:Coominya, Queensland
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox Australian place
| type = town
| name = Coominya
| state = qld
| image = Coominya Shops.JPG
| caption = Cafe and post office at Coominya
| coordinates = {{coord|-27.3919|152.5022|type:city_region:AU-QLD|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pop = 1029
| pop_year = {{CensusAU|2021}}
| established =
| postcode = 4311
| area = 114.7
| timezone = AEST
| utc = +10:00
| elevation = 80
| maxtemp =
| mintemp =
| rainfall =
| lga = Somerset Region
| stategov = Nanango
| fedgov = Blair
| county = Cavendish
| dist1 = 83
| dir1 = W
| location1 = Brisbane
| dist2 = 48
| dir2 = NW
| location2 = Ipswich
| dist3 = 73
| dir3 = NE
| location3 = Toowoomba
| dist4 = 15
| dir4 = NW
| location4 = Lowood
| near-n = Moombra
| near-ne = Lake Wivenhoe
| near-e = Wivenhoe Hill
| near-se = Patrick Estate
| near-s = Clarendon
| near-sw = Atkinsons Dam
| near-w = Buaraba
| near-nw = Mount Hallen
}}
Coominya is a rural town and locality in the Somerset Region in South East Queensland, Australia.{{cite QPN|8190|Coominya|access-date=19 August 2014}}{{cite QPN|44859|Coominya|access-date=19 August 2014}} The town is located {{convert|83|km|mi|0}} west of the state capital, Brisbane and approximately {{convert|2|km|mi}} from Wivenhoe Dam. In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Coominya had a population of 1,029 people.
Coominya sits on the land of the Indigenous Jagera people.{{cite web |title=Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships |url=https://www.datsip.qld.gov.au/resources/datsima/people-communities/cultural-heritage/heritage-bodies/chb-jagera.pdf |access-date=10 February 2021 |archive-date=5 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205151859/https://www.datsip.qld.gov.au/resources/datsima/people-communities/cultural-heritage/heritage-bodies/chb-jagera.pdf |url-status=live }}
Geography
Coominya is bounded by Logan Creek to the north and Buaraba Creek to the south. Although located closely between Atkinson Dam to the south-west and Lake Wivenhoe to the north-east, it does not bound either of these two reservoirs.
The Brisbane Valley Highway approximately follows its north-east border. The Brisbane Valley railway line passes through Coominya from the north-west to the south-east with the Coominya railway station serving the town.{{Queensland Globe|access-date=3 July 2015}} However, the railway line was closed in 1993.
History
File:Coominya War Memorial.JPG
From 1886 to 1906, the area was known as Bellevue (the local pastoral property). The name Coominya is believed to be derived from the Yuggera language where kung means water and nya means to see referring to its lagoons.
Coominya Post Office opened by December 1907 (a receiving office had been open from 1887, known earlier as Bellevue).{{Cite web | last = Premier Postal History | title = Post Office List | publisher = Premier Postal Auctions | url = https://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=QLD&country= | access-date = 10 May 2014 | archive-date = 15 May 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140515223132/http://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=QLD&country= | url-status = live }}
Coominya State School opened on 17 September 1912.{{Cite QldSchool|access-date=18 August 2014}}{{Citation | author1=Queensland Family History Society | title=Queensland schools past and present | publication-date=2010 | publisher=Queensland Family History Society | edition=Version 1.01 | isbn=978-1-921171-26-0 }}{{cite QSA Agency|5122|Coominya State School|19 August 2014}}
In 1920, the Coominya soldier settlement was established to provide opportunities for soldiers returning from World War I to establish themselves as farmers. There were 100 farms each of {{Convert|30|acre||abbr=}} intended for growing grapes and fruit. Like many soldier settlements in Australia, the scheme failed due to the poor quality of the land and lack of support for inexperienced farmers. The settlement closed in 1929 with only 2 farms were still operating.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gattonstar.com.au/news/historians-look-back-at-post-war-settlement/2388855/|title=Historians look back at Coominya soldiers' settlement|last=Threadingham|first=Tom|website=Gatton Star|language=en|access-date=2019-11-12|archive-date=12 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112002130/https://www.gattonstar.com.au/news/historians-look-back-at-post-war-settlement/2388855/|url-status=live}}
Coominya Presbyterian Church was officially opened on Thursday 4 March 1920 by Reverend J. B. Galloway, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church. It was the first church to open in Coominya.{{cite news |date=8 March 1920 |title=Coominya Presbyterian Church |volume=LXI |page=4 (DAILY.) |newspaper=Queensland Times |issue=10,615 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article121902193 |accessdate=8 September 2022 |via=National Library of Australia}}
File:St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Coominya, 2006 01.jpg
On Sunday 21 November 1920, Monsignor James Byrne laid the foundation stone for a Catholic church in Coominya. It had been planned that Archbishop James Duhig was to lay the foundation stone, but he was unable to come on the day. John Newman donated the land for the church and also £300 worth of timber.{{cite news |date=20 November 1920 |title=COOMINYA ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. |volume=LXII |page=6 (DAILY.) |newspaper=Queensland Times |issue=10,834 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article121986373 |accessdate=8 September 2022 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |date=23 November 1920 |title=COUNTRY NEWS. |page=8 |newspaper=Daily Mail |issue=5718 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article212828329 |accessdate=8 September 2022 |via=National Library of Australia}} On Sunday 6 March 1921, Duhig came to Cominya to bless and dedicate the new Catholic church.{{cite news |date=10 March 1921 |title=ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AT COOMINYA. |page=8 |newspaper=The Brisbane Courier |issue=19,699 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20457756 |accessdate=8 September 2022 |via=National Library of Australia}} The new church was {{Convert|55 by 24|ft}} including a {{Convert|9 by 15|ft|adj=on}} sacristy. The builder was Mr C. J. Madden, assisted by Messrs J. and H. Madden.{{cite news |date=7 March 1921 |title=COOMINYA R.C. CHURCH |volume=LXII |page=4 (DAILY) |newspaper=Queensland Times |issue=10,924 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article121914951 |accessdate=8 September 2022 |via=National Library of Australia}}
During World War II, an airfield was constructed west of Coominya to accommodate US air force squadrons.{{cite web |title=Queensland WWII Historic Places |url=https://www.ww2places.qld.gov.au/place?id=870 |access-date=10 February 2021 |archive-date=15 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215030953/https://www.ww2places.qld.gov.au/place?id=870 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Oz at War |url=https://www.ozatwar.com/ozatwar/coominya.htm |access-date=10 February 2021 |archive-date=15 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215023117/https://www.ozatwar.com/ozatwar/coominya.htm |url-status=live }} Today, the airfield is being used by a flight training school.{{cite web |title=Coominya Flight Training |url=http://www.coominyaflighttraining.com.au/ |access-date=10 February 2021 |archive-date=10 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210083855/http://www.coominyaflighttraining.com.au/ |url-status=live }}
St. Martin's Anglican Church was dedicated on 24 June 1922 by Coadjutor Bishop Henry Le Fanu. It closed circa 2005.{{Cite web|title=Closed Anglican Churches|url=https://www.anglicanarchives.org.au/churches/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403003329/https://www.anglicanarchives.org.au/churches/|archive-date=3 April 2019|access-date=29 June 2020|website=Anglican Church South Queensland}}
The Coominya War Memorial is located on Railway Street and was dedicated on 25 April 1997.{{cite web|title=Coominya War Memorial|url=http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/multiple/display/97397-coominya-war-memorial|publisher=Monument Australia|access-date=4 April 2014|archive-date=7 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407123252/http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/multiple/display/97397-coominya-war-memorial|url-status=live}}
Demographics
In the {{CensusAU|2006}}, the locality of Coominya had a population of 1,751.{{Census 2006 AUS|id=SSC35665|name=Coominya (SSC)|access-date=10 February 2021}}
In the {{CensusAU|2011}}, the locality of Coominya had a population of 1,174.{{Census 2011 AUS|id=SSC30414|name=Coominya (SSC)|access-date=18 August 2014|quick=on}}
In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the locality of Coominya had a population of 1,200 people.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC30696|name=Coominya (SSC)|access-date=20 October 2018|quick=on}}
In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, Coominya had a population of 1,029 people.{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL30691|name=Coominya (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}
Heritage listings
Coominya has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
Economy
Coominya is known for its fresh produce.{{cite web |title=Coominya Property |url=https://somersetproperty.com.au/lowood/ |access-date=10 February 2021 |archive-date=15 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215023912/https://somersetproperty.com.au/lowood/ |url-status=live }}
The major employer is an abattoir.{{cite web
|url=http://www.australiatradecoast.com.au/Informationcentre/currentnews/globalinvestorscontinuetoflocktoqueensland.aspx
|title=Global Investors Continue to Flock to Queensland
|publisher=australiatradecoast.com.au
|access-date=28 October 2007
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070902150305/http://www.australiatradecoast.com.au/Informationcentre/currentnews/globalinvestorscontinuetoflocktoqueensland.aspx
|archive-date=2 September 2007
|url-status=dead
|df=dmy
}} There is a steady increase in olive growing and Comvita have set up an olive leaf extract plant in the town.{{cite web|title=Comvita Acquires Queensland Olive Estate|url=https://file.nzx.com/companies/CVT/announcements/232248|publisher=New Zealand Exchange|access-date=19 August 2014|date=23 Jan 2013|archive-date=19 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819082603/https://file.nzx.com/companies/CVT/announcements/232248|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Synergy 12|url=http://www.comvita.com.au/ingredients/about-synergy-12.html|publisher=Comvita Limited|access-date=18 August 2014|archive-date=19 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084755/http://www.comvita.com.au/ingredients/about-synergy-12.html|url-status=live}}
Education
Coominya State School is a government primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at 7 Cornhill Street ({{coord|-27.3922|152.5008|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Coominya State School}}).{{cite web |date=9 July 2018 |title=State and non-state school details |url=https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065959/https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997 |archive-date=21 November 2018 |access-date=21 November 2018 |publisher=Queensland Government}}{{Cite web |date=2019-05-21 |title=Coominya State School |url=https://coominyass.eq.edu.au/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=Coominya State School |language=en}} In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 118 students with 7 teachers (6 full-time equivalent) and 6 non-teaching staff (4 full-time equivalent).{{cite web |title=ACARA School Profile 2017 |url=http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122010027/http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0 |archive-date=22 November 2018 |access-date=22 November 2018}}{{Cite web |date=2019-05-21 |title=Facilities |url=https://coominyass.eq.edu.au/facilities |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=Coominya State School |language=en}}
There is no secondary school in Coominya; the nearest secondary schools are in Lowood and Toogoolawah.
Amenities
Facilities in Coominya include a post office,{{cite web |title=Australia Post |url=https://auspost.com.au/locate/post-office/qld/coominya/4311/coominya-lpo-435282 |access-date=10 February 2021 |archive-date=6 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506150640/https://auspost.com.au/locate/post-office/qld/coominya/4311/coominya-lpo-435282 |url-status=live }} a general store with newsagency,{{cite web |title=Business and Community Directory |url=https://www.somerset.qld.gov.au/directory-record/4317/coominya-general-store-and-newsagency |access-date=10 February 2021 |archive-date=10 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210161713/https://www.somerset.qld.gov.au/directory-record/4317/coominya-general-store-and-newsagency |url-status=live }} a cafe{{cite web |title=White Pages |url=https://www.whitepages.com.au/blue-teapot-cafe-10775994/coominya-qld-10775999B |access-date=10 February 2021}} and a pub.{{cite web |title=Tripadvisor |url=https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restaurant_Review-g2697143-d10390327-Reviews-Bellevue_Hotel-Coominya_Somerset_Brisbane_Region_Queensland.html |access-date=10 February 2021 |archive-date=6 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606023206/https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restaurant_Review-g2697143-d10390327-Reviews-Bellevue_Hotel-Coominya_Somerset_Brisbane_Region_Queensland.html |url-status=live }}
A flight training school operates at Coominya Airfield, ICAO code YBCM.{{cite web |title=Airportguide |url=https://airportguide.com/airport/info/YBCM |access-date=10 February 2021 |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212235128/https://airportguide.com/airport/info/YBCM |url-status=live }}
There are a number of churches in Coominya, including:
- St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 453 Coominya Connection Road ({{Coord|-27.39398|152.49921|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=St Francis Xavier Catholic Church}}){{Cite web |title=St Francis Xavier Church, Coominya |url=https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/parishes-mass-times/mass-centre/st-francis-xavier-church-coominya/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Blake |first=Thom |title=St Francis Xavier Catholic Church |url=https://www.thomblake.com.au/qc_new/view_p.php?id=640 |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=Queensland religious places database}}
- Coominya Presbyterian Church (also known as Central Church Coominya), 18–20 West Street ({{Coord|-27.39110|152.50495|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Coominya Presbyterian Church}}){{Cite web |title=Presbyterian Churches within the Ipswich Region of Queensland |url=https://pcq.org.au/presbyterian-church-directory.php?RID=8&CID=14 |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=Presbyterian Church of Queensland}}
Attractions
Attractions in the Coominya area include the historic Bellevue Homestead, moved from Wivenhoe Dam to Coominya.
Coominya is known for its scenery and wildlife including lorikeet parrots, koalas, kangaroos.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}
As part of Q150 (Queensland's 150th anniversary) the local heritage society commissioned a series of murals depicting early life at the town.{{cite news|last1=Maeseele|first1=Melanie|title=History on display in new mural|url=http://www.qt.com.au/news/proud-history-on-display-in-new-mural/370505/|access-date=11 February 2015|work=Queensland Times|date=29 September 2009|archive-date=6 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606023243/https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/ipswich/history-on-display-in-new-mural/news-story/6d1ad78d73bf228ad572e0cf7fe51b3e?nk=d1d364df5937bc64bf2d61b43f84df33-1654482763|url-status=live}}
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
{{commons category|Coominya, Queensland}}
- {{cite web|url=http://queenslandplaces.com.au/coominya|title=Coominya|publisher=Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland|website=Queensland Places}}
- [https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-coominya-1973.jpg Town map of Coominya, 1973]
{{Somerset Region}}
{{South East Queensland}}
{{authority control}}