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Murgon

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Murgon (/mɜːrɡən/) is a rural town and locality in the South Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] In the 2021 census, the locality of Murgon had a population of 2,220 people.[1]

Murgon
Queensland
The park on the main street of Murgon
Murgon is located in Queensland
Murgon
Murgon
Coordinates26°14′30″S 151°56′29″E / 26.2416°S 151.9413°E / -26.2416; 151.9413 (Murgon (town centre))
Population2,220 (2021 census)[1]
 • Density33.64/km2 (87.12/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4605
Elevation316 m (1,037 ft)
Area66.0 km2 (25.5 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)South Burnett Region
State electorate(s)Nanango
Federal division(s)Wide Bay
Localities around Murgon:
Oakdale
Barlil		 Tablelands Manyung
Wheatlands Murgon Moondooner
Ficks Crossing Cherbourg Redgate
Moffatdale

Geography

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Murgon is in the region of Queensland known as the South Burnett, the southern part of the Burnett River catchment. Industries include peanuts, dairy farming, beef and cattle production and wine. The Indigenous Australian settlement of Cherbourg is just south of Murgon.

History

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Land sales map, 1906

Wakka Wakka (Waka Waka, Wocca Wocca, Wakawaka) is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken in the Burnett River catchment. The Wakka Wakka language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of the North and South Burnett Regional Council, particularly the towns of Cherbourg, Murgon, Kingaroy, Gayndah, Eidsvold and Mundubbera.[4]

Opened on 14 September 1903, the fourth stage of the Nanango railway line took the line from Goomeri south to Wondai after passing through Manyung, Moondooner and Murgon, with the town served by Murgon railway station.[5] The fifth stage, opened on 19 December 1904, terminated at Kingaroy.[6]

In July 1906, 32 allotments were advertised for selection by the Department of Public Lands Office. The map advertising the land selection states the allotments are portions in the Parishes of Murgon, Goomeribong and Barambah.[7] The portions were left over from 5 April.[8]

Murgon State School opened on 24 February 1908.[9]

Murgon Post Office opened by June 1908 (a receiving office had been open from 1904).[10]

The first Murgon Methodist Church was officially opened on Sunday 4 October 1908.[11][12] The foundation stone of the current Murgon Methodist Church (now the Murgon Goomeri Uniting Church) was laid on 17 March 1962.[13] The current church opened in 1963.[14]

The foundation stone of the Murgon War Memorial was laid on 25 April 1920 (ANZAC Day) by Lieutenant Colonel Wilder Neligan. On 11 November 1921, the digger memorial was dedicated by RSL chairman, Major General Spencer Browne.[15][16]

The town was the administrative centre for the former Shire of Murgon which existed from 1914 until 2008.

Christ Church Anglican was dedicated in 1920.[17] It closed in October 2023.[18] It was at 29 Taylor Street East (26°14′48″S 151°56′32″E / 26.2466°S 151.9423°E / -26.2466; 151.9423 (Christ Church Anglican)).[17][19]

Murgon Baptist Church opened on Sunday 30 October 1921.[20][21][22] A tender to build the church was accepted in August 1921.[23] On 31 July 1930, a new Baptist church was officially opened.[24] The current church was opened in 1965, while the original church was sold to the Church of Christ in 1961.[25]

St Joseph's Catholic School opened 27 February 1937.[9][26]

 
War Memorial and Civic Centre in Lamb Street, Murgon, 1938

Murgon State High School opened on 27 January 1959.[9]

Murgon Special School closed on 31 December 1980.[9]

The 1986 Bruce Beresford feature film The Fringe Dwellers featuring the fictional town of 'Curgon' was based on and shot in Murgon. The 'Family Camp' set was located at the far end of Ashton Street, and the Housing Commission home was located Dutton Street West; the house still stands today. The film is acclaimed as being the first Australian film featuring Indigenous actors in all the major roles, and won Best Adapted Screenplay at the AACTA Awards.[27]

The Theebine to Kingaroy railway line fell into disuse by 2004, and was officially closed in early 2010.[28] All tracks (with the exception of some sidings) were eventually removed to make way for the Kingaroy-Kilkivan Rail trail which was opened in Spring 2017.

The current Murgon Library facility opened in 2010.[29]

Demographics

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In the 2016 census, the locality of Murgon had a population of 2,378 people.[30]

In the 2021 census, the locality of Murgon had a population of 2,220 people.[1]

Heritage listings

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Civic Centre, 2008

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

 
Murgon War Memorial, 2008

Fossils

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Murgon is also close to a famous fossil site. The Murgon fossil site is the only such site in Australia with a diverse vertebrate fauna dating to the early Eocene epoch, around 55 million years ago, only 10 million years after the extinction of the dinosaurs.[34]

Education

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Murgon State School is a government primary (Early Childhood to Year 6) school for boys and girls at 91 Gore Street (26°14′23″S 151°56′36″E / 26.2397°S 151.9433°E / -26.2397; 151.9433 (Murgon State School)).[35][36] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 242 students with 21 teachers and 23 non-teaching staff (14 full-time equivalent).[37] It includes a special education program.[35][38]

St Joseph's School is a Catholic primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at 32 Angel Avenue (26°14′22″S 151°56′46″E / 26.2394°S 151.9462°E / -26.2394; 151.9462 (St Joseph's School)).[35][39] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 107 students with 12 teachers and 14 non-teaching staff (9 full-time equivalent).[37]

Murgon State High School is a government secondary (7–12) school for boys and girls at 2 Dutton Street (26°14′14″S 151°56′41″E / 26.2372°S 151.9446°E / -26.2372; 151.9446 (Murgon State High School)).[35][40] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 347 students with 43 teachers (41 full-time equivalent) and 30 non-teaching staff (24 full-time equivalent).[37] It includes a special education program.[35]

Amenities

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The South Burnett Regional Council operates a public library in Murgon at 42 Stephens Street West (26°14′27″S 151°56′32″E / 26.2407°S 151.9421°E / -26.2407; 151.9421 (Murgon Public Library)).[41] Public Wi-Fi is available at this facility.[29]

There are a number of churches in Murgon, including:

Attractions

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Attractions of Murgon include winemaking, fishing on the nearby Bjelke-Petersen Dam and gem-fossicking.

The Queensland Dairy and Heritage Museum is at 2 Sommerville Street (26°13′51″S 151°55′45″E / 26.2307°S 151.9291°E / -26.2307; 151.9291 (Queensland Dairy & Heritage Museum)).[44]

The Kilkivan to Kingaroy Rail Trail follows the old railway line between the two towns. It is 88 kilometres (55 mi) long and passes through Goomeri, Murgon, Wondai, Tingoora, Wooroolin, Memerambi, and Crawford. The trail from Kilkivan to Murgon is unsealed. Queensland's first and longest sealed rail trail section of 44 kilometres (27 mi) from Murgon to Kingaroy is for walkers and cyclists only. Short distances between towns means coffee is never far away.[45][46][47] It passes the Local Heritage listed Railway Complex which includes the former railway station and station master's residence, and what were a goods shed and platforms, and some railway tracks and the remains of the water tank stand.[48]

Sport

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Murgon has a vibrant sporting society. The Murgon Mustangs play rugby league in the South Burnett competition.

Notable residents

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Notable residents of Murgon include:

  • Gavin Cooper, Australian rugby league player born in Murgon
  • Dustin Cooper, Australian rugby league player born in Murgon
  • John Mickel, Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly born in Murgon
  • Leah Purcell, Australian actress, director and writer was born in Murgon.
  • Steve Renouf, Australian rugby league player born in Murgon

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Murgon (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 18 June 2024.  
  2. ^ "Murgon – town in South Burnett Region (entry 23555)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Murgon – locality in South Burnett Region (entry 49848)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  4. ^   This Wikipedia article incorporates CC BY 4.0 licensed text from: "Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages map". State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  5. ^ "Advertising". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser. No. 9615. Queensland, Australia. 11 September 1903. p. 3. Retrieved 4 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "THE NANANGO RAILWAY". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser. No. 10, 000. Queensland, Australia. 21 December 1904. p. 2. Retrieved 4 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "Sketch map of portions 61, 62, ..., parish of Murgon, portions 168 & 169, parish of Goomeribong & portions 49, 50 & 53, parish of Barambah ... county of Fitzroy" (1906) [Map]. Collections. State Library of Queensland.
  8. ^ "Notes and News". Gympie Times And Mary River Mining Gazette. Vol. XXXVIII, no. 5003. Queensland, Australia. 26 June 1906. p. 6. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ a b c d "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  10. ^ Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Archived from the original on 15 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  11. ^ Blake, Thom. "Murgon Methodist Church (1908)". Queensland religious places database. Archived from the original on 7 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  12. ^ "PERSONAL". Gympie Times And Mary River Mining Gazette. Vol. XL, no. 5273. Queensland, Australia. 3 October 1908. p. 3. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ a b "Murgon Goomeri Uniting Church". Churches Australia. Archived from the original on 7 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  14. ^ Blake, Thom. "Murgon Methodist Church (1963)". Queensland religious places database. Archived from the original on 7 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  15. ^ "Murgon War Memorial". Monument Australia. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  16. ^ "A WAR MEMORIAL.,". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 16 November 1921. p. 4. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  17. ^ a b "Year Book" (PDF). Anglican Archdiocese of Brisbane. 2019. p. 132. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  18. ^ "29-31 Taylor Street East, Murgon, Qld 4605". Realestate.com.au. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  19. ^ "Christ Church Anglican Church | Churches Australia". Churches Australia. Archived from the original on 15 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  20. ^ "RELIGIOUS". The Brisbane Courier. No. 19, 904. Queensland, Australia. 5 November 1921. p. 7. Retrieved 8 February 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  21. ^ "Queensland Baptist churches by date of erection/opening". Baptist Church Archives Queensland. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  22. ^ "1921 Murgon". Baptist Church Archives Queensland. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  23. ^ "RELIGIOUS". The Brisbane Courier. No. 19, 832. Queensland, Australia. 13 August 1921. p. 14. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  24. ^ "MURGON BAPTIST CHURCH". The Brisbane Courier. No. 22, 623. Queensland, Australia. 1 August 1930. p. 9. Retrieved 8 February 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  25. ^ "About MDBC". Murgon District Baptist Church. 14 December 2021. Archived from the original on 7 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  26. ^ Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  27. ^ Beresford, Bruce, The Fringe Dwellers (Drama), Kristina Nehm, Justine Saunders, Bob Maza, Fringe Dwellers Productions, Ozfilm Limited, retrieved 8 June 2024
  28. ^ Kilkivan to Kingaroy Rail Trail Brochure. "Kilkivan to Kingaroy Rail Trail". Gympie Regional Council. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  29. ^ a b "Queensland Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-2017" (PDF). Public Libraries Connect. November 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  30. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Murgon (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.  
  31. ^ "Murgon State School (entry 650003)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  32. ^ "Murgon Civic Centre (entry 602812)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  33. ^ "South Burnett Co-operative Dairy Association Factory (former) (entry 602811)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  34. ^ "Fossils in Murgon, QLD". The Australian Museum. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  35. ^ a b c d e "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  36. ^ "Murgon State School". Archived from the original on 1 April 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  37. ^ 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.
  38. ^ "Barambah Cluster - Special Education Program". Archived from the original on 1 April 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  39. ^ "St Joseph's School". Archived from the original on 9 August 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  40. ^ "Murgon State High School". Archived from the original on 5 January 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  41. ^ "Murgon Library". Public Libraries Connect. 15 August 2017. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  42. ^ "St Josephs Catholic Parish Murgon". St Josephs Catholic Parish Murgon. Archived from the original on 7 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  43. ^ "St Joseph's Catholic Church". Churches Australia. Archived from the original on 7 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  44. ^ "Dairy & Heritage Museum". Queensland Dairy & Heritage Museum. Archived from the original on 30 August 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  45. ^ "Rail Trails in the South Burnett". South Burnett Regional Council. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  46. ^ Council, Gympie Regional. "Kilkivan to Kingaroy Rail Trail". Gympie Regional Council. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  47. ^ "South Burnett Rail Trail". South Burnett Regional Council. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  48. ^ "local-heritage-placecards". South Burnett Regional Council. 2016. Murgon Railway Complex and Corridor. Retrieved 30 October 2022.

Further reading

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  Media related to Murgon at Wikimedia Commons

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