Wetheron, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wetheron Queensland
Wetheron Location in Queensland
Population	40 (2021 census)
• Density	0.32/km2 (0.83/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4625
Area	125.8 km2 (48.6 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
LGA(s)	North Burnett Region
State electorate(s)	Callide
Federal Division(s)	Flynn
Localities around Wetheron: Yenda Mingo Mount Steadman Mount Lawless Wetheron Gooroolba Bon Accord Gayndah Ginoondan Byrnestown

Wetheron is a small country town in Queensland, Australia. It is located in the North Burnett Region. In 2021 census, only 40 people lived there, making it a very quiet place!

Exploring Wetheron's Location

Wetheron is a rural locality, meaning it's a country area with a small town at its center. A railway line used to go through Wetheron, and there was once a railway station there.

A long time ago, in 1897, a report described the land around Wetheron. It talked about good land with rich, dark soil. Some parts were called the "Wetheron Clear Lands" because they had very few trees. The main challenge for the area was finding enough water, but people could get good water by digging wells that were about 40 feet deep.

A Look Back at Wetheron's History

Early European Settlement

European people first settled in the Wetheron area in 1845. Two men, William Humphreys and Henry Arthur Herbert, started a large farm called a "run" on the south side of the Burnett River. This farm, known as Wetheron Head Station, was about 24,000 acres big. It was located about 12 miles from Gayndah and 70 miles from Maryborough.

In 1851, William Humphreys became the sole owner of Wetheron Head Station. He also owned another farm called Ginoondam. During his time, Chinese workers were employed at Wetheron.

Life at Wetheron Station

When Humphreys put the Wetheron farms up for sale in 1857, he described the main house as comfortable, with four rooms and a pantry. There was also a kitchen, a store, and a meat storage area. The farm had a house for the overseer (the person who managed the farm), a woolshed for shearing sheep, and houses for the shearers and other workers.

The property also had yards for horses and cattle, a small garden, and pigsties. There were seven smaller "out stations" with huts and yards, showing how large the farm was. The entire property included Wetheron Head Station, Ginoondam, Wateranga, and Gooroolballam stations.

Changes Over Time

Later, in 1857, Berkeley Basil Moreton and Osmond de Preaux Brock took over the station. Berkeley Moreton's brother, Seymour Moreton, joined the partnership in 1861.

In 1894, some parts of the Wetheron farm were divided up for new groups of settlers. By 1901, the Wetheron farm had become smaller, covering about 15,360 acres.

More land in Wetheron was opened up for farming in 1905. In 1908, the lease for the main farm ended.

Railway and Town Growth

When the Wetheron Railway Station opened in 1905, connecting the town to Maryborough, the small township started to grow. It had a new hotel, run by Mr. A. A. Morgan, and a fruit shop and general store. The railway line was extended from Wetheron to Gayndah in 1907.

Schools and Churches

Wetheron State School opened its doors on January 24, 1916. It was located on John Street. However, the school closed on December 31, 1963.

In 1925, another small school called Sefton Provisional School opened, but it closed just one year later in 1926.

In 1925, money was given to build a church in Wetheron. Mrs. Helen Gray donated land, and a hall was built. St John's Anglican Church was officially opened in 1927. This church is now closed.

Who Lives in Wetheron?

In 2016 census, there were 46 people living in Wetheron. By 2021 census, the population had slightly decreased to 40 people.

Education Opportunities

There are no schools located directly in Wetheron today. Children who live in Wetheron usually go to primary schools in nearby towns. The closest primary schools are Gayndah State School in Gayndah and Coalstoun Lakes State School in Coalstoun Lakes. For high school, students attend Burnett State College in Gayndah.