Westbrook, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Westbrook Toowoomba, Queensland
Main Street, Westbrook, looking toward Mount Rascal
Westbrook Location in Queensland
Population	4,408 (2021 census)
• Density	72.62/km2 (188.1/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4350
Area	60.7 km2 (23.4 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	10.5 km (7 mi) SW of Toowoomba CBD 137 km (85 mi) W of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Toowoomba Region
State electorate(s)	Condamine
Federal Division(s)	Groom
Localities around Westbrook: Biddeston Wellcamp Glenvale Biddeston Westbrook Drayton Athol Wyreema Finnie

Westbrook is a rural town and area in the Toowoomba Region of Queensland, Australia. It's a place where you can find both farms and homes. In 2021, about 4,408 people called Westbrook home. It's growing fast and many people who work in nearby Toowoomba live here.

Exploring Westbrook's Landscape

Bunkers Hill, 2020

Westbrook is located in a lovely area with some interesting natural features. The main road, called the Gore Highway, goes right through the town. Another big road, the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing, passes by the western side of Westbrook.

There are also two hills in Westbrook:

• Bunkers Hill: This hill is about 631 meters (2,070 feet) tall.
• Sugarloaf: This one is a bit shorter, at about 598 meters (1,962 feet) tall.

Westbrook's Past: A Look at History

Open carriage outside the Westbrook Station homestead, circa 1877

The name Westbrook comes from a large farm called the Westbrook pastoral run. A person named John 'Tinker' Campbell gave it this name in 1841. It's thought the name simply means a "west brook" or stream.

In 1877, a large part of the Westbrook farm was divided into smaller farms. This allowed more people to settle and farm the land.

Schools and Learning in Westbrook

Schools have been an important part of Westbrook's history.

• Bunker's Hill State School first opened its doors on January 1, 1899.
• Westbrook Provisional School started on July 25, 1887. It later changed its name to Athol Provisional School and then Athol State School before closing in 1962.
• Westbrook Crossing State School opened in 1910. It was later renamed Westbrook State School and closed in 1969.

Westbrook State School, 1930

Westbrook's Reformatory School

A special school called Westbrook Reformatory School for Boys opened in 1900. It was a place for boys who needed extra guidance. Over the years, its name changed several times. It was called Farm Home for Boys, Westbrook, then Westbrook Training Centre, and finally Westbrook Youth Detention Centre. This center closed in 1994.

Churches in Westbrook

Westbrook has also been home to different churches.

• Westbrook Presbyterian Church opened in 1902. The land was given by local people, and the building was a gift from Frederick George Gray Couper. It used to be a billiard room! The church later built a new building in 1952. This church building was sold around 1995 and is now a house.
• A Catholic church also opened in Westbrook on February 20, 1920.

Remembering Heroes: Westbrook War Memorial

Westbrook War Memorial, Anzac Day 1922

On Anzac Day in 1922, the Westbrook War Memorial was officially revealed. This memorial remembers the 47 local men who served in World War I. You can find it on Main Street, in front of the Westbrook Hall.

Westbrook's Population Growth

Westbrook has been growing steadily.

• In 2016, about 3,885 people lived in Westbrook.
• By 2021, the population had grown to 4,408 people. This shows that more and more people are choosing to live in this area.

Places of Historical Importance

Westbrook has some sites that are listed for their historical value. These are places that are important to the town's past.

• Westbrook Homestead: This is the original large farm that the town was named after.
• Westbrook War Memorial: This memorial honors the soldiers from Westbrook.

Education in Westbrook Today

Bunker's Hill State School, circa 2022

Today, Westbrook has one main school:

• Bunker's Hill State School is a primary school for students from Preparation (like kindergarten) to Grade 6. It's for both boys and girls. In 2018, about 253 students attended this school.

For older students, there are no high schools directly in Westbrook. The closest government high school is Harristown State High School in a nearby area called Harristown.

Community Life and Amenities

Westbrook offers several services and places for its residents to enjoy.

Library Services

The Toowoomba Regional Council provides library services to Westbrook. A special mobile library van visits Main Street every Saturday. This means you can borrow books and other materials right in your town!

Parks and Green Spaces

Westbrook has several parks where you can play, relax, and enjoy the outdoors.

• Carla Crescent Park
• Centenary Park
• Ferguson Road Park
• Michael Street Park
• Westbrook Park