Byee, Queensland
{{Use DMY dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox Australian place
| type = suburb
| name = Byee
| city =
| state = qld
| image =
| caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|-26.1838|151.8513|type:city_region:AU-QLD|display=inline,title|name=Byee (centre of locality)}}
| pop = 39
| pop_year = {{CensusAU|2021}}
| established =
| postcode = 4605
| area = 15.1
| timezone = AEST
| utc = +10:00
| dist1 = 13.2
| dir1 = NW
| location1 = Murgon
| dist2 = 51.3
| dir2 = N
| location2 = Kingaroy
| dist3 = 269
| dir3 = NNW
| location3 = Brisbane
| dist4 =
| dir4 =
| location4 =
| lga = South Burnett Region
| stategov = Nanango
| fedgov = Wide Bay
| near-n = Warnung
| near-ne = Merlwood
| near-e = Barlil
| near-se = Wheatlands
| near-s = Wheatlands
| near-sw = Wheatlands
| near-w = Silverleaf
| near-nw = Silverleaf
}}
Byee is a rural locality in the South Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia.{{cite QPN|46202|Byee|locality in South Burnett Region|accessdate=2 August 2019}} In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, Byee had a population of 39 people.
History
The district name was chosen by the Queensland Railways Department in 1915 when plans for the Murgon to Proston branch line were approved and under development. The word Byee is derived from Aboriginal origin with connotations meaning silver leaf ironbark tree.
The branch railway from Murgon to Proston opened on 25 February 1923, with Byee the second station on the route after Barlil,Kerr, J. 'Triumph of Narrow Gauge' Boolarong Press 1990 although some services to Byee functioned prior to the entire line opening as that section had been completed. A mixed service was provided three times a week between 1938 and 1964 utilising a rail motor service operated to and from Gympie. In 1924 it was reported that the local Byee storekeeper Mr. W.J.Wrigely had been appointed postmaster, and also that the telegraph and telephone office was functioning, and that land had been reserved for the purpose of building a hotel (which never eventuated) {{cite web | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20680908?searchTerm=byee | title=MURGON | newspaper=Brisbane Courier | date=13 February 1924 | access-date=18 December 2022 | archive-date=18 December 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218095530/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20680908?searchTerm=byee | url-status=live }}
A public hall was established at Byee in 1929 on land donated by E.D. Quinlan and was funded by local donations and fundraising efforts such as a dance held in the barn of a nearby property owned by A. Sempf.{{cite web | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/151061824?searchTerm=byee | title=BYEE | newspaper=Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser | date=14 September 1929 | access-date=18 December 2022 | archive-date=18 December 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218095528/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/151061824?searchTerm=byee | url-status=live }} The hall became a popular local venue for regular dances and social functions. The district had its own soccer and cricket teams which competed in South Burnett fixtures.
Telephone infrastructure was first extended to Byee in 1923 and was based at the local railway station which itself was only new. {{cite web | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/151411075?searchTerm=byee | title=Byee and Windera Telephone | newspaper=Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser | date=20 November 1923 | access-date=18 December 2022 | archive-date=18 December 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218095523/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/151411075?searchTerm=byee | url-status=live }}
A small village developed in Byee which included a shop, receiving depots and later, grain silos. Most business revolved around the functions of the railway.
The railway line was progressively closed with Byee not serviced from 1999. The Byee railway station is now abandoned ({{coord|-26.1899|151.8525|type:railwaystation_region:AU-QLD|name=Byee railway station}}).{{Cite web |date=2 October 2020 |title=Railway stations and sidings - Queensland |url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/transport-features-queensland-series/resource/84fff9a0-e315-4844-9c4d-63934562a9bd |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005070354/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/transport-features-queensland-series/resource/84fff9a0-e315-4844-9c4d-63934562a9bd |archive-date=5 October 2020 |access-date=5 October 2020 |website=Queensland Open Data |publisher=Queensland Government}}
Demographics
In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, Byee had a population of 31 people.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC30468|name=Byee (SSC)|access-date=20 October 2018|quick=on}}
In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, Byee had a population of 39 people.{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL30465|name=Byee (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}
Education
There are no schools in Byee. The nearest government primary schools are Wheatlands State School in neighbouring Wheatlands to the south and Murgon State School in Murgon to the south-east. The nearest government secondary school is Murgon State High School in Murgon to the south-east.{{Queensland Globe|access-date=26 August 2023}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{South Burnett Region}}