Walkamin, Queensland

Walkamin
Queensland
A storm approaching Walkamin during the wet season, 2014
Walkamin
Coordinates 17°07′45″S 145°25′37″E / 17.1291°S 145.4269°E / -17.1291; 145.4269Coordinates: 17°07′45″S 145°25′37″E / 17.1291°S 145.4269°E / -17.1291; 145.4269
Population 630 (2006 census)[1]
 • Density 13.38/km2 (34.64/sq mi)
Postcode(s) 4872
Area 47.1 km2 (18.2 sq mi)
Location
LGA(s) Tablelands Region
State electorate(s) Hill
Federal Division(s) Kennedy
Localities around Walkamin:
Chewko Mareeba Mareeba
Arriga Walkamin Mareeba
Arriga Arriga Tolga

Walkamin is a town and a locality in the Tablelands Region, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] In the 2016 census, Walkamin recorded a population of 474 people.[4]

Geography

Walkamin is on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland between Mareeba and Tolga. The Kennedy Highway traverses the locality from the south-east to the north-east passing through the town.[5]

History

The name Walkamin was taken from its railway station, which in turn was named by the Queensland Railways Department on 8 November 1943, based on a suggestion by organist Sydney Lionel May who proposed it because it was the name of an Aboriginal language associated with the area, probably the Wakaman language documented by Norman Tindale.[2][6]

Walkamin State School opened on 19 May 1958.[7] In 1982 the school celebrated its 25th anniversary.[8]

The Walkamin Research Station was established by the Queensland Government in late 1959 to investigate the economic use of irrigation water from the Tinaroo Dam.[9]

At the 2006 census, Walkamin and the surrounding area had a population of 630.[1]

Education and research

Walkamin State School is a government co-educational primary (P-6) school at 40 Wattle Street. In 2016, the school had an enrolment of 51 students with 3 teachers and 6 non-teaching staff (3 full-time equivalent).[10]

In 2017, Walkamin Research Station was involved in research involving local crops such as mangoes, peanuts, coffee, hardwoods, legumes, maize and lucerne. Although the research station is equipped for aquaculture research, there were no aquaculture projects in 2017. The research station has an experimental farm in Kairi beside the shores of Lake Tinarooo.[9]

Attractions

The Mount Uncle Distillery makes a range of liqueurs from local fruits.[11][12] In 2015, the distillery were successful at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in Hong Kong, winning a gold medal for their Iridium rum, silver medals for their gin, vodka and whiskey, and a bronze medal for another rum. The distillery owner, Mark Watkins, believes the climate in Walkamin contributes to faster maturation of the liqueurs.[13]

The FNQ Country Music Festival and Talent Search is held annually at Kerribee Park Rodeo Grounds in Mareeba. The event is hosted by the Walkamin Country Music Club.[14]

References

  1. 1 2 Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Walkamin (Atherton Shire) (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
  2. 1 2 "Walkamin - town in Tablelands Region (entry 36205)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  3. ↑ "Walkamin - locality in Tablelands Region (entry 48917)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  4. ↑ "Walkamin". Australian Bureau of Statistics. 12 January 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  5. ↑ "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  6. ↑ "Walkamin - railway station in the Tablelands Region (entry 36206)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  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. ↑ Collins, Fay, (editor,) (1983), A history booklet to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Walkamin State School 1958-1982 : including Mt Aunt & Carbeen Schools and District, Walkamin, Qld. Fay Collins, retrieved 3 February 2018
  9. 1 2 "Walkamin Research Facility". Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. Queensland Government. 12 September 2017. Archived from the original on 30 September 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  10. ↑ "Annual Report 2016". Walkamin State School. Archived from the original on 30 September 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  11. ↑ "Tolga and Walkamin". Tropical Tablelands Tourism. Archived from the original on 30 September 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  12. ↑ "About Mt Uncle Distillery". Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  13. ↑ Forbes, Scott (5 January 2015). "Tablelands distillery Mt Uncle wins major award in international competition". Cairns Post. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  14. ↑ "Festival". Walkamin Country Music Club. Retrieved 3 February 2018.

Further reading

  • Collins, Fay, (editor,) (1983), A history booklet to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Walkamin State School 1958-1982 : including Mt Aunt & Carbeen Schools and District, Walkamin, Qld. Fay Collins

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