Torquay (/tɔːrk/ tor-KEY) is a coastal suburb in Hervey Bay in the Fraser Coast Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] In the 2021 census, Torquay had a population of 6,533 people.[1]

Torquay
Hervey BayQueensland
Beach at Torquay in 2006
Torquay is located in Queensland
Torquay
Torquay
Map
Coordinates25°17′29″S 152°52′24″E / 25.2913°S 152.8733°E / -25.2913; 152.8733 (Torquay (centre of suburb))
Population6,533 (2021 census)[1]
 • Density1,390/km2 (3,600/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4655
Elevation4 m (13 ft)
Area4.7 km2 (1.8 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)Fraser Coast Region
State electorate(s)Hervey Bay
Federal division(s)Wide Bay
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
30.0 °C
86 °F
16.6 °C
62 °F
1,061.6 mm
41.8 in
Suburbs around Torquay:
Coral Sea Coral Sea Coral Sea
Scarness Torquay Urangan
Kawungan Wondunna Urangan

Geography

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Torquay is located 298 kilometres (185 mi) north of Brisbane. Torquay is one of five beachside suburbs in Hervey Bay that is made up of primarily residential homes with some tourist accommodation in apartment buildings.

History

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The name Torquay might appear to be a reference to the English seaside town of Torquay, but its origins are believed to be a corruption of Kabi language words dhakki-talbur, reduced to dhakki meaning either a place of short stones, a rocky reef or a stone axe. The similarity of the sound of the word probably gave rise to the English-town spelling.[2]

Torquay Provisional School opened on 21 January 1901. On 1 January 1909, it became Torquay State School.[3]

The Pialba-to-Urangan section of the Hervey Bay railway opened on 19 December 1913 with Torquay railway station (25°17′22″S 152°52′11″E / 25.2895°S 152.8696°E / -25.2895; 152.8696 (Torquay railway station (former))) serving the local area.[4] The line closed on 30 June 1993.[5][6] The railway station site has been redeveloped as housing.[7]

In 1919, a Baptist church opened in Torquay.[8][9] It was erected by the Maryborough Baptist Church.[10][11] Tenders were called in June 1919 with Messrs Payne and Jacobi chosen as the contractors in July 1919.[12][13] The new church was officially opened on Saturday 4 October 1919 with a special excursion train from Maryborough arranged for those attending the opening. Over 500 people travelled to attend the opening.[14][15] The church was at approx 270 Torquay Terrace (25°17′11″S 152°52′02″E / 25.2864°S 152.8671°E / -25.2864; 152.8671 (Torquay Baptist Church (former))).[16][17] The church building has subsequently been relocated to 44 Wheeley Road, Booral, where it is used as a private residence.[18][19]

All Souls' Anglican Church opened in 1968. It closed circa 1988.[20]

Star of the Sea Catholic School opened on 23 January 1984.[3]

Demographics

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In the 2006 census, Torquay had a population of 5,693 people.[21]

In the 2016 census, Torquay had a population of 6,316 people.[22]

In the 2021 census, Torquay had a population of 6,533 people.[1]

Education

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Torquay State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at Tavistock Street (25°17′16″S 152°51′54″E / 25.2877°S 152.8649°E / -25.2877; 152.8649 (Torquay State School)).[23][24] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 441 students with 36 teachers (31 full-time equivalent) and 25 non-teaching staff (15 full-time equivalent).[25] It includes a special education program.[23][26]

Star of the Sea Catholic School is a Catholic primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at Hughes Road (25°18′25″S 152°52′26″E / 25.3069°S 152.8739°E / -25.3069; 152.8739 (Star of the Sea Catholic School)).[23][27] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 349 students with 23 teachers (20 full-time equivalent) and 18 non-teaching staff (9 full-time equivalent).[25]

There is no secondary school in Torquay. The nearest secondary school is Urangan State High School just across the border to neighbouring Urangan to the east.[7]

Amenities

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Hervey Bay Uniting Church is on the north-east corner of Exeter Street and Tavistock Streets (25°17′36″S 152°51′55″E / 25.2934°S 152.8653°E / -25.2934; 152.8653 (Hervey Bay Uniting Church)).[28][29]

The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses is at 88 Exeter Street (25°17′38″S 152°52′11″E / 25.2938°S 152.8696°E / -25.2938; 152.8696 (Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Torquay)).[30][31]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Torquay (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 June 2024.  
  2. ^ a b "Torquay – suburb in Fraser Coast Region (entry 46684)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  3. ^ a b Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  4. ^ Kerr, John (1990). Triumph of narrow gauge : a history of Queensland Railways. Boolarong Publications. p. 225. ISBN 978-0-86439-102-5.
  5. ^ "Railway History". Bay Connect. Archived from the original on 29 November 2010. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
  6. ^ "Hervey Bay – Links Mobility Corridor – Trail Description". Rail Trails Australia. Archived from the original on 21 February 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
  7. ^ a b "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  8. ^ "Queensland Baptist churches by date of erection/opening". Baptist Church Archives Queensland. Archived from the original on 26 December 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  9. ^ "1919 Torquay Hervey Bay". Baptist Church Archives Queensland. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  10. ^ "GENERAL NEWS". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser. No. 14, 402. Queensland, Australia. 28 March 1919. p. 3. Retrieved 30 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ "Wide Bay and District". The Telegraph. No. 14, 460. Queensland, Australia. 31 March 1919. p. 2. Retrieved 30 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ "BAPTIST CHURCH AT TORQUAY". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser. No. 14, 181. Queensland, Australia. 28 June 1919. p. 7. Retrieved 30 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ "TORQUAY BAPTIST CHURCH". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser. No. 14, 189. Queensland, Australia. 8 July 1919. p. 3. Retrieved 30 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. ^ "OPENING BAPTIST CHURCH AT TORQUAY". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser. No. 14, 264. Queensland, Australia. 4 October 1919. p. 9. Retrieved 30 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. ^ "BAPTIST CHURCH AT TORQUAY". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser. No. 14, 265. Queensland, Australia. 6 October 1919. p. 6. Retrieved 30 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. ^ "Advertising". Maryborough Chronicle. No. 23, 930. Queensland, Australia. 23 October 1948. p. 6. Retrieved 30 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  17. ^ "Pialba" (Map). Queensland Government. 1943. Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  18. ^ "Torquay Baptist Church - Former". Churches Australia. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  19. ^ Blake, Thom. "Torquay Baptist Church". Queensland religious places database. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  20. ^ Anglican Church of Southern Queensland. "Closed Churches". Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  21. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Torquay (Hervey Bay City) (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 17 June 2008. Map
  22. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Torquay (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.  
  23. ^ a b c "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  24. ^ "Torquay State School". Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  25. ^ a b "ACARA School Profile 2018". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  26. ^ "Torquay SS - Special Education Program". Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  27. ^ "Star of the Sea Catholic School". Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  28. ^ "Find a church". Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  29. ^ "Hervey Bay Uniting Church (Street View)" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  30. ^ "Find a Meeting". apps.jw.org. Archived from the original on 22 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  31. ^ "Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Torquay (Street View)" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
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