Beaudesert, Queensland
Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Australian English Template:GeoGroup Template:Infobox Australian place Beaudesert (Yugambeh: Yilbagan) is a rural town and locality in the Scenic Rim Region of Queensland, Australia.<ref name=qpnt>Template:Cite QPN</ref><ref name=qpnl>Template:Cite QPN</ref> In the Template:CensusAU, the locality of Beaudesert had a population of 6,752 people.<ref name=Census2021/>
Beaudesert is the administrative centre for the Scenic Rim Region.
Geography
Beaudesert is south of Brisbane and west of the Gold Coast.
Beaudesert is located on the Mount Lindesay Highway, some Template:Convert south of Brisbane. The area sources its income predominantly from rural activities such as cropping, grazing and equine activities, as well as tourism.
In the Logan River and Albert River valleys, Beaudesert is a regional hub serving surrounding communities such as Rathdowney, Kooralbyn, Canungra, Tamborine Mountain and Jimboomba. It is approximately 91 kilometres from Brisbane and connected by the Mount Lindesay Highway.Template:Citation needed
The town of Beaudesert is located Template:Convert above sea level.
In the east of the locality is the decommissioned Nindooinbah Dam. The much larger Wyaralong Dam is situated roughly Template:Convert to the north west of the town and was completed in 2011.Template:Citation needed
Climate
Beaudesert experiences a humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cfa), having hot, wet summers with frequent thunderstorms and mild, dry winters with occasional frosts. The maximum recorded temperature is 44.6 °C on 4 January 2014, and the coldest recorded temperature is −5.5 °C on 11 July 1972.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Beaudesert has an average annual rainfall of around Template:Convert per year. The temperature is around Template:Convert in summer and falls to around Template:Convert in winter. Template:Weather box
History
Yugembah (also known as Yugumbir, Jugambel, Jugambeir, Jugumbir, Jukam, Jukamba) is one of the Australian Aboriginal languages in areas that include the Beaudesert, Gold Coast, Logan, Scenic Rim, Albert River, Beenleigh, Coolangatta, Coomera, Logan River, Pimpama, Tamborine and Tweed River Valley, within the local government boundaries of the City of Gold Coast, City of Logan, Scenic Rim Regional Council and the Tweed River Valley.Template:Citation needed
Mununjali (also known as Mananjahli, Manaldjahli and Manandjali) is a dialect of the Yugambeh language. The Mununjali language area includes landscape within the local government boundaries of the Scenic Rim and Beaudesert Shire Councils.<ref>Template:Cite SLQ-CC-BY</ref>
The town is possibly named after Beau Desert Park, the property of Charles Henry Alexander Paget, 6th Marquess of Anglesey in Staffordshire, England.<ref name="heritage" /> Yet it is certain that Queensland's Beaudesert was named in about 1841 or 1842 by 'Ned Hawkins', or Edward Brace Hawkins (1821–1849), who was claiming the area as a sheep station on behalf of his employer William Henry Suttor senior (1805–1877) at Bathurst. It is not known why Hawkins picked the name Beaudesert.Template:Cn
The town was originally set out in a grid pattern; however, several of the streets followed cart tracks. The area was originally settled for growing cotton and sheep. However, the area is also notoriously short of water and the cotton was not a successful crop. Hoop pine was very successfully collected from the area. In 1863 the cotton workers were indentured labourers from the South Sea Islands, the first such use in Queensland.Template:Cn
Located in the Beaudesert Historical Museum is the Milbanks Pioneer Cottage. This cottage was originally built in 1875 by Patrick Milbanks on his Kerry property, out of local hand-hewn timbers, slats and shingle roof. It has four-poster bed, large cedar sideboard and numerous articles that portray the life of the early pioneers.Template:Cn
Upper Beaudesert Provisional School opened circa 1882 and closed circa 1885.<ref name="qfhs3">Template:Citation</ref>
Beaudesert Provisional School opened on 26 March 1882 but closed on 9 September 1886. On 13 September 1887, it reopened as Beaudesert State School.<ref name="qfhs3" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 15 August 1885 at Stretton's Hotel at Beaudesert, auctioneer C.J. Warner offered 125 town lots in the Beaudesert Township Extension estate. The lots were mostly Template:Convert and were on Brisbane Street, Tubber Street, Gordon Street, Birman Street, James Street, Edward Street and Alice Street.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The advertising noted that the Queensland Government had voted the funds to extend the railway line from Logan Village to Beaudesert.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The Beaudesert railway line from Bethania to Beaudesert opened on 16 May 1888.<ref name="kerr1990">Template:Cite book</ref> Beaudesert railway station (Template:Coord) served the town.<ref>Template:Cite QPN</ref> Use of the passenger services declined with the increasing ownership of cars following World War II, leading to the termination of the passenger services in 1961. However the Beaudesert abattoir and the dairy farmers continued to use the freight services on the line until freight services terminated on 20 May 1996.<ref name=":02">Template:Cite web</ref>
On Tuesday 24 July 1888, the foundation log of St Thomas' Anglican church was laid by Mrs De Burgh Persse of Tabragalba with an address given by Archdeacon Nathaniel Dawes.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":022">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 24 November 1956 the foundation stone for a new church was laid by the Governor of Queensland, John Lavarack, and blessed by Archbishop Reginald Halse.The second St Thomas' Anglican Church was consecrated on Sunday 4 July 1965 by Archbishop Philip Strong.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The 1888 church was used as the church hall.<ref name="sclhr" />
On 3 February 1889, Roman Catholic Archbishop Robert Dunne blessed the foundation stone for the first Catholic church in Beaudesert. The event raised £74 with a further £7 pledged.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> As 2 February was the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it was decided to call the church Our Lady of the Purification, but it was commonly known as St Mary's.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref> Dunne returned on 2 June 1889 to open the new church.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Internally the church was Template:Convert with Template:Convert ceilings. It was built by James Madden of Ipswich, who design the church for free. It was fitted with an altar, altar rails and 20 pews.<ref name=":0" /> On Sunday 15 September 1907 the second St Mary's was opened, with the original church dismantled and re-assembled at Kerry where it was named St John's Catholic Church.<ref name=":0" />
In 1897 a Baptist church was opened in Beaudesert on land purchased for that purpose in 1889.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The foundation stone was laid in April 1897 and the church was officially opened on Wednesday 16 June 1897.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 14 April 1901, the foundation stone was laid for St Mary's Convent School. The school opened on 19 August 1901 with an initial enrolment of 101 students and was operated by the Sisters of Mercy. The original timber building remained in use until 1939 when its condition was becoming dangerous. The school operated temporarily from the church until a new brick building was erected. The brick building was blessed and opened by Archbishop James Duhig on 3 September 1939. The timber building remains on the site as Mercy Hall. Further buildings were added over the years. On 19 August 2013, the 1939 brick building was badly damaged by a fire. However, the exterior and stained glass windows survived and the building was rebuilt, re-opening on 20 February 2015; it is now used for school administration.<ref name="qfhs3" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On 17 December 1901 auctioneers M. Selwyn Smith offered nine grazing and agricultural lots surrounding the town of the Beaudesert ranging in size from Template:Convert, totalling Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The land was being sold following the death of its owner Ernest White.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The Beaudesert Shire Tramway to Christmas Creek, Lamington and Rathdowney, operated by the Beaudesert Shire, opened in 1903 and closed in 1944.
A local newspaper, the Beaudesert Times was established in 1908.<ref name="bt">Template:Cite web</ref>
The Beaudesert War Museum was unveiled on 28 September 1921 by Queensland Governor Matthew Nathan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 1936 ex-prime minister Billy Hughes was injured in a plane crash during an emergency landing in Wood's Paddock.<ref> Template:Cite news</ref>
From the nineteenth century through to the 1980s, it was a thriving centre with a shoe factory and meat works as well as markets, a hospital and an ambulance service. The Enright family managed a major department store.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Blunck family managed an electrical store and a car servicing and sales business.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Seventh-day Adventist Church was officially opened on Sunday 20 August 1949 by Pastor F. A. Mote, of Sydney, the secretary of the Australasian Inter-Union Conference,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and foundation stone for the Beaudesert Baptist Church was laid on 8 October 1949 by C.G. Sweetman, President of the Baptist Union in Queensland.<ref name=":1" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
From 1954 to 1962, the Beaudesert State School also provided a secondary school program, which ceased when a separate Beaudesert State High School was opened in January 1963.<ref name="qfhs3" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
From 1961 until 2001, the controversial child-welfare organisation BoysTown operated in Beaudesert. It had the largest case of child abuse at a single institution in Australia's history.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 1999, the Biddaddaba History Group brought together the history of the area from the earliest settlement of white people up to 1990 in a comprehensive book available from libraries.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Prior to construction, the site of McAuley College was blessed by Archbishop of Brisbane, Mark Coleridge. It opened on 25 January 2017 with 36 students in Year 7. It was officially opened on 17 November 2017 by Scott Buchholz, Member for Wright with a blessing by Coleridge.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1842 | Nindooinbah pastoral run was established |
| 1850 | Nindooinbah original homestead was built |
| 1885 | Beaudesert Hotel (burned down in 1940 and replaced) |
| 1888 | Beaudesert railway line opened |
| 1901 | St Marys Primary School opened. |
| 1903 | Beaudesert Shire Tramway opened |
| 1904 | The Logan and Albert Co-operative Butter Factory opened and closed 1987. |
| 1919 | Beaudesert RSL Sub Branch in Jane Street |
| 1927 | Visit by The Duke and Duchess of York |
| 1934 | L & A Hotel opened |
| 1944 | Beaudesert Shire Tramway closed |
| 1964 | Beaudesert High School |
| 1993 | A J Bush. Destroyed by fire in 2001. Reopened in 2002 |
| 1995 | Gelita opened |
Demographics
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1881 | 25 |
| 1891 | 450 |
| 1911 | 1,330 |
| 1947 | 1,548 |
| 1961 | 2,930 |
| 1991 | 4,028 |
| 2001 | 4,460 |
| 2006 | 5,388 |
| 2011 | 5,999 |
| 2016 | 6,395 |
| 2021 | 6,752 |
In the Template:CensusAU, the locality of Beaudesert had a population of 6,395 people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 7.2% of the population. 80.6% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were New Zealand 3.2% and England 2.7%. 89.7% of people only spoke English at home. The most common responses for religion were No Religion 23.4%, Anglican 21.3% and Catholic 21.2%.<ref name=Census2016>Template:Census 2016 AUS</ref>
In the Template:CensusAU, the locality of Beaudesert had a population of 6,752 people.<ref name=Census2021>Template:Census 2021 AUS</ref>
Heritage listings
Beaudesert has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
- Beaudesert Showgrounds, Albert Street<ref name="sclhr" />
- St Thomas’ Anglican Church, 7–9 Albert Street (Template:Coord)<ref name="sclhr" />
- Beaudesert Racecourse and Grandstand, 3180 Beaudesert–Boonah Road<ref name="sclhr">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Beaudesert Masonic Centre, 33 Brisbane Street<ref name="sclhr" />
- Beaudesert Hotel, 80 Brisbane Street<ref name="sclhr" />
- Scenic Rim Regional Council Chambers, 82 & 84 Brisbane Street<ref name="sclhr" />
- St Mary's Catholic Church, Bromelton Street<ref name="sclhr" />
- Beaudesert War Memorial, William Street<ref>Template:Cite QHR</ref>
Education
Beaudesert State School is a government primary (Early Childhood to Year 6) school for boys and girls at 17 Tina Street (Template:Coord).<ref name="SchoolList2018">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 649 students with 49 teachers (43 full-time equivalent) and 29 non-teaching staff (20 full-time equivalent).<ref name="ACARA2018">Template:Cite web</ref> It includes a special education program.<ref name="SchoolList2018" />
St Mary's Catholic Primary School is a Catholic primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at 1 Bromelton Street (Template:Coord).<ref name="SchoolList2018" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 352 students with 26 teachers (22 full-time equivalent) and 19 non-teaching staff (11 full-time equivalent).<ref name="ACARA2018" />
Beaudesert State High School is a government secondary (7–12) school for boys and girls at 271–297 Brisbane Street (Template:Coord).<ref name="SchoolList2018" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 1442 students with 109 teachers (105 full-time equivalent) and 64 non-teaching staff (43 full-time equivalent).<ref name="ACARA2018" /> It includes a special education program.<ref name="SchoolList2018" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
McAuley College is a Catholic secondary (7–12) school for boys and girls at 30 Oakland Way (Template:Coord).<ref name="SchoolList2018" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 93 students with 13 teachers (12 full-time equivalent) and 8 non-teaching staff (4 full-time equivalent).<ref name="ACARA2018" />
Amenities
The Scenic Rim Regional Council has its headquarters at the Beaudesert Administrative Centre at 82 Brisbane Street (formerly the offices of the Beaudesert Shire Council, Template:Coord).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Scenic Rim Regional Council operates a public library at 58 Brisbane Street (Template:Coord).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Beaudesert branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at 86 Brisbane Street (Template:Coord).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
St Thomas' Anglican Church is at 7 Albert Street (Template:Coord).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
St Mary's Catholic Church is in Bromelton Street (Template:Coord) adjacent to the school.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Beaudesert Congregation Uniting Church is at 48 William Street (corner of Duckett Street, Template:Coord) adjacent to the former church building.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref>
Beaudesert Baptist Church is at 13 Eaglesfield Street (Template:Coord).<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Beaudesert Seventh-day Adventist Church is at 45 Anna Street (Template:Coord).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Arts Centre hosts a number of community groups and there is a wide range of community activity including a very active Bush Bards group.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
A number of well-known sporting teams represent the local area, including the Beaudesert Kingfishers who play home games at R.S. Willis Park, Beaudesert Rangers soccer club who play home games at Selwyn Park, Beaudesert and District junior and senior cricket club who play home games at Everdell Park, Beaudesert Warriors rugby union Club who play home games at Everdell Park.Template:Citation needed
There is a rifle range and pistol club in Sprengler Road in neighbouring Tabragalba (Template:Coord).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Beaudesert has a racecourse, 50-metre swimming pool, two gyms, showgrounds, caravan park and several hotels and eateries.Template:Cn
Attractions
The surrounding countryside includes numerous valleys leading up to the ranges dividing Queensland and New South Wales with creeks running through them and accompanying mountain scenery.
Il-Bogan Lagoon is a waterhole in the west of the locality at 3169 Beaudesert Boonah Road (Template:Coord).<ref>Template:Cite QPN</ref> It is on the traditional lands of the Mununjali clan and they believe it is the home of a creature that moves through underground tunnels and waterways across their lands (sometimes referred to as a bunyip).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> British settlers also had sightings of strange creatures at the lagoon.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Events
The annual agricultural show held in September is an event that includes a wide range of events and displays. It is run by the Beaudesert Show Society.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Transport
Bus
A bus runs from Beaudesert to Browns Plains and Brisbane on weekdays. Centacare St Mary's Community Services and the Beaudesert RSL provide transport for aged, disabled, veterans and hospital/respite requirements.Template:Citation needed
Rail
The standard gauge Brisbane–Sydney railway line runs through Bromelton, a few kilometres west of Beaudesert. This line is used by NSW TrainLink Sydney to Brisbane XPT passenger services and Aurizon, Pacific National and SCT Logistics freight services to Sydney, Melbourne, Wollongong and Adelaide.Template:Cn
The Beaudesert railway line ran from the outer Brisbane suburb of Bethania to Beaudesert and was in regular use from 1886 to 1996.Template:Cn
A petition from railway enthusiasts, and considerable grants of government money, resulted in its re-opening in 1999. Beaudesert Rail operated steam-driven tourist trains on the line for a short while thereafter. The company ceased operating in August 2004 after a series of fires, allegedly lit by sparks from the train, were set along the train line.Template:Cn The company was in debt and has ceased to exist, with the rolling stock liquidated and physical infrastructure demolished.Template:Cn
Notable residents
- Neville Bonner, the first indigenous Australian to become a member of parliament, attended Beaudesert Primary School.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Caleb Daniel, current AFL player for North Melbourne Football Club.
- Jason Day, a leading PGA golfer who won the 2015 PGA championship, was born in Beaudesert.<ref>Source: local sources and Courier Mail 18/8/15.</ref>
- Riley Day, Australian sprinter, most notably competing in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, was born in Beaudesert and attended Beaudesert State High School. She is not related to golfer Jason Day, also born in Beaudesert.
- Jamal Fogarty, Gold Coast Titans and Canberra Raiders player, was born in Beaudesert.
- Andrew Gee, Queensland and Brisbane Broncos player, was born in Beaudesert.
- Mel Greig, an Australian radio and television personality, was born in Beaudesert.
- Pauline Hanson, founder and leader of the right-wing One Nation, as well as a federal Senator for Queensland
- Marilyn Leask, professor of education, was born in Beaudesert and attended the primary and high schools. She is descended from pioneering families who migrated from the UK in the middle of the 19th century.Template:Citation needed
- Rick Price, musician, was born in Beaudesert.
- Cecilia Smith, Aboriginal activist, born in Beaudesert
