Baralaba, Queensland

The Dawson River forms the western boundary of the locality. The town is located in the north-west corner of the locality beside the river. The Neville Hewitt weir on the river at the town creates a wide river for irrigation and recreation.{{cite web|title=Baralaba|url=http://www.dawsonrivertowns.com.au/welcome-to-dawson-river-towns/baralaba/|website=Dawson River Towns|access-date=11 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517160254/http://www.dawsonrivertowns.com.au/welcome-to-dawson-river-towns/baralaba/#|archive-date=17 May 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

The town is located {{convert|33|km|mi}} west of the Leichhardt Highway.

The town's name is derived from an Aboriginal word meaning "high mountain" referring to nearby Mount Ramsay.

Baralaba Provisional School opened on 19 August 1918. It became a state school on 1 March 1922. In 1964, a secondary department was added.{{Cite QldSchool|access-date=11 June 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|4818|Baralaba State School|12 June 2014}}

Baralaba Post Office opened by April 1924 (a receiving office had been open since about 1919).{{Cite web | last = Phoenix Auctions History | title = Post Office List | publisher = Phoenix Auctions | url = http://www.phoenixauctions.com.au/cgi-bin/wsPhoenix.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=QLD&filter=*Baralaba* | access-date = 15 February 2021 | archive-date = 7 May 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210507080917/https://ssl.google-analytics.com/urchin.js | url-status = live }}

Lily State School opened in 1925 and closed circa 1927.

Mclellan’s Hotel opened on 3 April 1929, being renamed Stewart's Hotel on 11 February 1953. On 2 December 1965, it was renamed Baralaba Hotel. It was destroyed by fire on 24 August 2024.{{Cite news |last=Stokes |first=Aden |last2=Grewal |first2=Jessica |date=24 August 2024 |title=Fire destroys historic outback pub, Baralaba Hotel |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/emergency-services/fire-destroys-historic-outback-pub-baralaba-hotel/news-story/0fee820509d779b383117eedf22635d5 |access-date=25 August 2024 |work=The Morning Bulletin |archive-date=3 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003183240/https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/emergency-services/fire-destroys-historic-outback-pub-baralaba-hotel/news-story/0fee820509d779b383117eedf22635d5 |url-status=live }}

St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church was designed by Roy Chipps of Rockhampton. The timber church was built by R. L. Schofeld at a cost of £650. On Sunday 24 February 1935, the church was opened and consecrated by Bishop Hayes.{{cite web |last=Blake |first=Thom |title=St Patrick's Catholic Church |url=https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=6203 |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=Queensland Religious Places |archive-date=26 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826002202/https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=6203 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=27 February 1935 |title=FIFTH CHURCH OPENED |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article55540585 |accessdate=26 August 2024 |newspaper=Morning Bulletin |location=Queensland, Australia |page=13 |via=National Library of Australia |issue=21,404}}

In May 1941, an Honour Board commemorating those who served in World War II was unveiled at the Returned and Services League of Australia Memorial Hall in Stopford Street ({{coord|-24.181750|149.811143|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Baralaba Memorial Hall & War Memorial}}).{{cite web|title=Baralaba & District Honour Board|url=http://monumentaustralia.org.au/display/90476-baralaba-and-district-honour-board|website=Monument Australia|access-date=12 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714155250/http://monumentaustralia.org.au/display/90476-baralaba-and-district-honour-board#|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} Outside of the Memorial Hall is a white cross commemorating those who served in all wars and conflicts.{{cite web|title=Baralaba & District War Memorial|url=http://monumentaustralia.org.au/display/90477-baralaba-and-district-war-memorial|website=Monument Australia|access-date=12 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715002016/http://monumentaustralia.org.au/display/90477-baralaba-and-district-war-memorial#|archive-date=15 July 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

In September 1945, a Methodist Ladies' Guild was established to raise funds for a Methodist church.{{cite news |date=27 September 1945 |title=BARALABA |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56389271 |accessdate=25 August 2024 |newspaper=Morning Bulletin |location=Queensland, Australia |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia |issue=25,367}} In November 1945, two blocks of land were donated for the church.{{cite news |date=22 November 1945 |title=BARALABA |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56438294 |accessdate=25 August 2024 |newspaper=Morning Bulletin |location=Queensland, Australia |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia |issue=26,354}} The land for Baralaba Methodist Church was consecrated in August 1948.{{cite news |date=5 August 1948 |title=EMERALD |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75350245 |accessdate=25 August 2024 |newspaper=The Central Queensland Herald |location=Queensland, Australia |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia |volume=18 |issue=1011}} In 1977, the Baralaba Methodist Church became Baralaba Uniting Church when the Methodist Church amalgamated into the Uniting Church in Australia.{{cite web |last=Blake |first=Thom |title=Baralaba Methodist Church |url=https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=2718 |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=Queensland Religious Places |archive-date=24 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824235449/https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=2718 |url-status=live }}

Two coal mines once operated in the Baralaba region. Both closed, but mining operations recommenced at one mine in 2005.

The mobile library service commenced in 2004.{{Cite web|url=http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/388497/SLQ_StatsBulletin1617_20171109.pdf|title=Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-17|date=November 2017|website=Public Libraries Connect|publisher=State Library of Queensland|page=11|access-date=29 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130022546/http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/388497/SLQ_StatsBulletin1617_20171109.pdf#|archive-date=30 January 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

In the {{CensusAU|2006}}, the town of Baralaba had a population of 290 people.{{Census 2006 AUS|id= UCL303200|name=Baralaba (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)|accessdate=6 April 2011|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2011}}, the locality of Baralaba had a population of 479 people.{{Census 2011 AUS|id=SSC30101 |name=Baralaba (SSC)|access-date=11 June 2014|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the locality of Baralaba had a population of 314 people.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC30152|name=Baralaba (SSC)|access-date=20 October 2018|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2021}},the locality of Baralaba had a population of 324 people.{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL30151|name=Baralaba (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}

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

• Dawson Valley Colliery, Morgan Street and The Esplanade{{cite QHR|5036|Dawson Valley Colliery (former)|602723|access-date=6 July 2013}}

The local economy revolves around beef production and more recently coal mining.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}

File:Baralaba State School October 2019.jpg

Baralaba P-10 State School is a government primary and secondary (Prep-10) school for boys and girls at 1 Power Street ({{coord|-24.1810|149.8097|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Baralaba State School}}).{{cite web|url=https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|title=State and non-state school details|publisher=Queensland Government|date=9 July 2018|access-date=21 November 2018|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|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://baralabass.eq.edu.au|title=Baralaba State School|access-date=26 March 2021|archive-date=5 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405124041/https://baralabass.eq.edu.au/|url-status=live}} In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 90 students with 12 teachers (9 full-time equivalent) and 15 non-teaching staff (9 full-time equivalent).{{cite web|url=http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0|title=ACARA School Profile 2017|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|url-status=live|access-date=22 November 2018}}

The nearest secondary schools offering Years 11 and 12 are located in Moura and Biloela.{{Queensland Globe|access-date=24 January 2020}}

{{-|left}}

File:Supermarket in Baralaba October 2019.jpgBaralaba Golf Club has a 9-hole golf course and is located on Alberta Road.{{cite web|title=Baralaba Golf Club|url=http://www.worldgolf.com/courses/australia/queensland/baralaba-golf-club.html|website=World Golf|access-date=11 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714183444/http://www.worldgolf.com/courses/australia/queensland/baralaba-golf-club.html|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=live}}

Banana Shire Council operate a fortnightly mobile library service to Baralaba.{{Cite web|url=http://www.banana.qld.gov.au/branches|title=Library: Branches & Opening hours|publisher=Banana Shire Council|access-date=8 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319163850/http://www.banana.qld.gov.au/branches|archive-date=19 March 2017|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.banana.qld.gov.au/documents/4771350/40758710/Mobile%20Library%20Timetable%20April%202017%20-%20September%202017.pdf|title=Banana Shire Mobile Library Timetable|publisher=Banana Shire Council|access-date=8 May 2017}}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Baralaba Uniting Church is at 43 Power Street ({{Coord|-24.1767|149.8118|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Baralaba Uniting Church}}).{{Cite web|title=Baralaba Uniting Church|url=https://www.dawsonvalleyunitingchurch.org.au/baralaba-uniting-church/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-07|website=Dawson Valley Uniting Church|language=en-AU|archive-date=11 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311150515/https://www.dawsonvalleyunitingchurch.org.au/baralaba-uniting-church/}}{{Cite web|title=Find a church|url=https://ucaqld.com.au/find-a-church/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024234524/https://ucaqld.com.au/find-a-church/|archive-date=24 October 2020|access-date=2021-05-06|website=Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod|language=en-AU}}

St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church is at 29 Power Street ({{coord|-24.177843|149.811|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=St Patrick's Catholic Church}}).

Every March, there is a campdrafting competition at Baralaba.{{cite web|title=Simple Pleasures: Banana Shire|url=http://www.gladstoneregion.info/Portals/3/DOCUMENTS/Brochures%20etc/Banana%20Shire%20Simple%20Pleasures%20Tour%20Visitor%20Guide.pdf|website=The Gladstone Region|publisher=Tourism Queensland|access-date=8 June 2014|page=3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715074337/http://www.gladstoneregion.info/Portals/3/DOCUMENTS/Brochures%20etc/Banana%20Shire%20Simple%20Pleasures%20Tour%20Visitor%20Guide.pdf#|archive-date=15 July 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}

The annual Baralaba agricultural show is held in May, while the Saratoga Fishing Competition is held each September.

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Baralaba, Queensland}}

• {{cite web|url=https://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/baralaba|title=Baralaba|publisher=Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland|website=Queensland Places|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519232359/https://queenslandplaces.com.au/baralaba|archive-date=2024-05-19|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-baralaba-1980.jpg |title=Town map of Baralba|date=1980|publisher=Queensland Government|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928103409/https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-baralaba-1980.jpg|archive-date=2017-09-28|url-status=live}}

{{Banana Shire}}

{{Central Queensland}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Towns in Queensland

Category:Mining towns in Queensland

Category:Shire of Banana

Category:World War II memorials in Queensland

Category:Localities in Queensland