Springsure Explained

Type:town
Springsure
State:qld
Coordinates:-24.1161°N 148.0886°W
Pop:950
Postcode:4722
Area:141.6
Timezone:AEST
Utc:+10:00
Dist1:68.3
Dir1:S
Location1:Emerald
Dist2:335
Dir2:WSW
Location2:Rockhampton
Dist3:764
Dir3:NW
Location3:Brisbane
Lga:Central Highlands Region
Stategov:Gregory
Fedgov:Flynn
Maxtemp:28.8
Mintemp:14.0
Rainfall:677.4
Elevation:344.9
Near-N:Minerva
Near-Ne:Arcturus
Near-E:Orion
Near-Se:Cairdbeign
Near-S:Cona Creek
Near-Sw:Cona Creek
Near-W:Minerva
Near-Nw:Minerva

Springsure is a rural town and locality in the Central Highlands Region, Queensland, Australia.[1] [2] In the, the locality of Springsure had a population of 950 people.

Geography

Springsure is situated 68.3km (42.4miles) by road south of Emerald, at the southern end of the Gregory Highway, and at the northern end of the Dawson Highway. Springsure is 764km (475miles) northwest of Brisbane.

The terrain varies from above sea level, with a number of named mountain features:

The Minerva Hills National Park is in the north-west of the locality .[6]

The town of Springsure serves the surrounding community of cattle farms, and sunflower, sorghum, wheat and chickpea plantations.

Springsure is the hub for several coal mines such as the Minerva Mine and the Rolleston Mine. Significant exploration is ongoing in the district.

Springsure was served by a branch railway from the Central Western railway line. The Springsure branch railway line separated from the main line at Springsure Junction station (now Nogoa station), near Emerald. The locality was served two railway stations:

Springsure Airport is south of the town on Airport Drive (-24.1291°N 148.0871°W).[8] It is operated by the Central Highlands Regional Council but it is only suitable for light aircraft, has limited facilities, requires permission, and care needs to be taken in relation to wildlife and lifestock.[9]

Climate

History

The area had been occupied by Aboriginal people for thousands of years. Gangalu (Gangulu, Kangulu, Kanolu, Kaangooloo, Khangulu) is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken on Gangula country. The Gangula language region includes the towns of Clermont and Springsure extending south towards the Dawson River.[10] Wadja (also known as Wadjigu, Wadya, Wadjainngo, Mandalgu, and Wadjigun) is an Australian Aboriginal language in Central Queensland. The language region includes the local government areas of the Aboriginal Shire of Woorabinda and Central Highlands Region, including the Blackdown Tablelands. the Comet River, and the Expedition Range, and the towns of Woorabinda, Springsure and Rolleston.[11]

Ludwig Leichhardt was the first European to explore the area, doing so between 1844 and 1845. His favourable reports encouraged settlers to move in and settle the land.[12]

In 1861, squatter Horatio Wills and a party of Victorian settlers arrived near modern-day Springsure in 1861. Two weeks later, 19 men women and children, including Wills, were killed by Aboriginal Australian people, the Kairi or Gayiri, in the Cullin-La-Ringo massacre, which was the largest massacre of European settlers by Aboriginal peoples in Australian history.[13] At least 15 Aboriginal men, women and children were killed by the Queensland Native Police and militias of local European colonists and their employees in a series of reprisals over the months that followed.[14] However, the massacre of the 19 European family members was itself a retaliatory response to an earlier shooting of fugitive murderer who was Gayiri tribesman by Jesse Gregson, manager of nearby Rainsworth Station, with Second Lieutenant Alfred March Patrick and Native Police Troops in his command.[15] Prior to the massacre of the 19 colonists, in early 1861 Second Lieutenant Patrick had complained to Charles Dutton, lessee of Bauhinia Downs pastoral lease south-east of Springsure, that other officers in the Queensland Native Police "...had been able to bag their first Aborigine after only a few weeks in the Force; he had served for six months and still had not yet killed a black."[16] The Old Rainworth Fort was built in 1862 by the colonists of Springsure in order to defend themselves from future raids by Aboriginals. Horatio's son, star cricketer and Australian rules football pioneer Tom Wills, survived the massacre, and remained on site until 1864.[17]

The town takes its name from a pastoral run which was first named Springsure in 1861, after its permanent spring.

The town was surveyed by Charles Frederick Gregory in August 1863.On Sunday 7 April 1867, the first Springsure Presbyterian Church was opened in Charles Street. It was with 12feet high walls.[18] [19] [20] In 1922, it was replaced by a new church building known as St Andrew's Presbyterian Church.[21] It closed in March 2011 after 145 years.[22] It was at 55 Charles Street .[23] Springsure State School opened on 14 March 1870 under head teacher John Henry Nicholson, son of an eminent scholar, John Nicholson, a friend of Ludwig Leichhardt.[24] [25]

The Springsure branch railway line opened on 15 August 1887.[26] [27] The section beyond Wurba Junction to Springsure railway station was closed on 26 June 2013.[28]

On 6 December 1919, the Springsure State School Memorial Fountain was dedicated by Mrs Annie Wheeler (née Laurie), a former pupil at the school. The memorial is a marble fountain and commemorates students of the school who served in World War I.[29] [30] In March 1925, the Rev. Father Thomas Andrew Sweeney arrived in Springsure to replace Rev. Father Jules Bucas as the Catholic priest for the parish.[31] Sweeney saw that there was a need for a Catholic school in Springsure and set about building a school and a convent for its teachers in August 1925.[32] The architect was Roy Chipps and the builder E.H. Fletcher, both of Rockhampton. In January 1926 the school and the convent opened in a ceremony led by Roman Catholic Bishop of Rockhampton Joseph Shiel. The convent and school were under the control of Sister Mary Bonaventure of the Sisters of Mercy.[33] The school opened on 2 February 1926 with 64 children.[34] It was originally known as The Convent of the Little Flower,[35] but the name was later changed to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.[36]

On 16 November 1943, a Douglas C-47A Skytrain broke up in mid-air during a violent storm in the area, and crashed on Rewan Station, around 100 km south of Springsure.[37] All 19 people on board the aircraft perished in the crash.

Minerva Hills National Park was gazetted in 1994.

Demographics

In the, the locality of Springsure had a population of 829 people.

In the, the locality of Springsure had a population of 1,103 people.

In the, the locality of Springsure had a population of 950 people.

Heritage listings

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

Education

Springsure State School is a government primary and secondary (Prep-10) school for boys and girls at 55 Eclipse Street (-24.1157°N 148.0885°W).[40] [41] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 158 students with 21 teachers (16 full-time equivalent) and 14 non-teaching staff (8 full-time equivalent).[42] The school motto is 'Success by Effort'.[43]

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School is a Catholic primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at Gap Street (-24.117°N 148.0926°W).[44] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 50 students with 7 teachers (6 full-time equivalent) and 6 non-teaching staff (2 full-time equivalent).

There is no secondary education for Years 11 and 12 in Springsure. The nearest school offering secondary education for these years is in Emerald, but it might be out of range for a daily commute in which case distance education and boarding school are alternatives.

Facilities

The Central Highlands Regional Council operate a public library in Springsure at 27 Eclipse Street.[45]

The Springsure branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association has its rooms at 27 Eclipse Street.[46] Springsure has the following facilities:

Other facilities in Springsure include the airport, a caravan park, motocross track, service station and showground.

Attractions

A cliff face in the mountains just to the north of the town is known as the Virgin Rock, so named because it looked like the Virgin Mary cradling the baby Jesus. Subsequent erosion led to the rock resembling the baby Jesus falling away, but the original resemblance to the Virgin Mary remains.[50] [51]

Notable residents

External links

Notes and References

  1. 8 August 2017.
  2. 8 August 2017.
  3. Web site: 12 November 2020 . Mountain peaks and capes - Queensland . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201125215033/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/geographic-features-queensland-series/resource/06ff12a9-862e-4aac-bf9d-693f0a63b4c9 . 25 November 2020 . 25 November 2020 . Queensland Open Data . Queensland Government.
  4. 25 November 2020.
  5. 25 November 2020.
  6. 15 January 2024.
  7. 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.
  8. Web site: 22 October 2020 . Airports - Queensland . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115071531/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/transport-features-queensland-series/resource/f5e72c21-4f70-4cca-a22e-f2265b85ee56 . 15 November 2020 . 3 November 2020 . Queensland Open Data . Queensland Government.
  9. Web site: Aeroplane landing areas . 2024-01-15 . Central Highlands Regional Council . en-AU . 15 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240115001145/https://www.chrc.qld.gov.au/facilities-recreation/airports/aeroplane-landing-areas/ . live .
  10. Gangalu. Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map. 23 January 2020.
  11. Wadja. Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map. 5 February 2020.
  12. Web site: 2008-11-21 . Springsure - Culture and History . 2023-08-13 . The Sydney Morning Herald . en . 13 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230813232140/https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/inspiration/springsure-culture-and-history-20081121-6dw9.html . live .
  13. News: ROCKHAMPTON. . . Brisbane . 11 November 1861 . 13 May 2014 . 2 . National Library of Australia . 2 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210702060637/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4602097 . live .
  14. T. Bottoms (2013) Conspiracy of Silence: Queensland's frontier killing times, Allen & Unwin, pp.53-54
  15. T Bottoms (2013) Conspiracy of Silence: Queensland's frontier killing times, Allen & Unwin, p.54
  16. G. Reid, "From Hornet Bank to Cullin-La-Ringo", Royal Historical Society of Queensland, 18 May 1981, p.69
  17. Web site: Thomas Wentworth Wills and Cullin-la-ringo Station . 2023-08-13 . Queensland Historical Atlas . en . 4 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230804092220/https://www.qhatlas.com.au/content/thomas-wentworth-wills-and-cullin-la-ringo-station . live .
  18. News: 6 May 1867 . TELEGRAPHIC. . 14 January 2024 . . Queensland, Australia . 2 . National Library of Australia . XXI . 2,895.
  19. Web site: Springsure Presbyterian Church Springsure . 2024-01-14 . Queensland Religious Places Database . 14 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240114080305/https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=581 . live .
  20. News: 16 February 1867 . SPRINGSURE. . 14 January 2024 . . Queensland, Australia . 5 . National Library of Australia . VI . 736.
  21. News: 18 May 1922 . PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY. . 14 January 2024 . . Queensland, Australia . 2 . National Library of Australia . 15,435.
  22. News: Church closes after 145 years. Carson. Julie-Ann. 30 March 2011. CQ News. 10 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190610075116/https://www.cqnews.com.au/news/church-closes-after-145-yrs-emerald-springsure/808764/. 10 June 2019. live.
  23. Web site: St Andrew's Presbyterian Church Springsure . 2024-01-14 . Queensland Religious Places Database . 14 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240114080304/https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=583 . live .
  24. 18 April 2019.
  25. Web site: 2020-03-09 . Our school . 2023-08-13 . Springsure State School . en . 2 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230302070637/https://springsuress.eq.edu.au/our-school . live .
  26. Web site: Our history: 1880s . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210625052311/https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/History/Pages/1880s.aspx . 25 June 2021 . 2022-07-22 . Queensland Rail.
  27. News: 17 August 1887 . QUEENSLAND NEWS. . 15 January 2024 . . Queensland, Australia . 5 . National Library of Australia . XXXIX . 6953.
  28. Web site: Salecich . Judith . 2023-08-18 . Beta, Queensland: Keeping its unique story and memory alive . 2024-01-15 . en-AU . 15 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240115004209/https://judithsalecich.com/beta-queensland-keeping-its-unique-story-and-memory-alive/ . live .
  29. News: SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL MARBLE FOUNTAIN. . . Rockhampton, Qld. . 13 December 1919 . 6 April 2014 . 7 . National Library of Australia . 28 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211228042820/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/53877784 . live .
  30. Web site: Springsure State School Memorial Fountain. Monument Australia. 6 April 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140407125102/http://monumentaustralia.org.au/search/display/92550-springsure-state-school-memorial-fountain. 7 April 2014. dmy-all.
  31. News: PERSONAL.. 26 March 1925. The Brisbane Courier. 10 June 2019. 20,958. Queensland, Australia. 10. National Library of Australia.
  32. News: OPPORTUNITIES. 19 August 1925. Construction And Local Government Journal. 10 June 2019. 915. New South Wales, Australia. XXXIII. 18. National Library of Australia. 28 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211228042822/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/109761665. live.
  33. News: SPRINGSURE CATHOLICITY. 26 January 1926. Morning Bulletin. 10 June 2019. 19171. Queensland, Australia. 11. National Library of Australia. 28 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211228042824/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/55251628. live.
  34. News: NEW BUILDINGS AT SPRINGSURE.. 13 February 1926. The Capricornian. 10 June 2019. 7. Queensland, Australia. LI. 8 (THE CAPRICORNIAN.). National Library of Australia. 28 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211228042821/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/72016113. live.
  35. News: SPRINGSURE.. 18 February 1926. The Catholic Press. 10 June 2019. 1571. New South Wales, Australia. 29. National Library of Australia. 28 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211228042854/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/106259379. live.
  36. Web site: Our History. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School. https://web.archive.org/web/20190610074328/http://www.olshsrok.catholic.edu.au/documents/history.html. 10 June 2019. live. 10 June 2019.
  37. Web site: Dunn. Peter. 16 NOVEMBER 1943 CRASH OF A C-47A DAKOTA ON REWAN STATION SOUTH OF SPRINGSURE, QLD. www.AustraliaAtWar.com. 22 December 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20130103052331/http://www.ozatwar.com/ozcrashes/qld63.htm. 3 January 2013. dmy-all.
  38. 7 July 2013.
  39. 7 July 2013.
  40. Web site: State and non-state school details. 9 July 2018. Queensland Government. 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. live. 21 November 2018.
  41. Web site: 2020-11-29 . Springsure State School . 2023-08-13 . Springsure State School . en . 2 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230302065650/https://springsuress.eq.edu.au/ . live .
  42. Web site: ACARA School Profile 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122010027/http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0. 22 November 2018. live. 22 November 2018.
  43. Web site: Springsure State School. Education Queensland. https://web.archive.org/web/20170203090713/https://springsuss.eq.edu.au/Pages/default.aspx. 3 February 2017. live. 2 February 2017. dmy-all.
  44. Web site: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School. 21 November 2018. 20 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181220184329/http://olshsrok.catholic.edu.au/. live.
  45. Web site: Locations . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180131041006/http://www.centralhighlands.qld.gov.au/facilities-recreation/libraries/locations/ . 31 January 2018 . 31 January 2018 . Central Highlands Regional Council.
  46. Web site: Branch locations . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181226010724/http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/ . 26 December 2018 . 26 December 2018 . Queensland Country Women's Association.
  47. 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.
  48. 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.
  49. 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.
  50. Web site: 2009-10-22 . About Minerva Hills National Park . 2023-08-13 . Parks and forests . Queensland Government . en-AU . 22 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230322034123/https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/minerva-hills/about . live .
  51. Web site: Virgin Rock . 2023-08-13 . Tourism & Events Queensland . Queensland Government.

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