Freestone, Queensland

Freestone is predominantly flat farming land (500–600 metres above sea level) with the northernmost part of the locality being the Mount Dumaresq Conservation Park containing Mount Dumaresq ({{coord|-28.095|152.1738|type:mountain_region:AU-QLD|name=Mount Dumaresq}}) at {{Convert|826|metres||abbr=}}.{{Queensland Globe|access-date=7 September 2020}}{{cite QPN|10798|Mount Dumaresq|mountain in Southern Downs Regional|access-date=1 September 2020}}

Mount Dumaresq was named by explorer Allan Cunningham on 8 June 1827, probably after road engineer William John Dumaresq, the brother-in-law of the New South Wales Governor Ralph Darling.File:Freestone Uniting Church, 2007.jpgIn about 1864 Rev. J.B. Watkin, a Wesleyan, commenced services in private homes in the area. On 2 January 1865, a public meeting was held to erect a chapel for regular services. James and Charles G. Wilson donated the land on their property adjacent to the main Freestone Road. On Sunday 4 February 1866, the first service was held in the new Freestone Wesleyan Methodist Church, a wooden building {{convert|24|by|15|ft}} at a cost of £64 4s 1d of which £50 was already promised. Much of the labour for the building was donated.{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75666611|title=Local Intelligence|date=3 March 1866|newspaper=Warwick Argus And Tenterfield Chronicle|access-date=13 September 2017|issue=35|location=Queensland, Australia|volume=II|page=2|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=10 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910034839/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/75666611|url-status=live}} Later the church was relocated on the Wilson's property to its present location (165 Freestone Creek Road) where it was enlarged to be {{Convert|35 by 21|feet||abbr=}}.{{Cite web|title=Churches|url=http://www.voicom.com.au/freestone/churches.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907002936/http://www.voicom.com.au/freestone/churches.htm|archive-date=2020-09-07|access-date=2020-09-07|website=The History and Memories of Freestone}} Following the amalgamation of the Methodist Church into the Uniting Church in Australia in the 1970s, it became the Freestone Uniting Church. On 2 February 2020 following a renovation, the church was re-dedicated to the glory of God.{{Cite web|title=Freestone Uniting Church re dedication|url=https://ucaqld.com.au/events/freestone-uniting-church-re-dedication/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907010211/https://ucaqld.com.au/events/freestone-uniting-church-re-dedication/|archive-date=2020-09-07|access-date=2020-09-07|website=Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod|language=en-AU}} In March 2020 the congregation decided to replace their 9am service with a 2pm service to avoid clashing with the milking times of the local dairy farmers.{{Cite web|last=Bradfield|first=Elly|date=2020-03-15|title=Country church moves service to after milking time, draws a crowd|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-15/freestone-uniting-church-changes-service-times-for-dairy-farmers/12046902|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427115317/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-15/freestone-uniting-church-changes-service-times-for-dairy-farmers/12046902|archive-date=2020-04-27|access-date=2020-09-07|website=ABC News|language=en-AU}}

Freestone Creek State School opened on 1 August 1870. In 1876 it renamed Freestone Creek Lower State School. In 1940, it was renamed Freestone State School.{{Citation|title=Queensland schools past and present|date=2010|author1=Queensland Family History Society|edition=Version 1.01|publisher=Queensland Family History Society|isbn=978-1-921171-26-0}}

The Freestone Creek (Lower) Receiving office opened in 1873 and became a full Post Office in 1875. On September 1, 1876 it was once again listed as a Receiving office.{{Cite web |title=LOWER FREESTONE POST OFFICE |url=http://www.voicom.com.au/freestone/lower.htm |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=www.voicom.com.au |archive-date=4 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304184945/http://www.voicom.com.au/freestone/lower.htm |url-status=live }} The name of the Receiving office was changed from Freestone Creek to Lower Freestone Creek in January 1880.{{cite news |date=31 January 1880 |title=General News. |volume=XVII |page=151 |newspaper=The Queenslander |issue=233 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20331046 |accessdate=4 February 2023 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205083942/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20331046 |url-status=live }} It was listed as a Post Office in 1927, and closed in May 1973.

The opening was held on 30 September 1911 of the Maryvale branch line of the railway from Warwick which passed through Freestone Creek.{{cite news |date=2 October 1911 |title=THE MARYVALE LINE. OFFICIAL OPENING ON SATURDAY. |page=2 |newspaper=Warwick Examiner And Times |issue=4211 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article82195492 |accessdate=5 February 2023 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205083943/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/82195492 |url-status=live }} The branch line was closed around 1 November 1960.{{Cite web |title=RAILWAY |url=http://www.voicom.com.au/freestone/railway.htm |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=www.voicom.com.au |archive-date=21 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221051721/http://www.voicom.com.au/freestone/railway.htm |url-status=live }}

File:St Luke's Anglican Church, Freestone, 2007.jpg

On 5 June 1883, the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge based in London gave £20 towards constructing a wooden church at Freestone Creek. The land was donated by the Palmer family. However it was not until August 1898 that the church (also described as a mission hall) was built at a total cost of £175.{{cite news|date=31 August 1898|title=Freestone News |volume=32 |page=2|newspaper=Warwick Examiner And Times|issue=4257|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article82135486|access-date=7 September 2020|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=10 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910034839/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/82135486|url-status=live}} Although not entirely completed, it opened for its first service on Sunday 4 September 1898.{{cite news|date=3 September 1898|title=The Warwick Argus|volume=XXXIV |page=2|newspaper=Warwick Argus|issue=2756|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article76627025|url-status=live|access-date=7 September 2020|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=10 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910034840/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/76627025}} The church was at 185 Paynes Road ({{Coord|-28.1269|152.1534|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|display=|name=St Luke's Anglican Church (former)}}). Seven years later, the "new" church was dedicated to St Luke by the Anglican Bishop of Brisbane St Clair Donaldson on Tuesday 31 October 1905.{{cite news|date=4 November 1905|title=Religious Notes |volume=39 |page=5|newspaper=Warwick Examiner And Times|issue=4992|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article82252030|access-date=7 September 2020|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=10 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910034840/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/82252030|url-status=live}} Due to a dwindling and ageing population, the last service was held at St Luke's on 31 March 2018 (Easter Saturday) and it was deconsecrated on 7 July 2018 by Bishop Cameron Venables.{{Cite web|title=Closed Churches|url=https://www.anglicanarchives.org.au/churches/|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403003329/https://www.anglicanarchives.org.au/churches/|archive-date=3 April 2019|access-date=24 February 2019|website=Anglican Church of Southern Queensland}}{{Cite web|title=Freestone|url=https://www.warwickanglican.org.au/our-churches-group/freestone.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907002147/https://www.warwickanglican.org.au/our-churches-group/freestone.html|archive-date=2020-09-07|access-date=2020-09-07|website=Anglican Parish of Warwick}}{{Cite web|last=Faa|first=Marian|date=4 July 2018|title=Old church to be stripped of holiness in 'backward' step|url=https://www.warwickdailynews.com.au/news/old-church-to-be-stripped-of-holiness-in-backward-/3458339/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907002516/https://www.warwickdailynews.com.au/news/old-church-to-be-stripped-of-holiness-in-backward-/3458339/|archive-date=2020-09-07|access-date=2020-09-07|website=Warwick Daily News|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Blake|first=Thom|title=St Luke's Anglican Church|url=https://www.thomblake.com.au/qc_new/view_p.php?id=3330|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-02|website=Queensland religious places database|archive-date=2 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002061006/https://www.thomblake.com.au/qc_new/view_p.php?id=3330}} It was sold for $95,000 to artist Sue Keong for conversion to an artist's retreat.{{Cite news|date=11 December 2018|title=Freestone Church|work=Queensland Times|url=https://www.qt.com.au/photos/freestone-church/73351/#/0|url-status=live|access-date=7 September 2020|archive-date=10 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910034901/https://www.qt.com.au/photos/freestone-church/73351/#/0}}

The Freestone School of Arts officially opened on Wednesday 6 March 1901 despite very heavy rain.{{cite news|date=9 March 1901|title=Freestone School of Arts |volume=35 |page=2|newspaper=Warwick Examiner And Times|issue=4516|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article82263231|access-date=9 September 2020|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=10 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910034920/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/82263231|url-status=live}} The contractor was Joseph Woodcock at a cost of £128 15s.{{cite news|date=14 November 1900|title=FREESTONE SCHOOL OF ARTS |volume=34 |page=5|newspaper=Warwick Examiner And Times|issue=4485|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article82161618|access-date=9 September 2020|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=10 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910034936/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/82161618|url-status=live}} The building was originally located at the corner of Freestone Creek Road and Jack Smith's Gully Road ({{Coord|-28.1430|152.1561|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|display=|name=Freestone School of Arts (original site)}}).{{Cite web|title=FREESTONE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND MEMORIAL HALL|url=http://www.voicom.com.au/freestone/arts.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909025406/http://www.voicom.com.au/freestone/arts.htm|archive-date=2020-09-09|access-date=2020-09-09|website=The History and Memories of Freestone}}{{Cite web|last=Creagh|first=Dudley|date=August 2018|title=Freestone QLD|url=https://www.adfas.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Freestone-QLD.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318111245/https://www.adfas.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Freestone-QLD.pdf|archive-date=18 March 2020|access-date=9 September 2020}} It was relocated to its present site in 1922 officially reopening on Saturday 2 September 1922.{{cite news|date=31 August 1922|title=New Hall at Freestone |volume=4 |page=2|newspaper=Warwick Daily News|issue=1164|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article177265200|access-date=9 September 2020|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=10 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910034921/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/177265200|url-status=live}} In March 1946 it was being considered that the hall should be improved and renamed Freestone Memorial Hall in honour of soldiers who died.{{cite news|date=28 March 1946|title=FREESTONE|page=4|newspaper=Warwick Daily News|issue=8317|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191274005|access-date=9 September 2020|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=10 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910034937/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/191274005|url-status=live}} After several years of fundraising the hall was finally renovated and enlarged. An official re-opening ball was held on Saturday 5 September 1953.{{cite news|date=10 September 1953|title=New Freestone Memorial Hall Opened|page=5|newspaper=Warwick Daily News|issue=10,635|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article186827925|access-date=9 September 2020|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=10 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910034936/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/186827925|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Freestone Memorial Hall|url=https://www.monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/multiple/display/100202-freestone-memorial-hall|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909062439/https://www.monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/multiple/display/100202-freestone-memorial-hall|archive-date=2020-09-09|access-date=2020-09-09|website=Monument Australia}}

File:Opening ceremony, St Lawrence O'Toole Catholic church, Freestone, Sunday 15 November 1903.jpg

File:St Lawrence O'Toole Roman Catholic Church, Freestone, 2007.jpg

St Lawrence O’Toole Roman Catholic church was built in 1903 on land bought from the Glengallan Shire Council for £8. The opening ceremony on Sunday 15 November 1903 in which Archbishop of Brisbane Robert Dunne dedicated the timber church to St Lawrence O'Toole, the heroic saint of Ireland.{{cite news|date=18 November 1903|title=Freestone R. C. Church |volume=37 |page=4|newspaper=Warwick Examiner And Times|issue=4791|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article82283853|access-date=7 September 2020|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=10 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910034937/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/82283853|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Blake|first=Thom|title=St Lawrence O'Toole's Catholic Church|url=https://www.thomblake.com.au/qc_new/view_p.php?id=3331|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-02|website=Queensland religious places database|archive-date=2 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002061007/https://www.thomblake.com.au/qc_new/view_p.php?id=3331}} The ceremony was attended by over 500 people.{{cite news|date=2 December 1903|title=OPENING A ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AT FREESTONE, QUEENSLAND |volume=LXXVI |page=1443|newspaper=The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser|issue=2265|location=New South Wales, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article164900753|access-date=7 September 2020|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=10 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910034938/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/164900753|url-status=live}} Prior to the construction of the church, Mass had been held in the homes of Mrs J Ryan and Mr E and Mrs J Nolan.{{Cite web|title=St Lawrence O'Toole Catholic Church - Former|url=https://www.churchesaustralia.org/list-of-churches/denominations/catholic/directory/1795-st-lawrence-oand#39;toole-catholic-church-former|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-02|website=Churches Australia|language=en|archive-date=2 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002061008/https://www.churchesaustralia.org/list-of-churches/denominations/catholic/directory/1795-st-lawrence-oand#39;toole-catholic-church-former}} The church is at 1345 Freestone Road ({{Coord|-28.1223|152.1351|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|display=|name=St Lawrence O'Toole Catholic Church (former)}}). By the 1980s, the congregation was dwindling and the church was closed with the last Mass being celebrated on 25 September 1983. The church building remains and is now used as a residence.

The Freestone branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association was established on 31 July 1946 with 36 initial members.{{Cite web|title=Freestone QCWA|url=http://www.voicom.com.au/freestone/qcwa.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909064644/http://www.voicom.com.au/freestone/qcwa.htm|archive-date=9 September 2020|access-date=9 September 2020|website=The Memories and History of Freestone}}

In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the locality of Freestone had a population of 217 people.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC31094|name=Freestone (SSC)|accessdate=20 October 2018|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Freestone had a population of 208 people.{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL31084|name=Freestone (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}

Freestone State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 82 School Road ({{coord|-28.1355|152.1377|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Freestone 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://www.freestoness.eq.edu.au|title=Freestone State School|access-date=21 November 2018|archive-date=28 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228164320/http://freestoness.eq.edu.au/|url-status=live}} In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 27 students with 4 teachers (3 full-time equivalent) and 6 non-teaching staff (2 full-time equivalent).{{cite web|url=https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx|title=ACARA School Profile 2018|publisher=Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority|access-date=28 January 2020|archive-date=27 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827085246/https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx|url-status=live}}

There are no secondary schools in Freestone; the nearest government secondary school is Warwick State High School in Warwick to the south-west.

The Freestone Memorial Hall is at 1244 Freestone Road ({{Coord|-28.1314|152.1338|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|display=|name=Freestone Hall}}) and can be hired for events.

Monthly services are held at the Freestone Uniting Church at 165 Freestone Creek Road ({{Coord|-28.1424|152.1484|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Freestone Uniting Church}}). It is now part of the Warwick- Killarney Parish of the Uniting Church in Australia.{{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=22 November 2020|website=Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod}}{{Cite web|title=Freestone|url=https://wkuc.org.au/freestone/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909063813/https://wkuc.org.au/freestone/|archive-date=2020-09-09|access-date=2020-09-09|website=Warwick Uniting Church|language=en-AU}}{{Cite web|title=Freestone Uniting Church|url=https://www.churchesaustralia.org/list-of-churches/denominations/uniting-church-in-australia/directory/1293-freestone-uniting-church|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-02|website=Churches Australia|language=en-AU|archive-date=2 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002061008/https://www.churchesaustralia.org/list-of-churches/denominations/uniting-church-in-australia/directory/1293-freestone-uniting-church}}{{Cite web|last=Blake|first=Thom|title=Freestone Wesleyan Methodist Church|url=https://www.thomblake.com.au/qc_new/view_p.php?id=3332|url-status=live|access-date=2 October 2021|website=Queensland religious places database|archive-date=2 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002061008/https://www.thomblake.com.au/qc_new/view_p.php?id=3332}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Citation|author1=Bjorn|first=Krista|title=Freestone : a mostly true history|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/200330866|publication-date=2015|publisher=[Warwick, Qld.] Krista Bjorn}}
• {{Citation|title=Landmarks of a hundred years: 1865-1965 : souvenir brochure of Freestone Methodist Church, Warwick Circuit, Queensland|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/12511835|date=1965|author1=Bramley, Ellis|publisher=Warwick|access-date=13 September 2017}}

{{Commons category|Freestone, Queensland}}

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

{{Southern Downs Region}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Southern Downs Region

Category:Localities in Queensland

Category:Towns in Queensland