Thangool

Thangool /ˈθæŋɡuːl/ is a rural town and locality in the Shire of Banana, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] In the 2016 census, Thangool had a population of 741 people.[1]

Thangool
Queensland
Thangool
Coordinates24.4866°S 150.5761°E / -24.4866; 150.5761
Population741 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density1.0605/km2 (2.7468/sq mi)
Established1925
Postcode(s)4716
Elevation192 m (630 ft)
Area698.7 km2 (269.8 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
  • 591 km (367 mi) NW of Brisbane
  • 177 km (110 mi) S of Rockhampton
  • 142 km (88 mi) SW of Gladstone
  • 14 km (9 mi) S of Biloela
  • 76 km (47 mi) NW of Monto
LGA(s)Shire of Banana
State electorate(s)Callide
Federal Division(s)Capricoria
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
29.3 °C
85 °F		 13.2 °C
56 °F		 664.2 mm
26.1 in
Localities around Thangool:
Prospect Valentine Plains Valentine Plains
Prospect Thangool Lawgi Dawes
Castle Creek Camboon Harrami

Geography

Thangool is 591 kilometres (367 mi) north west of the state capital, Brisbane and 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) south of the Shire administrative centre, Biloela.

History

The town name comes from its railway station, which existed from 2 February 1924 until 1 August 1987. Thangool is reportedly an Aboriginal word meaning possum.[2]

The Thangool area was originally home to the Kangulu Aboriginal people.[4] European settlement in the area began with the Archer brothers who, on advice from the explorer Ludwig Leichhardt, set out from Eidsvold Station on the Burnett River to explore the area to the north in 1853, eventually reaching the Fitzroy River. Speculative ventures followed in the 1850s and 1860s, originally tentative attempts at sheep raising, but soon turning to cattle.

The town was surveyed in 1925 and primitive shops constructed from corrugated iron and logs were established soon after. The Callide Valley railway line was extended to Thangool in 1925, before its final extension to Lawgi in 1931.[5] A primary school was opened on 5 April 1927.[6] By the 1930s, a cotton boom had allowed the town to support two hotels, two butchers, two bakers, a picture theatre, a cordial factory, a blacksmith and a bank.[7]

At the 2011 census, Thangool had a population of 829.[8]

Education

Thangool State School is a coeducational school catering for students from Prep - Year 6.[9] At the time of their 2015 Annual Report, Thangool State School had 115 students enrolled.[10] Thangool State School has an active Facebook page.[11]

Economy

Dryland farming in the area produces mainly sorghum and wheat but also some sunflower, mung beans and barley. Irrigated crops produced include cotton and lucerne as well as wheat and sorghum. A Thangool business, Queensland Squab Processors, supply 60 per cent of the Australian market for squab while a new business producing herbs for the food service industry was developed recently.

Facilities

Local businesses include two hotels; the Red Steer Hotel and the Hotel Thangool, a service station, post office, carpenters, welders, primary school and an aircraft refuelling business.[7]

The Thangool Airport services the Banana Shire area and the Thangool racecourse is one of the largest racecourses in the area.[7]

Community groups

The Thangool branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at the Thangool Recreational Hall.[12]

Attractions

Nearby Mount Scoria, a rare rock formation rising 150 metres (490 ft) above the surrounding plain, was an active volcano 20 to 26 million years ago. The mountain features impressive basalt columns formed by cooling lava. Despite its name the mountain features very little scoria, with most of the mountain made up of vesicular basalt.[4]

Events

The Thangool Cup Races is an annual horse racing event held in September. Each November there is a Christmas market.[13]

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Thangool (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  2. "Thangool - town in Shire of Banana (entry 33811)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  3. "Thangool - locality in Shire of Banana (entry 49574)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  4. "Mount Scoria — Nature, culture and history". Environmental Protection Agency (Queensland). 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2007.
  5. QR Corporate - Rail as foremost mode of travel - Competition to rail as foremost mode of travel Archived 12 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  6. "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  7. "Our Town Thangool" (PDF). Community Development Profile. Banana Shire Council. 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2007.
  8. Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Thangool (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 October 2007.
  9. "Thangool State School". Education Queensland. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  10. "Thangool State School Annual Report" (PDF). Education Queensland. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  11. "Thangool State School". Facebook. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  12. "Branch Locations". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  13. "Simple Pleasures: Banana Shire" (PDF). The Gladstone Region. Tourism Queensland. p. 3. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
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