Blackbutt, Queensland

Blackbutt is a rural town and locality in the South Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] In the 2016 census, Blackbutt had a population of 836 people.[1]

Blackbutt
Queensland
Hotel Radnor
Blackbutt
Coordinates26.8855°S 152.1030°E / -26.8855; 152.1030 (Blackbutt (town centre))
Population836 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density105.8/km2 (274.1/sq mi)
Established1887
Postcode(s)4314
Elevation474 m (1,555 ft)
Area7.9 km2 (3.1 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)South Burnett Region
CountyCavendish
ParishTaromeo
State electorate(s)Nanango
Federal Division(s)Maranoa
Localities around Blackbutt:
Nukku Blackbutt North Benarkin
Nukku Blackbutt Benarkin
Nukku Blackbutt South Benarkin

Geography

The town is located on the D'Aguilar Highway, in the South Burnett local government area, 166 kilometres (103 mi) north-west of the state capital, Brisbane. Blackbutt lies within the Cooyar Creek catchment, tributary of the Brisbane River, which rises in the Bunya Mountains to the west.

History
Blackbutt Police Station, 1912. Note the station badge attached to the peak of the right hand tent.

European settlement in the Blackbutt area began in 1842, when the Scott family established Taromeo Station. In 1887, the Scott family ceded land to found both Blackbutt and its neighbouring town of Benarkin. Farms were established in the area and the discovery of gold in the area in the late 19th century led to population growth in the town.

The timber industry played an important role in the development of the town.

The town is named after Eucalyptus pilularis, commonly known as blackbutt, a common tree of the family Myrtaceae native to south-eastern Australia which is one of Australia's most important hardwoods.

Blackbutt, Benarkin and the nearby town of Yarraman are often collectively referred to as the "Timber Towns" and the terms "Timbertown" and "Timbertowners" feature in the name of many local businesses and a sporting teams.[4]

Blackbutt Provisional School opened on 20 January 1896 under teacher Rosa Bella Ryan. On 1 January 1909 it became Blackbutt State School. In January 1914, the school relocated to a larger site.[5][6][7]

Blackbutt Post Office opened by November 1906 (a receiving office had been open from 1896).[8]

When the Blackbutt railway station was built to serve the town, it was some distance from the town, so in 1910 it was decided to name the station Benarkin instead.[9] This in turn gave its name to the new town that formed near the railway station Benarkin. Because of the close proximity (3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) apart) and intertwined history of the two towns, they are often referred to as the twin towns of Blackbutt-Benarkin.[3] Blackbutt was connected to the Brisbane Valley railway line in 1911. However, the line was closed in the 1980s and was converted into a rail trail.[10]

Blackbutt War Memorial, 2010

The Blackbutt War Memorial was unveiled on 24 April 1920 by J.A. Lee, the chairman of Nanango Shire.[11]

The Blackbutt Library was opened in 1996.[12]

Tennis great Roy Emerson was born on a farm near Blackbutt[13] and attended Nukku State School for his early education. The former school building now houses the Roy Emerson Museum in Blackbutt.[14]

In the 2011 census, Blackbutt had a population of 1,055 people.[15]

In the 2016 census, Blackbutt had a population of 836 people.[1]

Transport

Blackbutt is the site of the Queensland Government's first trial of using fibre composite in bridge building when it was used in the replacement of Taromeo Creek bridge in 2005.[16][17] Fibre composite materials are much stronger than steel and concrete but also much lighter and do not rust.[18]

Education

Blackbutt State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at Crofton Street (26.8905°S 152.1039°E / -26.8905; 152.1039 (Blackbutt State School)).[19][20] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 165 students with 12 teachers (11 full-time equivalent) and 18 non-teaching staff (9 full-time equivalent).[21]

There is no secondary school in Blackbutt. The nearest are in Yarraman (P-9), Nanango and Kingaroy.[22]

Amenities
Dominating the main street is the distinctive mid-century modern (MCM) styled town clock.

The South Burnett Regional Council operates a public library in Blackbutt at 69 Hart Street (26.8843°S 152.1017°E / -26.8843; 152.1017 (Blackbutt Library)).[23]

The Blackbutt Yarraman branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at the QCWA Hall at 65 Coulson Street (26.8856°S 152.1027°E / -26.8856; 152.1027 (Country Women's Association hall)).[24]

Infrastructure

Town water supply is provided by Boobir Dam.

Events

The Blackbutt Avocado Festival has been held annually in September since 2016, replacing the former Bloomin Beautiful Blackbutt Festival. It features avocado cooking demonstrations, avocado tossing competitions, presentations on farming avocados, in addition to other festival events, such as arts and craft displays, woodchop competitions and live music.[25]

Attractions

The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail passes through Blackbutt, following the route of the former railway line. It is for walking cycling and horse riding; no motorised vehicles are permitted.[26]

The former Nukku school building was relocated to Hart Street (26.8835°S 152.1013°E / -26.8835; 152.1013 (Roy Emerson Museum)) in Blackbutt to house the Roy Emerson Museum celebrating tennis player Roy Emerson.[27][28][29]

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Blackbutt (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  2. "Blackbutt – town in South Burnett Region (entry 2987)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  3. "Blackbutt – locality in South Burnett Region (entry 50238)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  4. "Timbertowners Celebrate 100 Years". The South Burnett Times. 5 July 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  5. "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  6. "Agency ID 172, Blackbutt State School". Queensland State Archives. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  7. Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  8. Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Archived from the original on 15 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  9. "Naming Railway Stations". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 24 December 1910. p. 4. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  10. "Blackbutt-Benarkin: The Timber Towns". South Burnett Tourism. South Burnett Online. Archived from the original on 14 June 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2007.
  11. "Blackbutt War Memorial". Monument Australia. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  12. "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.
  13. "Grand day for Emerson". The Sydney Morning Herald. AAP. 27 January 2013. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015.
  14. Anne Scheu (26 August 2016). "How the Roy Emerson Museum came about". John Oxley Library. Archived from the original on 24 April 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  15. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Blackbutt (SSC)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  16. Lucas, Paul. "New Blackbutt Bridge Safer" (PDF). Press Release: 04/04/05. Queensland Government. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  17. McCormick, Louise (March 2006). "Taromeo Creek Bridge – The first fibre composite bridge bridge on Queensland's road network" (PDF). Queensland Roads. Queensland Government. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  18. "Fibre Composite Projects" (PDF). Technical Note 54. Queensland Government. August 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  19. "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  20. "Blackbutt State School". Archived from the original on 18 February 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  21. "ACARA School Profile 2017". Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  22. "Queensland State and Non-State Schools". Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  23. "Locate a Library - South Burnett Regional Council". South Burnett Regional Council. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  24. "Branch Locations". Queensland Country Women's Association. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  25. "About". Blackbutt Avocado Festival. Archived from the original on 23 October 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  26. "Moore to Blackbutt". Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 31 May 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  27. Anne Scheu (26 August 2016). "How the Roy Emerson Museum came about". John Oxley Library. Archived from the original on 24 April 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  28. "Roy Emerson Museum". www.queensland.com. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  29. "Roy Emerson Museum". Discover South Burnett. Archived from the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2021.

Further reading
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