The Gemfields

The Gemfields is a former locality in the Central Highlands Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] In the 2016 census, The Gemfields had a population of 1,449 people.[1]

The Gemfields
Queensland
Rubyvale, one of towns in The Gemfields
The Gemfields is located in Queensland
The Gemfields
The Gemfields
Coordinates23.5425°S 147.8108°E / -23.5425; 147.8108 (The Gemfields (centre of locality))
Population1,449 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density1.3444/km2 (3.4820/sq mi)
Gazetted13 August 2010
Postcode(s)4702
Area1,077.8 km2 (416.1 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
LGA(s)Central Highlands Region
State electorate(s)Gregory
Federal division(s)Flynn
Suburbs around The Gemfields:
Argyll Fork Lagoons Fork Lagoons
Willows The Gemfields Emerald
Lochington Lochington Gindie

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).[3][4][5]

Geography

The locality contained three small towns: Anakie, Rubyvale, and Sapphire.[6]

The nearest major town was Emerald.[6]

The Western railway line passed through the locality from east (Emerald) to west (Willows). There was a railway station at Anakie (23.5528°S 147.7453°E / -23.5528; 147.7453 (Anakie railway station)) and a railway siding at Taroborah (23.5414°S 147.9450°E / -23.5414; 147.9450 (Taroborah railway siding)).[6][7][8]

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.[9]

Taraborah Provisional School (also written as Taroborah) opened in 1900. On 1 July 1909 it became Taraborah State School. It closed on 1911.[9]

In the 2011 census, The Gemfields had a population of 1,630.[10]

In the 2016 census, The Gemfields had a population of 1,449 people.[1]

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).:[3][4][5]

Amenities

The Central Highlands Regional Council operated a public library at 7 Burridge Road, Rubyvale.[11]

Education

Anakie State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at Cook Street (23.5540°S 147.7458°E / -23.5540; 147.7458 (Anakie State School)).[12][13] 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).[14] 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).[15]

There were no secondary schools in The Gemfields. The nearest government secondary school was Emerald State High School in Emerald to the east.[6]

Events

GemFest was an annual festival in the region, attracting large numbers of visitors.[16]

See also

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "The Gemfields (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  2. "The Gemfields – locality in Central Highlands Region (entry 46978)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  3. "Recent place name decisions: Job number 18-115: The Gemfields". Queensland Government. 17 April 2020. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  4. "Proposed Locality Boundaries and Names: Anakie Siding, Argyll, Emerald, Gindie, Lochington, Minerva, Rubyvale and Sapphire Central" (PDF). Queensland Government. 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  5. "Locality Boundaries and Names: Anakie Siding, Argyll, Emerald, Gindie, Lochington, Minerva, Rubyvale and Sapphire Central" (PDF). Queensland Government. 17 April 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  6. "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  7. "Anakie – railway station in Central Highlands (entry 560)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  8. "Taroborah – railway siding in Central Highlands Region (entry 33101)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  9. Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  10. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "The Gemfields: Code SSC31613 (SSC)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  11. "Locations". Central Highlands Regional Council. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  12. "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  13. "Anakie State School". Archived from the original on 1 April 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  14. "ACARA School Profile 2017". Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  15. "ACARA School Profile 2018". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  16. "Gemfest". Archived from the original on 4 March 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
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