Benarkin

Benarkin is a rural town and locality in the South Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] The nearby town of Blackbutt is the origin of the town and the two towns are often referred to as the joint entity Blackbutt-Benarkin. In the 2016 census, Benarkin had a population of 61 people.[1]

Benarkin
Queensland
General store
Benarkin
Coordinates26.8861°S 152.1372°E / -26.8861; 152.1372
Population61 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density14.52/km2 (37.6/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4306
Area4.2 km2 (1.6 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
LGA(s)South Burnett Region
CountyCavendish
State electorate(s)Nanango
Federal Division(s)Maranoa
Localities around Benarkin:
Blackbutt North Benarkin North Benarkin North
Blackbutt Benarkin Moore
Blackbutt South Cherry Creek Cherry Creek

Geography

Benarkin is located on the Balfour Range approximately 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) east of Blackbutt and is by-passed by the D'Aguilar Highway.[4] The Benarkin State Forest is located to the east and south of the town.

History

The locality name Benarkin takes its name from ''Benarqui'' from the, Dungibara language which refers to the blackbutt tree (Eucalyptus pilularis) which are common in the district.[5] When the Blackbutt railway station was built to serve the town of Blackbutt, it was some distance from the town, so it was decided to name the railway station Bernakin in 1910[6] and this name was then used for the settlement that grew up around the railway station. Because of the close proximity (3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) apart) and intertwined history of the two towns, they are often referred to as the twin towns of Blackbutt-Benarkin.[7]

Benarkin State School, new building, old tent, 1913

Macnamara's Camp Provisional School opened on 4 July 1910 but in November 1910 it was moved to Well Holes and renamed Well Holes Provisional School. In 1911, it was renamed Benarkin Provisional School. The school was operating from a tent.[8] In March 1913 a building was constructed and it became Benarkin State School on 1 April 1913.[9] It closed in 1920, but reopened on 4 September 1935.[10][11]

Benarkin Post Office opened by March 1911.[12]

On 11 November 1996, a memorial was established to jointly commemorate the soldiers who took part in the Battle of Hill 60 at Gallipoli in World War I and the pioneer forestry workers of the district. The memorial is located on Hill 60 Road in the Benarkin State Forest (26.876073°S 152.161796°E / -26.876073; 152.161796 (Benarkin State Forest Hill 60 Memorial)).[13]

In the 2011 census, the towns of Benarkin and Blackbutt recorded a combined population of 1,055.[14]

In the 2016 census, Benarkin had a population of 61 people.[1]

Heritage listings

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

  • off D'Aguilar Highway: Taromeo Homestead[15]

Education

Benarkin State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at Scott Street (26.8844°S 152.1417°E / -26.8844; 152.1417 (Benarkin State School)).[16][17] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 27 students with 6 teachers (4 full-time equivalent) and 5 non-teaching staff (3 full-time equivalent).[18]

There is no secondary school in Benarkin, the nearest are in Nanango, Toogoolawah and Kilcoy.[19]

Attractions

The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail passes through Benarkin, following the route of the former railway line. It is for walking and cycling, no motorised vehicles are permitted.[20]

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References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Benarkin (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  2. "Benarkin - town in South Burnett Region (entry 40974)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  3. "Benarkin - locality in South Burnett Region (entry 46191)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  4. "Our school". Benarkin State School. Archived from the original on 29 May 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  5. "Benarkin - locality (entry 46191)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  6. "Naming Railway Stations". The Brisbane Courier. Queensland, Australia. 24 December 1910. p. 4. Retrieved 12 March 2020 – via Trove.
  7. "Benarkin - town (entry 40974)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  8. "Our Mutdapilly District Letter". The Queensland Times. National Library of Australia. 11 April 1912. p. 6 Edition: DAILY. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  9. "EDUCATION DEPARTMENT". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 22 March 1913. p. 10. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  10. "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  11. "Agency ID 3671, Benarkin State School". Queensland State Archives. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  12. Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  13. "Benarkin State Forest Hill 60 Memorial". Monument Australia. Archived from the original on 29 May 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  14. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Benarkin (Gazeeted Locality)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  15. "Taromeo Homestead complex and cemetery (entry 601123)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  16. "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  17. "Benarkin State School". Archived from the original on 24 April 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  18. "ACARA School Profile 2017". Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  19. "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  20. "Moore to Blackbutt". Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 31 May 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2014.

Further reading
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