Proston

The town is located {{convert|280|km|mi}} north-west of the state capital, Brisbane {{convert|50|km|mi}} northwest of the South Burnett regions commercial centre, Kingaroy and {{convert|20|km|mi}} south of Lake Boondooma. It is the closest supporting township to Lake Boondooma and has a variety of shops including post office, grocery store (SPAR), pub (Golden Spurs), chemist, medical centre, hardware, cafe, and clothing store. The area around Proston is hilly, grassland, grazing country, most of it cleared from the original brigalow scrub that once covered the immediate vicinity.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

File:StateLibQld 1 201583 Proston Lutheran Church, ca. 1954.jpgThe town's name is taken from a pastoral run name, which in turn was a corruption of an Aboriginal word (possibly from the Waka language) meaning kurrajong tree.{{cite QPN|27576|Proston|town|access-date=6 March 2016}}

The surrounding rural area was settled in 1910 with a land ballot that attracted a group of settlers from England. With little access to water, early settlers struggled to maintain a living from the land. The coming of the railway in 1923Red Soil, Wattle and Crows Milne, Rod Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, February 1976 pp21-39 eased some of the early hardships and was the impetus for the establishment of the township. Prior to this time, Hivesville was the main service centre for the district. The construction of the South Burnett Dairy Co-operative Butter Factory in 1934 led to even more growth.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Queensland/Proston/2005/02/17/1108500203674.html|title=Proston – Queensland|date=17 February 2005|work=The Age|access-date=10 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203225731/http://www.theage.com.au/news/Queensland/Proston/2005/02/17/1108500203674.html|archive-date=3 February 2012|url-status=live}}

Some of the original settlers in the district included John and Percy Slinger, George Perkins, W.Perkins, C.Perkins, H.Perkins, R.Potter, E.Hird, A.Taylor, George Hatchett, W.T.B.Hatchett, Reuben (John) Bull, E.Dowell, H.Olsen, S.Porter, A.Chesterton, A.Harper, C.Harper, M.Comerford, J.Walton, M.McGovern, R.Glanville, E.Cridland, H.Nairne, W.Waters, E.Murgatroyd, S.Sunderland, A.Ley, J.Kinnear, D.Morey, W.Welch, E.York, C.Rees, R.Bracken, J.Donkersley, J.Wardill, J.Grace, H.Holdsworth, H,Crick. P.Henry, T.Marriott, S.Shaw, and Harry Flynn.{{cite book|last1=Matthews|first1=Dr Tony|title=Landscapes of Change|date=1997|publisher=South Burnett Local Govt. Association|isbn=0-7242-7946-6|pages=555|edition=1st}} These first settlers, took up uncleared selections of virgin bush, with most between 300 and 350 acres in size. The price was seventeen shillings and sixpence an acre, payable to the Queensland Lands Department over thirty-three years in annual installments, at an interest rate of three percent. Initially the bush and scrub was cleared and then corn and Rhodes grass planted. Income was generated through dairying, with the cream being sent by rail to Maryborough in the earliest years and later to Murgon. Excess milk was fed to pigs which generated further income and calves from the cows were also sold. Corn was the most regular crop. The system was viable, but only just, and there were many hard years.{{cite book|last1=Shaw|first1=Sydney|title=Over the Fence|date=1977|publisher=Arthur H Stockwell Ltd|isbn=0 7223 0975-9|pages=54–67|edition=1st}}

Proston Provisional School (also known as the Proston Construction Camp School) opened on 9 July 1917 to provide schooling for the children of the workers constructing the Proston railway line. It closed on 31 July 1918 and operated out of a tent along various locations along the railway line as it was constructed and gradually moved west. Although named Proston, this first school name reflects the name of the railway line than its actual location. It is believed this early school may have been closer to present day Hivesville than present day Proston.{{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}}

Nearby schools were also established at Brigooda (1925-1965), Durong South (1925-present), Boondooma (aka Boondooma West, 1939–1968), Boondooma (was known as Durong State School until 1976, 1923–1999), Hivesville (1924-1968), Kinleymore (1913-1969), Speedwell (1912-1963), and Abbeywood (1914-1969). There was no school at Stalworth, however that district became known for a local hall where dances and social functions were held and there was also a butter factory there for a short time as well.{{cite book|last1=Matthews|first1=Dr Tony|title=Landscapes of Change|date=1997|publisher=South Burnett Local Govt. Association|isbn=0-7242-7946-6|pages=554–567|edition=1st}}

The current Proston State School opened on 24 July 1924 as a primary school. In 1965, it expanded to include secondary education to Year 10. In 1977, it expanded to include a preschool.

Shepherd Memorial Anglican Church of St Peter was dedicated on 3 March 1939 by the Most Reverend John William Charles Wand. In 1969 St George's Anglican Church was relocated from Tingoora to the Proston to serve as the St Peter's Church Hall. St George's had operated in Tingoora from 1921 to 1962.{{Cite web|title=Closed Churches|url=https://www.anglicanarchives.org.au/churches/|url-status=dead|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}} The hall is located behind the church on a different allotment.{{cite QHR|33399|Shepherd Memorial Church of St Peter|602813|access-date=1 August 2014}} St Peter's closure in November 2015 was approved by Bishop Cameron Venables.{{Cite web|url=https://www.anglicanarchives.org.au/churches/#P|title=Closed Churches|website=Anglican Records and Archives Centre, Anglican Church of Southern Queensland|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403003329/https://www.anglicanarchives.org.au/churches/#P|archive-date=3 April 2019|url-status=dead|access-date=27 February 2019}}{{Cite web|date=16 November 2015|title=Mystery Of The Missing Grave|url=http://southburnett.com.au/news2/2015/11/mystery-of-the-missing-grave/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310230746/http://southburnett.com.au/news2/2015/11/mystery-of-the-missing-grave/|archive-date=10 March 2016|access-date=6 March 2016|website=southburnett.com.au}}{{Cite web|last=Silva|first=Kristian|date=5 December 2015|title=Plot thickens in grave Queensland mystery|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/plot-thickens-in-grave-queensland-mystery-20151204-glg2xg.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108201149/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/plot-thickens-in-grave-queensland-mystery-20151204-glg2xg.html|archive-date=8 January 2016|access-date=6 March 2016|website=Brisbane Times|language=en-US}}

In 1967, the Speedwell Baptist Church (both the building and the congregation) relocated to Proston.{{Cite web|title=Queensland Baptist churches by date of erection/opening|url=https://www.bhsq.org/barq/churches100years/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-29|website=Baptist Church Archives Queensland|archive-date=26 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126074653/https://www.bhsq.org/barq/churches100years/index.html}}{{Cite web|title=1916 Speedwell later Proston|url=https://www.bhsq.org/barq/churches100years/images/1916-Speedwell-later-Proston.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-29|website=Baptist Church Archives Queensland|archive-date=26 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126074726/https://www.bhsq.org/barq/churches100years/images/1916-Speedwell-later-Proston.html}}{{Cite web|title=Proston Baptist Church|url=https://www.churchesaustralia.org/list-of-churches/denominations/baptist/directory/1309-proston-baptist-church|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-29|website=Churches Australia|language=en|archive-date=20 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520052757/https://www.churchesaustralia.org/list-of-churches/denominations/baptist/directory/1309-proston-baptist-church}} The church originally opened in Speedwell on Sunday 16 April 1916.{{cite news|date=22 April 1916|title=RELIGIOUS.|page=16|newspaper=The Brisbane Courier|issue=18,179|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20120907|via=National Library of Australia|accessdate=30 November 2021|archive-date=20 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520052803/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20120907|url-status=live}}

The closure of the railway line and Butter Factory in the 1970s threw the area into a long period of slow decline.

The creation of the nearby Boondooma Dam in the 1970s by damming the Boyne River, created Lake Boondooma which provided a source of water for Tarong Power Station and supplies water to Proston and other regional towns.{{Cite web |title=Boondooma Dam |url=https://www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/BoondoomaDam |access-date=2025-04-06 |publisher=South Burnett Regional Council |archive-date=14 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250314205353/https://www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/BoondoomaDam |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=South Burnett Water Security and Public Health |url=https://www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/news/article/1183/south-burnett-water-security-and-public-health |access-date=2025-04-06 |publisher=South Burnett Regional Council |archive-date=14 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314111416/https://www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/news/article/1183/south-burnett-water-security-and-public-health |url-status=live }}

The Proston public library opened in 1994.{{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=15|access-date=29 January 2018|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}}

In the {{CensusAU|2006}}, the town of Proston had a population of 304 people.{{Census 2006 AUS|id=UCL347600|name=Proston (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)|accessdate=21 January 2011|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the locality of Proston had a population of 379 people.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC32394|name=Proston (SSC)|accessdate=20 October 2018|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Proston had a population of 410 people.{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL32370|name=Proston (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}

File:Proston Anglican Church 001.JPG

Proston has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

• former Shepherd Memorial Church of St Peter, corner of Drake Street and Wondai Road ({{coord|-26.1607|151.6011|region:AU-QLD_type:landmark|name=Shepherd Memorial Church St Peter (former)}}){{cite QHR|33399|Shepherd Memorial Church of St Peter|602813|access-date=12 July 2013}}

{{Clear|left}}

The main agricultural activities in the Proston area are dairying, beef cattle and duboisia, a shrub used in the production of the drug butylscopolamine.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

File:Proston State School, 2024.jpg

Proston State School is a government primary and secondary (Prep–10) school for boys and girls at 94 Rodney Street ({{coord|-26.1677|151.6001|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Proston 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 |title=Proston State School |url=https://www.prostonss.eq.edu.au/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424210205/http://prostonss.eq.edu.au/ |archive-date=24 April 2012 |access-date=21 November 2018 }} In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 114 students with 14 teachers (13 full-time equivalent) and 16 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}}

The nearest secondary school for Years 11 and 12 is Murgon State High School in Murgon to the east.{{Queensland Globe|access-date=28 December 2018}}

File:Proston Public Library.JPG

Proston has a hotel, convenience store (SPAR), café, post office, hardware, police station, ambulance and voluntary fire brigade service. It also has tennis, golf and bowling clubs, a swimming pool and library. Other facilities include a medical centre and ambulance service, the Proston Rural Fire Brigade, and the Proston Transfer Station.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

The South Burnett Regional Council operates a library in Proston at 34 Blake Street.{{Cite web|date=15 August 2017|title=Proston Library|url=http://plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/networking/directory-of-public-libraries/branches/south_burnett/proston_library|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129141136/http://plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/networking/directory-of-public-libraries/branches/south_burnett/proston_library|archive-date=29 January 2018|access-date=29 January 2018|website=Public Libraries Connect|publisher=State Library of Queensland}}{{Cite web|title=Locate a Library - South Burnett Regional Council|url=http://www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/locate-a-library|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131025843/http://www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/locate-a-library|archive-date=31 January 2018|access-date=2016-02-26|publisher=South Burnett Regional Council}}

The town is also serviced by Proston Meals on Wheels. There is also an active scout group.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

The Proston branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at the CWA hall at 37 Rodney Street.{{Cite web|title=Branch Locations|url=http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|url-status=live|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}}

The area is well catered for with sports facilities and clubs. There is the nine-hole Proston Golf Club on the western edge of town. Proston's Lawn Bowls Club and the Over 50's group are also popular amongst the locals. Social tennis is held every Thursday night at the tennis grounds, Wondai Road. The locals have dances every week at the Public Hall.[http://www.prostononline.info/community.html Community] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110319061038/http://www.prostononline.info/community.html |date=19 March 2011 }}. Proston and Districts online

The hilliness of the terrain provides striking panoramic views of the area at several points along the main road.[http://www.tourism.southburnett.com.au/townproston.htm Proston and Lake Boondooma] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209203906/http://tourism.southburnett.com.au/townproston.htm |date=9 February 2011 }}. South Burnett Tourism.

Lake Boondooma is located {{convert|20|km|mi}} northwest of the township. For fishing, the dam is stocked with Australian bass, golden perch (yellowbelly), silver perch and saratoga. There is also a naturally occurring population of eel-tailed catfish (Jew) and spangled perch. Visitors to the dam can also waterski, sail and swim.[http://www.southburnettholidays.info/things_to_see/fishing/lake-boondooma.cfm Lake Boondooma] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218144438/http://www.southburnettholidays.info/things_to_see/fishing/lake-boondooma.cfm|date=18 February 2011}}. South Burnett – Discover the Magic. Retrieved 10 August 2011. For quieter fishing and canoeing, Proston Weir is located just south of the town. The weir doesn't provide toilet facilities or picnic tables. A Stocked Impoundment Permit is needed to fish Lake Boondooma.[http://www.lakeboondooma.com.au/annual-boondooma-dam-fishing-competition.html Annual Lake Boondooma Dam Fishing Competition] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213024721/http://www.lakeboondooma.com.au/annual-boondooma-dam-fishing-competition.html |date=13 December 2010 }}. Lake Boondooma – Caravan and Recreational Park. Retrieved 10 August 2011. The dam offers caravan, camping, bunkhouse and cabin accommodation on the lake's foreshores along with tennis courts, modern amenities blocks, a central kiosk and extensive landscaped picnic and BBQ areas.

An unusual attraction in Proston is Sidcup Castle. The "castle" comprises seventeen rooms, five of which are hexagonal. The entire structure was built from second hand materials by Harold Douglas and designed as an exact replica of his childhood home in Sidcup, Kent.

In February each year, anglers compete for more than $4,500 in prizes in the Boondooma Yellowbelly Fishing Competition.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

The Proston Show and Campdraft is held every March at the Showgrounds just on the western outskirts of town.[https://www.jasons.com.au/queensland/proston/things-to-do Things to Do in Proston] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706105207/https://www.jasons.com.au/queensland/proston/things-to-do|date=6 July 2011}}. Jasons Travel Media. Retrieved 10 August 2011.

The Proston Car Rally club holds a rally every three months on their track, {{convert|7|km|mi}} west of Proston on private property. The family weekends include time trials, various classes. Free camping is provided. Manar Park is an off-road park for 4x4s, dirt bikes, quads and buggies, situated on a large cattle station north-east of Boondooma Homestead. Accessible along Manar Road the park does have camping facilities.[http://www.manar.com.au Manar Tourist Park] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328212509/http://www.manar.com.au/|date=28 March 2019}}. Retrieved 10 August 2011.

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Citation |author1=Underwood, J. C |title=Golden jubilee, 1924-1974 : Proston & Hivesville, State Schools |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/12499955 |publication-date=1974 |publisher=Burnett Printing Co |access-date= |author2=Shelton, S. B}}
• {{Citation |title=Proston State School : 75th anniversary ; "Strive to Succeed." |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/232660756 |publication-date=1999 |publisher=Proston State School |access-date=}}—includes the schools at Abbeywood, Brigooda, Hivesville, Kinleymore, Speedwell.
• {{Citation |author1=Wondai-Proston Circuit |title=Faith in action : every Methodist canvass, July 1960 |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/236394118 |publication-date=1960 |publisher=Methodist Church of Australasia |access-date=}}

{{Commons category|Proston}}

• [http://www.smh.com.au/news/Queensland/Proston/2005/02/17/1108500203674.html SMH Travel Page]
• {{cite web|url=http://queenslandplaces.com.au/proston|title=Proston|publisher=Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland|website=Queensland Places}}
• [https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-proston-1984.jpg Town map of Proston, 1984]

{{South Burnett Region}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Populated places established in 1910

Category:South Burnett Region

Category:1910 establishments in Australia

Category:Localities in Queensland