Pittsworth, Queensland
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2016}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2013}}
{{GeoGroup}}
{{Infobox Australian place
| type = town
| name = Pittsworth
| state = qld
| image = Tattersalls Club Hotel, Pittsworth.jpg
| caption = Tattersalls Club Hotel, Pittsworth, 2011
| coordinates = {{coord|-27.7161|151.6333|type:city_region:AU-QLD|display=inline,title|name=Pittsworth (town centre)}}
| pop = 3300
| pop_year = {{CensusAU|2021}}
| established =
| postcode = 4356
| area = 59.3
| timezone = AEST
| utc = +10:00
| dist1 = 38.9
| dir1 = SW
| location1 = Toowoomba
| dist2 = 89.8
| dir2 = NW
| location2 = Warwick
| dist3 = 171
| dir3 = WSW
| location3 = Brisbane
| dist4 =
| dir4 =
| location4 =
| maxtemp = 24.2
| mintemp = 11.5
| rainfall = 700.6
| lga = Toowoomba Region
| stategov = Condamine
| fedgov = Groom
| near-n = Stoneleigh
| near-ne = Linthorpe
| near-e = Broxburn
| near-se = Felton
| near-s = North Branch
| near-sw = Scrubby Mountain
| near-w = Yarranlea
| near-nw = Springside
}}
Pittsworth is a rural town and locality in the Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia.{{cite QPN|27017|Pittsworth|town in Toowoomba Region|accessdate=12 February 2022}}{{cite QPN|50097|Pittsworth|locality in Toowoomba Region|accessdate=12 February 2022}} In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Pittsworth had a population of 3,300 people.
Geography
Pittsworth township is {{convert|169|km|mi}} south-west of Brisbane via the Warrego Highway, {{convert|41|km|mi}} south-west of Toowoomba and is a service centre for the surrounding agricultural area.{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}}
It is situated on the basalt upland section of the Darling Downs of southern Queensland which is undulating in nature and hosts mixed farming and intensive animal industries. Nearby is an alluvial flood plain, mostly leading directly to the north branch of the Condamine River. This flood plain provides some of the best quality grains and cotton in Australia and utilises overland flood flows for irrigation purposes.{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}}
Climate
{{Weather box
|location = Pittsworth
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = Yes
|Jan record high C = 38.3
|Feb record high C = 40.0
|Mar record high C = 38.0
|Apr record high C = 34.5
|May record high C = 29.4
|Jun record high C = 25.3
|Jul record high C = 27.0
|Aug record high C = 30.8
|Sep record high C = 31.0
|Oct record high C = 36.6
|Nov record high C = 39.4
|Dec record high C = 40.6
|year record high C = 40.6
|Jan high C = 29.9
|Feb high C = 29.1
|Mar high C = 27.8
|Apr high C = 24.7
|May high C = 20.5
|Jun high C = 17.3
|Jul high C = 16.7
|Aug high C = 18.6
|Sep high C = 22.1
|Oct high C = 25.6
|Nov high C = 28.4
|Dec high C = 29.8
|year high C = 24.2
|Jan low C = 17.0
|Feb low C = 16.9
|Mar low C = 15.4
|Apr low C = 12.0
|May low C = 8.4
|Jun low C = 6.1
|Jul low C = 5.0
|Aug low C = 5.9
|Sep low C = 8.7
|Oct low C = 11.9
|Nov low C = 14.4
|Dec low C = 16.1
|year low C = 11.5
|Jan record low C = 11.1
|Feb record low C = 10.8
|Mar record low C = 8.3
|Apr record low C = 5.0
|May record low C = -0.6
|Jun record low C = -0.6
|Jul record low C = -2.2
|Aug record low C = -1.1
|Sep record low C = -0.3
|Oct record low C = 2.8
|Nov record low C = 5.5
|Dec record low C = 8.1
|year record low C = -2.2
|Jan rain mm = 90.8
|Feb rain mm = 75.7
|Mar rain mm = 67.7
|Apr rain mm = 38.1
|May rain mm = 40.8
|Jun rain mm = 39.9
|Jul rain mm = 38.9
|Aug rain mm = 30.1
|Sep rain mm = 35.8
|Oct rain mm = 63.8
|Nov rain mm = 76.3
|Dec rain mm = 98.1
|Jan rain days = 7.7
|Feb rain days = 7.0
|Mar rain days = 6.9
|Apr rain days = 4.5
|May rain days = 4.9
|Jun rain days = 5.4
|Jul rain days = 5.2
|Aug rain days = 4.6
|Sep rain days = 5.1
|Oct rain days = 6.8
|Nov rain days = 7.2
|Dec rain days = 8.2
|unit rain days = 0.2mm
|source 1 = Bureau of Meteorology{{BoM Aust stats|site_ref=cw_041082_All|site_name=Pittsworth|access-date=31 March 2013|date=March 2013}}
|date=March 2013|source=}}
History
The first known people to have lived on the land surrounding Pittsworth are the Giabal people.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gptq.qld.edu.au/our-training-region/town-profiles/pittsworth/|title=GPTQ | Our Training Region | Pittsworth|access-date=30 May 2020|archive-date=1 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401213622/https://www.gptq.qld.edu.au/our-training-region/town-profiles/Pittsworth/|url-status=live}}
Situated on the Darling Downs, Pittsworth owes its existence to that great explorer and botanist Allan Cunningham who in early June 1827 discovered and named the area around Warwick and to the north, the Darling Downs.{{cn|date=June 2023}}
Early settlement was driven by the taking up of land for the Beauaraba pastoral station. The town grew up around a wayside hotel, named the Beauaraba, which attracted itinerant rural workers and local landholders.{{Cite web|url=http://queenslandplaces.com.au/pittsworth|title=Pittsworth {{!}} Queensland Places|website=queenslandplaces.com.au|language=en|access-date=2017-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309195710/http://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/pittsworth|archive-date=9 March 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
In 1877, {{Convert|43000|acres||abbr=}} were resumed from the Beauaraba pastoral run and offered for selection on 17 April 1877.{{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}}
The Millmerran railway line reached the town in 1877 with the Pittsworth railway station serving the town, being called named in honour of Charles William Pitts, a pastoralist who established the Goombungee pastoral run in 1854.{{Cite QPN|27018|Pittsworth|railway station in the Toowoomba Region|access-date=14 February 2022}}{{cite news|date=21 September 1887|title=[?]ing of the Railway to Pittsworth.|page=3|newspaper=Darling Downs Gazette|location=Queensland|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article171024528|access-date=30 January 2017|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=14 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214012652/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/171024528|url-status=live}}
Beauaraba State School opened on 5 May 1882. On 4 November 1889, it was renamed Pittsworth State School. At the 50th anniversary celebrations in 1932, "there was a large attendance, and 50 or more trees were planted. Mr. W. P. Adam, who for 14 years was head teacher of the school, but is now retired, called the roll of the school of 50 years ago, and the following-answered "present": Percy Cornford, William Carter. J. Muir, W. Muir, a Kirkup, and Mrs. J. Oarliach."{{cite news|date=12 May 1932|title=NEWS OF THE WEEK|page=17|newspaper=The Queenslander|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23148875|access-date=29 January 2017|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=14 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214012653/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/23148875|url-status=live}} From 3 February 1958 the school also offered secondary education, until a separate secondary school opened in 1967.{{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}} The school celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1982 with the publication of a history of the school.{{Citation|author1=Pittsworth State Primary School|title=Pittsworth State School, 1882-1982|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/19157256|publication-date=1982|publisher=Pittsworth State Primary School|access-date=29 January 2017|archive-date=14 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214012653/https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/19157256|url-status=live}}
Beauaraba Post Office opened on 1 November 1882 (a receiving office had been open from 1880). It was renamed Pittsworth in 1886.{{Cite web|last=Premier Postal History|title=Post Office List|url=https://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=QLD&country=|access-date=10 May 2014|publisher=Premier Postal Auctions|archive-date=15 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515223132/http://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=QLD&country=|url-status=live}}
File:St Andrew's Anglican Church, Pittsworth, March 1901.jpg
The first St Andrew's Anglican Church was designed by the prominent Toowoomba architect John Marks in 1888-89.{{Cite web|title=St Andrew's Anglican Church cnr Murray & Hume Streets, Pittsworth|url=http://www.ohta.org.au/organs/organs/PittsworthAng.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202054628/http://www.ohta.org.au/organs/organs/PittsworthAng.html|archive-date=2 February 2017|access-date=2017-01-29|website=www.ohta.org.au|df=dmy-all}} It was at 18 Murray Street.{{Cite web |title=St Andrew's Anglican Church {{!}} Pittsworth |url=https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=5580&St%20Andrew%27s%20Anglican%20Church%20Pittsworth |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=Queensland Religious Places Database}} The foundation stone of the second St Andrew's Anglican Church was laid on 3 November 1912, and the building was consecrated on 7 October 1913 by Archbishop St Clair Donaldson.{{cite news|date=9 October 1913|title=PITTSWORTH ANGLICAN CHURCH|page=8|newspaper=The Brisbane Courier|issue=17,391|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19908011|access-date=24 December 2020|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=14 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214012655/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/19908011|url-status=live}}{{cite news|date=18 October 1913|title=THE WEEK AT A GLANCE.|page=9|newspaper=The Queenslander|issue=2481|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22217333|access-date=29 January 2017|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=14 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214012654/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/22217333|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=St Andrew's Anglican Church {{!}} Pittsworth |url=https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=312&St%20Andrew%27s%20Anglican%20Church%20Pittsworth |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=Queensland Religious Places Database}}
After a number of years of pastoral settlement, the town was established and slowly grew to offer services for the surrounding agricultural industries. The Co-operative Dairy Company opened in 1896.{{cite news|date=15 July 1896|title=PITTSWORTH.|page=5|newspaper=Darling Downs Gazette|location=Queensland|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article170815616|access-date=30 January 2017|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=14 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214012655/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/170815616|url-status=live}} It was noted by the correspondent for the Darling Downs Gazette that "the milk brought by the suppliers is of a very high quality, comparing favourably with the highest tests in the colony. The cheese turned out of this factory, I may state, is of excellent quality, and is finding a ready market throughout many of the Northern towns."
In 1901, a Methodist Church and parsonage was built in Pittsworth at a cost of £783.{{cite news|date=28 October 1901|title=METHODIST SYNOD |volume=XLIII |page=3|newspaper=Darling Downs Gazette|issue=10,027|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article171558291|access-date=31 October 2020|via=National Library of Australia}} The church officially opened on 5 May 1901.{{cite news|date=14 May 1901|title=OPENING NEW METHODIST CHURCH AT PITTSWORTH.|page=3|newspaper=Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs General Advertiser|issue=6127|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article218291085|via=National Library of Australia|accessdate=17 September 2021|archive-date=14 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214012655/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/218291085|url-status=live}}File:StateLibQld 1 118592 Grand Hotel, Pittsworth, ca. 1903.jpgThe first Pittsworth Show was held in March 1902, and opened by the Lieutenant-Governor, Sir Samuel Griffith, and attended by an estimated 2,500 people.{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article217662493|title=THE PITTSWORTH SHOW.|date=1 March 1902|newspaper=Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs General Advertiser|access-date=29 January 2017|issue=6248|location=Queensland|page=6|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=14 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214012701/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/blank|url-status=live}}
The foundation stone of St Stephen's Catholic church was laid in 1908.{{Cite web|date=2017-01-29|title=St Stephen's Parish, Pittsworth ~ Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba|url=http://www.twb.catholic.org.au/parishes/pittsworth.html|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129051942/http://www.twb.catholic.org.au/parishes/pittsworth.html|archive-date=29 January 2017|access-date=2017-01-29}} The church was opened 12 December 1909.{{cite news|date=13 December 1909|title=NEW ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.|page=6|newspaper=The Brisbane Courier|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19608414|access-date=29 January 2017|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=14 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214012656/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/19608414|url-status=live}}
By 1914, Pittsworth had a number of dairy factories which were producing about 80 per cent of all the cheese being manufactured on the Darling Downs.{{Cite journal|last=Camm|first=Jack Charles Robert|year=1974|title=Dairying on the Darling Downs, 1890-1914: a study of agricultural success|url=http://www.textqueensland.com.au/item/article/f26c85a3a151c8d9fdce28aac1f240f0|journal=Queensland Heritage|volume=2, 10|pages=10–16|access-date=30 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202043624/http://www.textqueensland.com.au/item/article/f26c85a3a151c8d9fdce28aac1f240f0|archive-date=2 February 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} In 1923, the Pittsworth Dairy Company made a single block of cheddar cheese weighing 3360 lb which was shipped to the Queensland exhibit at the Empire Exhibition at Wembley Park.{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article227066369|title=GIGANTIC CHEESE|date=27 October 1923|newspaper=The Daily Mail|location=Brisbane|page=8|via=National Library of Australia|access-date=30 January 2017|archive-date=14 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214012656/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/227066369|url-status=live}} The same company exceeded its ownefforts in 1925, exhibiting a single cheese that was 4000lb, becoming the World Record holder for the largest single block of cheese.{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article182592672|title=MAMMOTH CHEESE|date=20 March 1925|newspaper=The Week|location=Brisbane|page=7|via=National Library of Australia|access-date=30 January 2017|archive-date=14 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214012656/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/182592672|url-status=live}}
Pittsworth was declared a local authority in 24 April 1913, separating from Jondaryan.{{cite news|date=14 June 1949|title=THE BIRTH OF A SHIRE|volume=49|page=2|newspaper=Pittsworth Sentinel|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196871556|access-date=29 January 2017|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=14 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214012656/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196871556|url-status=live}} The first council meeting was held at the Lyceum Hall Pittsworth on 9 July 1913, where W.P. Copp was elected chairman. Mr W O'Hara appointed as acting council clerk, and at the first meeting there were discussions regarding acquiring a site for the new shire office and the appointment of a foreman of works, plus the rate for all three divisions.{{Cite web|date=2017-01-28|title=Pittsworth Council history|url=http://www.tr.qld.gov.au/our-region/history/past-mayors/5680-pittsworth-shire-council-history|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128211632/http://www.tr.qld.gov.au/our-region/history/past-mayors/5680-pittsworth-shire-council-history|archive-date=28 January 2017|access-date=2017-01-28}} A new council office and hall was constructed in 1914 at a cost of £766. Pittsworth township remained the administrative centre of the Pittsworth Shire until 15 March 2008, when the Pittsworth Shire amalgamated with eight other shires as part of the Toowoomba Regional Council.{{Cite web|date=2017-01-28|title=Amalgamation|url=https://www.tr.qld.gov.au/our-region/history/notable-characters-mayors-council-history/5467-amalgamation|access-date=2017-01-28|website=Toowoomba Regional Council|archive-date=13 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213015508/https://www.tr.qld.gov.au/our-region/history/notable-characters-mayors-council-history/5467-amalgamation|url-status=live}}
The town was originally known as Beauaraba, with the name was officially changed to be Pittsworth in 1915. However, the town name of Pittsworth was in common use prior to the official name change.{{cite news|date=19 March 1887|title=District News.|page=3|newspaper=Darling Downs Gazette|location=Queensland|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article171026430|access-date=30 January 2017|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=14 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214012656/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/171026430|url-status=live}}{{cite news|date=15 November 1898|title=LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.|page=2|newspaper=Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs General Advertiser|issue=5753|location=Queensland|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article218994038|access-date=29 January 2017|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=14 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214012701/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/218994038|url-status=live}}{{cite news|date=15 August 1898|title=REPURCHASE OF BEAUARBA.|volume=XL|page=3|newspaper=Darling Downs Gazette|issue=9,370|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article171185670|access-date=29 January 2017|via=National Library of Australia}}File:StateLibQld 1 117176 Crowd attending Pittsworth Races , ca. 1912.jpgOn Sunday 6 August 1916, Archbishop James Duhig officially opened and dedicated a convent for the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart and a Catholic primary school that the Sisters would operate.{{Cite web|title=Queensland|url=https://www.sosj.org.au/about-the-sisters/history/queensland/|access-date=2021-03-08|website=Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart|language=en-US|archive-date=9 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109104010/https://www.sosj.org.au/about-the-sisters/history/queensland/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|date=7 August 1916|title=CONVENT AND SCHOOL DEDICATED AT PITTSWORTH.|page=8|newspaper=The Brisbane Courier|issue=18,270|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20110601|via=National Library of Australia|accessdate=14 February 2022|archive-date=15 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215070304/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20110601|url-status=live}} Over 2,000 people attended the event. There were 40 initial enrolments, growing to 180 by the end of 1916. The school was known as St Joseph's Convent School until a new school was built in 1958 and named St Stephen's Catholic School. The Sisters operated the school until 1981 after which the school continued with lay teachers. The convent building at 26 Weale Street had been used for some years as a parish centre, and was listed by the Pittsworth Shire Council for its heritage values, but the church was unable to afford the upkeep of the building, and it was sold for relocation in December 2013, being taken to 1154 Yandina Coolum Road, Maroochy River and restored as a private residence.{{Cite news|last=Singer|first=Michelle|date=17 November 2017|title=Born again: A century-old convent gets a new lease on life on the Sunshine Coast.|work=The Australian|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/weekend-australian-magazine/convent-conversion-how-the-anderssens-did-it/news-story/ca7dddfeee6fb80bf8934046ae8cdced|access-date=14 February 2022|archive-date=14 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214020842/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/weekend-australian-magazine/convent-conversion-how-the-anderssens-did-it/news-story/ca7dddfeee6fb80bf8934046ae8cdced|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Newton|first=Matthew|date=23 February 2018|title=Convent gets a facelift|url=https://www.pressreader.com/australia/the-chronicle-8992/20180223/281552291341936|access-date=2022-02-14|website=The Chronicle|archive-date=14 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214020839/https://www.pressreader.com/australia/the-chronicle-8992/20180223/281552291341936|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=1154 Yandina Coolum Road, Maroochy River, Qld 4561|url=https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-maroochy+river-126399954|access-date=14 February 2022|website=Realestate.com.au}}{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-26.5711844,153.0139433,3a,15y,203.87h,90.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1soySbc1NOwTpRkHA1k4bgRg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192|access-date=14 February 2022|title=Former St Joseph's Convent, now at Maroochy River}} The school celebrated its centenary in August 2016 including the publication of a school history.{{Cite web|title=St Stephen's Catholic Primary School Pittsworth|url=http://www.pittsworth.catholic.edu.au/documents/history.html|access-date=2022-02-14|website=www.pittsworth.catholic.edu.au|archive-date=5 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305020618/http://www.pittsworth.catholic.edu.au/documents/history.html|url-status=live}}
The Pittsworth Branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association opened in 1924.{{Citation|title=Souvenir booklet of the Pittsworth Branch Q.C.W.A. silver jubilee 1924-1949|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/170819533|publication-date=1949|author1=Worley, Mary|publisher=Pittsworth Branch|access-date=30 January 2017|archive-date=15 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215070303/https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/170819533|url-status=live}} At the meeting held in the Masonic Hall to consider opening a branch in Pittsworth, the Darling Downs organiser, Mrs. Fairfax, explained that "the main object of members was to work for their sisters that were less fortunate than themselves, and spoke of the benefits of the reduced railway fares, the education of children out back, the homes at the seaside, and the bush nurses, and various other branches of work that is handled by the Association."{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article198334169|title=Country Women's Association.|date=27 August 1924|newspaper=Pittsworth Sentinel|location=Queensland|page=2|via=National Library of Australia|access-date=30 January 2017|archive-date=15 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215070307/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/198334169|url-status=live}} The first President was Mrs. H.C. Hodgson. The Beuaraba Branch still meets in Pittsworth at the Uniting Church Hall, Briggs Street.{{Cite web|url=http://www.qcwa.org.au/|title=QCWA|website=QCWA|language=en-AU|access-date=2017-01-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202031745/http://www.qcwa.org.au/|archive-date=2 February 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
In May 1930, a Soldiers Memorial School of Arts was officially opened.{{cite news|date=14 May 1930|title=Memorial School of Arts.|page=2|newspaper=Pittsworth Sentinel|location=Queensland|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197873600|access-date=29 January 2017|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=15 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215070307/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/197873600|url-status=live}}
Pittsworth State High School opened on 23 January 1967, replacing the secondary schooling being provided at Pittsworth State School since 1958.
The Pittsworth Library opened in 2009.{{Cite web|url=http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/388497/SLQ_StatsBulletin1617_20171109.pdf|title=Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-17|date=November 2017|website=Public Libraries Connect|publisher=State Library of Queensland|page=16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130022546/http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/388497/SLQ_StatsBulletin1617_20171109.pdf|archive-date=30 January 2018|url-status=live|access-date=30 January 2018}}
On 7 January 2016, around 2:30 am, a fire broke out at Pittsworth's iconic Tattersalls Club Hotel, which was built about 1900. One person died in the fire. The hotel was engulfed by flames by the time fire crews arrived, and was unable to be saved.{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-07/brisbane-man-confirmed-dead-in-pub-fire-at-pittsworth-qld/7072658 |title=Brisbane man, 26, confirmed dead in pub fire at Pittsworth on Queensland's Darling Downs – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) |newspaper=ABC News |date=2017-01-28 |access-date=2017-01-28 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128221956/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-07/brisbane-man-confirmed-dead-in-pub-fire-at-pittsworth-qld/7072658 |archive-date=28 January 2017 }}
Demographics
In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the locality of Pittsworth had a population of 3,294 people.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC32359|name=Pittsworth (SSC)|accessdate=20 October 2018|quick=on}}
In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Pittsworth had a population of 3,300 people.{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL32336|name=Pittsworth (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}
Heritage listings
Pittsworth has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
Education
File:Pittsworth State School, 2025.jpg
Pittsworth State School is a government primary (Early Childhood to Year 6) school for boys and girls at 42 Hume Street ({{coord|-27.7183|151.6340|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Pittsworth 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|publisher=Queensland Government|accessdate=21 November 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065959/https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|archivedate=21 November 2018}}{{Cite web|date=2020-05-05|title=Pittsworth State School|url=https://pittsworthss.eq.edu.au/|access-date=2022-02-14|website=Pittsworth State School|language=en|archive-date=26 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226150452/https://pittsworthss.eq.edu.au/|url-status=live}} In 2015, the school had an enrolment of 322 students with 24 teachers (20 full-time equivalent) and 16 non-teaching staff (10 full-time equivalent).{{Cite web|title=2015 School Annual Report|url=https://pittsworthss.eq.edu.au/Supportandresources/Formsanddocuments/Annual%20reports/SAR-Pittsworth-SS-2015.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202054703/https://pittsworthss.eq.edu.au/Supportandresources/Formsanddocuments/Annual%20reports/SAR-Pittsworth-SS-2015.pdf|archive-date=2 February 2017|access-date=29 January 2017|publisher=Pittsworth State School|df=dmy-all}} In 2016. there were 315 students from Prep to year 6 enrolled.{{Cite web|title=Pittsworth State School|url=https://pittsworthss.eq.edu.au/Pages/default.aspx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202054623/https://pittsworthss.eq.edu.au/Pages/default.aspx|archive-date=2 February 2017|access-date=2017-01-29|website=pittsworthss.eq.edu.au|language=en|df=dmy-all}} In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 300 students with 27 teachers (21 full-time equivalent) and 16 non-teaching staff (11 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|publisher=Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority|accessdate=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}}
St Stephen's School is a Catholic primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at 22 Murray Street ({{coord|-27.7189|151.6366|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=St Stephen's School}}).{{Cite web|title=St Stephen's Catholic Primary School Pittsworth|url=http://www.pittsworth.catholic.edu.au/|access-date=2022-02-14|website=www.pittsworth.catholic.edu.au|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202045631/http://www.pittsworth.catholic.edu.au/|url-status=live}} In 2014, it had an enrolment of 126 students in P-7 classes with 9 teachers (8.4 full-time equivalent) and 8 non-teaching staff (3.3 full-time equivalent).{{Cite web|title=2014 Annual Report|url=http://www.pittsworth.catholic.edu.au/documents/annualreport.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305020628/http://www.pittsworth.catholic.edu.au/documents/annualreport.pdf|archive-date=5 March 2017|access-date=29 January 2017|publisher=St Stephen's Catholic Primary School|df=dmy-all}} In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 137 students with 13 teachers (10 full-time equivalent) and 10 non-teaching staff (4 full-time equivalent).
File:Pittsworth State High School, 2025.jpg
Pittsworth State High School is a government secondary (7–12) school for boys and girls at Factory Street ({{coord|-27.7090|151.6455|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Pittsworth State High School}}).{{Cite web|date=2019-12-10|title=Pittsworth State High School|url=https://pittsworthshs.eq.edu.au/|access-date=2022-02-14|website=Pittsworth State High School|language=en|archive-date=19 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519014302/https://pittsworthshs.eq.edu.au/|url-status=live}} In 2015, it had an enrolment of 469 students with 48 teachers (45 full-time equivalent) and 27 non-teaching staff (19 full-time equivalent).{{Cite web|title=2015 School Annual Report|url=https://pittsworshs.eq.edu.au/Supportandresources/Formsanddocuments/Annual%20reports/School%20Annual%20Report.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129111743/https://pittsworshs.eq.edu.au/Supportandresources/Formsanddocuments/Annual%20reports/School%20Annual%20Report.pdf|archive-date=29 January 2017|access-date=29 January 2017|publisher=Pittsworth State High School}} In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 439 students with 50 teachers (44 full-time equivalent) and 32 non-teaching staff (19 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program for primary and secondary students.
Amenities
The Pittsworth Library is operated by the Toowoomba Regional Council. The library is located on Yandilla Street and is open Monday - Saturday.{{cite web|title=TRC Pittsworth Library|url=http://www.toowoombarc.qld.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/libraries/your-local-library/435-pittsworthlibrary|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024042208/http://www.toowoombarc.qld.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/libraries/your-local-library/435-pittsworthlibrary|archive-date=24 October 2014|access-date=24 October 2014|df=dmy-all}}
The Pittsworth Civic Pool is at 40A Yandilla Street ({{Coord|-27.7158|151.6360|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Pittsworth Civic Pool}}). It operates seasonally. It is owned by the Toowoomba Regional Council.{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.pittsworthcivicpool.com.au/footer-links/about-us |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=Pittsworth Civic Pool |language=en}}
The Beauaraba branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at the Uniting Church Hall in Briggs Street; Beauaraba is the name of the local parish.{{Cite web|title=Branch Locations|url=http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226010724/http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|archive-date=26 December 2018|access-date=26 December 2018|publisher=Queensland Country Women's Association|df=dmy-all}}
St Stephens Catholic Church is a large red-brick Catholic church in Pittsworth, and the parish incorporates the communities of Pittsworth, Southbrook and Mt. Tyson.
St. Andrew's Anglican Church is on the corner of Murray and Hume Streets.
Attractions
An important attraction in the town is the Pittsworth & District Historical Society Folk Museum. This interesting and well-presented complex is on the outskirts of town. The Pittsworth Museum combines a fine collection of old buildings – the former Pittsworth Post Office, the telephone exchange, the post masters residence, the former one teacher school, a fully furnished cottage (circa 1900) and a blacksmith shop{{Cite web|date=2017-01-29|title=Pittsworth Historical Pioneer Village and Museum, Pittsworth – Southern QLD Country|url=http://www.southernqueenslandcountry.com.au/destinations/pittsworth/attractions/pittsworth-historical-pioneer-village-and-museum|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129065626/http://www.southernqueenslandcountry.com.au/destinations/pittsworth/attractions/pittsworth-historical-pioneer-village-and-museum|archive-date=29 January 2017|access-date=2017-01-29}} – with some historical memorabilia. Items include a chantilly lace wrap which once belonged to Florence Nightingale, a love letter written by Governor Bligh's mother, and an outdoor display of carts and farm equipment. The museum is also home to a display of memorabilia boasting the feats of Arthur Postle, known as the "Crimson Flash",{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122765322|title=POSTLE DEFEATS DONALDSON|date=27 March 1912|newspaper=The Referee|location=Sydney|page=1|via=National Library of Australia|access-date=29 January 2017|archive-date=15 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215070307/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/122765322|url-status=live}} Australia and the world's one time fastest athlete.{{Cite news|url=http://www.tr.qld.gov.au/facilities-recreation/theatres-galleries/historical-villages-memorials/5289-pittsworth-pioneer-historical-village|title=Pittsworth pioneer historical village|newspaper=Toowoomba Region|access-date=2017-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203131707/http://www.tr.qld.gov.au/facilities-recreation/theatres-galleries/historical-villages-memorials/5289-pittsworth-pioneer-historical-village|archive-date=3 February 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} In 1906, Postle was proclaimed 'the champion of the world' when he won the 220 yards World Championship Cup.{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article185099344|title=ARTHUR POSTLE OF PITTSWORTH.|date=22 March 1909|newspaper=Darling Downs Gazette|location=Queensland|page=5|via=National Library of Australia|access-date=29 January 2017|archive-date=14 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214013012/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/185099344|url-status=live}}
Events
The annual Pittsworth Sprints is two days of car sprints against the clock on a set course around the Pittsworth Industrial Estate.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pittsworthsprints.com/|title=Pittsworth Sprints|date=2017|website=Pittsworth Sprints|access-date=28 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419171629/http://pittsworthsprints.com/|archive-date=19 April 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
The Pittsworth Show is held every year in March {{Cite web|url=https://www.pittsworthshowsociety.com.au/|title=Pittsworth Show Society|website=Pittsworth Show Society|access-date=2017-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202081233/https://www.pittsworthshowsociety.com.au/|archive-date=2 February 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} and has been an important regional event for more than 100 years.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tr.qld.gov.au/our-region/tourism/towns/5368-pittsworth |title=Pittsworth |date=2017-01-28 |access-date=2017-01-28 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128213451/http://www.tr.qld.gov.au/our-region/tourism/towns/5368-pittsworth |archive-date=28 January 2017 }}
Pittsworth parkrun is a weekly, free, timed, 5 kilometre run held at 7am every Saturday at the Pittsworth show grounds on Railway Street.{{Cite web|url=http://www.parkrun.com.au/pittsworth/|title=Pittsworth parkrun {{!}} Pittsworth parkrun|website=www.parkrun.com.au|access-date=19 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125110741/http://www.parkrun.com.au/pittsworth/|archive-date=25 January 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
Media
Pittsworth FM 87.6 was launched in 2008 to serve the local Pittsworth area. It is a narrowcast station with an easy listening and country music format. It was previously known as Double 8FM in 2007.{{Cite news|url=http://www.pittsworthfm.com/|title=Pittsworth 87.6 FM|last=PittsworthFM|date=2016-04-04|newspaper=Pittsworth 87.6 FM|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004190517/http://www.pittsworthfm.com/|archive-date=4 October 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
The Pittsworth Sentinel is Pittsworth's weekly newspaper.{{Cite web |title=Pittsworth Sentinel |url=https://www.facebook.com/pittsworthsentinel/ |access-date=30 November 2024 |website=Facebook}}
Notable people
Notable people from or who have lived in Pittsworth include:
- Sir Alan Roy Fletcher, chairman of Pittsworth Shire Council and Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Cunningham.
- Mark Hohn, Australian, Queensland and Brisbane Broncos rugby league player
- Arthur Postle, internationally renowned Australian sprinter
- Friedrich Wilhelm Ernst Ziesemer, wheat farming pioneer
- Theodor Martin Peter Ziesemer, wheat farming pioneer
Sources
- [http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/toowoomba_darling_downs/pittsworth.cfm Queensland Holidays - Pittsworth]
- [http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_041082.shtml/ Australian Bureau Of Meteorology Climate statistics for Australian locations - Pittsworth].
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category-inline}}
- {{cite web|title=Pittsworth|url=http://queenslandplaces.com.au/pittsworth|website=Queensland Places|publisher=Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland}}
{{Toowoomba Region}}
{{Darling Downs}}
{{authority control}}