South Mackay, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids South Mackay Mackay, Queensland
Mackay Airport Terminal Building, 2016
South Mackay Location in Queensland
Population	6,706 (2016 census)
• Density	860/km2 (2,200/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4740
Area	7.8 km2 (3.0 sq mi)
LGA(s)	Mackay Region
State electorate(s)	Mackay
Federal Division(s)	Dawson
Suburbs around South Mackay: West Mackay Mackay East Mackay West Mackay South Mackay East Mackay Paget Paget Coral Sea

South Mackay is a coastal suburb located in Mackay, Queensland, Australia. It's part of the Mackay Region and sits right by the sea.

Exploring South Mackay's Geography

South Mackay is located just south of the main Mackay city area. It touches the Coral Sea, which is part of the Pacific Ocean. Most of the land here is very flat and close to sea level. There is one small hill in the south-east, about 10 meters high.

The flat land in South Mackay was perfect for building an airport. The Mackay Airport takes up the south-eastern part of the suburb. The rest of South Mackay has homes and many sports fields. You can find places like the Souths Rugby League Club and the Souths Hockey Club here. There's also the City Brothers Football Club and Harrup Park Country Club, which hosts cricket and AFL games.

A Look at South Mackay's History

South Mackay has an interesting past, especially with its schools and airport.

Early Schools in South Mackay

Mackay State High School first opened its doors on 5 February 1912. It was originally part of the Mackay Technical College. In 1959, the high school moved to its current location in Milton Street, South Mackay.

Our Lady of Mt Carmel School started on 23 November 1923. It was opened by the Sisters of Mercy. At first, some people wondered why the school was built so far from the main Mackay town. Later, the school became known as St Mary's Catholic School.

The Story of Mackay Airport

The idea for an airport in Mackay began in 1927. The local Chamber of Commerce heard that the Australian Government wanted to start airmail services. In 1928, they started looking for a good spot for an aerodrome, which is an old word for an airport.

The Mackay City Council agreed to provide land if an airport was needed. A pilot named Captain John Henry Arthur Treacy flew over Mackay. He said that the "Town Common" area looked like a very good place. It could be turned into an airport easily.

In 1929, Captain Treacy told Mackay to build an airport soon. He warned that other towns would get air services first if Mackay didn't act. The Chamber of Commerce was told that if Mackay had an airport, it would get airmail service several times a week.

In February 1930, the council was told the Town Common site would work. They just needed to remove trees and make the ground smooth. The council decided to go ahead with the plan.

On Monday, 21 April 1930, about 2,000 people gathered. They cheered as a plane called Star of Townsville landed on the new Mackay Aerodrome. The mayor, Alderman Wood, officially opened it. In 1931, the airport was approved for all types of planes.

Education in South Mackay

Mackay State High School is a public high school for students in years 7 to 12. It is located at 123 Milton Street. In 2016, the school had over 1,000 students. There were also many teachers and support staff helping students learn.