Millmerran, Queensland

Millmerran /mɪlˈmɛrən/, known as Domville between 1 June 1889 and 16 November 1894, is a town and a locality in the Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] In the 2016 census, the locality of Millmerran had a population of 1,563 people.[1]

Millmerran
Queensland
Rams Head Hotel, Millmerran
Millmerran is located in Queensland
Millmerran
Millmerran
Coordinates27.8788°S 151.2683°E / -27.8788; 151.2683 (Millmerran (town centre))
Population1,563 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density11.077/km2 (28.690/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4357
Area141.1 km2 (54.5 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)Toowoomba Region
CountyDerby
ParishDomville
State electorate(s)Southern Downs
Federal division(s)Maranoa
Localities around Millmerran:
Turallin Lemontree Yandilla
Captains Mountain Millmerran Punchs Creek
Clontarf Domville Grays Gate

Geography

The town is on the Darling Downs, 208 kilometres (129 mi) west of the state capital, Brisbane. The Gore Highway passes through the locality from the north-east (Yandilla) to the west (Captains Mountain).[4] The Millmerran–Inglewood Road (State Route 82) runs to the south. State Route 82 enters Millmerran from the north-east concurrent with the Gore Highway. The Millmerran–Cecil Plains Road exits to the north.[5]

History

Bigambul (also known as Bigambal, Bigumbil, Pikambul, Pikumbul) is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken by the Bigambul people. The Bigambul language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of the Goondiwindi Regional Council, including the towns of Goondiwindi, Yelarbon and Texas extending north towards Moonie and Millmerran.[6] The Giabal (also known as Paiamba, Gomaingguru) language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of the Toowoomba Regional Council, particularly Toowoomba south to Allora and west to Millmerran.[7]

Millmerran is near a lookout commonly used by the local Jarowair Nation Aboriginal population prior to European settlement and the town's name is believed to be derived from two words - "meel" meaning "eye" and "merran" meaning "to look out".[8]

European settlement in the Millmerran area began in 1841 when the Gore brothers established the vast Yandilla station. Yandilla station covered an estimated 1,780 square kilometres (690 sq mi) and hosted its own school with 20 to 30 students, telegraph station and store. Closer settlement began after the passing of the Crown Lands Alienation Act in 1876, which allowed Edward Walpole to select a portion of Yandilla station. In 1881, Walpole established a general store on the site of what was known at the time as Back Creek.

A postal receiving office was opened with that name on 8 July 1883. It was elevated to the status of a post office, and the name changed to Domville, on 1 June 1889. The name was again changed to Millmerran on 16 November 1894.[9] (Today, Domville is a rural locality south of Milmerran.)

On Sunday 27 November 1904, St Frances de Sales Catholic Church was officially opened and blessed by Reverend Father Potter. The building was 30 by 20 feet (9.1 by 6.1 m) and was designed by architects Messrs Wallace and Gibson of Warwick. It was built in cypress pine by contractors Messrs Mabbit and Silver. The church was on a 1 acre (0.40 ha) site, half of which was donated by Mr Walpole and the other purchased by the committee. The total cost of the cost was £255.[10] On Sunday 7 November 1952, Bishop Joseph Roper blessed and laid the foundation stone for a new church building.[11] On Sunday 6 July 2915, Roper returned to bless and officially open the new church building which was 85 by 53 feet (26 by 16 m) and capable of seating 300 people. Over 1,000 people attended the event. The architect was Frank Cullen and the builders were Messrs A.D. Morris and Sons. The new church cost £20,500.[12] The 1904 church building was retained as a church hall.[13][14]

St Alban's Anglican church was dedicated in 1907. Its closure on 12 June 2007 was approved by Assistant Bishop Nolan.[15]

In 1911, the Millmerran railway line reached the town,[16] which is served by the Millmerran railway station (27.8750°S 151.2688°E / -27.8750; 151.2688 (Millmerran railway station)).[17]

On Saturday 4 March 1922, a stump-capping ceremony was held for a Presbyterian church.[18][19] On Friday 9 June 1922, St Andrew's Presbyterian Church was dedicated by the Right Reverend James Gibson, the Moderator-General of the Presbyterian Church of Australia. The architect F. H. Pepper of Sydney provided the design for free and much of the building work was undertaken by volunteers.[20]

St Joseph's School was opened on 16 February 1959 by the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.[21][22]

The Millmerran Library opened in 1998 with a major refurbishment in 2017.[23]

In the 2016 census, Millmerran had a population of 1,566.[24]

In the 2016 census, the locality of Millmerran had a population of 1,563 people.[1]

Education
Millmerran State School, 2009

Millmerran State School is a government primary and secondary (Prep-10) school for boys and girls at 19 Simmons Street (27.8782°S 151.2654°E / -27.8782; 151.2654 (Millmerran State School)).[25][26] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 295 students with 28 teachers (25 full-time equivalent) and 21 non-teaching staff (12 full-time equivalent).[27] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 323 students with 28 teachers (24 full-time equivalent) and 23 non-teaching staff (13 full-time equivalent).[28]

St Joseph's School is a Catholic primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 25 Walpole Street (27.8725°S 151.2716°E / -27.8725; 151.2716 (St Joseph's School)).[25][29] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 64 students with 8 teachers (5 full-time equivalent) and 6 non-teaching staff (3 full-time equivalent).[27] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 59 students with 6 teachers (5 full-time equivalent) and 6 non-teaching staff (3 full-time equivalent).[28]

For secondary education to Year 12, the nearest school is in Pittsworth 43.5 kilometres (27.0 mi) away.[4]

Amenities

Millmerran also has a vibrant town centre with two large grocery outlets (IGA and Foodworks), two large hardware stores (Mitre 10 and Home Hardware), a bakery, a 24-bed public hospital, medical centre, modern large equipped sports centre and Olympic-sized swimming pool, and a large community centre complete with ballroom.

The Millmerran Library is operated by the Toowoomba Regional Council. It is located on Herbert Street and is open three days a week (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday).[30]

St Andrew's Presbyterian Church is at 48 Campbell Street (27.8770°S 151.2701°E / -27.8770; 151.2701 (St Andrew's Presbyterian Church)).[31][32]

For visitors, there are two caravan parks and an independent camping area for self-contained travelers.

There are a number of parks in the locality:

Events

The Bi-Annual Australian Camp Oven Festival is a nationally known event attracting visitors from all over Australia.[34]

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Millmerran (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  2. "Millmerran – town in Toowoomba Region (entry 22103)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  3. "Millmerran – locality in Toowoomba Region (entry 49604)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  4. "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  5. Millmerran, Queensland (Map). OpenStreetMap. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  6. "Bigambul". State Library of Queensland. Archived from the original on 5 September 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  7. This Wikipedia article incorporates CC-BY-4.0 licensed text from: "Giabal". Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map. State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  8. "Millmerran". Walkabout. Archived from the original on 21 June 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2007.
  9. Frew, Joan (1981) Queensland Post Offices 1842-1980 and Receiving Offices 1869-1927, p. 346. Fortitude Valley, Queensland: published by the author, ISBN 0-9593973-0-2
  10. "Warwick and District". The Brisbane Courier. Vol. LXI, no. 14, 628. Queensland, Australia. 30 November 1904. p. 6. Retrieved 31 August 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. "Bishop Roper at Millmerran". Pittsworth Sentinel. Vol. 51. Queensland, Australia. 12 October 1951. p. 3. Retrieved 31 August 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. "Large Crowd Witnesses Opening Of Millmerran's New Catholic Church". Pittsworth Sentinel. Vol. 52. Queensland, Australia. 8 July 1952. p. 1. Retrieved 31 August 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. Blake, Thom. "Francis de Sales Catholic Church (1904)". Queensland religious places database. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  14. Blake, Thom. "Francis de Sales Catholic Church (1952)". Queensland religious places database. Archived from the original on 31 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  15. Anglican Church of Southern Queensland. "Closed Churches". Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  16. Kerr, John (1990). Triumph of narrow gauge : a history of Queensland Railways. Boolarong Publications. pp. 224–225. ISBN 978-0-86439-102-5.
  17. "Railway stations and sidings - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 2 October 2020. Archived from the original on 5 October 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  18. "Millmerran". Toowoomba Chronicle. Vol. LXI, no. 57. Queensland, Australia. 9 March 1922. p. 8. Retrieved 31 August 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  19. "District News". Pittsworth Sentinel. Queensland, Australia. 11 March 1922. p. 2. Retrieved 31 August 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  20. "Presbyterians". Toowoomba Chronicle. Vol. LXI, no. 141. Queensland, Australia. 16 June 1922. p. 10. Retrieved 31 August 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  21. Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  22. "History - St Joseph's School, Millmerran". Archived from the original on 13 March 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  23. "Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-17" (PDF). Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. November 2017. p. 16. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  24. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Millmerran (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  25. "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  26. "Millmerran State School". Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  27. "ACARA School Profile 2017". Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  28. "ACARA School Profile 2018". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  29. "St Joseph's School". Archived from the original on 4 January 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  30. "Millmerran Library". Toowoomba Regional Council. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  31. Blake, Thom. "St Andrew's Presbyterian Church". Queensland religious places database. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  32. Google (31 August 2022). "St Andrew's Presbyterian Church" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  33. "Land for public recreation - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 20 November 2020. Archived from the original on 22 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  34. "Australian Camp Oven Festival". Archived from the original on 9 March 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2017.

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