The Gemfields

Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Australian English Template:GeoGroup Template:Infobox Australian place The Gemfields is a former locality in the Central Highlands Region, Queensland, Australia.<ref name="qpnl">Template:Cite QPN</ref> In the Template:CensusAU, The Gemfields had a population of 1,449 people.<ref name=Census2016/>

On 17 April 2020, the Queensland Government re-drew the boundaries of localities within the Central Highlands Region by removing the locality of The Gemfields in order to create three new localities of Rubyvale, Sapphire Central and Anakie Siding (around the towns of Rubyvale, Sapphire, and Anakie respectively).<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref>

Geography

The locality contained three small towns: Anakie, Rubyvale, and Sapphire.<ref name="globe">Template:Queensland Globe</ref>

The nearest major town was Emerald.<ref name="globe" />

The Western railway line passed through the locality from east (Emerald) to west (Willows). There was a railway station at Anakie (Template:Coord) and a railway siding at Taroborah (Template:Coord).<ref name="globe" /><ref>Template:Cite QPN</ref><ref>Template:Cite QPN</ref>

As the name suggested, the main industry in The Gemfields was sapphire mining, supported by tourism.

History

Anakie Provisional School opened on 27 July 1885. It became Anakie State School on 1 January 1909. Due to low attendances it opened and closed at times, but continues to operate to the present day.<ref name="qfhs"/>

Taraborah Provisional School (also written as Taroborah) opened in 1900. On 1 July 1909 it became Taraborah State School. It closed on 1911.<ref name="qfhs">Template:Citation</ref>

On 17 April 2020, the Queensland Government re-drew the boundaries of localities within the Central Highlands Region by discontinuing the locality of The Gemfields in order to create three new localities of Rubyvale, Sapphire Central and Anakie Siding (around the towns of Rubyvale, Sapphire, and Anakie respectively).:<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

Demographics

In the Template:CensusAU, The Gemfields had a population of 1,630.<ref name="Census2011">Template:Census 2011 AUS</ref>

In the Template:CensusAU, The Gemfields had a population of 1,449 people.<ref name=Census2016>Template:Census 2016 AUS</ref>

Amenities

The Central Highlands Regional Council operated a public library at 7 Burridge Road, Rubyvale.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Education

Anakie State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at Cook Street, Anakie (Template:Coord).<ref name="SchoolList20182">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 83 students with 7 teachers (6 full-time equivalent) and 7 non-teaching staff (4 full-time equivalent).<ref name="ACARA2017">Template:Cite web</ref> In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 77 students with 7 teachers (6 full-time equivalent) and 9 non-teaching staff (5 full-time equivalent).<ref name="ACARA2018">Template:Cite web</ref>

There were no secondary schools in The Gemfields. The nearest government secondary school was Emerald State High School in Emerald to the east.<ref name="globe" />

Events

GemFest was an annual festival in the region, attracting large numbers of visitors.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

• Geology of Australia