Wallumbilla, Queensland

File:Yuleba, Queensland.jpg

Wallumbilla is situated on the Warrego Highway, five hours by road west from Brisbane, just east of Roma in South West Queensland.{{Queensland Globe|access-date=21 November 2017}}

To the north of Wallumbilla the Great Dividing Range (in this region no more than a bumpy watershed) passes roughly ESE to NNW. The town is sandwiched between Wallumbilla & Middle Creeks as they flow south toward the Condamine/Balonne River.

Wallumbilla is on the Western railway line and is served by the Wallumbilla railway station ({{coord|-26.5872|149.1879|type:railwaystation_region:AU-QLD|name=Wallumbilla railway station}}).{{Cite web |date=2 October 2020 |title=Railway stations and sidings - Queensland |url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/transport-features-queensland-series/resource/84fff9a0-e315-4844-9c4d-63934562a9bd |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005070354/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/transport-features-queensland-series/resource/84fff9a0-e315-4844-9c4d-63934562a9bd |archive-date=5 October 2020 |access-date=5 October 2020 |website=Queensland Open Data |publisher=Queensland Government}}

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The name Wallumbilla was the name of a pastoral run leased by Charles Coxen, The name is presumed to come from the indigenous Mandandanji language and reportedly means wallu=plenty and billa=jew fish.

Wallumbilla Provisional School opened on 25 October 1893, becoming Wallumbilla State School on 1 September 1894.{{Citation|title=Queensland schools past and present|publication-date=2010|author1=Queensland Family History Society|edition=Version 1.01|publisher=Queensland Family History Society|isbn=978-1-921171-26-0}} From January 1964, secondary schooling was offered in the Memorial Hall opposite the school, until it became possible to accommodate the secondary students on the school site from April 1965. A swimming pool was added to the school in 1981.{{Cite web |date=2019-12-17 |title=Our school |url=https://wallumbillass.eq.edu.au/our-school |access-date=2022-03-11 |website=Wallumbilla State School |language=en |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303181427/https://wallumbillass.eq.edu.au/our-school |url-status=live }}

On Saturday 17 May 1929, the Wallumbilla School of Arts Memorial Hall was officially opened by Godfrey Morgan, the local Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Murilla.{{cite news |date=23 March 1929 |title=SPORTING. |page=4 |newspaper=Western Star And Roma Advertiser |issue=2838 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article98029541 |via=National Library of Australia |accessdate=12 March 2022 |archive-date=24 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224214407/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/98029541 |url-status=live }}

On 1 December 1956, The Westlander collided head-on with the Western Mail which was stationary at Wallumbilla railway station. The crash killed 5 people and injured 11 or 13 people.{{cite news |date=3 December 1956 |title=RAIL CRASH VICTIM RUSHED 190 M. |page=5 |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |location=Victoria, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71769223 |via=National Library of Australia |accessdate=12 March 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313011723/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71769223 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=4 December 1956 |title=CIB SEEKS CLUES ON RAIL CRASH |page=7 |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |location=Victoria, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71769478 |via=National Library of Australia |accessdate=12 March 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313011733/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71769478 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=5 December 1956 |title=Matron tells Queensland inquiry: RAIL CRASH DRIVER SAID: I must have dozen" |page=3 |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |location=Victoria, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71769650 |via=National Library of Australia |accessdate=12 March 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313011723/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71769650 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=7 December 1956 |title=Train smash crew silent |page=5 |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |location=Victoria, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71770102 |via=National Library of Australia |accessdate=12 March 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313011739/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71770102 |url-status=live }} There is a memorial at the railway station commemorating the crash.{{Cite web |title="Westlander" & "Western Mail" Rail Crash |url=https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/disaster/land_transport/display/92865-wallumbilla-rail-crash |access-date=2022-03-11 |website=Monument Australia |archive-date=27 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027034051/https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/disaster/land_transport/display/92865-wallumbilla-rail-crash |url-status=live }}

In 2017, a combined Rural Fire station and SES facility was built.

In the {{CensusAU|2006}}, the town of Wallumbilla had a population of 285 people.{{Census 2006 AUS|id=UCL358800

|name=Wallumbilla (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)|accessdate=29 November 2008|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2011}}, the locality of Wallumbilla had a population of 262 people.{{Census 2011 AUS|id=SSC31719|name=Wallumbilla (SSC)|access-date=17 August 2016|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the locality of Wallumbilla had a population of 388 people,{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC33001|name=Wallumbilla (SSC)|access-date=20 October 2018|quick=on}} with 191 people living in the town itself.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=UCL322135|name=Wallumbilla (Urban Centre)|access-date=21 November 2017|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Wallumbilla had a population of 331 people.{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL32970|name=Wallumbilla (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}

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

• Nostalgic Queen's Theatre, George Street ({{coord|-26.5869|149.1865|region:AU-QLD_type:landmark|name=Nostalgic Queen's Theatre}}){{cite QHR|19499|Nostalgic Queen's Theatre|602378|access-date=11 July 2013}}

Traditionally Wallumbilla's main industries were dairy and beef cattle, now the main industries are cropping and beef cattle. The main crops include sorghum and wheat.

Locals believe that if not for the discovery of gas at nearby hub Roma, Wallumbilla would have flourished into a similar hub, as the discovery of gas in 1908 near Roma preluded the Wallumbilla cattle sale yards (a thriving business according to local history) to move up to Roma, accentuating its growth.

A major gas hub is in preparation for Wallumbilla, planned to start operation in 2014.{{cite web |title=Gas Supply Hub |url=http://www.aemo.com.au/Gas/Market-Operations/Gas-Supply-Hub |access-date=18 February 2014 |publisher=Australian Energy Market Operator |archive-date=13 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213171201/http://aemo.com.au/Gas/Market-Operations/Gas-Supply-Hub |url-status=live }}

File:Sign, Wallumbilla State School, circa 2022.jpg

Wallumbilla State School is a government primary and secondary (Kindergarten to Year 10) school for boys and girls at 22 High Street ({{coord|-26.5843|149.1861|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Wallumbilla 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=Wallumbilla State School |url=https://wallumbillass.eq.edu.au/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303180301/https://wallumbillass.eq.edu.au/ |archive-date=3 March 2022 |access-date=8 April 2025 |website=Wallumbilla State School }} In 2016, the school had an enrolment of 106 students with 15 teachers (12 full-time equivalent) and 10 non-teaching staff (7 full-time equivalent).{{Cite web |title=2016 Annual Report |url=https://wallumbiss.eq.edu.au/Supportandresources/Formsanddocuments/Annual%20reports/School%20Annual%20Report%202016.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121040453/https://wallumbiss.eq.edu.au/Supportandresources/Formsanddocuments/Annual%20reports/School%20Annual%20Report%202016.pdf |archive-date=21 November 2017 |access-date=21 November 2017 |website=Wallumbilla State School}} In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 126 students with 16 teachers (12 full-time equivalent) and 13 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=live }}

Most of these students hail from properties surrounding town, as well as the high school students who attended primary school in the neighbouring towns of Jackson and Yuleba.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}

The nearest state high schools offering Years 11 and 12 of secondary school are Roma State College and St. John's College in Roma (40 kilometres west) and Miles State High School in Miles (90 kilometres east).

Wallumbilla Police Station is on the corner of Flinders Street and High Street ({{coord|-26.5841|149.1877|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Wallumbilla Police Station}}).{{Cite web |date=18 November 2020 |title=Emergency services facilities - Queensland |url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/923a4139-4a79-4744-8955-d73230796bd6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124224500/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/923a4139-4a79-4744-8955-d73230796bd6 |archive-date=24 November 2020 |access-date=24 November 2020 |website=Queensland Open Data |publisher=Queensland Government}}{{Cite web |title=Wallumbilla Station |url=https://www.police.qld.gov.au/station/wallumbilla-station |access-date=2022-03-11 |website=Queensland Police |archive-date=30 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330090348/https://www.police.qld.gov.au/station/wallumbilla-station |url-status=live }}

Wallumbilla Rural Fire Station and SES Facility is a combined emergency service centre at 1-3 Russell Street ({{Coord|-26.5825|149.1916|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Wallumbilla Fire Station & SES Facility}}).{{Cite web |title=Wallumbilla State Emergency & Rural Fire Station |url=https://www.cordellconnect.com.au/public/project/ProjectDetails.aspx?uid=7002846 |access-date=2022-03-11 |website=Cordell Connect |archive-date=12 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312222508/https://www.cordellconnect.com.au/public/project/ProjectDetails.aspx?uid=7002846 |url-status=live }}

Wallumbilla Community Clinic (sometimes called Wallumbillla Hospital) is a government health facility at 1-7 West Street (corner of Stakeyard Road, {{coord|-26.5817|149.1813|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Wallumbilla Community Clinic}}).{{Cite web |date=18 November 2020 |title=Landmark Areas - Queensland |url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/db9c913b-b7e2-4d88-9a5e-32cbb1470f12 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121195536/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/db9c913b-b7e2-4d88-9a5e-32cbb1470f12 |archive-date=21 November 2020 |access-date=21 October 2020 |website=Queensland Open Data |publisher=Queensland Government}}{{Cite web |title=Wallumbilla Community Clinic |url=https://www.southwest.health.qld.gov.au/healthcare-facilities/community-clinics/wallumbilla-community-clinic/ |access-date=2022-03-11 |website=South West Hospital and Health Service |language=en-AU |archive-date=4 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304080223/https://www.southwest.health.qld.gov.au/healthcare-facilities/community-clinics/wallumbilla-community-clinic/ |url-status=live }}

Wallumbilla Monumental & Lawn Cemetery is on the north-west corner of Wallumbilla North Road and Stolz Lane ({{coord|-26.5729|149.1870|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Wallumbilla Monumental & Lawn Cemetery}}).{{Cite web |date=12 November 2020 |title=Cemetery Areas - Queensland |url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/2baca5c3-a111-4fbc-86c9-3b896884438b |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115100513/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/2baca5c3-a111-4fbc-86c9-3b896884438b |archive-date=15 November 2020 |access-date=12 November 2020 |website=Queensland Open Data |publisher=Queensland Government}}

ABQ transmits to Wallumbilla through its Roma relay station ABRAQ-2 at 26°34′20″S 148°51′1″E (Timbury Hills Transmitter site).^{[citation needed]}

Network Ten and its sister channels 10 Bold and 10 Peach transmits to Wallumbilla through its regional area affiliate, CDT.^{[citation needed]}

The Nine Network and its sister channels 9Go! and 9Gem transmits to Wallumbilla through its regional area affiliate, IMP.^{[citation needed]}

The Seven Network and its sister channels 7two and 7mate transmits to Wallumbilla through its remote area affiliate, ITQ.^{[citation needed]}

The Special Broadcasting Service and its sister channels transmits to Wallumbilla.^{[citation needed]}

File:WallumbillaFederalHotel.JPG

Wallumbilla's Calico Cottage, open seven days a week, is the town's Visitor Information Centre. As well as this, Calico Cottage sells locally produced arts and crafts along with refreshments. The Calico Cottage also serves as Wallumbilla's main Intercity Bus Stop which is used by Greyhound Australia as a regular timetabled stop on its main intercity services:

• Gx493 (Brisbane - Mount Isa)
• Gx494 (Mount Isa - Brisbane)
• Gx495 (Brisbane - Charleville)
• Gx496 (Charleville - Brisbane)

The town also contains three churches, as well as a Masonic Hall. Other amenities include a hotel/pub, a news agency, and a petrol station.

Wallumbilla has a heritage complex and visitor information centre. A Public Library (operated by the Maranoa Regional Council) operates in Wallumbilla in George Street.{{Cite web|url=http://plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/networking/directory-of-public-libraries/branches/roma/wallumbilla_library|title=Wallumbilla Library|website=plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au|language=en|access-date=2018-01-17|archive-date=17 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117131325/http://plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/networking/directory-of-public-libraries/branches/roma/wallumbilla_library|url-status=live}}

The Wallumbilla branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association has its rooms at 15 College Street.{{Cite web|url=http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|title=Branch locations|website=Queensland Country Women's Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226010724/http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|archive-date=26 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=26 December 2018}}

Wallumbilla School of Arts Memorial Hall is at 8 Chadstone Street ({{Coord|-26.5840|149.18656|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Wallumbilla School of Arts Memorial Hall}}).{{Cite web |title=School of Arts Memorial Hall |url=https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/display/108664-wallumbilla-school-of-arts-memorial-hall- |access-date=2022-03-11 |website=Monument Australia |archive-date=12 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312222508/https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/display/108664-wallumbilla-school-of-arts-memorial-hall- |url-status=live }}

{{reflist}}

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• {{cite web|url=http://queenslandplaces.com.au/wallumbilla|title=Wallumbilla|publisher=Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland|website=Queensland Places}}
• {{cite web|url=https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-wallumbilla-1975.jpg|title=Town map of Wallumbilla|date=1975|publisher=Queensland Government}}
• [http://www.maranoa.org.au Maranoa Online] A portal servicing the Maranoa - a region encompassing Wallumbilla

{{Maranoa Region}}

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Category:Towns in Queensland

Category:Maranoa Region

Category:Localities in Queensland