Woombye, Queensland#History

Woombye is located on the Sunshine Coast hinterland in Queensland, Australia, approximately {{convert|100|km|mi}} north of the Brisbane CBD. The name is derived from words from the local Aboriginal language - a place ({{not a typo|wumbai}}) of black snake, or (wambai) black myrtle or axe handle made from black myrtle.{{cite web|year=2006|url=http://www.maroochy.qld.gov.au/sitePage.cfm?code=Fact_File|title=Place Name Origins - Maroochy Shire Council|publisher=Maroochy Shire|access-date=30 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061210175459/http://www.maroochy.qld.gov.au/sitePage.cfm?code=Fact_File|archive-date=10 December 2006|url-status=dead}}

The Bruce Highway forms the eastern boundary of the locality. The North Coast railway line runs from north to south through the western part of the locality; the town is centred around the Woombye railway station ({{coord|-26.6605|152.9628|type:railwaystation_region:AU-QLD|name=Woombye railway station}}) in the west of the locality.{{Queensland Globe|access-date=17 July 2019}}Woombye on the North Coast Line. Milne, Rod. Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin. December 1997. pp435-441.{{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}}

Woombye is accessible by Translink trains and buses. There are numerous rail services departing for Brisbane daily.{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}}

The town of Woombye is surrounded by former pineapple farms, which today are acreage properties and gated communities. The first pineapple farm was owned and operated by Hugh and Alice Moorhouse, located on Moorhouse Road, which overlooks the township. The Woombye Light Horse Memorial is also named after MAJ Hugh Vardy Moorhouse (2 Feb 1903 – 11 Oct 1993).{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}}

Woombye–Montville Road exits to the south.{{Google maps |url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Woombye+QLD+4559/@-26.6604994,152.9399827,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x6b93787adacd66b9:0x502a35af3deae70!8m2!3d-26.6605185!4d152.9649103 |access-date=3 December 2022 |title=Woombye}}

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The town has its roots in a settlement first known as Middle Camp, and later Cobb's Camp. It was established in 1868 as a staging depot and hotel for Cobb & Co stagecoaches at the halfway point on the road between Brisbane and Gympie, after the discovery of gold at Gympie.{{cite web|title=Woombye|url=http://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/woombye|work=Queensland Places|publisher=Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland|access-date=17 July 2019|archive-date=17 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717080134/https://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/woombye|url-status=live}}

The town was renamed as Woombye in the 1880s.{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article176704796|title=Official Items.|date=29 February 1888|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=17 July 2019|issue=4,800|location=Queensland, Australia|page=4|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205073726/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/176704796|url-status=live}} The name Woombye comes from the Kabi word wambai meaning black myrtle tree, which was used for handles for axes.

Cobbs Camp Provisional School opened on 17 August 1885.{{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 was renamed Woombye State School in 1892. In 1977, a preschool was added to Woombye State School.

In 1891, the North Coast railway from Landsborough to Yandina was opened, and it became a rail centre until 1914.{{cite web|year=2007|url=http://library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/sitePage.cfm?code=hlwoomhist|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719225110/http://library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/sitePage.cfm?code=hlwoomhist|archive-date=19 July 2008|title=Sunshine Coast Libraries - Woombye|publisher=Sunshine Coast Regional Council}}

In 1895, Thomas Davey grew the first pineapple crop in Woombye. Pineapple production increased in the 1950s, making Woombye the third largest producing area of pineapples in Queensland.{{cn|date=July 2024}}

On Wednesday 19 May 1897, a stump-capping ceremony was held for an Anglican church in Woombye.{{cite news |date=21 May 1897 |title=New Church at Woombye. |page=4 |newspaper=The Telegraph |issue=7,665 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article172398291 |accessdate=25 July 2023 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725085559/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/172398291 |url-status=live }} The church was built by volunteer labour led by Mr Kitson.{{cite news |date=2 September 1897 |title=Nambour. |volume=XXIX |page=3 |newspaper=Gympie Times And Mary River Mining Gazette |issue=3641 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article171529706 |accessdate=25 July 2023 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725085557/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/171529706 |url-status=live }} St Margaret's Anglican Church was dedicated on Monday 28 Mary 1898 by Bishop William Webber. The timber church could seat 100 people.{{cite web |last=Blake |first=Thom |title=St Margaret's Anglican Church |url=https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=4891 |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=Queensland Religious Places |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725085531/https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=4891 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.anglicannambour.com/history/ |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=Anglican Parish of Nambour |language=en-US |archive-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603134802/https://www.anglicannambour.com/history/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=2 April 1898 |title=OPENING OF A CHURCH AT WOOMBYE |volume=LIV |page=6 |newspaper=The Brisbane Courier |issue=12,550 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3669247 |accessdate=25 July 2023 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725085540/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3669247 |url-status=live }}

Woombye Pub was opened in 1900 as The Criterion Hotel, a hotel which stands on the site as a pub.{{Cite news |date=7 November 2013 |title=Town’s pub rich in history |work=Sunshine Coast Daily |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/sunshine-coast/towns-pub-rich-in-history/news-story/42327d562a9aa5af42b0a330744e45a5 |access-date=29 October 2022}}

File:Woombye Memorial Park.JPG

The Woombye War Memorial was unveiled on 18 June 1925 by the Queensland Governor, Matthew Nathan.{{cite web|title=Woombye War Memorial|url=http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/multiple/display/92956-woombye-war-memorial|publisher=Monument Australia|access-date=3 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006105508/http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/multiple/display/92956-woombye-war-memorial|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article76854143 |title=Dedication Service. |newspaper=Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser (Qld. : 1922 - 1954) |location=Qld. |date=10 July 1925 |access-date=4 April 2014 |page=8 |publisher=National Library of Australia |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205073728/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/76854143 |url-status=live }}

The Woombye branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association had formed before 1930.{{Cite web|date=2019-02-06|title=Backward Glance – QCWA, much more than tea and scones|url=https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Council/News-Centre/Backward-Glance-QCWA-much-more-than-tea-and-scones-060219|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319043726/https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Council/News-Centre/Backward-Glance-QCWA-much-more-than-tea-and-scones-060219|archive-date=19 March 2021|access-date=2021-03-19|website=Sunshine Coast Council|language=en}}

The Big Pineapple opened on 15 August 1971.{{Cite news |author=Bridie Jabour |date=17 October 2011 |title=Smoothing rough ends of Big Pineapple |work=Brisbane Times |publisher=Fairfax Media |url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/smoothing-rough-ends-of-big-pineapple-20111017-1lszs.html |url-status=live |accessdate=4 November 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019191052/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/smoothing-rough-ends-of-big-pineapple-20111017-1lszs.html |archivedate=19 October 2011 |df=dmy-all}}

Thrill Hill Waterslides opened in 1979.{{Cite web |title=Thrill Hill {{!}} Waterslide {{!}} Woombye |url=https://www.thrillhillwaterslides.com/ |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=Thrill Hill Waterslides |archive-date=4 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804165556/https://www.thrillhillwaterslides.com/ |url-status=live }}

On 5 February 1979, the Christian Outreach College (Sunshine Coast) was established by the Nambour Christian Outreach Centre on a {{Convert|26|acre||abbr=|adj=on}} pineapple farm. The church and school were later renamed Suncoast Church and Suncoast Christian College respectively. In 2004, an adjoining {{Convert|16|acre||abbr=|adj=on}} pineapple farm was purchased to expand the school.{{Cite web|url=https://suncoastcc.qld.edu.au/about-suncoast/college-history/|title=College History|website=Suncoast Christian College|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717080320/https://suncoastcc.qld.edu.au/about-suncoast/college-history/|archive-date=17 July 2019|url-status=unfit|access-date=17 July 2019}}

On 29 January 1980, Nambour Christian College was established with 36 students by the families of the New Life Assembly of God Nambour church. The name was changed to Nambour Christian College in 1992.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncc.qld.edu.au/discover-ncc/about-ncc/history/|title=History|website=Nambour Christian College|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717081100/https://www.ncc.qld.edu.au/discover-ncc/about-ncc/history/|archive-date=17 July 2019|url-status=live|access-date=17 July 2019}}

In the {{CensusAU|2006}}, the locality of Woombye had a population of 2,094 people.{{Census 2006 AUS | id = SSC37993 | name = Woombye (State Suburb) | accessdate=16 March 2008 | quick = on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the locality of Woombye had a population of 3,246 people.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC33181|name=Woombye (SSC)|access-date=20 October 2018|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Woombye had a population of 3,944 people.{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL33151|name=Woombye (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}

File:Woombye State School, 2023.jpg

File:Library, Woombye State School, 2011 01.jpg

Woombye State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 95 Pine Grove Road ({{coord|-26.6677|152.9738|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Woombye 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|date=9 July 2018|publisher=Queensland Government|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|url-status=live|access-date=21 November 2018}}{{Cite web |date=2020-11-29 |title=Woombye State School |url=https://woombyess.eq.edu.au/ |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=Woombye State School |language=en |archive-date=18 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518165718/https://woombyess.eq.edu.au/ |url-status=live }} The school has a special education program. In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 506 students with 41 teachers (32 full-time equivalent) and 21 non-teaching staff (14 full-time equivalent).{{cite web|url=http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0|title=ACARA School Profile 2017|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|url-status=live|access-date=22 November 2018}} In 2022, the school had an enrolment of 458 students.{{Cite web |title=School annual report 2022 |url=https://woombyess.eq.edu.au/supportandresources/formsanddocuments/annualreports/annual%20report%202022.pdf |access-date=25 July 2023 |website=Woombye State School |page=2 |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725081805/https://woombyess.eq.edu.au/supportandresources/formsanddocuments/annualreports/annual%20report%202022.pdf |url-status=live }}

Suncoast Christian College is a private primary and secondary (Prep-12) school for boys and girls at the corner of Schubert & Kiel Mountain Roads ({{coord|-26.6658|152.9777|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Suncoast Christian College}}).{{cite web|url=https://www.suncoastcc.qld.edu.au|title=Suncoast Christian College|access-date=21 November 2018|archive-date=9 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109164204/https://suncoastcc.qld.edu.au/|url-status=live}} In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 803 students with 67 teachers (57 full-time equivalent) and 70 non-teaching staff (42 full-time equivalent). At 6 August 2021, the school had 878 students.{{Cite web |title=2021 Annual Report |url=https://suncoastcc.qld.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2022-Suncoast-Christian-College-Annual-Report.pdf |access-date=25 July 2023 |website=Suncoast Christian College |page=2 |archive-date=12 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312110745/https://suncoastcc.qld.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2022-Suncoast-Christian-College-Annual-Report.pdf |url-status=live }}

Nambour Christian College is a private primary and secondary (Prep-12) school for boys and girls at McKenzie Road ({{coord|-26.6439|152.9616|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Nambour Christian College}}).{{cite web|url=https://www.ncc.qld.edu.au|title=Nambour Christian College|access-date=21 November 2018|archive-date=1 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301105514/https://www.ncc.qld.edu.au/|url-status=live}} In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 1,131 students with 87 teachers (80 full-time equivalent) and 95 non-teaching staff (59 full-time equivalent). In December 2022, the school had 1,214 students.{{Cite web |title=Annual Report 2022 |url=https://www.ncc.qld.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2022-NCC-Annual-Report-March-2023-web-1.pdf |website=Nambour Christian College |page=3 |access-date=25 July 2023 |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725081805/https://www.ncc.qld.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2022-NCC-Annual-Report-March-2023-web-1.pdf |url-status=live }}

There are no government secondary schools in Woombye. The nearest government secondary schools are Nambour State College in neighbouring Nambour to the north and Burnside State High School in neighbouring Burnside to the north-west.

Woombye is home to one of the longest established soccer clubs on the Sunshine Coast, the Woombye Snakes.{{Cite web|url=https://www.woombyesnakesfc.com/wspabout.aspx|title=About|website=Woombye Snakes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717083502/https://www.woombyesnakesfc.com/wspabout.aspx|archive-date=17 July 2019|url-status=live|access-date=17 July 2019}}

St Margaret's Anglican Church is at 16 Blackall Street ({{coord|-26.660617|152.9652|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=St Margaret's Anglican Church}}).{{cite web |last=Blake |first=Thom |title=St Margaret's Anglican Church |url=https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=4891 |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=Queensland Religious Places |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725085531/https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=4891 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.anglicannambour.com/ |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=Anglican Parish of Nambour |language=en-US |archive-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603134951/https://www.anglicannambour.com/ |url-status=live }}

Woombye is a convenient town for its relaxed atmosphere and picture-perfect town centre with quaint old shops and historic pub. The town is set within fringes of hilly forest and encompasses mountainous views of the Blackall Ranges.

File:Big Pineapple, Woombye, Queensland QUT-6726-7.jpg

File:Big Pineapple Music Festival in 2019.jpg

Woombye is home to The Big Pineapple, a tourist attraction which is one of Australia's big things.{{Cite web|url=https://blog.queensland.com/2015/05/01/queenslands-big-things-bucket-list/|title=Big Things in Queensland Bucket List|date=1 May 2015|website=Queensland Uncovered|publisher=Tourism and Events Queensland|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717083214/https://blog.queensland.com/2015/05/01/queenslands-big-things-bucket-list/|archive-date=17 July 2019|url-status=live|access-date=17 July 2019}} One of its attractions is Wildlife HQ, a zoo with hundreds of animal species including a large collection of primates.{{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}} It hosts a number of music festivals including Big Pineapple Music Festival. The complex is at 76 Nambour Connection Road ({{coord|-26.6722|152.9911|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=BIG PINEAPPLE THEME PARK}}).{{Cite web |title=Big Pineapple {{!}} Sunshine Coast {{!}} Queensland |url=https://www.bigpineapple.com.au/ |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=Big Pineapple |language=en |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628115513/https://www.bigpineapple.com.au/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|date=17 November 2020|title=Building areas - Queensland|url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/536da964-19d2-42fb-9dd8-b46f15c4fb6f|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023081052/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/536da964-19d2-42fb-9dd8-b46f15c4fb6f|archive-date=23 October 2020|access-date=17 November 2020|website=Queensland Open Data|publisher=Queensland Government}}

Thrill Hill Waterslide Park is 74 Schubert Road ({{coord|-26.6647|152.9715|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=tourist attraction}}).{{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}}

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

• Nambour Connection Road: North Coast Roadside Rest Areas{{cite QHR|30336|North Coast Roadside Rest Areas|602698|access-date=14 July 2013}}
• Nambour Connection Road: The Big Pineapple (former Sunshine Plantation){{cite QHR|30333|The Big Pineapple (former Sunshine Plantation)|602694|access-date=14 July 2013}}

Woombye is located directly off the Nambour Connection Road, a few minutes from the Exit 201 section of the Bruce Highway. It is serviced by Translink and serves as an interchange for bus and train stops.

• Blackall Range road network

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Woombye, Queensland}}

• {{cite web|url=http://queenslandplaces.com.au/woombye|title=Woombye|website=Queensland Places|publisher=Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland}}

• {{cite web |date=1979 |title=Town map of Woombye |url=https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-woombye-1979.jpg |publisher=Queensland Government}}

{{Sunshine Coast Region}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Towns in Queensland

Category:Suburbs of the Sunshine Coast Region

Category:Localities in Queensland