Woongarra is a rural locality in the Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] In the 2021 census, Woongarra had a population of 585 people.[1]

Woongarra
BundabergQueensland
Woongarra State School, 2015
Woongarra is located in Queensland
Woongarra
Woongarra
Map
Coordinates24°53′40″S 152°24′48″E / 24.8944°S 152.4133°E / -24.8944; 152.4133 (Woongarra (centre of locality))
Population585 (2021 census)[1]
 • Density17.11/km2 (44.30/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4670
Area34.2 km2 (13.2 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC 10:00)
Location
LGA(s)Bundaberg Region
State electorate(s)
Federal division(s)Hinkler
Suburbs around Woongarra:
Ashfield Windermere Innes Park
Avenell Heights Woongarra Elliott Heads
Thabeban Alloway Calavos

Geography

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Located to the immediate south-east of the Bundaberg urban area, the locality is bounded to the north and east by Elliotts Head Road and to the south by Three Chain Road.[3]

The terrain is relatively flat ranging from 10 to 40 metres (33 to 131 ft) above sea level.[4] The land use is predominantly crop growing (mostly sugarcane and macadamia) and some grazing on native vegetation.[5] There is a network of cane tramways in the locality to transport the harvested sugarcane to the local sugar mills for processing.[3]

History

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The name Woongarra is an Aboriginal word meaning the brigalow tree.[2]

In December 1878, tenders were called to erect a school and teacher's residence.[6] When Woongarra State School opened on 13 August 1879 with 16 students, it was on the corner of Wallace's Road and Lovers Walk Road (approx 24°53′12″S 152°24′21″E / 24.88679°S 152.40863°E / -24.88679; 152.40863 (Woongarra State School (original site))).[7] It moved to its present location on Elliott Heads Road in 1901.[8][9][10]

A Primitive Methodist Church opened circa August 1878.[11]

St John's Anglican church was dedicated on 14 October 1883. It held its last service on 29 October 1967 because of a declining population.[12][13]

Demographics

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In the 2016 census, Woongarra had a population of 547 people.[14]

In the 2021 census, Woongarra had a population of 585 people.[1]

Education

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Woongarra State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 468 Elliott Heads Road (24°52′44″S 152°24′20″E / 24.8789°S 152.4056°E / -24.8789; 152.4056 (Woongarra State School)).[15][16] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 459 students with 36 teachers (31 full-time equivalent) and 25 non-teaching staff (15 full-time equivalent).[17] A special education program is available at the school.[15]

There are no secondary schools in Woongarra. The nearest government secondary schools are Kepnock State High School in Kepnock to the north-west and Bundaburg State High School in Bundaberg South also to the north-west.[18]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Woongarra (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.  
  2. ^ a b "Woongarra – locality in Bundaberg Region (entry 48366)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Layers: Locality; Road and rail". Queensland Globe. Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 19 December 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Layers: Locality; Mountains and ranges; Contours; Watercourses". Queensland Globe. Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 19 December 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Layers: Locality; Protected areas and forests; Land use". Queensland Globe. Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 19 December 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  6. ^ "Official Notifications". The Brisbane Courier. Vol. XXXIII, no. 3, 601. Queensland, Australia. 2 December 1878. p. 3. Retrieved 22 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  8. ^ "Woongarra State School". Archived from the original on 28 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  9. ^ "Official Notifications". The Telegraph. No. 8, 742. Queensland, Australia. 26 November 1900. p. 2. Archived from the original on 27 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ "WOONGARRA STATE SCHOOL". The Brisbane Courier. Vol. LVII, no. 13, 405. Queensland, Australia. 29 December 1900. p. 4. Archived from the original on 27 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ "Country News in Brief". The Queenslander. Vol. XIV, no. 158. Queensland, Australia. 24 August 1878. p. 648. Archived from the original on 27 March 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ "Closed Churches". Anglican Church of Southern Queensland. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  13. ^ "St John's Anglican Church | Woongarra". Queensland Religious Places Database. Archived from the original on 27 March 2024. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  14. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Woongarra (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.  
  15. ^ a b "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  16. ^ "Woongarra State School". Woongarra State School. 24 August 2022. Archived from the original on 1 April 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  17. ^ "ACARA School Profile 2017". Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  18. ^ "Layers: Locality; Schools and school catchments". Queensland Globe. Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 19 December 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2024.