Maalan, Queensland

Maalan is a locality in the Tablelands Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] In the 2016 census, Maalan had a population of 26 people.[1]

Maalan
Queensland
Cleared land, Maalan, 1953
Maalan is located in Queensland
Maalan
Maalan
Coordinates17.6077°S 145.5916°E / -17.6077; 145.5916
Population26 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density1.020/km2 (2.64/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4886
Area25.5 km2 (9.8 sq mi)
LGA(s)Tablelands Region
State electorate(s)Hill
Federal division(s)Kennedy
Suburbs around Maalan:
Beatrice Beatrice Middlebrook
Ravenshoe Maalan Palmerston
Koombooloomba Koombooloomba Koombooloomba

Geography

Maalan is a rural locality predominantly used for dairy farming which occurs in the valley areas (elevation approximately 900–1000 metres above sea level). In the west of the locality is the Cardwell Range with peaks to 1170 metres; part of this land is within the Tully Falls National Park. In the north is the Maalan National Park.[3]

Maalan Road is the main route through the locality.[3]

History

In 1950 the Millaa Millaa branch of the Queensland Dairymen's Association proposing opening up the land in Maalan for farming. The Minister for Lands responded that the land had valuable cabinet timbers which would be sold and removed before opening up the land for sale.[4] In June 1952 the Surveyor General of Queensland, John Percival Harvey, inspected the area.[5] In November 1952, the Queensland Government proposed releasing 6,300 acres (2,500 ha) of land in Maalan.[6]

In April 1953, 36 blocks each of approximately 240 acres were sold to intending dairy farmers.[7] In September 1953 the selectors were busy clearing the land with a number of them already living on their blocks.[8] In October 1953 the Maalan settlers met to negotiate a route for the supply of their milk and cream to the factory at Millaa Millaa.[9] In November 1953 a bush fire brigade was formed at Maalan.[10] In April 1954, the Maalan settlers were praised for their efforts in pioneering this new district.[11][12] In November 1954 plans to commence dairying in the district were delayed by a plague of grasshoppers which ate the newly established dairy pastures.[13]

Myths

Local myths have been fueled by various claimed sightings of large wild animals such as the "Maalan Monster". The Maalan Monster has been unofficially sighted multiple times since the early 2010's. The Maalan Monster is most likely a large feral cat or dingo, but it is said to be a puma or panther due to its often-described excessive size and black coat.

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Maalan (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  2. "Maalan – locality in Tablelands Region (entry 48736)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  3. "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  4. "Maalan Timber First". Cairns Post. No. 15, 216. Queensland, Australia. 13 December 1950. p. 5. Retrieved 10 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "Opening of New Lands Sought". Cairns Post. No. 15, 679. Queensland, Australia. 10 June 1952. p. 3. Retrieved 10 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. "N.Q. LANDS IN STATE PLAN". Brisbane Telegraph. Queensland, Australia. 21 November 1952. p. 2 (CITY FINAL). Retrieved 10 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. "LANDS DEPARTMENT BALLOT". Cairns Post. No. 15, 945. Queensland, Australia. 18 April 1953. p. 1. Retrieved 10 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. "MILLAA MILLAA NOTES". Cairns Post. No. 16, 075. Queensland, Australia. 17 September 1953. p. 4. Retrieved 10 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. "MAALAN SETTLERS' MEETING". Cairns Post. No. 16, 108. Queensland, Australia. 26 October 1953. p. 5. Retrieved 10 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. "THREE BOARDS ON TABLELAND INTERESTED IN THE ACQUISITION OF FIRE ENGINES". The Evening Advocate. Queensland, Australia. 18 November 1953. p. 4. Retrieved 10 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. "MAALAN PIONEERING EFFORT". Queensland Country Life. Vol. 19, no. 38. Queensland, Australia. 1 April 1954. p. 16. Retrieved 10 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. "MAALAN GROUP". Cairns Post. No. 16, 258. Queensland, Australia. 21 April 1954. p. 4. Retrieved 10 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. "HOPPERS STRIKE IN MILLAA". The Evening Advocate. Queensland, Australia. 17 November 1954. p. 2. Retrieved 10 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.

Further reading
  • Frawley, Kevin J; Australian Defence Force Academy. Department of Geography and Oceanography (1987), The Maalan group settlement, north Queensland, 1954 : an historical geography, Dept. of Geography and Oceanography, Australian Defence Force Academy, ISBN 978-0-7317-0013-4

Media related to Maalan, Queensland at Wikimedia Commons

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.