Mount Perry is a rural town and locality in the North Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] In the 2021 census, the locality of Mount Perry had a population of 487 people.[1]

Mount Perry
Queensland
View of Mount Perry, 1907
Mount Perry is located in Queensland
Mount Perry
Mount Perry
Coordinates25°10′49″S 151°38′45″E / 25.1802°S 151.6458°E / -25.1802; 151.6458 (Mount Perry (town centre))
Population487 (2021 census)[1]
 • Density0.8001/km2 (2.0722/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4671
Area608.7 km2 (235.0 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)North Burnett Region
State electorate(s)Callide
Federal division(s)Flynn
Localities around Mount Perry:
Yarrol Wonbah
Boolboonda
New Moonta
Nearum
Mungy Mount Perry Doughboy
Good Night
Mungy Yenda Mingo

The neighbourhood of Drummers Creek is in the locality (25°09′00″S 151°39′00″E / 25.1500°S 151.6500°E / -25.1500; 151.6500 (Drummers Creek, Queensland)).[4]

Geography

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The Perry Fault, a major regional strike-slip structure in South East Queensland is in the New England Orogenic Belt.[5][6]

Mount Perry is about 365 kilometres (227 mi) northwest of Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, and about 100 kilometres (62 mi) west of Bundaberg. The town is nestled in a valley near Mount Perry, the area's highest mountain. The Normanby Lookout is located on Normanby Range Road off Towns Creek Road from the Gin Gin-Mount Perry Road and offers views of the Mount Perry Township and the surrounding countryside. Schuh’s Lookout is on Schuhs Lookout Road off the Monto-Mount Perry Road at the top of the range, offering views south of Mount Perry.[7]

History

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Mount Perry railway station, 1925

Gureng Gureng (also known as Gooreng Gooreng, Goreng Goreng, Goeng, Gurang, Goorang Goorang, Korenggoreng) is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken by the Gureng Gureng people. The Gooreng Gooreng language region includes the towns of Bundaberg, Gin Gin and Miriam Vale extending south towards Childers, inland to Monto and Mt Perry.[8]

The locality takes its name from Mount Perry pastoral run which was named in 1857. Originally there were two private towns known as Fife-Barnett and the town of Tenningering. Tenningering was renamed Mount Perry on 14 January 1915.[2]

In 1869, copper was discovered at Mount Perry (approx 100 km west of Bundaberg) and the township grew rapidly.[9] A railway to the coast was essential to provide cheap transport and make the mining of low percentage ore viable. Maryborough and Bundaberg vied for the opportunity to be the terminus and the latter city was successful. The first 65 kilometres (40 mi) section of the Mount Perry railway line from North Bundaberg railway station (originally called Bundaberg station) to Moolboolaman opened on 19 July 1881.[10]

Mount Perry Provisional School opened on 7 October 1871 in a "crude bark humpy" with 36 students under teacher Archibald Douglas of Gayndah. It became Mount Perry State School on 9 February 1874.[11] In the early 1900s, the school had several hundred students. On Saturday 1 April 1922, the teacher's residence was burned down, but a bucket brigade was able to save the school building.[12] In September 1954, a new school building opened on the school's current site.[13]

Mount Perry Post Office opened on 26 July 1871. It was known as Tenningering between 1882 and 1884.[14][15][16]

Mount Perry Wesleyan Methodist Church opened on Sunday 21 July 1872.[17][18] It was built from timber at a cost of £220. It could seat 120 people.[19] In 1919, it was relocated to become the Methodist Church in Woowoonga. In 1939, it was relocated to Biggenden to be used as the Methodist church hall.[20][21][22]

St Patrick's Catholic Church was built in 1873.[23] A Catholic day school opened at the church under teacher Miss Bertheau.[24] A second St Patrick's Church was built in 1904 from timber on the site of the earlier church, which had sold for removal.[25][26] The architect was F H Faircloth and the builder was John Guthrie.[27] Although the church was to be opened on Sunday 12 February 1905 by Archbishop Robert Dunne, he was unable to attend on the day and the church was officially opened by the local priest Father Mimnagh with over 400 people in attendance.[28][29]

 
Schoolchildren and teacher outside the school at Drummers Creek, 1908

Drummer's Creek Provisional School opened on 5 April 1880. On 1 January 1909, it became Drummer's Creek State School. It closed in 1959.[11] It was at 1 School Lane (25°08′25″S 151°37′31″E / 25.1404°S 151.6253°E / -25.1404; 151.6253 (Drummer's Creek State School (former))).[30]

Mount Perry was connected by the Mount Perry railway line to Bundaberg from 1884 until 1960.[31]

St Anne's Anglican Church was built in 1903. It could seat 100 people.[32]

Mount Perry Presbyterian Church was opened on Wednesday 17 June 1908 by the Reverend Andrew Gillison.[33][34] It has closed. It was at 11 Isabella Street (25°10′39″S 151°38′38″E / 25.177508°S 151.6439°E / -25.177508; 151.6439 (Mount Perry Methodist Church)).[35] As at April 2021, the church building was still extant and signed as the "Hilltop Chapel".[36]

The Salvation Army hall opened on Saturday 8 August 1908.[37]

Harpur's Hill Provisional School opened on 1908 and closed circa 1909.[38] It reopened in 1917, becoming Harpur's Hill State School. In 1919, it had 11 students under teacher Miss E. Plumb.[39] It closed permanently circa 1924.[11] It was on a 2-acre (0.81 ha) site on the western side of Homestead Road (25°08′18″S 151°33′52″E / 25.1382°S 151.5645°E / -25.1382; 151.5645) and served a mining community.[38][40][41][42]

Demographics

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In the 2006 census, the locality of Mount Perry had a population of 431 people.[43]

In the 2011 census, the locality of Mount Perry had a population of 480 people.[44]

In the 2016 census, the locality of Mount Perry had a population of 538 people.[45]

In the 2021 census, the locality of Mount Perry had a population of 487 people.[1]

Heritage listings

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St Patrick's Church, 2009

Mount Perry has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Economy

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Mount Perry is a rural farming area, primarily for raising cattle. Gold mining continues as an important industry. Evolution Mining owns and operates Mt Rawdon Mine which is a gold and silver mine with annual community tours.[9]

Education

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Mount Perry State School is a government primary (Early Childhood-6) school for boys and girls at Annie Street (25°10′56″S 151°38′35″E / 25.1823°S 151.6431°E / -25.1823; 151.6431 (Mount Perry State School)).[49][50] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 52 students with 7 teachers (5 full-time equivalent) and 10 non-teaching staff (4 full-time equivalent).[51]

There are no secondary schools in Mount Perry. The nearest government secondary schools are Gin Gin State High School in Gin Gin to the north-east and Burnett State College in Gayndah to the south. However, some parts of Mount Perry are too distant to attend these schools; the alternatives are distance education and boarding school.[52]

Amenities

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The North Burnett Regional Council operates a public library at 34 Heusman Street.[53]

The Mount Perry branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at 73 Heusman Street.[54]

St Patrick's Catholic Church is at 18 Pearson Street (25°10′48″S 151°38′31″E / 25.179999°S 151.642°E / -25.179999; 151.642 (St Patrick's Catholic Church)).[55][56]

St Anne's Anglican Church is at 99 Heusman Street (25°10′39″S 151°38′35″E / 25.177599°S 151.643°E / -25.177599; 151.643 (St Anne's Anglican Church)).[32][57]

There is a government-run health centre and a 9-hole golf course. There is a general store, petrol station and post office (with bank agency), motel and a hotel.[citation needed]

Attractions

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Mount Perry has historic copper workings.[9]

Mount Perry has an art gallery and a bicentennial museum with active historic gold stamper (demonstrations on request).[citation needed]

An 18 kilometres (11 mi) section of the Bicentennial National Trail passes through the Mount Perry area and is ideal for walking, cycling or horse riding activities.[citation needed]

There are two lookouts in Mount Perry:

Events

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The Mount Perry Race Club runs horse racing events.[citation needed]

Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Mount Perry (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.  
  2. ^ a b "Mount Perry – town in North Burnett Region (entry 44226)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  3. ^ "Mount Perry – locality in North Burnett Region (entry 45395)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  4. ^ "Drummers Creek – unbounded locality in the Bundaberg Region (entry 39251)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  5. ^ Jessop, K.; Daczko, N. R.; Piazolo, S. (19 May 2019). "Tectonic cycles of the New England Orogen, eastern Australia: A Review". Australian Journal of Earth Sciences. 66 (4): 459–496. doi:10.1080/08120099.2018.1548378. ISSN 0812-0099. S2CID 135215675. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2022.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  6. ^ "EMX Royalty Continues to Expand its Portfolio of Australian Gold Projects and Royalties". EMX Royalty Corp. 26 April 2021. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  7. ^ "Mount Perry - Scenic Drives". Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  8. ^ "Gureng Gureng". State Library of Queensland. 21 January 2020. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  9. ^ a b c Ashley, P.M.; Lottermoser, B.G.; Chubb, A.J. (November 2003). "Environmental geochemistry of the Mt Perry copper mines area, SE Queensland, Australia". Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis. 3 (4): 345–357. doi:10.1144/1467-7873/03-014. ISSN 1467-7873. S2CID 130626335. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  10. ^ "LOCAL OPTION". The Week. Vol. XII, no. 291. Queensland, Australia. 23 July 1881. p. 15. Archived from the original on 4 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ 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
  12. ^ "TEACHER'S FIGHT WITH FLAMES". Daily Standard. No. 2885. Queensland, Australia. 3 April 1922. p. 5 (SECOND EDITION). Retrieved 7 August 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ "History". Mount Perry State School. 16 January 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  14. ^ "Post Office Details - Mount Perry (1)". Phoenix Auctions. Archived from the original on 4 March 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  15. ^ "Post Office Details - Tenningering". Phoenix Auctions. Archived from the original on 4 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  16. ^ "Post Office Details - Mount Perry (2)". Phoenix Auctions. Archived from the original on 4 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  17. ^ "(From the Rockhampton Bulletin.)". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser. No. 1244. Queensland, Australia. 27 July 1872. p. 2. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  18. ^ "OXLEY". The Brisbane Courier. Vol. XXVII, no. 4, 632. Queensland, Australia. 3 August 1872. p. 5. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  19. ^ Blake, Thom. "Mount Perry Methodist Church". Queensland religious places database. Archived from the original on 6 November 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  20. ^ "Woowoonga Methodist Church | Woowoonga". Queensland Religious Places Database. Archived from the original on 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  21. ^ "BIGGENDEN METHODIST YOUNG PEOPLE'S HALL". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay And Burnett Advertiser. No. 21, 187. Queensland, Australia. 6 October 1939. p. 2. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  22. ^ "METHODIST CHURCH". The Daily Mail. No. 5456. Queensland, Australia. 5 March 1920. p. 5. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  23. ^ Blake, Thom. "St Patrick's Catholic Church (1873)". Queensland religious places database. Archived from the original on 7 November 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  24. ^ "NOTHINGS FROM THE PAPERS". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser. No. 1330. Queensland, Australia. 13 February 1873. p. 2. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  25. ^ a b "St Patricks Church (entry 600764)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  26. ^ "MOUNT PERRY". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser. No. 9900. Queensland, Australia. 27 August 1904. p. 4. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  27. ^ Blake, Thom. "St Patrick's Catholic Church (1904)". Queensland religious places database. Archived from the original on 6 November 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  28. ^ "MOUNT PERRY". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser. No. 10, 037. Queensland, Australia. 3 February 1905. p. 3. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  29. ^ "MOUNT PERRY". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser. No. 10, 049. Queensland, Australia. 17 February 1905. p. 4. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  30. ^ "Queensland Two Mile series sheet 2m158" (Map). Queensland Government. 1952. Archived from the original on 6 November 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  31. ^ Rails to Mount Perry Milne, Rod Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, August, 1998 pp294-301
  32. ^ a b Blake, Thom. "St Anne's Anglican Church". Queensland religious places database. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  33. ^ "MOUNT PERRY". The Bundaberg Mail And Burnett Advertiser. No. 3530. Queensland, Australia. 20 June 1908. p. 3. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  34. ^ "REV. A. GILLISON". The Bundaberg Mail And Burnett Advertiser. No. 3520. Queensland, Australia. 9 June 1908. p. 2. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  35. ^ "Mount Perry Presbyterian Church | Mount Perry". Queensland Religious Places Database. Archived from the original on 28 March 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  36. ^ "11 Isabella Street, Mount Perry" (Map). Google Maps. November 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  37. ^ "MOUNT PERRY". The Bundaberg Mail And Burnett Advertiser. No. 3573. Queensland, Australia. 12 August 1908. p. 3. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  38. ^ a b "MOUNT PERRY". The Bundaberg Mail And Burnett Advertiser. No. 3519. Queensland, Australia. 8 June 1908. p. 3. Archived from the original on 28 October 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  39. ^ "DRUMMER'S CREEK". The Bundaberg Mail. Vol. 49, no. 6856. Queensland, Australia. 12 September 1919. p. 6. Retrieved 9 August 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  40. ^ "County of Bowen" (Map). Queensland Government. 1923. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  41. ^ "Parish of Wolca" (Map). Queensland Government. 1973. Archived from the original on 6 November 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  42. ^ "DRUMMER'S CREEK". The Bundaberg Mail. Vol. 49, no. 6856. Queensland, Australia. 12 September 1919. p. 6. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  43. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Mount Perry (Perry Shire) (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 5 July 2008.
  44. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Mount Perry (SSC)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 22 August 2016.  
  45. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Mount Perry (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.  
  46. ^ a b c d "North Burnett Local Heritage Register" (PDF). North Burnett Regional Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 August 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  47. ^ "Masonic Lodge (entry 600765)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  48. ^ "Mount Perry Powder Magazine (entry 602782)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  49. ^ "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  50. ^ "Mount Perry State School". Mount Perry State School. 16 January 2020. Archived from the original on 6 November 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  51. ^ "ACARA School Profile 2018". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  52. ^ "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  53. ^ "Library Services". Gympie Regional Council. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  54. ^ "Branch Locations". Queensland Country Women's Association. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  55. ^ Blake, Thom. "St Patrick's Catholic Church". Queensland religious places database. Archived from the original on 6 November 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  56. ^ "Service Times | Sacred Heart Catholic Church". Catholic Childers. Archived from the original on 7 November 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  57. ^ "Anglican Parish of Gayndah". Anglican Parish of Gayndah. Archived from the original on 7 November 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
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Further reading

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