Coongoola, Queensland

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Coongoola
Queensland
Total eclipse of the sun, photographed by JA Lunn, Coongoola, 1922.jpg
Total eclipse of the sun, Coongoola, 1922
Australia Queensland location map.svg
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Coongoola
Coordinates 27°42′05″S145°53′06″E / 27.7013°S 145.885°E / -27.7013; 145.885 (Coongoola (centre of locality))
Population16 (2021 census) [1]
 • Density0.00823/km2 (0.0213/sq mi)
Postcode(s) 4490
Area1,943.4 km2 (750.4 sq mi)
Time zone AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s) Shire of Paroo
State electorate(s) Warrego
Federal division(s) Maranoa
Suburbs around Coongoola:
Wyandra Wyandra Wyandra
Humeburn Coongoola Linden
Cunnamulla Cunnamulla Cunnamulla

Coongoola is a rural locality in the Shire of Paroo, Queensland, Australia. [2] In the 2021 census, Coongoola had a population of 16 people. [1]

Contents

Geography

The Mitchell Highway enters the locality from the north (Wyandra) and exits to the south (Cunnamulla). [3]

The Warrego River enters the locality from the north (Wynandra) and exits to the south-west (Cunnamulla). It is an intermittent braided river that contributes to the Murray Darling river system. [4]

The land use is grazing on native vegetation. [5]

History

The Western railway line opened to Cunnamulla in October 1898. [6] It passed through Coongoola with the locality served by (from north to south):

In September 1922, Coongoola was visited by many scientific teams as well as the public because it was particularly well-located to view the solar eclipse as it had the longest period of totality of the eclipse and, being a quiet place, had nothing to interfere with the viewing. [8] [9] [10] [11] However, its lack of facilities was noted: [12]

"Coongoola itself consists of a very small galvanized-iron railway station, and a small galvanized-iron hotel.  Nothing else is in view except the Longlands homestead, over 2 miles back along the rails.  Living accommodation of a homely character would be provided by Mrs. Kruck, landlady of the hotel, if reasonable notice is given.  There are several bedrooms, and other rooms which can be temporarily converted.  Altogether, arrangements can be made for 20 to 30 guests."

A special train service was provided from Charleville to Coongoola for those wishing to view the eclipse. [13]

On the day of the eclipse, the weather conditions at Coongoola were ideal for people to view and photograph the eclipse and to record scientific observations. [14]

Coongoola Provisional School opened on 22 June 1925. It became Coongoola State School in 1930. [15] It closed on 2 April 1931. [16] [17]

The railway line to Cunnamulla ceased operation in 1994. [18]

Demographics

In the 2016 census, Coongoola had a population of 10 people. [19]

In the 2021 census, Coongoola had a population of 16 people. [1]

Education

There are no schools in Coongoola. The nearest government primary schools are Cunnamulla State School in neighbouring Cunnamulla to south and Wyandra State School in neighbouring Wyandra to the north. The nearest government secondary school is Cunnamulla State School (to Year 12). However, some students in Coongoola may be too distant to attend these schools; the alternatives are distance education and boarding school. [20]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Coongoola (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  2. ↑ "Coongoola – locality in Shire of Paroo (entry 42651)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government . Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  3. ↑ "Layers: Locality; Road and rail; Railways; Railway stations". Queensland Globe. Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 19 December 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  4. ↑ "Layers: Locality; Mountains and ranges; Contours; Watercourses; Drainage boundaries". Queensland Globe. Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 19 December 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  5. ↑ "Layers: Locality; Protected areas and forests; Land use; Sugarcane areas". Queensland Globe. Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 19 December 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  6. ↑ "Cunnamulla Convivialities". The Charleville Times . No. 514. Queensland, Australia. 15 October 1898. p. 2. Retrieved 10 June 2025– via National Library of Australia.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 "Railway stations and sidings - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 2 October 2020. Archived from the original on 5 October 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  8. ↑ "ECLIPSE OF THE SUN". The Sydney Morning Herald . No. 25, 741. New South Wales, Australia. 6 July 1920. p. 6. Retrieved 12 June 2025– via National Library of Australia.
  9. ↑ "The Solar Eclipse of 1922". The Brisbane Courier . No. 19, 533. Queensland, Australia. 27 August 1920. p. 6. Retrieved 12 June 2025– via National Library of Australia.
  10. ↑ "The Eclipse". The Northern Miner . Queensland, Australia. 15 September 1922. p. 3. Retrieved 12 June 2025– via National Library of Australia.
  11. ↑ "PATH OF THE TOTAL ECLIPSE ACROSS AUSTRALIA". The Week . Vol. XCIV, no. 2, 436. Queensland, Australia. 1 September 1922. p. 20. Retrieved 12 June 2025– via National Library of Australia.
  12. ↑ "Total eclipse of the sun 1922 and 2012". State Library of Queensland. 8 November 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  13. ↑ "SOLAR ECLIPSE". The Brisbane Courier . No. 20, 163. Queensland, Australia. 5 September 1922. p. 8. Retrieved 12 June 2025– via National Library of Australia.
  14. ↑ "At Coongoola". The Telegraph . No. 15545. Queensland, Australia. 23 September 1922. p. 9 (SECOND EDITION). Retrieved 12 June 2025– via National Library of Australia.
  15. ↑ "State Schools Created". The Brisbane Courier . No. 22, 421. Queensland, Australia. 6 December 1929. p. 14. Retrieved 12 June 2025– via National Library of Australia.
  16. ↑ "Agency ID 8957, Coongoola State School". Queensland State Archives . Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  17. ↑ Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN   978-1-921171-26-0
  18. ↑ "Home". Cunnamulla All Aboard. Archived from the original on 21 April 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  19. ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Coongoola (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  20. ↑ "Layers: Locality; Schools and school catchments". Queensland Globe. Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 19 December 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
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