Benarkin, Queensland

Benarkin
Queensland

General store
Benarkin
Coordinates 26°53′13″S 152°08′16″E / 26.88694°S 152.13778°E / -26.88694; 152.13778Coordinates: 26°53′13″S 152°08′16″E / 26.88694°S 152.13778°E / -26.88694; 152.13778
Population 1,055 (2011 census)[1]
Postcode(s) 4306
LGA(s) South Burnett Region
County Cavendish
State electorate(s) Nanango
Federal Division(s) Maranoa
Localities around Benarkin:
Blackbutt North Benarkin North Benarkin North
Blackbutt Benarkin Moore
Blackbutt South Cherry Creek Cherry Creek

Benarkin is a town in South Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] The nearby town of Blackbutt is the origin of the town and the two towns are often referred to as the joint entity Blackbutt-Benarkin. In the 2011 census, the towns of Benarkin and Blackbutt recorded a combined population of 1,055.[1]

Geography

Benarkin is located on the Balfour Range approximately 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) east of Blackbutt and is by-passed by the D'Aguilar Highway.[3] The Benarkin State Forest is located to the east and south of the town.

History

The name Benarkin is an Aboriginal word meaning blackbutt (a common variety of local tree). When the Blackbutt railway station was built to serve the town of Blackbutt, it was some distance from the town, so it was decided to name the railway station Bernakin in 1910[4] and this name was then used for the settlement that grew up around the railway station. 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.[2]

Benarkin State School, new building, old tent, 1913

Macnamara's Camp Provisional School opened on 4 July 1910 but in November 1910 it was moved to Well Holes and renamed Well Holes Provisional School. In 1911, it was renamed Benarkin Provisional School. The school was operating from a tent.[5] In March 1913 a building was constructed and it became Benarkin State School on 1 April 1913.[6] It closed in 1920, but reopened on 4 September 1935.[7][8]

Benarkin Post Office opened by March 1911.[9]

On 11 November 1996, a memorial was established to jointly commemorate the soldiers who took part in the Battle of Hill 60 at Gallipoli in World War I and the pioneer forestry workers of the district. The memorial is located on Hill 60 Road in the Benarkin State Forest (26°52′34″S 152°09′42″E / 26.876073°S 152.161796°E / -26.876073; 152.161796 (Benarkin State Forest Hill 60 Memorial)).[10]

Heritage listings

Benarkin has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Education

Benarkin State School is a government primary (P-7) school located at Scott Street (26°53′06″S 152°08′31″E / 26.88511°S 152.142058°E / -26.88511; 152.142058 (Benarkin State School)). In 2013, there were 22 students enrolled and 4 teachers (2 full-time equivalent).[12] There is no secondary school in Benarkin, the nearest are in Nanango, Toogoolawah and Kilcoy.[13]

Attractions

The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail passes through Benarkin, following the route of the former railway line. It is for walking and cycling, no motorised vehicles are permitted.[14]

References

  1. 1 2 Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Benarkin (Gazeeted Locality)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Benarkin (entry 40974)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  3. ↑ "Our school". Benarkin State School. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  4. ↑ "Naming Railway Stations.". The Brisbane Courier (National Library of Australia). 24 December 1910. p. 4. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  5. ↑ "Our Mutdapilly District Letter.". The Queensland Times (National Library of Australia). 11 April 1912. p. 6 Edition: DAILY. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  6. ↑ "EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.". The Brisbane Courier (National Library of Australia). 22 March 1913. p. 10. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  7. ↑ "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  8. ↑ "Agency ID3671, Benarkin State School". Queensland State Archives. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  9. ↑ Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  10. ↑ "Benarkin State Forest Hill 60 Memorial". Monument Australia. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  11. ↑ "Taromeo Homestead complex and cemetery (entry 601123)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  12. ↑ "2013 School Annual Report" (PDF). Benarkin State School. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  13. ↑ "Queensland State and Non-State Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  14. ↑ "Moore to Blackbutt". Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. Queensland Government. Retrieved 29 May 2014.

Further reading

External links

Media related to Benarkin, Queensland at Wikimedia Commons

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