Berserker is a suburb of Rockhampton in the Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] It is situated about six kilometres north east of the central business district.

Berserker
RockhamptonQueensland
North Rockhampton Borough Chambers, 2009
Berserker is located in Queensland
Berserker
Berserker
Map
Coordinates23°21′55″S 150°31′40″E / 23.3652°S 150.5277°E / -23.3652; 150.5277 (Berserker (centre of suburb))
Population7,020 (2021 census)[1]
 • Density1,494/km2 (3,870/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4701
Area4.7 km2 (1.8 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
LGA(s)Rockhampton Region
State electorate(s)
Federal division(s)Capricornia
Suburbs around Berserker:
Park Avenue Frenchville Frenchville
Park Avenue Berserker Koongal
Rockhampton City The Common The Common

In the 2021 census, Berserker had a population of 7,020 people.[1]

Geography

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The eastern boundary is aligned with Frenchmans Creek and the western boundary follows Moores Creek.

In the northeast of the suburb is the Stockland Rockhampton shopping centre.

Swampy Lagoon is a waterhole (23°22′00″S 150°32′00″E / 23.3666°S 150.5333°E / -23.3666; 150.5333 (Swampy Lagoon)).[3]

History

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The suburb was named after the Berserker Range, which, in turn, was named by Rockhampton pioneer pastoralist Charles Archer after the Norse warrior "Baresark", who fought without armour in the Norwegian sagas.[2] Although born in Scotland, the Archer family lived for many years in Larvik, Norway and members of the family moved between Queensland and Norway throughout their lives.

St Mary's Catholic Primary School was opened in 1900 by the Sisters of Mercy but was initially known as the North Rockhampton Roman Catholic School or St Francis' School. Initially the school operated from St Mary's Church then on Lakes Creek Road. In 1905, the school moved to the corner of Nobbs Street and Charles Street. In 1921 the school became known as St Mary's, possibly linked to the move of St Mary's Church to Nobbs Street (now adjacent to the school). In 1976 the first lay principal, Ron Rosentreter, was appointed.[4][5]

 
Berserker State School's first school building had two wings at an acute angle to the front of the main wing, 1917

Berserker State School opened in 1917 using a new design in which the two wings made an acute angle with the line of the front of the main building.[6] Later that the year it was renamed Berserker Street State School.[7] On 18 February 1957, a separate Berserker Street Infants State School was opened but it was closed on 1 July 1994.[7][8]

Frenchville Sports Club was established in 1948. Despite the name, it is located at 105 Clifton Street in Berserker (23°21′24″S 150°31′46″E / 23.3568°S 150.5295°E / -23.3568; 150.5295 (Frenchville Sports Club)).[9]

In 1956, North Rockhampton State High School was opened in Berseker.[7]

The current North Rockhampton library was opened in 1971 with major refurbishment in 2011 followed by a minor refurbishment in 2015.[10]

Kingsley College was founded by Peace Christian Church in 1993.[11]

Demographics

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In the 2011 census, Berserker had a population of 7,179 people.[12]

In the 2016 census, Berserker had a population of 6,875 people.[13]

In the 2021 census, Berserker had a population of 7,020 people.[1]

Heritage listings

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

Education

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Berserker Street State School original 1917 building (centre) at the centenary, 2017

Berserker Street State School is a government primary (Preparatory to Year 6) school for boys and girls at 128–140 Berserker Street (23°21′55″S 150°31′48″E / 23.3654°S 150.5299°E / -23.3654; 150.5299 (Berserker Street State School)).[17][18] It includes a special education program.[17] In 2015, the school had an enrolment of 490 students with 38 teachers (36 full-time equivalent).[19] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 516 students with 39 teachers (37 full-time equivalent) and 42 non-teaching staff (28 full-time equivalent).[20] The 1917 building with the unusual design is still extant at 2021.[21]

St Mary's Catholic Primary School is a private primary (Preparatory to Year 6) school at 135 Nobbs Street (23°21′55″S 150°31′40″E / 23.3652°S 150.5278°E / -23.3652; 150.5278 (St Mary's Catholic Primary School)).[17][22] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 356 students with 23 teachers (18.3 full-time equivalent) and 15 non-teaching staff (8.4 full-time equivalent).[20]

Kingsley College (also known as Central Queensland Christian College) is a private primary and secondary (Preparatory to Year 12) school at 2 Schoolhouse Street (23°22′20″S 150°30′59″E / 23.3723°S 150.5164°E / -23.3723; 150.5164 (Central Queensland Christian College)).[17][23] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 94 students with 10 teachers (9.2 full-time equivalent) and 5 non-teaching staff (3.5 full-time equivalent).[20]

There are no government secondary schools in Berserker. The nearest government secondary schools are North Rockhampton State High School in neighbouring Frenchville to the north and Rockhampton State High School in Wandal to the west.[24]

Amenities

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The Rockhampton Regional Council operates the North Rockhampton Municipal Library at 154 Berserker Street (23°21′53″S 150°31′48″E / 23.3647°S 150.5300°E / -23.3647; 150.5300 (North Rockhampton Municipal Library)).[25][26]

Rockhampton Regional Council also manage the Bauhinia House Senior Citizens' Centre - a function centre with a maximum capacity of 300 people.[27] Situated at 237 Berserker Street, it was officially opened on 9 December 1981 by Queensland's minister for health Brian Austin.[28]

 
St John's Anglican Church, side view, circa 2003

St John's Anglican Church is at 278 Ford Street (23°21′18″S 150°31′35″E / 23.3549°S 150.5264°E / -23.3549; 150.5264 (St John's Anglican Church)). It is part of the Parish of North Rockhampton (also known as the All Saints Anglican Community) within the Anglican Church of Central Queensland.[29]

 
Northside Family Church, 2020

Northside Family Church is at 82 Thorn Street (23°21′17″S 150°31′37″E / 23.3548°S 150.5270°E / -23.3548; 150.5270 (Northside Family Church)). It is part of the Australian Christian Churches.[30][31]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Berserker (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.  
  2. ^ a b "Berserker – suburb in Rockhampton Region (entry 48527)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Swampy Lagoon – waterhole in Rockhampton Regional (entry 32969)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  4. ^ Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  5. ^ "History". St Mary's Catholic Primary School. Archived from the original on 20 November 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  6. ^ "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  7. ^ a b c Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  8. ^ "Queensland state school - centre closures" (PDF). Queensland Government. 20 August 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 March 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  9. ^ "Frenchville Sports Club • Since 1948". Frenchville Sports Club. Archived from the original on 14 September 2019. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  10. ^ "Queensland Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-2017" (PDF). Public Libraries Connect. November 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  11. ^ "About Us". Kingsley College. Archived from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  12. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Berserker (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 9 August 2015.  
  13. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Berserker (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.  
  14. ^ "Beserker Street State School (entry 650233)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  15. ^ "North Rockhampton Borough Chambers (entry 601370)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  16. ^ "St John's Church (entry 602342)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  17. ^ a b c d "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  18. ^ "Berserker Street State School". Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  19. ^ "2015 School Annual Report" (PDF). Berserker Street State School. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 November 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  20. ^ a b c "ACARA School Profile 2018". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  21. ^ "Berserker State School original building (1917)" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  22. ^ "St Mary's Catholic Primary School". Archived from the original on 6 July 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  23. ^ "Central Queensland Christian College". Archived from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  24. ^ "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  25. ^ "North Rockhampton". Public Libraries Connect. 1 September 2014. Archived from the original on 23 January 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  26. ^ "Library Hours". Rockhampton Regional Council. Archived from the original on 17 September 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  27. ^ "Bauhinia House". Rockhampton Regional Council. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  28. ^ Bauhinia House Senior Citizens' Centre (Plaque in foyer). Berserker: Rockhampton City Council. 1981.
  29. ^ "Parish of North Rockhampton". Anglican Church of Central Queensland. Archived from the original on 25 October 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  30. ^ "Northside Family Church - North Rockhampton". Northside Family Church. Archived from the original on 2 October 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  31. ^ Blake, Thom. "Northside Family Church". Queensland religious places database. Archived from the original on 2 October 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
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