themselves in pink. This event is called "Pink Up Your Town". It is a fundraising activity for the McGrath Foundation, which supports breast cancer patients. This event has also helped the community improve the foreshore.
In July 2020, a new art piece was installed. It features a mosaic on the front and a word-jumble on the back. This artwork celebrates how all people, even those facing challenges, contribute to our communities.
The town also released a tourist app in 2020 called "Ambling among Penguin's charms". In 2022, the app was translated into Chinese. In 2023, Japanese was added to the free town walk app. The Penguin General Cemetery also has its own app, "Stories from Penguin's Heritage Cemetery". It was launched in February 2022.
Notable Residents
Penguin has been home to several notable people:
- Amy Cure: A world champion track cyclist. She won a gold medal in 2014.
- Alannah Hill: A famous fashion designer. She lived in Penguin during her childhood. Her parents owned a milk bar in the town.
- Trevor Kaine: The second Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory. He was born in Penguin in 1928.
- Russell Robertson: A former Australian rules footballer for the Melbourne Demons. He went to Penguin High School.
- John Wilton: A politician who was a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly. He was born in Penguin in 1925.
- Daryl Guest: A clinical researcher and academic. He was the Chair of the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand Board.
Images for kids
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Pablo the penguin, just one of the many colourful penguins in, and about, Penguin
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Penguin Big Penguin
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Penguin General Cemetery's interpretative signage
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Children of the World sculpture
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Uniting Church in Penguin
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Penguin, Tasmania (1919)
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