Toogoolawah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids ToogoolawahQueensland |
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Post office
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 Toogoolawah
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 1,200 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 27.6/km2 (71/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4313 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 43.4 km2 (16.8 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Somerset Region | ||||||||||||||
| County | Cavendish | ||||||||||||||
| Parish | Biarra | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Nanango | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Blair | ||||||||||||||
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Toogoolawah (pronounced too-GOO-lə-wə) is a small country town and area in the Somerset Region of Queensland, Australia. In 2021, about 1,200 people lived in Toogoolawah.
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Exploring Toogoolawah
Toogoolawah is located in South East Queensland. It's known as a great place for exciting activities like gliding (flying in a plane without an engine) and parachuting (jumping out of a plane with a parachute). In the past, it was also a big center for dairy farming, which means raising cows to produce milk.
The Brisbane Valley Highway runs through the town. You'll also find Cressbrook Creek here, which flows into the Brisbane River.
How Toogoolawah Got Its Name
The area around Toogoolawah was first called Cressbrook. This name came from a large farm called Cressbrook Station.
The town later got its current name, Toogoolawah, from its old railway station. In 1903, the McConnel family, who owned land there, suggested the name Tugulawah. This was the name of their home in Bulimba, Brisbane. They had first suggested Bakewell, after a village in England. However, the Queensland Railways Department wanted an Aboriginal name.
The name Toogoolawah comes from Aboriginal words. "Dhoo" means "tree," and "goo/lawa" means "crescent-shaped" or "bent like a crescent moon." It likely referred to a tree with a bent trunk at the Bulimba property.
A Look Back in Time: Toogoolawah's History
Toogoolawah has a rich history, starting with its early schools and the arrival of the railway.
Early Schools and Development
- 1881: Cressbrook Provisional School opened, but it closed soon after in 1882 because not enough students attended.
- 1904: The land that is now Toogoolawah was divided into smaller farms and sold. This helped the town grow.
- 1904: The Brisbane Valley railway line was extended to the new town. This made it easier to transport goods and people.
- 1904: A small post office opened in June, becoming a full post office in July 1905.
- 1905: Toogoolawah Provisional School opened. It became Toogoolawah State School in 1909.
Churches and Community Life
- 1906: St Andrew's Anglican Church Hall was opened.
- 1912: St Andrew's Anglican Church was officially opened.
- 1940: The Cornerstone Lutheran Church opened. Its building was moved from another town called Jeebropilly.
Industry and Changes
- Soon after the railway opened, a factory was built to make condensed milk.
- 1929: The factory closed because the company, Nestlé, moved all its condensed milk production to another state. This caused the town's population to drop by half.
Remembering History
- 1917: The Toogoolawah War Memorial was unveiled. It honors those who served in World War I. It's special because it was built during the war, not after it like most memorials.
Modern Times
- 1988: Toogoolawah State High School opened, giving older students their own school.
- 2006: The Toogoolawah Library got a big upgrade.
- 2010-2011: Toogoolawah was partly cut off by floods during the 2010–2011 Queensland floods.
Local Landmarks and Buildings
Toogoolawah has several places that are important to its history.
Some of these heritage-listed sites include:
- The Toogoolawah War Memorial on Gunyah Street.
- St Andrew's Church, Toogoolawah on Mangerton Street.
- St Andrew's Church Hall, Toogoolawah on Mangerton Street.
- St Andrew's Rectory, Toogoolawah (the church's old house) on Mangerton Street.
Things to Do and See
- The Somerset Regional Council runs a public library on Gunyah Street, where you can find books and resources.
- There are three pubs (places to eat and drink) in Toogoolawah, all on the main road.
- Toogoolawah is home to a skydiving center. Here, you can try fun-jumping or tandem skydiving (jumping with an instructor).
Learning in Toogoolawah
Toogoolawah has schools for students of all ages.
- Toogoolawah State School is a primary school for children from Early Childhood (Kindergarten) to Year 6. It's located on Gardner Street.
- Toogoolawah State High School is a secondary school for students from Year 7 to Year 12. It's located on Old Mount Beppo Road.
- The Brisbane Valley Cluster Special Education Program also operates at the high school, providing special education for students from Early Childhood to Year 12.
Notable People
- Frederick Lancelot Nott was a dairy farmer from Toogoolawah. He also served as a politician in the Queensland government.
