Coominya, Queensland

Coominya is a town and locality in the Somerset Region in South East Queensland, Australia.[2][3] The town is located 83 kilometres (52 mi) west of the state capital, Brisbane and approximately 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from Wivenhoe Dam. In the 2016 census, Coominya had a population of 1,200 people.[1]

Coominya
Queensland
Cafe and post office at Coominya
Coominya
Coordinates27.3919°S 152.5022°E / -27.3919; 152.5022
Population1,200 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density10.5/km2 (27.1/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4311
Elevation80 m (262 ft)
Area114.7 km2 (44.3 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
  • 83 km (52 mi) W of Brisbane
  • 48 km (30 mi) NW of Ipswich
  • 73 km (45 mi) NE of Toowoomba
  • 15 km (9 mi) NW of Lowood
LGA(s)Somerset Region
CountyCavendish
ParishEngland
State electorate(s)Nanango
Federal Division(s)Blair
Localities around Coominya:
Mount Hallen Moombra Lake Wivenhoe
Buaraba Coominya Wivenhoe Hill
Atkinsons Dam Clarendon Patrick Estate

Geography

Coominya is bounded by Logan Creek to the north and Buaraba Creek to the south. Although located closely between Atkinson Dam to the south-west and Lake Wivenhoe to the north-east, it does not bound either of these two reservoirs.[4]

The Brisbane Valley Highway approximately follows its north-east border. The Brisbane Valley railway line passes through Coominya from the north-west to the south-east with the Coominya railway station serving the town.[4] However, the railway line was closed in 1993.

History
Coominya War Memorial, 2010

From 1886 to 1906, the area was known as Bellevue (the local pastoral property). The name Coominya is believed to be derived from the Yuggera language where kung means water and nya means to see referring to its lagoons.[2][3]

Coominya Post Office opened by December 1907 (a receiving office had been open from 1887, known earlier as Bellevue).[5]

Comminya State School opened on 17 September 1912.[6][7][8]

In 1920 the Coominya soldier settlement was established to provide opportunities for soldiers returning from World War I to establish themselves as farmers. There were 100 farms each of 30 acres (12 ha) intended for growing grapes and fruit. Like many soldier settlements in Australia, the scheme failed to the poor quality of the land and lack of support for inexperienced farmers. The settlement closed in 1929 with only 2 farms were still operating.[9]

St. Martin's Anglican Church was dedicated on 24 June 1922 by Coadjutor Bishop Henry Le Fanu. It closed circa 2005.[10]

The Coominya War Memorial is located on Railway Street and was dedicated on 25 April 1997.[11]

At the 2006 census, Coominya had a population of 467.[12]

In the 2011 census, Coominya had a population of 1,174 people.[13]

Heritage listings
Bellevue Homestead

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

Bellevue Homestead[14]

Economy

Coominya is known for its fresh produce.

The major employer is an abattoir.[15] There is a steady increase in olive growing and Comvita have set up an olive leaf extract plant in the town.[16][17]

Amenities

Facilities in Coominya include a post office, a general store, a cafe and a pub.

Education

Coominya State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 7 Cornhill Street (27.3922°S 152.5008°E / -27.3922; 152.5008 (Coominya State School)).[18][19] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 118 students with 7 teachers (6 full-time equivalent) and 6 non-teaching staff (4 full-time equivalent).[20]

There is no secondary school in Coominya; the nearest secondary schools are in Lowood and Toogoolawah.[4]

Attractions

Attractions in the Coominya area include the historic Bellevue Homestead, moved from Wivenhoe Dam to Coominya. Coominya is known for its scenery and wildlife including lorikeet parrots, koalas, kangaroos.

As part of Q150 (Queensland's 150th anniversary) the local heritage society commissioned a series of murals depicting early life at the town.[21]

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References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Coominya (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  2. "Coominya (entry 8190)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  3. "Coominya (entry 44859)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  4. "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 3 July 2015.
  5. Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  6. "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  7. 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. "Agency ID 5122, Coominya State School". Queensland State Archives. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  9. Threadingham, Tom. "Historians look back at Coominya soldiers' settlement". Gatton Star. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  10. "Closed Anglican Churches". Anglican Church South Queensland. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  11. "Coominya War Memorial". Monument Australia. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  12. Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Coominya (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 October 2007.
  13. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Coominya (SSC)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  14. "Bellevue Homestead (entry 600492)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  15. "Global Investors Continue to Flock to Queensland". australiatradecoast.com.au. Archived from the original on 2 September 2007. Retrieved 28 October 2007.
  16. "Comvita Acquires Queensland Olive Estate". New Zealand Exchange. 23 January 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  17. "Synergy 12". Comvita Limited. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  18. "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  19. "Coominya State School". Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  20. "ACARA School Profile 2017". Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  21. Maeseele, Melanie (29 September 2009). "History on display in new mural". Queensland Times. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
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