| Ficks Crossing Queensland | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  Ficks Crossing | |||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 26°15′54″S151°53′34″E / 26.265°S 151.8927°E | ||||||||||||||
| Population | 39 (2021 census) [1] | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 2.81/km2 (7.27/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4606 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 13.9 km2 (5.4 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | South Burnett Region | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Nanango | ||||||||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Flynn | ||||||||||||||
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Ficks Crossing is a rural locality in the South Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia. [2] In the 2021 census, Ficks Crossing had a population of 39 people. [1]
Barambah Creek loosely bounds the locality to the north-east and east, while its tribuatary Yellow Waterhole Creek loosely bounds the locality to the south-east. [3]
The Bunya Highway enters the locality from the north-east (Murgon), crossing Barambah Creek on the John Krebs Bridge ( 26°14′29″S151°53′39″E / 26.24149°S 151.89428°E ), [4] and exits to the west (Wondai). [5]
The land use is predominantly grazing on native vegetation. [6]
The locality presumably takes its name from the Ficks Crossing ford over Barambah Creek ( 26°15′54″S151°53′34″E / 26.26500°S 151.89278°E ). The low-level bridge was constructed over the creek at the crossing in 1917. [7] The approaches to the bridge were carried away by flood water in 1923. [8] In 1935, ongoing problems with the low-level bridge resulted in a request to the Queensland Government to build a high-level bridge. [9] A weir for irrigation just upstream of the crossing was also proposed. [10] [11]
Ficks Crossing National Fitness Camp operated at 47 Ficks Crossing Road from 1980 to 2008. [12]
The Silver Lining School in Ficks Crossing was established in 2019 with a program for young men. In 2021, a program for young women was introduced. [13]
In the 2016 census, Ficks Crossing had a population of 37 people. [14]
In the 2021 census, Ficks Crossing had a population of 39 people. [1]
Silver Lining School is a private secondary school for boys and girls at 14722 Bunya Highway ( 26°15′38″S151°53′17″E / 26.26060°S 151.88799°E ). It is operated by the Silver Lining Foundation, an organisation dedicated to the education and training of Indigenous young people who suffer from social disadvantage to give them a sense of purpose. [15] The school draws most of its students from neighbouring Cherbourg. In 2022, the school had 22 students in the young men's program and 13 students in the young women's program. [16] [17]
The nearest government primary schools are Wheatlands State School in neighbouring Wheatlands to the north-west, Murgon State School in neighbouring Murgon to the east, and Wondai State School in neighbouring Wondai to the south-west. The nearest government secondary schools are Wondai State School (to Year 9) and Murgon State High School (to Year 12), also in Murgon. [18]
There is a waterhole on Barambah Creek offering opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and picnics. It is accessed from Ficks Crossing Road ( 26°15′12″S151°53′33″E / 26.25332°S 151.89263°E ). [19]
