Wallumbilla, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids WallumbillaQueensland |
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Newsagency and general store
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 Wallumbilla
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 331 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 3.525/km2 (9.13/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4428 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 320 m (1,050 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 93.9 km2 (36.3 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Maranoa Region | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Warrego | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Maranoa | ||||||||||||||
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Wallumbilla is a small town and area in the Maranoa Region of Queensland, Australia. It is a rural place, meaning it's mostly about farming and nature. In 2021, about 331 people lived in the Wallumbilla area. About 191 of these people lived right in the town itself.
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Where is Wallumbilla?
Wallumbilla is located in South West Queensland. It sits on the Warrego Highway, which is a main road. If you drive from Brisbane, the capital city, it takes about five hours to reach Wallumbilla. It's just east of a bigger town called Roma.
North of Wallumbilla, you'll find a part of the Great Dividing Range. Here, it's not huge mountains, but more like bumpy hills that divide where water flows. The town is nestled between two creeks, Wallumbilla Creek and Middle Creek. These creeks flow south towards the Condamine River.
Wallumbilla is also on the Western railway line. This means trains pass through the town and stop at the Wallumbilla railway station.
Wallumbilla's Past
The name Wallumbilla comes from an old cattle property. It is thought to be from the local Mandandanji language. People believe it means "plenty of jew fish," with wallu meaning "plenty" and billa meaning "jew fish."
The first school in Wallumbilla opened on October 25, 1893. It was called Wallumbilla Provisional School. It became Wallumbilla State School in 1894. Later, in 1964, the school started offering classes for older students (secondary schooling). A swimming pool was added to the school in 1981.
In 1929, a special building called the Wallumbilla School of Arts Memorial Hall was opened. This hall is still an important community place.
In 1956, there was a train accident at the Wallumbilla railway station. A memorial stands at the station to remember those who were hurt or lost their lives.
More recently, in 2017, a new building was built for the Rural Fire station and the SES. These groups help people during emergencies like fires or floods.
How Many People Live Here?
The number of people living in Wallumbilla has changed over the years:
- In 2006, the town had 285 people.
- In 2011, the Wallumbilla area had 262 people.
- In 2016, the Wallumbilla area had 388 people, with 191 living in the town.
- In 2021, the Wallumbilla area had 331 people.
Special Old Buildings
Wallumbilla has some places that are important because of their history. These are called heritage-listed sites. One of them is the Nostalgic Queen's Theatre on George Street.
What Wallumbilla Does
Wallumbilla's main jobs used to be about dairy farms and raising beef cattle. Now, the main jobs are growing crops and still raising beef cattle. The most common crops grown here are sorghum and wheat.
People in Wallumbilla believe that if gas hadn't been found near Roma, Wallumbilla might have become a bigger town itself. When gas was discovered in Roma in 1908, the cattle sale yards from Wallumbilla moved there. This helped Roma grow a lot.
A big gas hub, which is a central place for gas operations, was planned for Wallumbilla and started working around 2014.
Learning in Wallumbilla
Wallumbilla State School is a school for both primary and secondary students (from Prep to Year 10). It is located at 22 High Street. In 2018, the school had 126 students. Many of these students come from farms and properties around the town. Some high school students also come from nearby towns like Jackson and Yuleba.
For students who want to continue their schooling past Year 10, the closest high schools are in Roma (about 40 kilometers away) and Miles (about 90 kilometers away). These schools offer Years 11 and 12.
Town Facilities
Wallumbilla has several important facilities for its community:
- The Wallumbilla Police Station is on the corner of Flinders Street and High Street.
- The Wallumbilla Rural Fire Station and SES Facility is a combined center for emergency services.
- The Wallumbilla Community Clinic, sometimes called Wallumbilla Hospital, is a government health center.
- The Wallumbilla Monumental & Lawn Cemetery is a place for burials.
What to Do and See
The Calico Cottage in Wallumbilla is a great place to visit. It's the town's Visitor Information Centre and is open every day. You can find local arts and crafts there, and also buy refreshments. The Calico Cottage is also where intercity buses, like those from Greyhound Australia, stop regularly.
The town also has three churches and a Masonic Hall. You can find a hotel or pub, a news agency, and a petrol station.
Wallumbilla has a heritage complex that tells the story of the town. The Maranoa Regional Council operates a Public Library in George Street.
The Wallumbilla branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association has its rooms on College Street. This group helps women and communities in rural areas.
The Wallumbilla School of Arts Memorial Hall is another important community building on Chadstone Street.
