Currawilla
{{Short description|Pastoral lease and cattle station in Queensland}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2014}}
{{Location map|Queensland|label=Currawilla
|position=top
|lat_deg=25.15471|lat_dir=S
|lon_deg=141.34204|lon_dir=E
|caption=Location in Queensland}}
{{coord|25.15471|S|141.34204|E|type:landmark_region:AU|name=Currawilla|display=title}}
File:StateLibQld 1 77162 Buildings and gardens at Currawilla Station, Western Queensland, 1929.jpg
Currawilla Station is a pastoral lease that currently operates as a cattle station in Queensland.
It is located approximately {{convert|135|km|mi|0}} west of Windorah and {{convert|217|km|mi|0}} east of Birdsville in Queensland. The property adjoins Palparara{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article76557146 |title=Million Acre Property |newspaper=The Charleville Times |location=Brisbane, Queensland |date=31 December 1936 |accessdate=1 October 2014 |page=1 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} and Narradunna Stations.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19800236 |title=Classified Advertising. |newspaper=The Queenslander |location=Brisbane, Queensland|date=5 September 1885 |accessdate=1 October 2014 |page=371 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} It is situated in the Channel Country and is well watered by numerous creeks in the area. The homestead is found along the Currawilla waterhole on the Torrens Creek. Farrar's Creek also runs through the property.
It was established at some time prior to 1878,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20327239 |title=Richmond river|newspaper=The Queenslander |location=Brisbane, Queensland|date=12 July 1879 |accessdate=1 October 2014 |page=57 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} by Jack Farrar on Karuwali tribal lands. Farrar had worked at McGregor's Mount Margaret Station and kept his own herd. Farrar later left and followed the Diamantina River down the Channel Country and took up a block about {{convert|100|sqmi|km2|0}} on Farrar's Creek and named it Currawilla after the Aboriginal name for a waterhole. Farrar later sold it to Mr Cotton who substantially increased the size of the holding.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article62209148 |title=History of Currawilla |newspaper=Townsville Daily Bulletin |location=Queensland|date=24 November 1938 |accessdate=2 October 2014 |page=3 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}
In 1881 it was sold by Messrs Cotton and Malpas to Messrs Martin and Johnston. At this time Currawilla occupied an area of {{convert|1300|sqmi|km2|0}} and was stocked with 4,000 cattle and 60 horses.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article912199 |title=Commercial. |newspaper=The Brisbane Courier |location=Queensland|date=5 July 1881 |accessdate=1 October 2014 |page=2 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} In 1887 the heaviest flooding known at the time following exceptionally heavy rains in the area, Currawilla recorded {{convert|11|in|mm|0}} over a two-day period.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3465387 |title=Queensland News |newspaper=The Brisbane Courier |location=Queensland|date=22 March 1887 |accessdate=1 October 2014 |page=5 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} In 1887 the property was managed by William Henry Watson.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52012484 |title=The Barcoo |newspaper=Morning Bulletin |location=Rockhampton, Queensland|date=15 July 1887|accessdate=1 October 2014 |page=3 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} The owners of the station in 1889 were Messrs Edward Martin and Company of Melbourne.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52285272 |title=From Windorah to Birdsville|newspaper=Morning Bulletin |location=Rockhampton, Queensland|date=19 December 1889 |accessdate=1 October 2014 |page=3 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} Drought struck in 1897 but it was less severe at Currawilla compared to many surrounding properties.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3652533 |title=The Drought in Queensland |newspaper=The Brisbane Courier |location=Queensland |date=11 June 1897 |accessdate=1 October 2014 |page=6 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} Eventually in 1889,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article21807823 |title=Fartherest West in Queensland |newspaper=The Queenslander |location=Brisbane, Queensland|date=27 December 1902 |accessdate=2 October 2014 |page=1921 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} Watson, who was still managing the property, bought it outright.
In 1914 Currawilla was sold by Watson to the Bergin brothers. The {{convert|1120|sqmi|km2|0|adj=on}} property was stocked with approximately 6,000 head of cattle and 150 horses.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article53325861 |title=Sale of Currawilla Station |newspaper=The Morning Bulletin |location=Rockhampton, Queensland|date=3 August 1914 |accessdate=2 October 2014 |page=6 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}
The property currently occupies an area of {{convert|2230|km2|sqmi|0}} and is owned and run by Roger and Debbie Oldfield.{{cite web|url=http://www.davidadamsfilms.com.au/projects/launched/three-for-the-road/|title=Three for the Road|year=2014|accessdate=1 October 2014|publisher=David Adams Films|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20141001024606/http://www.davidadamsfilms.com.au/projects/launched/three-for-the-road/|archivedate=1 October 2014|df=dmy-all}}