Woolooga

The town is located in the south of the locality. The railway line from Theebine to Nanango passes from the east to the south-west through the locality, but the line is no longer operating. The town was served by the Woolooga railway station ({{coord|26|03|01|S|152|23|33|E|type:railwaystation_region:AU-QLD|name=Woolooga railway station}}) while the eastern part was served by the Boowoogum railway station ({{coord|26|01|30|S|152|25|16|E|type:railwaystation_region:AU-QLD|name=Boowoogum railway station}}), both of which are now abandoned.{{cite QPN|38056|Woolooga|railway station|access-date=31 August 2016}}{{cite QPN|3842|Boowoogum|railway station|access-date=31 August 2016}}{{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}}

The Wide Bay Creek meanders from the south-west of the locality to the east.{{Queensland Globe|access-date=24 March 2021}}

File:Woolooga Memorial Park.JPGAround 1848, John Murray decided to become a pastoral squatter and chose to go to the frontier region of Wide Bay-Burnett in the north of the colony of New South Wales to obtain land. Murray occupied the Walooga run about 40 kilometers west of Gympie. To the south was Widgee Widgee taken up by the Tooth brothers, to the south-west Kilkivan occupied by J D MacTaggart, and to the north-west was Henry Cox Corfield's Gigoomgan run.{{Cite book |last=Logan |first=Dulcie |title=Where Two Rivers Run: A History of the Kilkivan Shire |publisher=Kilkivan Shire Council |year=1988 |location=Kilkivan |pages=55}}{{Cite book |last=Pedley |first=Ian |title=Winds of Change: One Hundred Years in Widgee Shire |publisher=Widgee Shire Council |year=1979 |location=Gympie |pages=16–21}} Even though it appears that Murray lived on Walooga up to 1852, he had never met the conditions to hold the rights to the property and in late 1850 it was declared a vacant run.{{cite news |date=3 February 1851 |title=ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. |volume=XXX |page=2 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |issue=4280 |location=New South Wales, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12924502 |accessdate=5 November 2022 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=2 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002001523/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/12924502 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=11 September 1850 |title=FORFEITED AND VACATED RUNS. |page=1412 |newspaper=New South Wales Government Gazette |issue=108 |location=New South Wales, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230044559 |accessdate=5 November 2022 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205063129/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/230044559 |url-status=live }} Murray went on to serve with the Australian native police, a paramilitary force, for nearly twenty years.{{Cite web |last=Richards |first=Jonathan |date=2005 |title="A Question of Necessity" : The Native Police in Queensland |url=https://research-repository.griffith.edu.au/bitstream/handle/10072/365772/02Whole.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |website=Griffith University |page=94 |access-date=5 February 2023 |archive-date=5 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105054747/https://research-repository.griffith.edu.au/bitstream/handle/10072/365772/02Whole.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |url-status=live }}

In 1850 tenders were called for the lease of Crown Lands known as Walooga. The boundaries of the pastoral run were described as:- "To start from Walooga Hut on Kilkivan Creek, west to Mount Warren {{Convert|2|mi|lk=on}}; from thence by a line south {{Convert|2|mi}} to a tree marked J; from thence by a line east 12½ miles to a tree marked M; from thence north by a line to the creek {{Convert|2|mi}}; and from thence to the starting point (Walooga Hut) 10½ miles, it being understood that Kilkivan Creek forms the northern boundary." William Powell became the licensee for the pastoral run of Walooga in May 1854.{{cite news |date=6 June 1854 |title=CROWN LANDS BEYOND THE SETTLED DISTRICTS. |page=1196 |newspaper=New South Wales Government Gazette |issue=68 |location=New South Wales, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230696612 |accessdate=5 November 2022 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205063147/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/230696612 |url-status=live }} In 1858 the license for Walooga was transferred to Robert Tooth, who had the license for several adjoining runs severally known as Widgee Widgee.{{cite news |date=19 May 1858 |title=TRANSFER OF RUNS. |volume=XII |page=3 |newspaper=The Moreton Bay Courier |issue=650 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3720523 |accessdate=5 November 2022 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205063142/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3720523 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Dale |first=J. D. |date=27 July 1978 |title=WIDGEE - IN THE DAYS OF WIDGEE STATION |url=https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/data/UQ_205014/s00855804_1977_78_10_3_110.pdf?Expires=1667604724&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJKNBJ4MJBJNC6NLQ&Signature=bHeclrIhlBN0jHeJ5OUGFwLnQhkcvKROnlq9h2XhggDJ~zBFYXNy~D-LHNHjWKBPKjPozH1suHLwwdR~~vfNzwXQCEW1s0AMwbb0sI4DpDCM08SzfGB5342qvHhJh4HXZnnl8pV0r4hkx1WFxJw3DU0qGHhBeRQ~3K0t3knCUT0VRdVQb9PYTH9lnb94qCqXBPnIM9HgV8e76gfIm0YbnQLDBmT9KM3J0FSDb0q5~1Nq6GgOa9SQ9n0BZmcsd7ppDZ3GuSqWoHBpn1YTI6JqUFD8naUJtqZAkQU8OpVNwsBJk7yCaSY-afjgXB2sWp3aa1coztH9JqdbT6atqpaRCg__ |website=University of Queensland |page=112}} Land use at this time was large-scale wool growing. By 1868 Walooga was described as a vacated sheep station, and in 1869 these runs were transferred to the Bank of New South Wales.{{cite news |date=9 January 1868 |title=THE ROUTH TO THE GYMPIE DIGGINGS |volume=X |page=3 |newspaper=The Darling Downs Gazette And General Advertiser |issue=678 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75523054 |accessdate=5 November 2022 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205063129/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/75523054 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=14 January 1869 |title=LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. |volume=I |page=2 |newspaper=Gympie Times And Mary River Mining Gazette |issue=110 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article168606983 |accessdate=5 November 2022 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205063128/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/168606983 |url-status=live }} In August that year 120,300 acres of the runs that comprised Widgee station were resumed for the purpose of selection.{{cite news |date=28 August 1869 |title=Advertising |volume=II |page=2 |newspaper=Gympie Times And Mary River Mining Gazette |issue=184 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article168606588 |accessdate=5 November 2022 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205063142/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/168606588 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Dale |first=J. D. |date=27 July 1978 |title=WIDGEE - IN THE DAYS OF WIDGEE STATION |url=https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/data/UQ_205014/s00855804_1977_78_10_3_110.pdf?Expires=1667687832&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJKNBJ4MJBJNC6NLQ&Signature=TXEn-h5x556Au1PYTwFwdO87c5Z95LYmx7sAOquOH3vHwOPhpy7prks8Hm8rsyZ1QOb4xyGmGWTaPPFspviV3DulpQKcGmSbAJhUSAp5c-EJVirs1En8GOTCOvPJr4~fwBZHKxn5zNm49ez2KU6ANzHJEeDvMaxb2BvdsGU3rJ4BuPe~n8C8w2RZNddodedq7IrCdswNRMP61CuU7ZqCCGvM0cO10KnosLVjqAw-m2gMHIefuMZ4vZpwibytlxCs~yck1TggGrdKLt5tk8qZqqY0lnAKAKo-U23ayz23TQ2X5oabztf5JssN71LLzYSq~PdDo-CSaaMp58PATDaEfA__ |website=University of Queensland |page=116}}

Woolooga was a site of frontier war in the 1850s and 1860s.{{Cite web |last=Dale |first=J. D. |date=27 July 1978 |title=WIDGEE - IN THE DAYS OF WIDGEE STATION |url=https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/data/UQ_205014/s00855804_1977_78_10_3_110.pdf?Expires=1667604724&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJKNBJ4MJBJNC6NLQ&Signature=bHeclrIhlBN0jHeJ5OUGFwLnQhkcvKROnlq9h2XhggDJ~zBFYXNy~D-LHNHjWKBPKjPozH1suHLwwdR~~vfNzwXQCEW1s0AMwbb0sI4DpDCM08SzfGB5342qvHhJh4HXZnnl8pV0r4hkx1WFxJw3DU0qGHhBeRQ~3K0t3knCUT0VRdVQb9PYTH9lnb94qCqXBPnIM9HgV8e76gfIm0YbnQLDBmT9KM3J0FSDb0q5~1Nq6GgOa9SQ9n0BZmcsd7ppDZ3GuSqWoHBpn1YTI6JqUFD8naUJtqZAkQU8OpVNwsBJk7yCaSY-afjgXB2sWp3aa1coztH9JqdbT6atqpaRCg__ |access-date=5 November 2022 |website=University of Queensland |pages=114–115}}

Robert Stuart Lord and his brother Alfred Percy Lord won land in selection ballots in 1875 and 1876.{{cite news |date=13 November 1875 |title=GYMPIE LAND COURT. |volume=X |page=25 |newspaper=The Queenslander |issue=13 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18339045 |accessdate=6 November 2022 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205063122/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/18339045 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=14 November 1876 |title=Intercolonial. |page=4 |newspaper=Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser |issue=1912 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148511505 |accessdate=6 November 2022 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205063133/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/148511505 |url-status=live }}

Woolooga railway station was named in 1886 by the Queensland Railways Department and subsequently became used as the town and locality name. It is reported to be an Aboriginal word from the Kabi language with wului meaning smoke and tha meaning ground/place.File:Woolooga aerial.jpgWoolooga State School opened on 20 January 1913.{{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}}

Wonga Upper Provisional School opened on 13 July 1914. On 1 December 1914 it became Wonga Upper State School. It closed in 1959.

The Woolooga Memorial Park commemorates those who served in war. It is located in Thomas Street.{{cite web|title=Woolooga Memorial Park|url=http://monumentaustralia.org.au/display/92954-woolooga-memorial-park|publisher=Monument Australia|access-date=6 April 2014|archive-date=7 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407125653/http://monumentaustralia.org.au/display/92954-woolooga-memorial-park|url-status=live}}

Woolooga was affected by the 2010–2011 Queensland floods. A {{convert|2|m|ft|adj=on}} wall of water rushed through the town, inundating the public hall and the pub.{{cite news|title=Western areas hit with record rain|url=http://www.gympietimes.com.au/story/2011/01/09/western-areas-hit-record-rain/|access-date=19 January 2011|newspaper=Gympie Times|date=9 January 2011|archive-date=14 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114094858/http://www.gympietimes.com.au/story/2011/01/09/western-areas-hit-record-rain/|url-status=live}} The general store was also severely damaged by the flood.{{cite news|last=Harch|first=Christine|title=Spirit not dampened by floods|url=http://www.gympietimes.com.au/story/2011/01/19/gympie-spirit-not-dampened-by-floods/|access-date=19 January 2011|newspaper=Gympie Times|date=19 January 2011|archive-date=20 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120170258/http://www.gympietimes.com.au/story/2011/01/19/gympie-spirit-not-dampened-by-floods/|url-status=live}}

In the {{CensusAU|2006}}, the locality of Woolooga and the surrounding rural area had a population of 319 people.{{Census 2006 AUS|id=SSC37991|name=Woolooga (Kilkivan Shire) (State Suburb)|accessdate=19 January 2011|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2011}}, the locality of Woolooga had a population of 274 people.{{Census 2011 AUS|id=SSC31810|name=Woolooga (SSC)|access-date=31 August 2016|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the locality of Woolooga had a population of 247 people.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC33177|name=Woolooga (SSC)|accessdate=20 October 2018|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Woolooga had a population of 310 people.{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL33147|name=Woolooga (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}

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

• Theebine - Kilkivan railway line: Woolooga Rail Bridge ({{coord|-26.0577|152.3796|region:AU-QLD_type:landmark|name=Woolooga Rail Bridge}}){{cite QHR|15420|Woolooga Rail Bridge|600645|access-date=8 July 2013}}

Woolooga State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at Edwards Road ({{coord|-26.0483|152.3958|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Woolooga State School}}).{{cite web|url=https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|title=State and non-state school details|publisher=Queensland Government|date=9 July 2018|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|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://wooloogass.eq.edu.au/|title=Woolooga State School|accessdate=24 March 2021|archive-date=14 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314183853/https://wooloogass.eq.edu.au/|url-status=live}} In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 14 students with 2 teachers and 5 non-teaching staff (2 full-time equivalent).{{cite web|url=https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx|title=ACARA School Profile 2018|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}}

There is no secondary school. The nearest government secondary schools are Kilkivan State School (to Year 10) in neighbouring Kilkivan to the south-west and James Nash State High School in Gympie to the south-east.

Woolooga Memorial Park is in Thomas Street (also known as the Bauple Woolooga Road) at the corner of Booker Street ({{coord|-26.0531|152.3927|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Memorial Park}}).{{Cite web|date=20 November 2020|title=Land for public recreation - Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/land-for-public-recreation-queensland/resource/d55804bc-f416-478b-8e9a-c12587ce8009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122211519/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/land-for-public-recreation-queensland/resource/d55804bc-f416-478b-8e9a-c12587ce8009|archive-date=22 November 2020|access-date=22 November 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}} It commemorates those who have served Australia during times of war with their names listed on a brass Honour Roll.{{Cite web|title=Woolooga Memorial Park|url=https://www.monumentaustralia.org.au/display/92954-woolooga-memorial-park|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-24|website=Monument Australia|archive-date=5 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105200406/http://monumentaustralia.org.au/display/92954-woolooga-memorial-park}}{{Cite web|date=2014-06-23|title=Woolooga and District War Memorial|url=https://www.qldwarmemorials.com.au/memorial|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-24|website=Queensland War Memorials Register|language=en-AU|archive-date=9 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309084438/https://www.qldwarmemorials.com.au/memorial}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category-inline|Woolooga, Queensland}}

{{Gympie Region}}

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Category:Towns in Queensland

Category:Gympie Region

Category:Localities in Queensland