Meringandan

The town is located on the Darling Downs near Highfields, {{convert|19|km|mi|0}} NNW of Toowoomba.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

It is drained by the meandering Meringandan Creek, which also formed the boundary between the Shire of Crows Nest and the Shire of Rosalie and separated it from neighbouring Meringandan West {{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

Meringandan is a corruption of the aboriginal words, Moorin meaning fire and Gandan meaning clay. Therefore, Meringandan means 'place of fire and clay'.

Following the settling of the Leslie brothers at Toolburra, near Warwick in 1840, Henry Hughes (1816-1882) and Henry Isaac (1816-1862) occupied Gowrie as a sheep run on the upper section of Gowrie Creek in 1841. They later took over the land to the north up to the Great Dividing Range, the Meringandan run, from C W Pitts. Henry Hughes severed the partnership with Henry Isaac in 1850; he moved to Westbrook run, and Henry Isaac took over the Gowrie aggregation. Henry then took his brother, Fred Isaac (1820-1865), into partnership with him. Fred had reveled in Australian country life and quickly became an accomplished bushman and station manager.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

In 1854, Fred, who had gone home to England for a visit, married his half-cousin, Caroline Sophia née Sparkes (1835-1913), and then returned to run Gowrie. (Their mothers were half-sisters.) By 1860, Henry Isaac had had enough of the pioneering life, so he sold his share of Gowrie to Fred and returned to England, where he died shortly afterwards. To help finance the purchase of Henry's share of Gowrie, Fred partnered with Ernest de St Jean de Satgé (1834-1901), Caroline's second cousin. In 1865, Fred Isaac died, the estate was sold to George King, and the debts owing to Henry Isaac and Ernest de St Jean were settled. George King's sons initially continued to manage the property for sheep raising, but later also bred horses for the Indian remount trade.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

It is local folklore that the first white child born in the Meringandan area was Eliza Hunt, her father being an overseer and stockman on the estate.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

The Lands Alienation Act of 1868 meant that the Meringandan portion of Gowrie Station was resumed and thrown open for settlement. Many German farmers emigrated to Queensland in the 1860s, some coming to the Darling Downs. Many families in this district are of German descent. These pioneers were amazed{{Clarify|reason=were they amazed it was that much or that little?|date=May 2020}} that the minimum amount of land they could select was {{convert|40|acre|m2}}.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

The German settlers congregated in their little slab church, built in 1870. Later, the Church of England, the Congregational Church, and the Church of Christ built Churches.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

The land was soon occupied after being thrown open for selection in 1872. The township grew rapidly. General stores were erected, hotels were built, "The Criterion," "Farmers Arms." Blacksmiths were kept busy, and so were the butchers. {{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

Meringandan State School opened on 24 January 1876.{{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 built in 1875 by Jack Maag. Isaac John Thomas was appointed the first head teacher of the school. The enrolment for that year was 80 pupils.{{Cite web |date=2012-03-20 |title=History |url=http://meringanss.eq.edu.au/wcms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=98 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320212046/http://meringanss.eq.edu.au/wcms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=98 |archive-date=2012-03-20 |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=Meringandan State School}} It is now within the suburb boundaries of Meringandan West.{{Queensland Globe|access-date=30 December 2021}}

A branch railway line was constructed from Toowoomba to Cabarlah, and the first train ran in September 1883. As Meringandan had a railway station, the settlers in the Goombungee and Haden areas used it to forward their goods. Most farmers did their carting, but well-known carriers were Jack Wieck, Herman Lau, George Klein and Jack Lange.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}} In the early 1900s, a line of teams stretching for half a mile, waiting to load or unload at the railway station, was a familiar sight. However, the construction of the Haden railway line to Haden in 1910 reduced the need to use Meringandan's railway station; meanwhile, the use of motor transport was increasing. Following the closure of the railway yards, the railway station was replaced with a park.{{Cite web |date=14 September 2021 |title=Toowoomba Regional Landscape and Urban Character Study & Toowoomba Regional Secenity Amenity Study: Meringandan |url=https://hdp-au-prod-app-tow-haveyoursay-files.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/1316/5475/1787/Landscape_and_Urban_Character_Study_and_Scenic_Amenity_Study_Report_6_of_13.pdf |access-date=24 November 2022 |publisher=Toowoomba Regional Council |page=234 |archive-date=24 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124004829/https://hdp-au-prod-app-tow-haveyoursay-files.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/1316/5475/1787/Landscape_and_Urban_Character_Study_and_Scenic_Amenity_Study_Report_6_of_13.pdf |url-status=live }}File:Fields along Cooby Dam Road at Meringandan.jpgSt Gregory's Anglican Church was consecrated on Sunday, 12 September 1886 by Bishop William Webber.{{cite news|date=13 September 1886|title=QUEENSLAND NEWS.|volume=XLII|page=5|newspaper=The Brisbane Courier|issue=8,943|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4491623|access-date=1 July 2020|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=22 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222033444/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4491623|url-status=live}} It was located on a {{Convert|1|acre||abbr=|adj=on}} piece of land near the railway station, donated by Mr Foland. Mr Maag built it, and it was {{Convert|18 by 38|ft||abbr=}} and could seat 150 people.{{cite news|date=15 September 1886|title=Tea-Meeting and Concert at Meringandan.|volume=XXX|page=3|newspaper=Darling Downs Gazette|issue=5,974|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article170807149|access-date=1 July 2020|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=22 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222033332/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/170807149|url-status=live}} In 1905, it was relocated to Kingsthorpe, where it was re-consecrated as St Gregory's by Archbishop St Clair Donaldson on 20 October 1905. It closed circa 1982.{{Cite web|last=Anglican Church of Southern Queensland|title=Closed Churches|url=https://anglicanarchives.org.au/churches/#C|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403003329/https://www.anglicanarchives.org.au/churches/#C|archive-date=3 April 2019|access-date=3 April 2019}}

On Sunday, 2 February 1896, a new Lutheran church opened, replacing the previous one that had become dilapidated over its quarter century of use. L. Goebel and Son of Gomoran built the new church. The church was {{Convert|40 by 20|ft||abbr=}} with the vestry {{Convert|12 by 14|ft||abbr=}} and the porch {{Convert|7 by 8|ft||abbr=}} with {{Convert|14|ft||abbr=}} high walls. Inside, there was an elevated cedar pulpit.{{cite news|date=5 February 1896|title=OPENING OF GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH at Meringandan.|volume=XXXVIII|page=5|newspaper=Darling Downs Gazette|issue=8,982|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article170813963|access-date=9 December 2020|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=30 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230044511/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/170813963|url-status=live}}

At the beginning of the 1900s, the Court House was moved from Cabarlah and erected at Meringandan.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

Before 1900, the farmers' wives baked their bread, but early in the century, a bakery was established by O. Wuersching, the first baker employed being Walls.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

Brigalow Park Provisional School opened on 17 October 1910. On 1 May 1912, it became Brigalow Park State School. It closed on 13 April 1962.

In the {{CensusAU|2011}}, Meringandan had a population of 305 people.{{Census 2011 AUS|id=SSC31042 |name=Meringandan (State Suburb) |accessdate=1 July 2013 |quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, Meringandan had a population of 487 people.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC31824|name=Meringandan (SSC)|access-date=20 October 2018|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, Meringandan had a population of 530 people.{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL31808|name=Meringandan (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}

There are no schools in Meringandan. The nearest government primary schools are Meringandan State School in neighbouring Meringandan West to the west, Geham State School in Geham to the east, and Highfields State School in Highfields to the south-east. The nearest government secondary school is Highfields State Secondary College in Highfields to the south-east.{{cite web |title=Layers: Locality; Schools and school catchments |url=https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ |access-date=15 November 2023 |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 }}

Meringandan has a country pub, a convenience store and a butcher. {{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

There are two parks.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

Library services in Meringandan are provided by the Toowoomba Regional Council's mobile library service. The van visits Meringandan State School and Meringandan Produce Store every Thursday.{{cite web|title=Mobile library |url=http://www.toowoombarc.qld.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/libraries/your-local-library/3035-mobile-library-van |publisher=Toowoomba Regional Council |access-date=10 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024060057/http://www.toowoombarc.qld.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/libraries/your-local-library/3035-mobile-library-van |archive-date=24 October 2014 }}

It has an annual rodeo which many people attend.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

It is the gateway to Cooby Dam.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://queenslandplaces.com.au/meringandan University of Queensland: Queensland Places: Meringandan]

{{Toowoomba Region}}

{{Darling Downs}}

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Category:1868 establishments in Australia

Category:Populated places established in 1868

Category:Toowoomba Region

Category:Localities in Queensland