Miriam Vale

The town is situated on the Bruce Highway, {{convert|464|km|mi}} north of Brisbane, the state capital, and {{convert|170|km|mi}} south of Rockhampton.{{Queensland Globe|accessdate=20 December 2018}}

Miriam Vale is renowned as a traditional cattle growing area, and also supports timber, beef and dairy cattle. Tourism is an emerging industry within the shire and the town is a gateway to the tourist resorts of Agnes Water and the Town of 1770.

In the 1970s signs at the entry to town proudly proclaimed "Welcome to Miriam Vale – Cattle, Tobacco, Timber and Dairy". The tobacco industry faded in the late 1970s followed by the dairy industry in the 1990s.

File:Pupils and teacher outside the Miriam Vale State School, 1918.tiff

File:Miriam Vale War Memorial, 1995.jpg

Gureng Gureng (also known as Gooreng Gooreng, Goreng Goreng, Goeng, Gurang, Goorang Goorang, Korenggoreng) is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken by the Gureng Gureng people. The Gooreng Gooreng language region includes the towns of Bundaberg, Gin Gin and Miriam Vale extending south towards Childers, inland to Monto and Mt Perry.{{Cite web|url=https://maps.slq.qld.gov.au/iyil/view/17?embed=true|title=Gureng Gureng|date=21 January 2020|website=State Library of Queensland|access-date=21 January 2020|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214421/https://maps.slq.qld.gov.au/iyil/view/17?embed=true|url-status=live}}

Miriam Vale Post Office opened on 1 April 1877.{{Cite web | last = Phoenix Auctions History | title = Post Office List | publisher = Phoenix Auctions | url = http://www.phoenixauctions.com.au/cgi-bin/wsPhoenix.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=QLD&filter=*Miriam*Vale* | access-date = 5 March 2021 | archive-date = 5 October 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241005233558/https://www.phoenixauctions.com.au/cgi-bin/wsPhoenix.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=QLD&filter=%2AMiriam%2AVale%2A | url-status = live }}

Miriam Vale Provisional School opened in March 1897 and became Miram Vale State School on 14 July 1897.{{Cite QldSchool|accessdate=8 December 2015}}{{Citation | author1=Queensland Family History Society | title=Queensland schools past and present | publication-date=2010 | publisher=Queensland Family History Society | edition=Version 1.01 | isbn=978-1-921171-26-0 }}

St Mary's Anglican Church was opened on Sunday 18 February 1912 by Bishop George Halford.{{cite news |date=17 February 1912 |title=RELIGIOUS. |page=6 |newspaper=The Brisbane Courier |issue=16,880 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19738887 |accessdate=23 October 2022 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=5 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005233556/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/19738887 |url-status=live }} It was a timber church.{{cite web |last=Blake |first=Thom |title=St Mary's Anglican Church (1912) |url=https://www.thomblake.com.au/qc_new/view_p_n.php?id=3947 |access-date=22 September 2022 |website=Queensland religious places database |archive-date=5 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005233557/https://www.thomblake.com.au/qc_new/view_p_n.php?id=3947 |url-status=live }} It was replaced by a new church built circa 1975.{{cite web |last=Blake |first=Thom |title=St Mary's Anglican Church (circa 1975) |url=https://www.thomblake.com.au/qc_new/view_p_n.php?id=6825 |access-date=22 September 2022 |website=Queensland religious places database |archive-date=5 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005233556/https://www.thomblake.com.au/qc_new/view_p_n.php?id=6825 |url-status=live }}

Miriam Vale War Memorial was unveiled on 14 December 1921 by John William Fletcher, the Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Port Curtis.{{cite news |date=15 December 1921 |title=MIRIAM VALE |volume=51 |page=4 |newspaper=The Bundaberg Mail |issue=7,446 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article216967135 |accessdate=16 November 2016 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=5 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005233557/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/216967135 |url-status=live }}

St Peter Chanel Catholic Church was opened in September 1954 by Bishop Andrew Gerard Tynan.{{cite news |date=16 September 1954 |title=Gladstone Notes |volume=28 |page=31 |newspaper=The Central Queensland Herald |issue=1283 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article76241883 |accessdate=23 October 2022 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=5 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005233721/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/76241883 |url-status=live }} It was a timber church.{{cite web |last=Blake |first=Thom |title=St Peter Chanel Catholic Church |url=https://www.thomblake.com.au/qc_new/view_p_n.php?id=3948 |access-date=22 September 2022 |website=Queensland religious places database |archive-date=23 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023011017/https://www.thomblake.com.au/qc_new/view_p_n.php?id=3948 |url-status=live }}

The timber industry has roots in the late 19th century, with early timber cutters working along the Bobby Range cutting hoop pine. In these early days hoop pine was cut and two timer chutes allowed logs to be shot to the foot of the range where bullock wagons were waiting. Evidence of these old chutes can still be found at the back of Boreelum on the sides of the range. The southern chute was on tram rails and consisted of two carriages. As the log was lowered down the mountain the other empty carriage was drawn to the top. This was achieved by a small overtaking siding in the middle. The other chute to the west was smaller and built out of logs. The timber was in most cases ferried to rail at Lowmead.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}

There were also many timber mills in the district but many of these closed in the late part of the century. Perhaps the closest mill to town was located on the flat at House Creek.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}

File:Big Fig, Miriam Vale.jpgThe dairy industry has the most claim to fame with a massive fig tree near the railway station being the drop off point of "cream cans" full of milk. This depot (being no more than a wooden stage) was the district dairy focal point. Locals would deliver the fresh milk to the depot where it was then loaded onto Claude's Truck for the trip to the Port Curtis Dairy (PCD).{{cite QHR|17131|Big Fig|602323|accessdate=8 July 2013}} Fresh milk wasn't always the delivery and in the 1950s cream was separated on farms and delivered to town. Cream in those days was sold on "degrees of Rancid" (fresh, ripe, stale) as there was no refrigeration. The cream even then was going to the PCD in Gladstone.{{cite QHR|16097|Port Curtis Co-operative Dairy Association Ltd Factory (former)|601334|accessdate=1 August 2014}}

File:Car rally in the Main Street of Miriam Vale, 1924.tiff

A car rally passed through Miriam Vale in 1924; the stretch of road between Miriam Vale and Gin Gin was said to the roughest of the rally.{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22891772|title=IN POURING RAIN.|date=29 September 1924|via=National Library of Australia|newspaper=The Brisbane Courier|page=7|access-date=8 December 2015|archive-date=5 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005233703/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/22891772|url-status=live}}

Across House Creek there is also evidence of an old speed way ground (circa 1970s). There are some old horse race tracks in the area.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}

In the {{CensusAU|2006}}, the locality of Miriam Vale had a population of 361 people.{{Census 2006 AUS|id=SSC36737|name=Miriam Vale|accessdate=8 December 2015|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2011}}, the locality of Miriam Vale had a population of 422 people.{{Census 2011 AUS|id=SSC31070|name=Miriam Vale|accessdate=8 December 2015|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the locality of Miriam Vale had a population of 512 people.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC31876|name=Miriam Vale (SSC)|accessdate=20 October 2018|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Miriam Vale had a population of 493 people.{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL31860|name=Miriam Vale (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}

Miriam Vale has a number of heritage-listed sites, including

• Miriam Vale War Memorial, Blomfield Street ({{coord|-24.3293|151.5633|region:AU-QLD_type:landmark|name=War Memorial}}){{cite QHR|15500|Miriam Vale War Memorial|600725|accessdate=8 July 2013}}
• Big Fig, Station Street ({{coord|-24.3292|151.5637|region:AU-QLD_type:landmark|name=Big Fig}}

File:Aerial view of Miriam Vale State School, 2022.jpg

Miriam Vale State School is a government primary and secondary (Prep-10) school for boys and girls at 15 Roe Street ({{coord|-24.3297|151.5616|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Miriam Vale State School}}).{{cite web |date=9 July 2018 |title=State and non-state school details |url=https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997 |url-status=live |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 |access-date=21 November 2018 |publisher=Queensland Government}}{{Cite web |date=2020-02-10 |title=Miriam Vale State School |url=https://miriamvaless.eq.edu.au/ |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=Miriam Vale State School |language=en |archive-date=5 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005233721/https://miriamvaless.eq.edu.au/ |url-status=live }} In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 135 students with 17 teachers (14 full-time equivalent) and 12 non-teaching staff (8 full-time equivalent).{{cite web |title=ACARA School Profile 2017 |url=http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122010027/http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0 |archive-date=22 November 2018 |access-date=22 November 2018}} In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 129 students with 17 teachers (14 full-time equivalent) and 11 non-teaching staff (8 full-time equivalent).{{cite web |title=ACARA School Profile 2018 |url=https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx |access-date=28 January 2020 |publisher=Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority |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=dead }} In 2023, the school had an enrolment of 129 students with 13 teachers (11 full-time equivalent) and 13 non-teaching staff (9 full-time equivalent).{{Cite web |title=Miriam Vale State School: Annual Report 2023 |url=https://miriamvaless.eq.edu.au/supportandresources/formsanddocuments/annualreports/annual-report-2023.pdf |access-date=6 October 2024 |website=Miriam Vale State School |pages=2, 6 |archive-date=2 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002195846/https://miriamvaless.eq.edu.au/supportandresources/formsanddocuments/annualreports/annual-report-2023.pdf |url-status=live }}

For secondary schooling beyond Year 10, students go to Tannum Sands State High School in Tannum Sands to the north.

File:MiriamValeChurch3.jpg

File:AU-Q-Miriam-Vale-QCWA-Blomfield-St-2022.jpg

The Miriam Vale Library is at 41 Blomfield Street; it is operated by the Gladstone Regional Council.{{cite web|url=http://www.gladstonelibraries.qld.gov.au/contact-us/|title=Contact us|website=Gladstone Regional Libraries|publisher=Gladstone Regional Council|access-date=15 January 2018|archive-date=15 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115124746/http://www.gladstonelibraries.qld.gov.au/contact-us/|url-status=live}}

There is a Gladstone Regional Council administration centre at 36 Roe Street.{{cite web|title=Contact us|url=http://www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/contact-us|website=Gladstone Regional Council|publisher=Gladstone Regional Council|access-date=23 June 2014|archive-date=13 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613055752/http://www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/contact-us|url-status=live}}

The Miriam Vale branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at the QCWA Hall at Blomfield Street.{{Cite web|url=http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|title=Branch Locations|publisher=Queensland Country Women's Association|access-date=26 December 2018|archive-date=26 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226010724/http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|url-status=dead}}

St Peter Chanel Catholic Church is at 40 Bruce Highway ({{coord|-24.327753|151.5592|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=St Peter Chanel Catholic Church}}).

St Mary's Anglican Church is at 10 Larson Street ({{coord|-24.330638|151.5637|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=St Mary's Anglican Church}}). It is part of the parish of Boyne River within the Anglican Church of Central Queensland.{{Cite web |title=Anglican Church of Central Queensland - Parish of Boyne River |url=https://anglicanchurchcq.org.au/boyneriver.html |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=anglicanchurchcq.org.au |archive-date=23 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023013721/https://anglicanchurchcq.org.au/boyneriver.html |url-status=live }}

Miriam Vale has a nine-hole golf course with small greens and mature gum trees.{{Cite web |title=Miriam Vale Golf Club |url=http://www.iseekgolf.com/courses/australia/qld/central-queensland/miriam-vale-golf-club |access-date=2015-12-08 |website=iSeekGolf.com}} At times in its history the course was stretched to twelve holes but the members and district could not sustain the extra work needed to keep these holes open. Miriam vale is the gateway to the Coral Coast of Agnes Waters and 1770. The Main street of Miriam Vale, is home to the historical Miriam Vale Cafe. The main street boasts a child and dog friendly park.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}

Miram Vale is on the North Coast railway line and is serviced by the Miriam Vale railway station.

{{Reflist}}

• {{Citation | author1=Miriam Vale State School. Centenary Committee | title=Miriam Vale State School Centenary : 25th March 1897-1997 | publication-date=1997 | publisher=Miriam Vale State School | url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/23608791 }}

{{Commons category|Miriam Vale, Queensland}}

• {{cite web|url=http://queenslandplaces.com.au/miriam-vale-and-miriam-vale-shire|publisher=University of Queensland|website=Queensland Places|title=Miriam Vale and Miriam Vale Shire}}
• {{cite web |date=1980 |title=Town map of Miriam Vale |url=https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-miriam-vale-1980.jpg |publisher=Queensland Government}}

{{Gladstone Region}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Towns in Queensland

Category:Gladstone Region

Category:Localities in Queensland