Emu Vale, Queensland

File:Emu Vale Waterfalls, Emu Vale, Queensland, 7 May 1894.jpg

The locality is bounded to the east by the Main Range section of the Great Dividing Range. The terrain is mountainous with elevations ranging from {{Convert|490 to 1360|m}} above sea level. There are a number of named peaks (from north to south):

{{Flowlist}}

• Mount Huntley ({{coord|-28.1427|152.4318|type:mountain_region:AU-QLD|name=Mount Huntley}}) {{convert|1262|m}}{{cite QPN|16502|Mount Huntley|mountain in Southern Downs Region|access-date=25 November 2020}}
• Sentinel Point ({{coord|-28.1603|152.3928|type:mountain_region:AU-QLD|name=Sentinel Point}}) {{convert|1169|m}}
• Mount Bauer ({{coord|-28.1780|152.3314|type:mountain_region:AU-QLD|name=Mount Bauer}}) {{convert|1145|m}}{{cite QPN|1878|Mount Bauer|mountain in Southern Downs Region|access-date=25 November 2020}}
• Mount Guymer ({{coord|-28.1948|152.3886|type:mountain_region:AU-QLD|name=Mount Guymer}}) {{convert|1203|m}}{{cite QPN|15130|Mount Guymer|mountain in Southern Downs Region|access-date=25 November 2020}}
• Mount Steamer ({{coord|-28.1964|152.4529|type:mountain_region:AU-QLD|name=Mount Steamer}}) {{convert|1196|m}}{{cite QPN|32314|Mount Steamer|mountain in Southern Downs Region|access-date=25 November 2020}} with its "Steamers"
• Stern ({{coord|-28.1993|152.4452|type:mountain_region:AU-QLD|name=Stern}}) {{convert|1075|m}}
• Mast ({{coord|-28.2009|152.4355|type:mountain_region:AU-QLD|name=Mast}}) {{convert|1056|m}}
• Funnel ({{coord|-28.2046|152.4297|type:mountain_region:AU-QLD|name=Funnel}}) {{convert|1026|m}}{{Cite web |date=12 November 2020 |title=Mountain peaks and capes - Queensland |url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/geographic-features-queensland-series/resource/06ff12a9-862e-4aac-bf9d-693f0a63b4c9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125215033/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/geographic-features-queensland-series/resource/06ff12a9-862e-4aac-bf9d-693f0a63b4c9 |archive-date=25 November 2020 |access-date=25 November 2020 |website=Queensland Open Data |publisher=Queensland Government}}
• Prow ({{coord|-28.2093|152.4174|type:mountain_region:AU-QLD|name=Prow}}) {{convert|1043|m}}
• Mitchells Peak ({{coord|-28.2070|152.2555|type:mountain_region:AU-QLD|name=Mitchells Peak}}) {{convert|833|m}}
• Hoffmans Peak ({{coord|-28.2157|152.3314|type:mountain_region:AU-QLD|name=Hoffmans Peak}}) {{convert|1035|m}}{{cite QPN|15976|Hoffmans Peak|mountain in Southern Downs Region|access-date=25 November 2020}}

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The Steamers are distinctive rock formations, which are thought to be from a thick trachyte lava flow from the Main Range volcano which was active 24 million years ago. They look like an old steamship with four high protruding peaks representing its Stern, Prow, Funnel and Mast.{{Cite web |title=What mountain is that? The Steamers |url=https://www.visitscenicrim.com.au/what-mountain-is-that-the-steamers/ |access-date=2024-02-03 |website=Visit Scenic Rim |archive-date=3 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203090008/https://www.visitscenicrim.com.au/what-mountain-is-that-the-steamers/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2006-06-07 |title=Nature, culture and history {{!}} Main Range National Park |url=https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/main-range/about/culture |access-date=2024-02-03 |website=Parks and forests |publisher=Queensland Government |language=en-AU |archive-date=28 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128121825/https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/main-range/about/culture |url-status=live }}

Most of the north-east of the locality is within the Main Range National Park. Apart from this protected area, the land use is mostly crop growing in the south-east (the lower flatter area around the town) and grazing on native vegetation elsewhere.{{Queensland Globe|access-date=3 February 2024}}

The town takes its name from the Emu Vale railway station on the Killarney railway line, which is believed to be named after an early pastoral run.

A sawmill was established on {{Convert|5|acre}} of land at Upper Emu Creek byJames McAra, George Hall, Thomas Hall and William Hall. It was operating by April 1873.{{Cite web |author1=Kerr |first=John |title=Forest industry heritage places study : sawmills and tramways South Eastern Queensland |date=January 1998 |page=211 |publication-date=1998 |url=https://www.agriculture.gov.au/sites/default/files/sitecollectiondocuments/rfa/regions/qld-south-east/cultural-heriatage/forest-industry-places/pdf/qld_se_saw10.pdf |access-date=4 February 2024 |publisher=Australian Government |archive-date=15 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515181916/https://www.agriculture.gov.au/sites/default/files/sitecollectiondocuments/rfa/regions/qld-south-east/cultural-heriatage/forest-industry-places/pdf/qld_se_saw10.pdf |url-status=live }}

Emu Vale Provisional School opened on 2 February 1876. It became Emu Vale State School on 20 January 1879. It was closed on 31 December 2003.{{Citation |author1=Queensland Family History Society |title=Queensland schools past and present |publication-date=2010 |edition=Version 1.01 |publisher=Queensland Family History Society |isbn=978-1-921171-26-0}}{{Cite web |date=20 August 2013 |title=Queensland state school - centre closures |url=https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tp/2013/5413T3241.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320144902/https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tp/2013/5413T3241.pdf |archive-date=20 March 2022 |access-date=7 April 2022 |website=Queensland Government}} The school was located on the triangle land parcel on the north-west corner of Yangan Killarney Road and Emu Creek Road ({{Coord|-28.2237|152.2479|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Emu Vale State School (former)}}).{{Cite web |date=1983 |title=9341-42 Yangan |url=https://apps.information.qld.gov.au/data/v2/HistoricalMaps/StaticMap/topographic/topo-map-25000-line-colour-9341-42-yangan-ed-1-1983/original |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626075310/https://apps.information.qld.gov.au/data/v2/HistoricalMaps/StaticMap/topographic/topo-map-25000-line-colour-9341-42-yangan-ed-1-1983/original |archive-date=26 June 2024 |access-date=3 February 2024 |publisher=Queensland Government |df=dmy-all }} The school site was then split into two sections with the western part becoming Emu Vale Park and the eastern part with the former school buildings now being used as holiday accommodation.{{Cite news |date=9 September 2014 |title=Former Vale schoolyard finally recognised |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/warwick/former-vale-schoolyard-finally-recognised/news-story/24eb5913506ff561f6d15b2246e9a15b |access-date=3 February 2024 |work=Warwick Daily News |archive-date=3 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203093559/https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/warwick/former-vale-schoolyard-finally-recognised/news-story/24eb5913506ff561f6d15b2246e9a15b |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Country school |url=https://www.stayz.com.au/holiday-rental/p7708357 |access-date=3 February 2024 |website=Stayz |archive-date=3 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203093600/https://www.stayz.com.au/holiday-rental/p7708357 |url-status=live }} The school's website was archived.{{Cite web |date=2005-07-17 |title=Home Page |url=http://emuvaless.qld.edu.au/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050717074254/http://emuvaless.qld.edu.au/ |archive-date=2005-07-17 |access-date=2022-04-23 |website=Emu Vale State School}}

Land in Emu Vale was open for selection on 17 April 1877; {{Convert|75|mi2||abbr=}} were available.{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1361846|title=Proclamations under the New Land Acts.|date=2 March 1877|newspaper=The Brisbane Courier|access-date=19 February 2020|location=Queensland, Australia|page=3|via=Trove|archive-date=27 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827084837/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1361846|url-status=live}}

File:Emu Vale railway station, ca. 1890.jpg

The first section of the Killarney railway line from Warwick was {{Convert|24|km||abbr=}} long and terminated at Emu Vale. The contract to build the first section was given to John Garget on 22 November 1881, but progress was delayed when the Queensland Railway Department was unable to provide the locomotives and wagons need to carry the construction materials. The first section to Emu Vale railway station opened on 2 June 1884. It was officially opened with a train from Warwick decorated with flags and greenery with several hundred passengers on board. The second section of the railway from Emu Vale to Killarney railway station was also built by Garget and completed on 22 August 1885.{{cite book|last=Kerr|first=John|title=Triumph of narrow gauge : a history of Queensland Railways|date=1990|publisher=Boolarong Publications|isbn=978-0-86439-102-5|pages=59–60}}

In 1898, the Post and Telegraph and Postal Note Office previously known as Neereeadah was changed to Emu Vale.{{cite news |date=19 October 1898 |title=CHANGE OF NAME. |volume=32 |page=3 |newspaper=Warwick Examiner And Times |issue=4271 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article82136675 |accessdate=2 February 2023 |via=National Library of Australia}}

In 1911, A. and D. Munro established a sawmill beside Emu Creek at the confluence of its north and south branches. The mill closed two years later.

Rocky Mountain Provisional School opened on 1919 and closed circa 1920.{{Citation |author1=Queensland Family History Society |title=Queensland schools past and present |publication-date=2010 |edition=Version 1.01 |publisher=Queensland Family History Society |isbn=978-1-921171-26-0}} It was on Emu Creek Road (approx {{Coord|-28.2080|152.3658|type:edu_region:AU_QLD|name=Rocky Mountain State School (former)}}).{{Cite web |date=1930 |title=Parish of Emu Vale |url=https://apps.information.qld.gov.au/data/v2/HistoricalMaps/StaticMap/cadastral/cad-map-40chain-parish-emu-vale-1930/original |access-date=4 February 2024 |publisher=Queensland Government |type=Map |archive-date=26 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626075411/https://apps.information.qld.gov.au/data/v2/HistoricalMaps/StaticMap/cadastral/cad-map-40chain-parish-emu-vale-1930/original |url-status=live }}{{Queensland Globe|access-date=4 February 2024}}

Boldery and Brett built a sawmill in 1928 near the confluence of Emu Creek and Emu Creek South ({{Coord|-28.2103|152.39715|name=Boldery and Brett sawmill (former)}}).{{cite news |date=17 July 1928 |title=SAWMILLING AT EMU VALE |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article178816953 |accessdate=4 February 2024 |newspaper=Warwick Daily News |location=Queensland, Australia |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia |issue=2828}}{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Upper+Emu+Creek+Old+Saw+Mill+Site/@-28.2103198,152.3971443,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipMYgbWdWpfXkthaknJNJmyIuPosvQw16D7M2rNA!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipMYgbWdWpfXkthaknJNJmyIuPosvQw16D7M2rNA%3Dw129-h86-k-no!7i5184!8i3456!4m7!3m6!1s0x6b9715667abe44f1:0xc0c574af2ac7d60!8m2!3d-28.210337!4d152.397155!10e5!16s%2Fg%2F11sfpbrs1h?entry=ttu|title=Upper Emu Creek Old Saw Mill Site|access-date=4 February 2024}} Following some changes in ownership, the sawmill closed in 1968.

By 1931, the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church had been established.{{cite news|date=21 January 1931|title=TANNYMOREL PRESBYTERY|page=2|newspaper=Warwick Daily News|issue=3604|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article177409340|via=National Library of Australia|accessdate=10 September 2021}}

Emu Creek Upper Provisional School opened on 23 February 1942 in conjunction with the sawmill built by Boldery and Brett. It closed in 1956 but reopened in 1957. It closed permanently in 1960. It was on the northern side of Emu Creek Road (approx {{Coord|-28.2114|152.3977|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Upper Emu Creek Provisional School (former)}}). A plaque was placed at the school's location on 26 March 2005 by Alan Barclay Skinner, the last teacher at the school.{{Cite web |date=1955 |title=Queensland Two Mile series sheet 2m41 |url=https://apps.information.qld.gov.au/data/v2/HistoricalMaps/StaticMap/cadastral/cad-map-2mile-qld-2m41-admin-bdy-1955/original |access-date=3 February 2024 |publisher=Queensland Government |type=Map |archive-date=26 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626075401/https://apps.information.qld.gov.au/data/v2/HistoricalMaps/StaticMap/cadastral/cad-map-2mile-qld-2m41-admin-bdy-1955/original |url-status=live }}{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Old+Upper+Emu+Creek+School/@-28.2118848,152.3978977,3a,75y/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipNsOBpdTyQ5Mrk-PG2SlIEXWI_ijYwNwqNyHNsr!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipNsOBpdTyQ5Mrk-PG2SlIEXWI_ijYwNwqNyHNsr%3Dw360-h240-k-no!7i5184!8i3456!4m8!3m7!1s0x6b97157ff9e68959:0xb54803c1d79e6975!8m2!3d-28.2116228!4d152.3977745!10e5!15sChNIaXN0b3JpY2FsIGxhbmRtYXJrkgETaGlzdG9yaWNhbF9sYW5kbWFya-ABAA!16s%2Fg%2F11j5d718t_?entry=tts|access-date=3 February 2024|title=Old Upper Emu Creek School|date=August 2013}}

The Emu Vale Memorial Hall was officially opened on Saturday 28 May 1954 by Sir Raymond Huish.{{cite news|date=6 May 1954|title=Advertising|page=2|newspaper=Warwick Daily News|issue=10,836|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article190466587|access-date=1 September 2020|via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news|date=4 February 1953|title=War Memorial Hall for Emu Vale|page=2|newspaper=Warwick Daily News|issue=10,449|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article190960974|access-date=1 September 2020|via=National Library of Australia}}

In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the locality of Emu Vale had a population of 185 people.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC30985|name=Emu Vale (SSC)|access-date=20 October 2018|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Emu Vale had a population of 161 people.{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL30976|name=Emu Vale (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}

There are no schools in Emu Vale. The nearest government primary school is Yangan State School in neighbouring Yangan to the north-east. The nearest government secondary schools are Killarney State School (to Year 10) in Killarney to the south and Warwick State High School in Warwick to the west.{{cite web |title=Layers: Locality; Schools and school catchments |url=https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ |access-date=3 February 2024 |website=Queensland Globe |publisher=Queensland Government |archive-date=19 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219175447/https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ |url-status=live }}

The Emu Vale branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at the Emu Vale Memorial Hall at 559 Yangan Killarney Road ({{Coord|-28.2297|152.2474|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|display=|name=Emu Vale Memorial Hall}}).{{Cite web|title=Emu Vale Branch|url=https://qcwa.org.au/Sys/PublicProfile/54377087/5266853|access-date=2020-09-01|website=Queensland Country Women's Association|archive-date=1 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901091525/https://qcwa.org.au/Sys/PublicProfile/54377087/5266853|url-status=live}}

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{{commons category|Emu Vale, Queensland}}

• {{cite web|url=https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-emu-vale-1990.jpg|title=Town map of Emu Vale|date=1990|publisher=Queensland Government}}

{{Southern Downs Region}}

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Category:Towns in Queensland

Category:Southern Downs Region

Category:Localities in Queensland