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Byrnestown

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Coordinates: 25°31′19″S 151°46′04″E / 25.5219°S 151.7677°E / -25.5219; 151.7677 (Byrnestown (centre of locality))
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Byrnestown
Queensland
Byrnestown is located in Queensland
Byrnestown
Byrnestown
Coordinates25°31′19″S 151°46′04″E / 25.5219°S 151.7677°E / -25.5219; 151.7677 (Byrnestown (centre of locality))
Population27 (2021 census)[1]
 • Density0.672/km2 (1.74/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4625
Area40.2 km2 (15.5 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)North Burnett Region
State electorate(s)Callide
Federal division(s)Flynn
Suburbs around Byrnestown:
Wetheron Wetheron Gooroolba
Wetheron Byrnestown Gooroolba
Wetheron Ginoondan Ginoondan

Byrnestown is a rural locality in the North Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] The town was established as one of the first communes in Queensland. In the 2021 census, Byrnestown had a population of 27 people.[1]

History

[edit]

In response to the idea of communes promulgated by utopian William Lane, in 1893 the Queensland Government legislated the Queensland Co-operative Communities Land Settlement Act to allow a group of 30 or more men and their families to establish a commune in Queensland. This led to many groups forming to pursue the goal of establishing a commune; one of these groups called themselves Byrnestown after the then Queensland Attorney-General Thomas Joseph Byrnes (who became Premier of Queensland in 1898).[2][3]

In late 1893, sites near Roma were deemed too far from the town.[4] In January 1893, the Byrnestown group inspected land in the Burnett area and found it suitable, having a water supply from the Wetherton Creek and frontage to the prospective railway to Gayndah. As a result, the Byrnestown commune (comprising 34 members) was registered on 24 February 1894 receiving 4,600 acres (1,900 ha) for an 8-year term. Another group calling themselves Resolute selected land immediately to the east of the Byrnestown group, while a third group Bon Accord also took land in the Burnett area at Bon Accord.[3][5][6]

The first of the Byrnestown settlers arrived in March 1894.[7] Although all communes were given initial funds, by June 1894, Byrnestown requested and received additional financial assistance.[8] By October 1894, there were 169 people in the Byrnestown commune: 34 men, 28 wives and 107 children. The group had erected numerous bark dwellings, farm buildings and were beginning work on a school building, but had made more limited progress on clearing and planting the land.[9][10]

"Showing how six Byrnestown socialists paid the penalty of a too strict adherence to principle", cartoon, 1895

The Byrnestown commune did not succeed. As early as November 1894, there were allegations (denied by the group) that some of their members were working outside the commune but not contributing their wages to the commune as their agreement required.[10] The following month some members were petitioning the government for funds, saying that the commune's management committee was denying them food.[11] At the agricultural show at Degilbo in February 1895, it was revealed that 6 men had left the group and a further 9 were refusing to work, with the group's secretary suggesting the internal disputes arose from differences in nationality and religion.[12] An inspection in April 1895 reported on limited progress at cultivation of the land, possibly linked to the number of men in the group working outside the commune.[13] By July 1895, members of group had resorted to legal action over the management committee refusal to provide food to members who disagreed with their decisions.[14] Byrnestown was not alone in its failure; in August 1895 a report by the Under-Secretary for Agriculture revealed most of the communes established were "in a state of collapse" and that there was little prospect of them being economically self-supporting.[15]

One small success for the commune was the opening of the Byrnestown Provisional School on 4 September 1895.[16] However, the Byrnestown commune soon complained that children from the neighbouring Resolute commune were attending their school without contributing to it.[17]

In October 1895, the Byrnestown committee instituted a system of punishments for any member (or their wife) who criticised their commune or suggested it might not be a success.[18] In December 1895, the Queensland Government passed legislation to enable communes to be dissolved and the communal land divided among the members.[19] The members of Byrnestown immediately petitioned the Queensland Government to divide their communal land into individual portions.[20] In April 1896, 2,560 acres (1,040 ha) of the Byrnestown communal land was divided among 16 of its members, bringing the commune to an end.[21] Those members who chose to take up individual land generally succeeded in their enterprise and were described less than two years later in February 1896 as "doing pretty well", suggesting that dissolution of the commune had rid the community of those men unsuited to agriculture or generally disinclined to work.[22]

A report by R. W. Winks of the Department of Agriculture, Brisbane, surveying for the proposed Degilbo to Gayndah railway line extension, dated 10 November 1897 stated:- "The first really good piece of country of any extent begins some little distance from the coach stage at Wetheron, Two Mile, extending beyond the head station and running thence in a south-westerly direction to Oakey Creek. This belt, which takes in the whole of what was the Byrnestown and part of the Resolute and Bon Accord Groups, about 8 miles (13 km) in length, and varying in breadth from 3 to 4 miles, is on the whole good land. It is principally composed of fine, black and chocolate soil ridges, even in contour, and in many places lightly timbered with broad-leafed ironbark and a kind of bloodwood. In some parts there is scarcely any timber, from which fact a portion of this zone is known locally as the Wetheron Clear Lands. Want of water is the chief drawback, but from some wells I saw on what was once group property, it would appear that good water can be obtained by comparatively shallow sinking. The average depth of the wells seemed about 40 feet (12 m)."[23]

In 1903, there were over 1,000 acres (400 ha) under cultivation, growing mostly maize, potatoes and fodder crops; the main barrier to greater prosperity was the distance to the railway.[24]

The Byrnestown Provisional School was originally housed in a bark humpy, but, through the efforts of Roman Catholic priest Father Michael Joseph McKiernan, it was replaced by a more substantial building.[25] It became a state school in 1909. A second school, Byrnestown Central State School, opened on 20 May 1913,[26] after which the first school was often known as Old Byrnestown School. The old school closed in 1931 and its buildings were relocated in 1932 to Wilson Valley.[27] In 1938, Byrnestown Central State School was renamed Byrnestown State School. It closed on 31 December 1970.[16][28][29] (Old) Byrnestown State School was on the western side of Gayndah - Mount Perry Road (25°32′55″S 151°46′36″E / 25.54858°S 151.77670°E / -25.54858; 151.77670 ((Old) Byrnetown State School (former))).[30][31] Byrnestown (Central) State School was at 28 Byrnes Parade (corner of King George Avenue, 25°31′24″S 151°45′31″E / 25.52324°S 151.75872°E / -25.52324; 151.75872 (Byrnestown (Central) State School (former))).[30][32][31]

Byrnestown Post Office opened by November 1903 (a receiving office had been open from 1898) and closed in 1911. Byrnestown Railway Station Post Office opened by June 1910 (a receiving office had been open from 1909, briefly known as Ginoon) and closed in 1974.[33]

Church of the Sacred Heart, 1925

In August 1913, local residents desired to establish a Roman Catholic church in the town. At that time, the town had a hall which was used both for church services and recreational purposes, but following the establishment of a concert hall by Mr Christensen, the hall was only used for church services. Peter McSween senior donated an acre of land for the church and the residents decided to relocate the old hall to the donated land.[34] On 25 July 1914, Archbishop James Duhig opened St Peter's Catholic Church with 250 people in attendance. The new church was made of weatherboard and was 40 by 20 feet (12.2 by 6.1 m) with a sacristry and vestry in the rear of the church and an "artistic" porch at the front. The building was designed and built by local contractor Harry Head.[35][36] On 1 December 1923, the church was blown down in a storm.[37][38] It was decided in August 1924 to construct a new church rather than try to repair the damaged building.[39][40] The contract for the new church was given to George William Jealous of Gayndah at a cost of over £1000.[41] The new Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart was opened in Byrnestown on 22 February 1925 by Roman Catholic Archbishop James Duhig.[42][43] The church was damaged in a cyclone in 1959. In 1969 the church was moved to Gayndah to serve as the church hall for St Joseph's Catholic Church there. To reduce the risk of future cyclone damage, the roof was lowered by reducing the height of the walls and reducing the pitch of the roof.[44]

In May 1931, a railway carriage carrying the Queensland Premier Arthur Edward Moore and Robert Boyd MLA and their wives came detached during shunting operations at the Gooroolba junction and rolled away, gathering speed down a streep grade. It hurtled, swaying dangerously, through Byrnestown railway station and eventually came to a halt five miles later on flat ground near the Wetheron railway station. Nobody was hurt.[45][46]

Demographics

[edit]

In the 2016 census, Byrnestown had a population of 34 people.[47]

In the 2021 census, Byrnestown had a population of 27 people.[1]

Heritage listing

[edit]

The Byrnestown Commune and Cemetery are listed on the North Burnett Regional Council's local heritage register.[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Byrnestown (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ a b "Byrnestown – locality in North Burnett Region (entry 45325)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Byrnestown Commune and Cemetery" (PDF). Local Heritage Register. North Burnett Regional Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 May 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  4. ^ "Co-operative Communities". Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser. 2 December 1893. p. 5. Retrieved 30 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "QUEENSLAND NEWS". The Morning Bulletin. Rockhampton, Qld. 10 January 1894. p. 5 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "THE MAYORAL ELECTION". The Brisbane Courier. 21 February 1894. p. 4. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "Our Brisbane Letter". Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser. 3 March 1894. p. 5. Retrieved 30 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "Co-operative Groups". Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser. 7 June 1894. p. 6. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ "LAND SETTLEMENT GROUPS IN THE BURNETT". The Brisbane Courier. 5 October 1894. p. 3. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ a b "The Byrnestown Co-operative Group". The Queenslander. 17 November 1894. p. 916. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ "The Byrnestown Group". Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser. 13 December 1894. p. 5. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ "A VISIT TO DEGILBO". The Brisbane Courier. 11 February 1895. p. 6. Retrieved 30 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ "MR. CAMERON, M.L.A., AT LONG REACH". The Capricornian. Rockhampton, Qld. 13 April 1895. p. 11. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. ^ "LOCAL AND GENERAL". The Northern Miner. Charters Towers, Qld. 2 July 1895. p. 2. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. ^ "Co-operative Settlements". The Western Champion and General Advertiser for the Central-Western Districts. Barcaldine, Qld. 13 August 1895. p. 11. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. ^ a b "Agency ID 6460, Byrnestown State School". Queensland State Archives. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  17. ^ "THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL". The Queenslander. 28 December 1895. p. 1240. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  18. ^ "The Western Champion". The Western Champion and General Advertiser for the Central-Western Districts. Barcaldine, Qld. 8 October 1895. p. 7. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  19. ^ "Gallery Notes". The Queenslander. 7 December 1895. p. 1101. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  20. ^ "POLITICAL POINTS". The Brisbane Courier. 4 December 1895. p. 6. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  21. ^ "CO-OPERATIVE GROUPS". The Brisbane Courier. 15 April 1896. p. 4. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  22. ^ "IN THE GAYNDAH DISTRICT". The Brisbane Courier. 23 February 1898. p. 6. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  23. ^ "REPORT BY R. W. WINKS". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser. No. 7, 824. Queensland, Australia. 2 December 1897. p. 3. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  24. ^ "COUNTRY NEWS". The Brisbane Courier. 4 September 1903. p. 2. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  25. ^ "A MAN AND HIS WORK: THE LATE FATHER M'KIERNAN". The Queenslander. 6 February 1904. p. 8. Archived from the original on 11 March 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  26. ^ "Public Works". The Brisbane Courier. 11 October 1912. p. 3. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  27. ^ "PUBLIC WORKS". The Brisbane Courier. 15 April 1932. p. 3. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  28. ^ "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  29. ^ Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0, archived from the original on 30 May 2014
  30. ^ a b "Queensland Two Mile series sheet 2m115" (Map). Queensland Government. 1933. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  31. ^ a b "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  32. ^ "Town of Byrnestown" (Map). Queensland Government. 1964. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  33. ^ Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Archived from the original on 15 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  34. ^ "BYRNESTOWN". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser. No. 12, 571. Queensland, Australia. 19 August 1913. p. 8. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  35. ^ "BYRNESTOWN". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser. No. 12, 852. Queensland, Australia. 28 July 1914. p. 5. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  36. ^ "BYRNESTOWN". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser. No. 13, 212. Queensland, Australia. 28 September 1915. p. 6. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  37. ^ "TOOWOOMBA STORM". The Brisbane Courier. No. 20, 550. Queensland, Australia. 3 December 1923. p. 7. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  38. ^ "CHURCH BLOWN DOWN". The Bundaberg Mail. Vol. 53, no. 8, 543. Queensland, Australia. 3 December 1923. p. 4. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  39. ^ "CENTRAL BURNETT". The Daily Mail. No. 6995. Queensland, Australia. 29 July 1924. p. 11. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  40. ^ "GAYNDAH". The Brisbane Courier. No. 20, 769. Queensland, Australia. 16 August 1924. p. 20. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  41. ^ "BYRNESTOWN". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser. No. 16, 907. Queensland, Australia. 8 October 1924. p. 4. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  42. ^ "The new church of the Sacred Heart, Byrnestown, blessed and opened by his Grace Archbishop Duhig on 22nd inst". The Brisbane Courier. 27 February 1925. p. 6. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  43. ^ "CATHOLIC CHURCH". The Daily Mail. No. 7174. Queensland, Australia. 24 February 1925. p. 8. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  44. ^ "Byrnestown St Peter's Catholic Church c 1914 – Opposite 8 Fielding St, Gayndah, QLD". POI Australia. Archived from the original on 1 July 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  45. ^ "RUNAWAY". Northern Star. Lismore, NSW. 4 May 1931. p. 5. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  46. ^ "DASHED FIVE MILES". Sunday Mail. Brisbane. 3 May 1931. p. 3. Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  47. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Byrnestown (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018. Edit this at Wikidata

Further reading

[edit]
  • Metcalf, William James (1998), The Gayndah communes : from Aborigines and squatters through communes to rural depopulation in the Gayndah area, Central Queensland University Press, ISBN 978-1-875998-49-4
[edit]
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