Yeppoon (/jəˈpuːn/) is a coastal town and locality in the Shire of Livingstone, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] Yeppoon is renowned for its beaches, tropical climate, and the islands out on the bay. Located 41 kilometres (25 mi) from the city of Rockhampton, Yeppoon is the seat of the Shire of Livingstone and the principal town on the Capricorn Coast, a string of seaside communities stretching more than 150 kilometres (93 mi) from north to south. The beaches and shallow coves provide a destination both for tourists and retirees settling down in Central Queensland. Offshore, there are 27 islands including Great Keppel Island which is 20 kilometres (12 mi) from Yeppoon. In the 2021 census, the locality of Yeppoon had a population of 7,037 people; this does not include any neighbouring suburbs.[1]
| Yeppoon Queensland | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Looking across Keppel Bay from Wreck Point | |||||||||||||||
  Yeppoon | |||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 23°07′44″S 150°44′40″E / 23.1288°S 150.7444°E | ||||||||||||||
| Population | 7,037 (2021 census)[1] | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 255.0/km2 (660.4/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4703 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 6 m (20 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 27.6 km2 (10.7 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC 10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Shire of Livingstone | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Keppel | ||||||||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Capricornia | ||||||||||||||
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Geography
editYeppoon is located on Keppel Bay which opens to the Coral Sea, around 700 kilometres (430 mi) north of the state capital, Brisbane, and 40 kilometres (25 mi) from Rockhampton City. It is located within the local government area of Shire of Livingstone in Central Queensland. Between 2008 and 2013, it was within the Rockhampton Region).
The Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road (as Yeppoon Road) runs along part of the southern boundary.[4]
History
editThe Capricorn Coast is part of the traditional lands of the Darumbal Aboriginal people. Yeppoon was first settled by the Ross family in 1865 who took up large landholding along the length of the Capricorn Coast. [citation needed] Fruit crops, cattle, and wool were the major industries of the early town. A short-lived period of sugar cane growing followed from 1883 to 1903, which failed due to unseasonal rains and lack of financial backing. Along with other sugar growing areas of Australia, South Sea Islanders were used as labourers on the sugar plantations, often without their consent (see blackbirding).[5] Pineapples, mangoes, and other tropical fruit became the mainstay of local agriculture in the new century, with cattle grazing and fishing also contributing to the local economy. [citation needed]
Yeppoon Provisional School opened on 4 May 1885 and became Yeppoon State School on 1 October 1889. Originally in Queen Street, it was relocated in 1957 to Tucker Street.[6][7]
St Ursula's College, a Catholic day and boarding school for girls, was established on 12 March 1918 by the Presentation Sisters.[6]
St Brendan's College, a Catholic day and boarding school for boys, was established on 8 October 1939 by the Christian Brothers.[6]
Yeppoon Infants State School opened on 24 January 1955, but closed in 1968.[6]
Yeppoon State High School opened on 28 January 1969.[6]
The Bay View Tower motel and restaurant become Yeppoon first high-rise building in 1986.[8]
On 20 February 2015, severe tropical cyclone Marcia crossed the Capricorn Coast near Shoalwater Bay as a category 5 Cyclone. The storm destroyed more than 150 houses in Yeppoon and left more than 13,500 residents without power.
The Yeppoon Public Library was opened in 1990 and went through a major refurbishment in 2017.[9]
Yeppoon is within the local government area of Shire of Livingstone (between 2008 and 2013, it was within the Rockhampton Region following a local government amalgamation that was reversed in 2014).
Demographics
editIn the 2016 census, the locality of Yeppoon had a population of 6,334 people.[10]
In the 2021 census, the locality of Yeppoon had a population of 7,037 people; this does not include any neighbouring suburbs.[1]
Heritage listings
editYeppoon has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
- Yeppoon railway station, James Street (23°07′42″S 150°44′34″E / 23.1283°S 150.7429°E)[11]
- Yeppoon War Memorial, Normanby Street (23°07′48″S 150°44′47″E / 23.1299°S 150.7464°E)[12]
- former Yeppoon State School building, 29 Queen Street (23°07′47″S 150°44′46″E / 23.1298°S 150.7461°E)[13]
- current Yeppoon State School, Tucker Street (23°07′33″S 150°44′14″E / 23.1259°S 150.7371°E)[14]
Governance
edit
In 1879, the Gogango Division was established as one of 74 divisions in Queensland under the Divisional Boards Act 1879. The Gogango Divisional Board's scope of authority comprised a large area north and east of Rockhampton. While the Division was administered in Rockhampton, a locally appointed body, the Yeppoon Progress Association, met once a month to look after the minor requirements of the town.
The discovery of gold brought a huge influx of people to the region, and the various boards broke up into smaller administrative bodies to better service the growing population. In 1903, the Gogango Divisional Board was renamed Shire of Livingstone.[15]
The boundaries of the new shire remained largely unchanged until 1984, when outlying districts including the suburbs of Nerimbera and Parkhurst were ceded to Livingstone's larger neighbour, City of Rockhampton. Continued growth in both Local Government Authorities became a contentious subject from then on, which caused much political tension, until finally in 2007, local conflicts came to a head with the tabling before the Parliament of Queensland of the proposed Local Government (Reform Implementation) Act 2007.
The Act passed, and on 15 March 2008, Livingstone Shire merged with Fitzroy Shire, Mount Morgan Shire, and Rockhampton City to form the new local government area, Rockhampton Region.[16] This forced amalgamation caused political tension.[17][18] Following a majority vote by residents to restore the Shire of Livingstone,[19] on 1 January 2014, the Shire of Livingstone was re-established with its 2008 boundaries with its seat at Yeppoon.[20]
Education
editYeppoon State School is a government primary (Early Childhood to Year 6) school for boys and girls in 14–16 Tucker Street (23°07′31″S 150°44′16″E / 23.1253°S 150.7379°E).[21][22] In 2015, the school had an enrolment of 320 students with 30 teachers (24 full-time equivalent) and 23 non-teaching staff (14 full-time equivalent).[23] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 320 students with 28 teachers (24 full-time equivalent) and 16 non-teaching staff (12 full-time equivalent).[24] It includes a special education program.[21]
Yeppoon State High School is a government secondary (7–12) school for boys and girls at 30 Rawlings Street (23°08′06″S 150°44′08″E / 23.1349°S 150.7355°E).[21][25] In 2015, the school had an enrolment of 1,006 students with 84 teachers (81 full-time equivalent) and 44 non-teaching staff (32 full-time equivalent).[26] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 1,033 students with 88 teachers (86 full-time equivalent) and 41 non-teaching staff (31 full-time equivalent).[24]
St Ursula's College is a Catholic secondary (7–12) school for girls at 42–62 Queen Street (23°07′48″S 150°44′36″E / 23.1300°S 150.7434°E).[21][27] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 393 students with 36 teachers (32 full-time equivalent) and 30 non-teaching staff (18 full-time equivalent).[24]
St Brendan's College is a Catholic secondary (7–12) school for boys at 139 Adelaide Park Road (23°06′58″S 150°43′48″E / 23.1162°S 150.7300°E).[21][28] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 614 students with 53 teachers (52 full-time equivalent) and 44 non-teaching staff (34 full-time equivalent).[24]
Amenities
editThe Livingstone Shire Council operates the Yeppoon Library on 84 John Street, Yeppoon.[29]
The Yeppoon branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at the RSL Hall at 5 Normanby Street.[30]
The Livingstone Shire council has also installed a waterpark on the foreshore called the Keppel Kraken, which features interactive water features and play areas for children.[31] The shire also operates The Yeppoon Lagoon, a 2,500 square metres (27,000 sq ft) resort style lagoon pool located in the old council building site, right on the water front. The lagoon includes a shallow children's play area, and informal lap pool and an infinity edge with views over the Keppel islands.[32]
Yeppoon Wesleyan Methodist Church is at 1 Fred Lawn Drive (23°08′30″S 150°44′01″E / 23.1416°S 150.7337°E).[33] It is part of the Wesleyan Methodist Church.[34]
Shopping
editYeppoon has a number of shopping centres.
- Yeppoon Central
- Keppel Bay Plaza
- Yeppoon CBD
- Tanby Road District
Healthcare
editMedia
editAlthough mainly served by media from nearby Rockhampton, there is a small selection of local media based on the Capricorn Coast.
Until 2020, Yeppoon had its own weekly newspaper called The Capricorn Coast Mirror,[35] which was started by locals John and Suzy Watson in 1983. The Capricorn Coast Mirror was an offshoot to the region's daily newspaper The Morning Bulletin, focusing on news and issues directly relevant to communities throughout Livingstone Shire and the Capricorn Coast. However, in 2020, The Mirror was one of 36 small newspapers in Australia which were closed entirely by News Corp Australia.[36]
An independent news magazine called The Spectator is published locally on the Capricorn Coast and issued fortnightly. It was also established by Suzy and John Watson as an independent alternative for news in the Livingstone Shire.[37]
Keppel FM (formerly 4NAG) is Yeppoon's local community radio station which has locally based on-air presenters hosting a variety of special interest programming each day from a studio in Yeppoon. The station was founded in 1998 and broadcasts to the Livingstone Shire on 91.3 FM.[38]
Sport
editThe local rugby league team is the Yeppoon Seagulls, established 1968. The club competes in the Rockhampton District Rugby League competition. Yeppoon is home to prominent Rugby league breeding ground St. Brendan's College. Professional players Paul Bowman, Casey Conway, Tom Hewitt, PJ Marsh, Shane Marteene, Julian O'Neill, Matthew Scott, Jake Granville, Corey Oates, Dave Taylor, Ben Hunt and Harry Grant are all St. Brendan's alumni.
The Capricorn Coast Football Club founded in 1972 competes in the local soccer competition. The Yepoon Swans, established in 1981 as Cap Coast, play out of Swan Park and compete in AFL Capricornia. The senior men's team set the record for the most consecutive wins in an Australian rules football competition, remaining undefeated for 8 years and 128 matches achieving 8 straight premierships.[39][40]
Climate
editYeppoon experiences a humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cfa), with hot, wet summers and very mild, relatively dry winters. Average annual rainfall is 977.0 millimetres (38.46 in), with a late summer maximum. Extreme temperatures have ranged from −0.1 °C (31.8 °F) on 25 July 1995 to 42.2 °C (108.0 °F) on 28 November 2018.[41]
| Climate data for Yeppoon (23º08'24"S, 150º45'00"E, 6 m AMSL) (1993-2024 normals and extremes) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 38.6 (101.5) |
38.4 (101.1) |
39.1 (102.4) |
35.0 (95.0) |
33.0 (91.4) |
29.2 (84.6) |
29.4 (84.9) |
31.5 (88.7) |
34.4 (93.9) |
36.6 (97.9) |
42.2 (108.0) |
40.5 (104.9) |
42.2 (108.0) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 29.4 (84.9) |
29.4 (84.9) |
28.6 (83.5) |
26.7 (80.1) |
24.2 (75.6) |
22.0 (71.6) |
21.5 (70.7) |
22.3 (72.1) |
24.4 (75.9) |
26.2 (79.2) |
27.6 (81.7) |
28.8 (83.8) |
25.9 (78.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 24.0 (75.2) |
23.8 (74.8) |
22.8 (73.0) |
19.9 (67.8) |
16.0 (60.8) |
13.6 (56.5) |
12.2 (54.0) |
12.8 (55.0) |
15.9 (60.6) |
19.3 (66.7) |
21.5 (70.7) |
23.0 (73.4) |
18.7 (65.7) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 16.9 (62.4) |
16.8 (62.2) |
14.5 (58.1) |
10.2 (50.4) |
4.9 (40.8) |
2.7 (36.9) |
−0.1 (31.8) |
2.7 (36.9) |
5.3 (41.5) |
8.8 (47.8) |
12.0 (53.6) |
16.0 (60.8) |
−0.1 (31.8) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 117.4 (4.62) |
166.8 (6.57) |
150.8 (5.94) |
74.2 (2.92) |
72.9 (2.87) |
52.3 (2.06) |
47.7 (1.88) |
31.3 (1.23) |
33.0 (1.30) |
54.3 (2.14) |
72.9 (2.87) |
112.7 (4.44) |
977.0 (38.46) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 9.5 | 9.7 | 9.9 | 7.5 | 6.1 | 5.7 | 3.8 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 4.4 | 4.9 | 7.3 | 75.7 |
| Average afternoon relative humidity (%) | 71 | 71 | 68 | 67 | 64 | 65 | 62 | 66 | 69 | 68 | 69 | 71 | 68 |
| Average dew point °C (°F) | 22.5 (72.5) |
22.4 (72.3) |
20.9 (69.6) |
18.8 (65.8) |
15.7 (60.3) |
13.6 (56.5) |
12.3 (54.1) |
13.7 (56.7) |
16.7 (62.1) |
18.1 (64.6) |
19.5 (67.1) |
21.4 (70.5) |
18.0 (64.3) |
| Source: Bureau of Meteorology (1993-2024 normals and extremes)[42] | |||||||||||||
Gallery
edit-
Panorama over the CBD -
Beak Bridge over Ross Creek -
Cooee Bay -
Yeppoon Railway Station (defunct) 2011 -
Yeppoon Main Beach -
Yeppoon Main Beach amphitheatre -
Yeppoon town, 1953 -
Yeppoon Main Beach, 1948 -
Yeppoon Main Beach, 1936
.JPG)
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Yeppoon (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
- ^ "Yeppoon – town (entry 38658)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Yeppoon – locality (entry 48955)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Yeppoon, Queensland" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
- ^ "The History of Joskeleigh". ABC Capricornia. 17 September 2007. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2011.
- ^ a b c d e Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
- ^ "History". Yeppoon State School. 6 November 2019. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
- ^ "Yeppoon, Queensland". @ Real Estate. Archived from the original on 25 February 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
- ^ "Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-17" (PDF). Public Libraries Connect. November 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Yeppoon (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
- ^ "Yeppoon Station Building (entry 602563)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
- ^ "Yeppoon War Memorial (entry 602126)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
- ^ "Yeppoon State School (former) (entry 602404)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
- ^ "Yeppoon State School (entry 650231)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
- ^ "Gogango Shire Council". Queensland State Archives. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
- ^ "North Rockhampton Borough Chambers (entry 601370)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 20 April 2008.
- ^ "Rocky Council Motion to Muzzle Ludwig". The Morning Bulletin. 24 May 2011. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 25 December 2011.
- ^ Taylor, Adrian (24 August 2011). "Council Ousts Bill Ludwig". The Morning Bulletin. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 25 December 2011.
- ^ "Elections – Livingstone Area De-amalgamation Poll – Livingstone – Poll Area Summary". Electoral Commission of Queensland. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
- ^ "De-amalgamation". Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 26 August 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- ^ a b c d e "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ "Yeppoon State School". Yeppoon State School. 29 November 2020. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
- ^ "2015 School Annual Report" (PDF). Yeppoon State School. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 May 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
- ^ a b c d "ACARA School Profile 2018". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
- ^ "Yeppoon State High School". Yeppoon State High School. 18 February 2022. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
- ^ "2015 School Annual Report" (PDF). Yeppoon State High School. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 May 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
- ^ "St Ursula's College". Archived from the original on 28 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ "St Brendan's College". Archived from the original on 6 February 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ "Yeppoon Library". Public Libraries Connect. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
- ^ "Branch Locations". Queensland Country Women's Association. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
- ^ "The Keppel Kraken". Livingstone Shire Council. Archived from the original on 28 October 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
- ^ livingstone.qld.gov.au
- ^ "Yeppoon Wesleyan Methodist Church". Wesleyan Methodist Church Australia. Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ "North Queensland". Wesleyan Methodist Church Australia. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ Capricorn Coast Mirror Archived 16 November 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Community Newspapers, APN News & Media (Australian Regional Media). Retrieved 16 November 2016.
- ^ Meade, Amanda (28 May 2020). "News Corp announces end of more than 100 Australian print newspapers in huge shift to digital". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
36 small papers will disappear entirely, including Queensland's Buderim Chronicle, Caloundra Weekly, Capricorn Coast Mirror...
- ^ Gold Listing: The Spectator Archived 16 November 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Emu Park Online. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
- ^ Station Profile: 4NAG Archived 16 November 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Community Broadcasting Association of Australia website. Retrieved 16 November 2016
- ^ Yeppoon Swans win 89th game in a row to claim Australian Rules record for most consecutive wins ever By Jemima Burt for ABC Capricornia 4 October 2020
- ^ Yeppoon’s eight-year winning streak comes to an end from AFL Queensland 29 May 2023
- ^ "Yeppoon the Esplanade Climate (1993-2024)". FarmOnline Weather. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ "Yeppoon the Esplanade Climate Statistics (1993-2024)". Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
Further reading
edit- Fee, J., ed. (1985). Centenary 1885-1985 : Yeppoon State School. Yeppoon State School Centenary Committee – via State Library of Queensland. — includes Bondoola State School and Bungundarra State School
External links
edit
- "Yeppoon". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland.
- "Capricorn Coast Early Settlement". Archived from the original on 4 December 2023.