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Childers, Queensland

Coordinates: 25°14′11″S 152°16′39″E / 25.2363°S 152.2775°E / -25.2363; 152.2775 (Childers (town centre))
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Childers
Queensland
Childers Main Street
Childers is located in Queensland
Childers
Childers
Coordinates25°14′11″S 152°16′39″E / 25.2363°S 152.2775°E / -25.2363; 152.2775 (Childers (town centre))
Population1,682 (2021 census)[1]
 • Density87.60/km2 (226.9/sq mi)
Established1885
Postcode(s)4660
Elevation109.0 m (358 ft)
Area19.2 km2 (7.4 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)Bundaberg Region
State electorate(s)Burnett
Federal division(s)Hinkler
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
26.9 °C
80 °F
15.4 °C
60 °F
1,056.8 mm
41.6 in
Localities around Childers:
North Isis North Isis North Isis
Apple Tree Creek Childers Doolbi
Kullogum Kullogum South Isis
The rebuilt Palace Hotel
Childers local businesses
Federal Hotel

Childers is a rural town and locality in the Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] In the 2021 census, the locality of Childers had a population of 1,682 people.[1]

Geography

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Childers is in the Wide Bay–Burnett region of Queensland, Australia, situated on the Bruce Highway and lies 325 kilometres (202 mi) north of the state capital Brisbane and 52 kilometres (32 mi) south-west of Bundaberg. The Isis Highway runs south from the Bruce Highway in Childers.

History

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The Childers area was traditionally inhabited by the Dundaburra group who are part of Kabi Kabi nations in the northernmost area of the Wide Bay Burnett. Their descendants still live in the region.[4]

Europeans first arrived in the area in the 1850s. Pastoralists established properties soon after to raise cattle on the fertile lands. Back then, sugar was (as it is now) the key crop grown in the Isis.[citation needed]

The town was established in 1885. The Isis railway line to Childers opened in 1887 and was pivotal in the early development of the area. Childers Post Office opened on 14 November 1887.[5] The town is reportedly named after Hugh Childers, British statesman, who was the Auditor-General of Victoria in the 1850s.[6]

Circa 1888–1889, an Anglican church was erected in Childers.[7][8] The present Christ Church Anglican was opened and dedicated on 9 May 1901.[9]

The Childers Uniting Church was originally constructed as the Methodist Church in Horton in 1886. Due to the decline of the Horton township the church was subsequently[when?] moved to Childers. It became the Childers Uniting Church in June 1977 following the amalgamation of the Methodist Church into the Uniting Church in Australia in 1977.[10]

Childers Provisional School opened on 28 January 1889. In 1891, it became Childers State School. A secondary department was added in January 1913 and operated until Isis District State High School was established in 1961. A pre-school was added in 1976.[11]

Isis Central Mill Provisional School opened on 23 January 1899. On 1 January 1909, it became Isis Central Mill State School. It closed on 11 December 1987.[11]

St Joseph's Catholic School was established on 24 January 1926 by the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.[11][12]

On 28 September 1941, Archbishop James Duhig laid the foundation stone for the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.[13]

The foundation stone of Grace Lutheran Church was laid by Pastor K Scholz on 16 April 1961.[14]

The town made international headlines in June 2000, when an arsonist set fire to the Palace Backpackers Hostel, claiming the lives of 15 tourists. The Palace Building reopened in 2002, and includes a memorial to those lost in the blaze, a Regional Art Gallery and an Information Centre.[citation needed]

The Childers Library opened in 2000 with a major refurbishment in 2014.[15]

Demographics

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In the 2016 census, the locality of Childers had a population of 1,584 people. 80.1% of people were born in Australia and 87.0% of people spoke only English at home. The most common responses for religion were No Religion 23.0%, Anglican 21.2% and Catholic 17.8%.[16]

In the 2021 census, the locality of Childers had a population of 1,682 people.[1]

Heritage listings

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

Economy

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Childers is renowned for its heritage character and is classified a National Trust town. The historic colonial buildings of the main street (Bruce Highway) are set amongst large, shady leopard trees. The sugar cane industry features prominently in Childers and has sustained the town over the years. Fruit and vegetable cropping is common on the lands around town.[citation needed]

The local tourism organisation "Stay in Childers" is a not for profit incorporated association made up of local businesses.[44]

Historic Picture

Facilities

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The Isis Town and Country is the town's local newspaper, available once a week on Thursday. Childers is also served by a monthly community newspaper, the Childers Chit Chat, and commercial FM radio stations Breeze 102.5 and Rebel 106.7.[citation needed]

In addition, the town services the surrounding areas with its small hospital. Childers has its own courthouse. The town has several emergency service faculties including a police station, ambulance station and fire station housing Fire and Rescue Queensland Staff and Queensland Rural Fire Service volunteers. It also hosts a branch of the State Emergency Service and PCYC Emergency Services Cadets program.[citation needed]

Education

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Childers State School is a government primary (Early Childhood to Year 6) school for boys and girls at Mungomery Street (25°13′52″S 152°16′49″E / 25.2311°S 152.2803°E / -25.2311; 152.2803 (Childers State School)).[45][46] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 308 students with 24 teachers (22 full-time equivalent) and 20 non-teaching staff (14 full-time equivalent).[47] It includes a special education program.[45]

Isis District State High School is a government secondary (7–12) school for boys and girls at 3 Ridgway Street (25°13′59″S 152°16′26″E / 25.2331°S 152.2739°E / -25.2331; 152.2739 (Isis District State High School)).[45][48] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 504 students with 48 teachers (46 full-time equivalent) and 33 non-teaching staff (22 full-time equivalent).[47] It includes a special education program.[45]

St Joseph's School is a Catholic primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at 40 Churchill Street (25°14′09″S 152°16′52″E / 25.2359°S 152.2811°E / -25.2359; 152.2811 (St Joseph's School)).[45][49] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 75 students with 8 teachers (7 full-time equivalent) and 9 non-teaching staff (5 full-time equivalent).[47]

Amenities

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Childers has many general local services, an art gallery (Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery- BRAG) and Information Centre. Cultural entertainment facilitated through the Childers Cultural Centre- a town hall hired through the Bundaberg Regional Council.[citation needed]

Bundaberg Regional Libraries operate a public library at 49 Churchill Street.[50]

The Childers branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at 1 Crescent Street.[51]

Christ Church Anglican Church is at 11 Mcilwraith Street. It is within the Anglican Archdiocese of Brisbane.[52]

Sacred Heart Catholic Church is at 40 Churchill Street. It is within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.[13][53]

Childers Uniting Church is at 36 Macrossan Street (25°14′15″S 152°16′33″E / 25.2374°S 152.2757°E / -25.2374; 152.2757 (Childers Uniting Church)). It is part of the Uniting Church in Australia.[54][55][56]

Grace Lutheran Church is at 226 Churchill Street. It is part of the Lutheran Church of Australia.[14][57]

The Childers Apostolic Church of Queensland is at 13 Nelson Street. It is part of the Apostolic Church of Queensland.[58]

Childers Wesleyan Methodist Church is at 6 Broadhurst Street (25°14′10″S 152°16′27″E / 25.2362°S 152.2743°E / -25.2362; 152.2743 (Childers Wesleyan Methodist Church)).[59] It is part of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Australia.[60]

Childers Gospel Chapel is at 34 Churchill Street. It is part of the Christian Community Churches of Australia.[61][62]

Events

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Childers holds a Multicultural Festival once a year on the final weekend in July.[63] The town also hosts an agricultural show; which in the past was held in early August, but is now hosted in late May or early June.[citation needed]

Attractions

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Noakes Lookout is off Rankin Road (25°13′16″S 152°17′04″E / 25.2211°S 152.2845°E / -25.2211; 152.2845 (Noakes Lookout)).[64] At 128 metres (420 ft) above sea level, it is one of the highest points in the area, providing 360 degree panoramic views. However, as at 2013, regrowth of bushland surrounding the lookout has obscured the views and, as the lookout is on private land, there is no guaranteed right of access to the public.[65]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Childers (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ "Childers – town in Bundaberg Region (entry 7062)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Childers – locality in Bundaberg Region (entry 50192)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  4. ^ Bunn, John. "Indigenous residents". Goodwood State School. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  5. ^ Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Archived from the original on 15 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  6. ^ "Childers – town (entry 7062)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  7. ^ "General News". The Queenslander. Vol. XXXVI, no. 721. Queensland, Australia. 27 July 1889. p. 170. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "COUNTRY MAILS". The Brisbane Courier. Vol. XLV, no. 9, 537. Queensland, Australia. 8 August 1888. p. 7. Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ "New Childers priest a former prison chaplain". Bundaberg Now. 14 February 2021. Archived from the original on 6 March 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  10. ^ "Planning Scheme Policy for Heritage and Neighbourhood Character" (PDF). Bundaberg Regional Council. 2015. pp. 94–95. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 March 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  11. ^ a b c Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  12. ^ "About Us". St Joseph's Catholic Primary School. Archived from the original on 28 November 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  13. ^ a b Design, UBC Web. "Sacred Heart Catholic Church | Churches Australia". www.churchesaustralia.org. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Grace Lutheran Church". Churches Australia. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  15. ^ "Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-17" (PDF). Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. November 2017. p. 15. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  16. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Childers (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018. Edit this at Wikidata
  17. ^ "Childers Post Office (former) (entry 600619)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  18. ^ "Childers Court House (entry 600620)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  19. ^ "Isis District War Memorial and Shire Council Chambers (entry 601507)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  20. ^ "Queensland National Bank (former) (entry 600610)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  21. ^ "Shops and Cafe 54-58 Churchill Street (entry 600612)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  22. ^ "Childers RSLA Club (entry 600613)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  23. ^ "Hotel Childers (entry 600614)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  24. ^ "Chemist 60 Churchill St (entry 600615)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  25. ^ "National Australia Bank (entry 600616)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  26. ^ "Ellwood & Co Drapery (former) (entry 600617)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  27. ^ "Clock - Pizzey Memorial (entry 600618)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  28. ^ "Jeffery's Building (entry 600609)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  29. ^ "Childers QATB (former) (entry 600621)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  30. ^ "Federal Hotel (entry 600622)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  31. ^ "Palace Hotel (entry 600623)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  32. ^ "Hardware Store (former) (entry 600624)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  33. ^ "Paragon Theatre (entry 601618)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  34. ^ "Lloyd's Barber Shop (former) (entry 600625)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  35. ^ "Bakery (entry 600626)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  36. ^ "Kerr's Building (entry 600627)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  37. ^ "Childers Pharmaceutical Museum & Tourist Information Centre (entry 600628)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  38. ^ "Dittmer's Store/Isis Town and Country (entry 600630)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  39. ^ "Shops at 102-108 Churchill St (entry 600629)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  40. ^ "Grand Hotel (entry 600608)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  41. ^ "Christ Church, Childers (entry 601994)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  42. ^ "Isis Masonic Lodge (entry 602123)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  43. ^ "The Old Butcher's shop complex (entry 600631)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  44. ^ "Stay in Childers | Childers stayinchilders". stayinchilders. Archived from the original on 28 October 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  45. ^ 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.
  46. ^ "Childers State School". Archived from the original on 27 March 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  47. ^ a b c "ACARA School Profile 2017". Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  48. ^ "Isis District State High School". Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  49. ^ "St Joseph's School". Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  50. ^ "Locations & Hours". Bundaberg Regional Council. Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  51. ^ "Branch Locations". Queensland Country Women's Association. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  52. ^ "Christ Church Anglican Church". Churches Australia. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  53. ^ "Sacred Heart Catholic Church". Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  54. ^ "Find a Church". Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  55. ^ "Childers UC". www.isisunitingchurch.org.au. Archived from the original on 7 September 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  56. ^ "Childers Uniting Church". Churches Australia. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  57. ^ "Lutheran Church Childers Grace Congregation, Qld". Childers Grace Congregation, Qld. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  58. ^ Design, UBC Web. "Apostolic Church of Queensland, Childers | Churches Australia". www.churchesaustralia.org. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  59. ^ "Childers". Wesleyan Methodist Church Australia. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  60. ^ "South Queensland". Wesleyan Methodist Church Australia. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  61. ^ "Childers Gospel Chapel". Churches Australia. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  62. ^ "Childers Gospel Chapel". Christian Community Churches of Australia. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  63. ^ "Childers Festival of Cultures". RACQ. Archived from the original on 11 September 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  64. ^ "Tourist points - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 18 November 2020. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  65. ^ Bradford, Melinda (9 December 2013). "Piece of Childers could be gone for good". The Courier-Mail. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
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