Babinda Explained

Type:town
City:Cairns
Babinda
State:qld
Coordinates:-17.3439°N 145.9214°W
Local Map:yes
Zoom:11
Established:circa 1880 - circa 1900
Postcode:4861
Area:39.9
Timezone:AEST
Utc:+10:00
Dist1:29.6
Dir1:NNW
Location1:Innisfail, Queensland
Dist2:36.2
Dir2:SE
Location2:Gordonvale
Dist3:59.1
Dir3:S
Location3:Cairns
Dist4:1625
Dir4:NNW
Location4:Brisbane
Lga:Cairns Region
Stategov:Hill
Fedgov:Kennedy
Elevation:18.3
Maxtemp:27.66
Mintemp:19.92
Rainfall:4279.4
Near-N:Bellenden Ker
Near-Ne:East Russell
Near-E:East Russell
Near-Se:Eubenangee
Near-S:Mirriwinni
Near-Sw:Mirriwinni
Near-W:Wooroonooran
Near-Nw:Wooroonooran

Babinda is a rural town and locality in the Cairns Region, Queensland, Australia.[1] [2] Babinda and Tully annually compete for the Golden Gumboot, an award for Australia's wettest town. Babinda is usually the winner, recording an annual average rainfall of over each year.[3] In the, the locality of Babinda had a population of 1,287 people.

Babinda is located south of Cairns and was known for historically being a “sugar town”.

Geography

Babinda is located 59.1km (36.7miles) south of Cairns.

The town is noted for its proximity to Queensland's two highest mountains Mount Bartle Frere (Queensland's highest peak) and Mount Bellenden Ker.

The Bruce Highway enters the locality from the south (Mirriwinni), passes through the town, and exits to the north (Bellenden Ker). The North Coast railway line also enters the locality from the south (Mirrinwinni), passes through the town, and exits to the north (Bellenden Ker). The locality was served by two railway stations:[4]

History

Babinda takes its name from the local Indigenous Australian language for mountain.[6] Other sources, however, claim it is a Yidinji word for water, possibly referring to the high rainfall of the area.[1] [7]

Operations to build a sugar mill commenced in 1914 and support services were expanded around this (see Babinda Sugar Mill).

Babinda State School opened on 4 November 1914.[8] Initially occupying temporary premises, the school's first permanent site was 24-34 Church Street, now Babinda Swimming Pool and adjacent properties.[9] In 1963, it expanded to offer secondary schooling to Year 10. The school relocated to its present site in Boulders Road in 1969, although it continued to use some facilities on the old site until 1973. In 1983, the school expanded to offer secondary schooling to Year 12.[10]

Babinda Post Office opened by 1915 (a Babinda Creek receiving office had been open since 1891).[11] The Babinda Sugar Mill opened on 15 September 1915. It closed on 23 February 2011.[12] It was the main source of revenue and economic activity in the local area. Babinda was known for historically being a “sugar town” and the Mill was described as being the “lifeblood of the town”.[13]

On 20 April 1916, the Cane Beetles March commenced at Mooliba (now Mirriwinni). It was a snowball march to recruit men into the Australian Imperial Force during World War I at a time when enthusiasm to enlist had waned after the loss of life in the Gallipoli campaign. The march began at Mooliba with 4 men, passing through Babinda, Aloomba, Gordonvale, and Edmonton, and ending in Cairns 60 kilometres later with 29 recruits.[14] [15]

Babinda Presbyterian church was officially opened on 5 November 1916 by Reverend S. Mitchell.

On Sunday 18 March 1917, Bishop John Heavey laid the foundation for Babinda's Catholic Church.[16] Heavey returned on Sunday 15 July to dedicate the church.[17]

On 10 March 1918, a cyclone badly damaged the town with some reports saying that no building was left standing.[18] [19] [20] An entire train at the railway station was blown over.[21] Both the Presbyterian and Catholic churches were "blown to pieces".[22] [23]

On Sunday 16 March 1919, the new Presbyterian Church was officially opened by the Reverend Fixter.[24]

On Sunday 9 July 1922, Heavey officially opened and blessed the rebuilt Catholic church.[25]

In November 1924, fund raising commenced for a Catholic school in Babinda.[26] On 25 January 1926, the Sisters of Mercy opened St Rita's Catholic primary school, conducing classes for an initial 34 students inside the church.[27] On 8 December 1945, Bishop Heavey officially opened the new two-storey brick school building, which replaced an earlier timber building.[28] [29] In 1948, it expanded to also offer secondary schooling, but, due to low enrolments, closed the secondary schooling in 1951.The Babinda War Memorial was unveiled by the chairman of the Cairns Shire Council Seymour Warner on 25 April 1927.[30]

The Babinda Parish of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Vicariate of Cooktown (now the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns) was established in 1934.

The Babinda Public Library building opened in 1955.[31]

In March 2006, Babinda was struck by Cyclone Larry, damaging up to 80% of buildings.[32]

Demographics

In the, the locality of Babinda had a population of 1,167 people. Of these, 49.7% were male and 50.3% were female. The majority of residents (79.7%) were of Australian birth, with other common census responses being Italy (2.7%) and New Zealand (2.0%). The age distribution of Babinda residents was skewed slightly higher than the greater Australian population. 70.1% of residents were over 25 years in 2006, compared to the Australian average of 66.5%; and 29.9% were younger than 25 years, compared to the Australian average of 33.5%.

In the, the locality of Babinda had a population of 1,068 people.

In the, the locality of Babinda had a population of 1,253 people.

In the, the locality of Babinda had a population of 1,287 people.

Heritage listings

Babinda has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Media

The local newspapers are The Cairns Post or the Wet Tropic Times.

Education

St Rita's School is a Catholic primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at 7–13 Church Street (-17.343°N 145.9225°W).[35] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 22 students with 7 teachers (5 full-time equivalent) and 6 non-teaching staff (3 full-time equivalent).

Babinda State School is a government primary and secondary (Prep–12) school for boys and girls at Boulders Road (corner of Pollard Road, -17.3459°N 145.9126°W).[36] [37] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 257 students with 30 teachers (27 full-time equivalent) and 22 non-teaching staff (13 full-time equivalent).[38] It includes a special education program.

Babinda Kindergarten is on Church Street and Babinda Early Learning is on Pollard Road.

Amenities

The Cairns Regional Council operates a public library in Babinda at 24 Munro Street .[39]

The Babinda branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at the QCWA Hall at 17 King Street (via School Road,).[40] [41]

St Rita's Catholic Church is at 15 Church Street . It is within the Babinda Parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns and is administered from Innisfail.[42]

Babinda Bowls Club is at 110-114 Munro Street (-17.3436°N 145.9206°W).[43] [44]

Babinda Munro Picture Theatre is a restored historic movie theatre at 97-101 Munro Street .[45]

Facilities

Babinda has the following emergency services:

Babinda Multi Purpose Health Centre is a public hospital at 128-130 Munro Street (-17.3432°N 145.9187°W).[47] It has 22 beds and an emergency department.[48] Babinda Ambulance Station is located at the hospital (-17.3434°N 145.9196°W).

There are two cemeteries in Babinda, both operated by the Cairns Regional Council:

Events

There are many different community events in Babinda. The annual Harvest Festival is celebrated in October and features some unusual events including the Sugar Bowl competition, the Gumboot Toss and the Umbrella Toss (reflecting Babinda's connection to the sugar industry and its wet weather). The festival has been running since the 1960s, but was cancelled in 2006 due to Cyclone Larry.[52] [53] [54]

Attractions

Babinda War Memorial is Anzac Park in Munro Street .

The Boulders and Devil's Pool are popular tourist attractions. A picnic area is located nearby, beside Babinda Creek.

Babinda Rotary Park is on Howard Kennedy Drive (-17.3467°N 145.9264°W).[55] It provides free camping for up to 3 days.[56]

Transportation

Babinda is situated on the Bruce Highway. The town has a railway station for access to the long-distance train services, currently only the Spirit of Queensland for which an advance booking must be made for the train to stop in Babinda.[57]

Climate

Babinda has a tropical rainforest climate (Af) with humid and persistently wet weather. It is well known and recognised as the wettest town in Australia, with an annual average rainfall of . Monthly totals over are not uncommon, and sometimes, usually between January and April, whole months will go by without a single sunny day.

The wet season lasts from December to May, while the 'dry season' occurs from June to November. During the wet season, heavy monsoonal downpours occur almost daily and occasionally even heavier rain from tropical lows or cyclones occurs. Rainfall still totals well over a month during the dry season; however, it is usually in the form of coastal showers, which can range from, to brief downpours of or more. Thunderstorms with dangerous lightning and damaging winds can be a threat from October to December; however, this threat decreases when the monsoon begins to take over in January.

Notable residents

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. 26 December 2020.
  2. 26 December 2020.
  3. News: Geiger . Dominic . 14 December 2016 . Bets on Babinda in race to record rainfall gold . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210818083759/https://insight.adsrvr.org/track/up?adv=vrges6n&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.themercury.com.au%2Fsubscribe%2Fnews%2F1%2F%3FsourceCode%3DTMWEB_WRE170_a%26dest%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.themercury.com.au%252Fnews%252Fnational%252Fbets-on-babinda-in-race-to-record-rainfall-gold%252Fnews-story%252F5408d0d3974092223f07fa66eb590a08%26memtype%3Danonymous%26mode%3Dpremium&upid=1t1piyj&upv=1.1.0 . 18 August 2021 . 6 May 2017 . Mackay Mercury.
  4. Web site: Layers: Locality; Road and rail . 8 May 2024 . Queensland Globe . . 19 December 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171219175447/https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ . live .
  5. Web site: 2 October 2020 . Railway stations and sidings - Queensland . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201005070354/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/transport-features-queensland-series/resource/84fff9a0-e315-4844-9c4d-63934562a9bd . 5 October 2020 . 5 October 2020 . Queensland Open Data . Queensland Government.
  6. (31 October 2001). What's in a name? – 3 . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  7. http://www.cairnsconnect.com/region/babinda.php Babinda
  8. 18 April 2019.
  9. Web site: 1971 . Town of Babinda . 26 August 2023 . . Map . 25 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230825212840/https://apps.information.qld.gov.au/data/v2/HistoricalMaps/StaticMap/cadastral/cad-map-town-babinda-1971/original . live .
  10. Web site: 2020-02-19 . History . 2023-08-25 . Babinda State School . en . 28 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230228023454/https://babindass.eq.edu.au/our-school/history . live .
  11. Web site: Phoenix Auctions History . Post Office List . Phoenix Auctions . 19 January 2021 . 18 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210818083749/https://ssl.google-analytics.com/urchin.js . live .
  12. Web site: Bain. Lee. Mill Memorabilia Project Report: Babinda Sugar Mill 1915 - 2011. live. 18 August 2021. Babinda Information Centre. 1. 12 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181112010053/http://www.babindainfocentre.com.au/Pictures/Babinda-Mill-Memorabilia-Project-Report-by-Lee-Bain.pdf.
  13. News: 2011-02-08 . Sugar mill to close in blow to cyclone town . 2024-06-06 . ABC News . en-AU.
  14. News: Clarke . Harry . 24 April 2015 . 'Cane Beetles March' mobilised farmers from Babinda to Cairns to join Australian Imperial Force in WWI . . 9 March 2016 . 25 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230825212824/https://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/cane-beetles-march-mobilised-farmers-from-babinda-to-cairns-to-join-australian-imperial-force-in-wwi/news-story/0a8ae960c7e562481b437f0e10ba17ee?nk=c2f1e26b7745259e145b758e00256141-1692998904 . live .
  15. News: 1 April 1916 . CAIRNS NEWS. . 5 (SECOND EDITION) . . 1011 . Queensland, Australia . 9 March 2016 . National Library of Australia . 25 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230825212851/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/181544792 . live .
  16. News: 20 March 1917 . NEW BABINDA CHURCH. . 8 May 2024 . . Queensland, Australia . 5 . National Library of Australia . XXX . 2768 . 8 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240508095723/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/40240001 . live .
  17. News: 14 July 1917. Dedication.. XXX. 4. Cairns Post. 2867. Queensland, Australia. 26 March 2021. National Library of Australia. 18 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210818083748/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/40253545. live.
  18. Web site: Cyclone March 1918. live. 2021-03-26. Harden Up - Protecting Queensland. 14 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190114115646/http://hardenup.org/be-aware/weather-events/events/1910-1919/cyclone-march-1918-1918-03-10.aspx.
  19. News: 4 April 1918. CYCLONE DAMAGE AT BABINDA. XXI. 30. The Northern Herald. 261. Queensland, Australia. live. 26 March 2021. National Library of Australia. 18 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210818083749/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/147516091.
  20. News: 13 March 1918. ANOTHER QUEENSLAND CYCLONE.. 14. 2. Casino and Kyogle Courier and North Coast Advertiser. 20. New South Wales, Australia. 26 March 2021. National Library of Australia. 18 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210818083749/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/234000302. live.
  21. News: 15 March 1918. BABINDA ALMOST BLOWN AWAY.. 24. 3. Kalgoorlie Miner. 5980. Western Australia. 26 March 2021. National Library of Australia. 18 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210818083748/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/92759290. live.
  22. News: 30 March 1918. THE RECENT CYCLONE.. 3. The Dalby Herald. Queensland, Australia. 26 March 2021. National Library of Australia. 18 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210818083749/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/213755251. live.
  23. Waddell. A. Moffatt. September 1979. 1918 Cyclone. Bulletin. Mulgrave Shire Historical Society. 20. 26 March 2021. 19 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210319000742/http://www.babindainfocentre.com.au/Pictures/1918Cyclone/Moffat1918.pdf. live.
  24. News: 13 March 1919. Babinda Presbyterians.. XXXII. 4. Cairns Post. 3304. Queensland, Australia. 26 March 2021. National Library of Australia. 18 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210818083750/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/40389522. live.
  25. News: 8 July 1922. Blessing Babinda Church. XXXV. 4. Cairns Post. 4311. Queensland, Australia. 20 November 2020. National Library of Australia. 18 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210818083749/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/40162982. live.
  26. News: 25 November 1924 . The Future of the Sugar Industry. . 8 May 2024 . . Queensland, Australia . 4 . National Library of Australia . XXXV . 5043 . 8 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240508095635/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/40481421 . live .
  27. Web site: 2012-03-28 . History & Family Traditions . 2024-05-08 . en-US . 8 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240508095712/https://www.stritasbabinda.qld.edu.au/about-us/history-family-traditions/ . live .
  28. News: 12 December 1945 . ST. RITA'S CONVENT. . 8 May 2024 . . Queensland, Australia . 8 . National Library of Australia . 13,660 . 8 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240508100136/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/42462181 . live .
  29. News: 22 October 1945 . Advertising . 8 May 2024 . . Queensland, Australia . 6 . National Library of Australia . 13,616 . 8 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240508100138/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/42460260 . live .
  30. Web site: Babinda War Memorial. Monument Australia. 3 April 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140407111550/http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/ww1/display/90453-babinda-war-memorial. 7 April 2014. live.
  31. Web site: Queensland Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-2017. November 2017. Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. https://web.archive.org/web/20180130022546/http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/388497/SLQ_StatsBulletin1617_20171109.pdf. 30 January 2018. live. 24 January 2018.
  32. News: Larry's catastrophic toll. 21 March 2006. The Courier-Mail. 20 March 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060626005415/http://www.couriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,18548596-952,00.html. 26 June 2006. live.
  33. 7 July 2013.
  34. 7 July 2013.
  35. Web site: St Rita's School. 21 November 2018. 31 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190131025726/http://www.stritasbabinda.qld.edu.au/. live.
  36. Web site: 9 July 2018. State and non-state school details. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065959/https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997. 21 November 2018. 21 November 2018. Queensland Government.
  37. Web site: Babinda State School. live. 26 March 2021. 3 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210303163605/https://babindass.eq.edu.au/.
  38. Web site: ACARA School Profile 2018. 28 January 2020. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. 27 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200827085246/https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx. live.
  39. Web site: Babinda Library. 25 March 2015. Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. https://web.archive.org/web/20180124071327/http://plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/networking/directory-of-public-libraries/branches/cairns/babinda_library. 24 January 2018. live. 24 January 2018.
  40. Web site: Branch Locations. Queensland Country Women's Association. https://web.archive.org/web/20181226010724/http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/. 26 December 2018. 26 December 2018. live.
  41. Web site: Babinda QCWA branch . 2024-05-08 . . 8 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240508100208/https://www.facebook.com/p/QCWA-Babinda-Branch-100068399955066/ . live .
  42. Web site: Babinda Parish. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201118111353/http://www.cairns.catholic.org.au/parishes/babinda.html. 2020-11-18. 2020-11-18. Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns.
  43. Web site: 17 November 2020. Building areas - Queensland. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201023081052/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/536da964-19d2-42fb-9dd8-b46f15c4fb6f. 23 October 2020. 17 November 2020. Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government.
  44. Web site: Babinda Bowls Club . 2024-05-08 . en-US . 8 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240508101650/https://babinda.net.au/listing/babinda-bowls-club/ . live .
  45. Web site: Babinda Munro Picture Theatre . 8 May 2024 . 8 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240508100912/http://www.babindacentre.com.au/ . live .
  46. Web site: 18 November 2020 . Emergency services facilities - Queensland . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201124224500/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/923a4139-4a79-4744-8955-d73230796bd6 . 24 November 2020 . 24 November 2020 . Queensland Open Data . Queensland Government.
  47. Web site: 18 November 2020 . Landmark Areas - Queensland . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201121195536/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/db9c913b-b7e2-4d88-9a5e-32cbb1470f12 . 21 November 2020 . 21 October 2020 . Queensland Open Data . Queensland Government.
  48. Web site: 2022-12-20 . Babinda Multi-Purpose Health Centre . 2024-05-08 . Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service . en . 19 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240319060844/https://www.cairns-hinterland.health.qld.gov.au/hospitals-and-health-centres/babinda-multi-purpose-health-centre . live .
  49. Web site: 12 November 2020 . Cemetery Areas - Queensland . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115100513/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/2baca5c3-a111-4fbc-86c9-3b896884438b . 15 November 2020 . 12 November 2020 . Queensland Open Data . Queensland Government.
  50. Web site: 2022-10-14 . Cemeteries . 2024-05-08 . Cairns Regional Council . 20 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240320220351/https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/community-environment/cemeteries . live .
  51. Web site: Babinda Cemetery layout (both cemteries) . 8 May 2024 . . 8 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240508100659/https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/574424/Babinda-cemetery-layout.pdf . live .
  52. Web site: Babinda Harvest Festival. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140915203927/http://www.festivalaustralia.com.au/babinda_harvest_festival.html. 15 September 2014. 15 September 2014.
  53. Web site: Babinda Harvest Festival. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150301012554/http://www.northerngreenhouse.com.au/calendar/2014/06/01/babinda-harvest-festival/. 1 March 2015. 15 September 2014. Northern Greenhouse, Cairns.
  54. Web site: July 2007. Operation Recovery Update: Issue 44. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140915204527/http://www.emergency.qld.gov.au/downloads/larry%2044.pdf. 15 September 2014. 15 September 2014. Queensland Government.
  55. Web site: 20 November 2020. Land for public recreation - Queensland. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201122211519/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/land-for-public-recreation-queensland/resource/d55804bc-f416-478b-8e9a-c12587ce8009. 22 November 2020. 22 November 2020. Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government.
  56. Web site: Caravans and Camping. 2021-03-26. Babinda Information Centre. 20 April 2012 . en-US. 9 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210309065616/https://www.babindainfocentre.com.au/where-to-stay/caravans-and-camping/. live.
  57. https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/Documents/Timetables/Spirit%20of%20Queensland%20trade.pdf Spirit of Queensland timetable
  58. News: Whiting . Frances . 26 July 2024 . ‘This isn’t how I wanted it to end’: Sharyn Ghidella’s first interview after Channel 7 axing . 3 August 2024 . The Courier-Mail.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Babinda".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.