Howard, Queensland

Howard Queensland
Post office at Howard in 2008, which in 2021-2024 was a cafe.
Howard
Coordinates	25°19′05″S152°33′33″E / 25.3180°S 152.5591°E / -25.3180; 152.5591 (Howard (town centre))
Population	1,394 (2021 census) [1]
• Density	30.37/km2 (78.66/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4659
Area	45.9 km2 (17.7 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	37 km (23 mi) W of Hervey Bay 284 km (176 mi) N of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Fraser Coast Region
State electorate(s)	Maryborough
Federal division(s)	Hinkler
Localities around Howard: Cherwell Pacific Haven Burrum River Cherwell Howard Burrum Town Duckinwilla Duckinwilla Torbanlea

Howard is a rural town and locality in the Fraser Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. ^{[2] [3]} It is a southern boundary of the Dundaburra peoples of the Northern Kabi Kabi Isis districts and surrounds. It is located 284 kilometres (176 mi) north of Brisbane and 37 kilometres (23 mi) west of Hervey Bay. In the 2021 census, the locality of Howard had a population of 1,394 people. ^[1]

Geography

Torbanlea is on the east side of the Burrum River and Howard on the west side of the Burrum River. The distance between the towns is 5.1 kilometres (3.2 miles), and they were known as twin towns.^{[ citation needed ]}

Maria Creek runs through the town and discharges into the Burrum River downstream of the Howard boat ramp.

The Bruce Highway passes through the locality in an east–west direction skirting the edge of the town. Queensland's North Coast railway line passes in a NW-SE direction through the town centre. The main streets of Howard are Steley and William. ^[4]

History

The town was originally known as Steley (after Abel Steley) but was renamed after William Howard, a pioneer in coal mining in the Burrum area. ^{[2] [5] [6]}

Abel Steley commenced coal mining in the area in 1856. After a series of setbacks, he eventually established the successful Beauford Colliery and the Queensland Collieries Company. ^[7]

In 1877 George Howard and his son William established the Howard Colliery. ^[8]

From the 1860s the coal from the Burrum coalfields was transported to the port at Maryborough for loading onto boats. ^[9] From 1877 the 44-ton stern-wheel steamer Barbara and Jane commenced navigating the Burrum River to transprt the coal to Maryborough. ^[10] In 1883 the railway line from Maryborough to the Burrum River opened, and was known as the Burrum line. However until the railway bridge was opened in April 1884, the coal could not be transported by this means. ^{[11] [12] [13]} In the early 1900s various plans were mooted to move the coal, either through a proposed port at the mouth of the Burrum River, or through the deep water port at Urangan. Burrum coalfields coal supplied the Howard power station which operated from 1951 to 1980. ^{[14] [15]}

The first Burrum Post Office opened on 22 July 1878 and was renamed Howard in 1883. ^[16]

Burrum Provisional School opened on 18 February 1879. On 3 October 1884, it was renamed Howard State School. ^[17]

St Matthew's Anglican Church was opened on 3 October 1883 by Bishop Matthew Hale. It was built on 1 acre (0.40 ha) of land donated by the Queensland Land and Coal Company. ^[18] It was made of hardwood and was 40 by 23 feet (12.2 by 7.0 m) with walls 15 feet (4.6 m) high, capable of holding 200 people. A new church was dedicated on 29 October 1913 by Archbishop St Clair Donaldson and the old church became the church hall. ^[19] During World War II the hall was used as a field hospital. Its closure circa 2017 was approved by Bishop Jeremy Greaves. ^{[20] [21]} The church and hall are at 11 William Street on the south-west corner with Diamantina Drive ( 25°18′49″S152°33′57″E / 25.3136°S 152.5659°E / -25.3136; 152.5659 (St Matthew's Anglican Church) ). ^[22]

Burrum River Railway Bridge. 1920

On Sunday 30 March 1884 a Primitive Methodist Church was opened in Howard. ^{[23] [24]} With the amalgamation of the various Methodist denominations c 1900, it became the Howard Methodist Church and with the amalgamation of the Methodist Church into the Uniting Church in Australia in 1977, it became the Howard Uniting Church. ^{[25] [26]}

The 140th anniversary of the Howard Uniting Church and also VanCootens Grocery, Hardware & Stockfeed was celebrated with a Community Day on 7 September 2024. ^[27]

Howard was the seat of the Howard Division (1900–1903) and its successor Shire of Howard (1903–1917). ^[28]

Howard War Memorial

The Howard War Memorial was unveiled by Colin Rankin on 17 December 1921. Unusually for an Australian war memorial, the statue was made in Italy and depicts a soldier in Italian uniform. ^[29]

In May 1984, the Bruce Highway bypass was opened. Previously the highway had run through the town on Robertson Street. Neighbouring Torbanlea was also bypassed as part of same project. ^[30]

The Howard Library opened in 2000 and underwent a major refurbishment in 2014. ^[31]

The historic wooden foot bridge over the railway line in Steley Street near the C.W.A Hall was demolished in 2016 as it became too expensive to maintain. It was a popular spot for photographing trains traveling north or south.^{[ citation needed ]}

Demographics

In the 2011 census, the locality of Howard had a population of 1,364 people. ^[32]

In the 2016 census, the locality of Howard had a population of 1,359 people. ^[33]

In the 2021 census, the locality of Howard had a population of 1,394 people. ^[1]

Heritage listings

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

• William Street ( 25°19′03″S152°33′45″E / 25.3176°S 152.5624°E / -25.3176; 152.5624 (Howard War Memorial) ): Howard War Memorial ^[34]
• 23 William Street ( 25°18′50″S152°33′55″E / 25.3140°S 152.5652°E / -25.3140; 152.5652 (Brooklyn House) ): Brooklyn House ^[35]

Education

Howard State School is a government primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at 108 William Street ( 25°19′19″S152°33′28″E / 25.3219°S 152.5578°E / -25.3219; 152.5578 (Howard State School) ). ^{[36] [37]} In 2012 the school had an enrolment of 177 students with 12 teachers (11.3 full-time equivalent). ^{[38] [39]} In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 108 students with 8 teachers (7 full-time equivalent) and 8 non-teaching staff (5 full-time equivalent). ^[40]

There is no secondary school in Howard; the nearest are in Childers to the north-west, Hervey Bay to the east and Maryborough to the south.

Amenities

Queensland Country Womens Association Hall, Howard, with a Walk of Achievers steel planter box in front. 2024

Steley Street contains the skatepark, children's playground, kindergarten, respite centre, and Men's Shed, located on the southern side of the William Sreet intersection, as is the Howard Sawmill (producers of kiln dried Queensland hardwood). The drapery and patchwork store, hairdresser, grocery and hardware store are on the northern side, as is the QCWA hall ( 25°19′00″S152°33′42″E / 25.3167°S 152.5616°E / -25.3167; 152.5616 (Queensland Country Women's Association) ). ^[41]

A 48-hour stop over for RVs is located in Steley Street opposite the Community Centre and the Howard Sub Branch of the RSL.^{[ citation needed ]}

Howard Railway Station ( 25°19′05″S152°33′50″E / 25.3181°S 0152.5639°E / -25.3181; 0152.5639 (Howard railway station) ) is also on Steley Sreet, and the Spirit of Queensland and the Tilt train operate from this station if a reservation has been pre-booked. ^{[42] [43]}

The Fraser Coast Regional Council operates a public library at 56 Steley Street ( 25°19′07″S152°33′45″E / 25.3186°S 152.562558°E / -25.3186; 152.562558 (Howard Library) ). ^{[44] [45]}

William Street consists of a licensed post office ^[46] , milk bar, butcher, bakery, pharmacy, hotel, bottle shop, newsagency, IGA supermarket, veterinary clinic, doctor and several real estate agents.^{[ citation needed ]} The Howard Police Station is at 98 William Street ( 25°19′16″S152°33′31″E / 25.3210°S 152.5587°E / -25.3210; 152.5587 (Howard Police Station) ), and Howard Ambulance Station is at 36 Thomas Street ( 25°19′17″S152°33′36″E / 25.3213°S 152.5600°E / -25.3213; 152.5600 (Howard Ambulance Station) ). ^{[47] [48]}

Howard/Torbanlea Uniting Church is in Coal Street ( 25°18′59″S152°33′29″E / 25.3163°S 152.5581°E / -25.3163; 152.5581 (Howard Uniting Church) ). ^{[49] [50] [25]} It is part of the Mary Burnett Presbytery of the Uniting Church in Australia. ^[51]

The Burrum District Golf Club is at 14 Gregory Street ( 25°18′41″S152°34′03″E / 25.3114°S 152.5674°E / -25.3114; 152.5674 (Burrum District Golf Course) .^{[ citation needed ]}

The Bowls Club is located at Torbanlea.^{[ citation needed ]}

The Howard public boat ramp is managed by Fraser Coast Regional Council and located on the Burrum River at Powerhouse Road, Howard ( 25°19′19″S152°34′52″E / 25.3219°S 152.5811°E / -25.3219; 152.5811 (Howard public boat ramp) ).

Attractions

A walk around the streets of Howard will reveal information boards about the War Memorial, mining history and the naming of both Bellert Park and the Tom & Minnie Young Memorial Hall. ^[52]

The Burrum District Museum is open Tuesday and Wednesday 9am – 12 noon, and Saturdays 8am – 12noon. ^{[53] [54]}

Brooklyn House is at 23 William Street, Howard and is open Thursday to Sunday, 10am – 3pm. ^[55]

Walk of Achievers steel planter box in the shape of a coal bucket in Howard, Queensland. 2024

The Walk of Achievers honours fourteen former residents. ^[56]

Burrum Coal Discovery Festival (Coalfest) is held annually in July. ^{[57] [58]}

The Howard Country Market is held on the first Saturday of every month except January at the community centre. This market is the largest on the Fraser Coast with well over 100 stalls selling a huge variety of goods. ^[59]

Notable residents

• Andrew Fisher, first Federal Member for the electorate of Wide Bay and second Labor Prime Minister of Australia. The house he built and lived in still stands.
• Annabelle Rankin, the first woman from Queensland to sit in the Parliament of Australia, the first woman to have a federal portfolio and the first woman to be appointed head of a foreign mission. She lived in Brooklyn House.
• Colin Rankin, chairman of the Shire of Howard, member for Burrum in the Queensland Legislative Assembly. He lived in Brooklyn House.
• Eric Harris (rugby league), Rugby league player who played for Toowoomba, Wests Brisbane, Queensland and Leeds in England.

Notes and references

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Howard (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
2. "Howard – town in Fraser Coast Region (entry 16363)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government . Retrieved 15 May 2020.
3. "Howard – locality in Fraser Coast Region (entry 50251)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government . Retrieved 15 May 2020.
4. "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland . Retrieved 13 November 2018.
5. "Howard, William 1838 – 1930". Burrum Mining Museum. 22 June 2020. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
6. "THE BURRUM COALFIELD". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser . No. 2401. Queensland, Australia. 13 January 1880. p. 3. Archived from the original on 5 September 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020– via National Library of Australia.
7. "THE LATE MRS. STELEY, OF HOWARD". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser . No. 9906. Queensland, Australia. 3 September 1904. p. 2. Archived from the original on 5 September 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020– via National Library of Australia.
8. "Opening of the "Howard" Colliery on the Burrum River". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser . No. 1936. Queensland, Australia. 13 January 1877. p. 2. Archived from the original on 5 September 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020– via National Library of Australia.
9. "CORRESPONDENCE". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay And Burnett Advertiser . Vol. VI, no. 406. Queensland, Australia. 15 September 1866. p. 3. Retrieved 19 September 2024– via National Library of Australia.
10. "(From the Courier.)". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay And Burnett Advertiser . No. 2032. Queensland, Australia. 28 August 1877. p. 2. Retrieved 19 September 2024– via National Library of Australia.
11. "LOCAL NEWS". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay And Burnett Advertiser . No. 3, 334. Queensland, Australia. 22 March 1884. p. 2. Retrieved 20 September 2024– via National Library of Australia.
12. "Roundabout". Queensland Figaro . Queensland, Australia. 7 April 1883. p. 9. Retrieved 19 September 2024– via National Library of Australia.
13. "LOCAL NEWS". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay And Burnett Advertiser . No. 3, 346. Queensland, Australia. 5 April 1884. p. 2. Retrieved 20 September 2024– via National Library of Australia.
14. "GENERAL NEWS". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay And Burnett Advertiser . No. 8, 675. Queensland, Australia. 31 August 1900. p. 2. Retrieved 18 September 2024– via National Library of Australia.
15. "Howard | Queensland Places". www.queenslandplaces.com.au. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
16. Phoenix Auctions History. "Post Office List". Phoenix Auctions. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
17. "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government . Retrieved 2 June 2014.
    - "Agency ID 5320, Howard State School". Queensland State Archives . Retrieved 3 June 2014.
18. "BISHOP HALE'S VISIT". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser . No. 3, 192. Queensland, Australia. 6 October 1883. p. 3. Archived from the original on 5 September 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020– via National Library of Australia.
19. "HOWARD". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser . No. 12, 636. Queensland, Australia. 3 November 1913. p. 6. Archived from the original on 5 September 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2020– via National Library of Australia.
20. Anglican Church of Southern Queensland. "Closed Churches". Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
21. RosieJay (20 July 2015). "Historic St Matthew's Church facing closure". Fraser Coast Chronicle . Archived from the original on 2 July 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
22. "St Matthew's Anglican Church and Hall, 11 William Street, Howard (Street View)" (Map). Google Maps . Retrieved 3 July 2020.
23. "LOCAL NEWS". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser . No. 3, 338. Queensland, Australia. 27 March 1884. p. 2. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021– via National Library of Australia.
24. "HOWARD". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser . No. 3, 344. Queensland, Australia. 3 April 1884. p. 3. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021– via National Library of Australia.
25. "Howard Uniting Church". Churches Australia. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
26. Blake, Thom. "Howard Primitive Methodist Church". Queensland religious places database. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
27. "Home page". VanCootens Est. 1884. 2024. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
28. "Agency ID 955, Howard Divisional Board". Queensland State Archives . Retrieved 17 September 2013.
    - "Agency ID 956, Howard Shire Council". Queensland State Archives . Retrieved 17 September 2013.
29. "Howard and Burrum District War Memorial". Monument Australia. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
30. "Burrum and District Museum". Australian Museums and Galleries. Archived from the original on 13 November 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
31. "Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-17" (PDF). Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. November 2017. p. 13. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
32. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Howard (SSC)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
33. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Howard (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
34. "Howard War Memorial (entry 600545)". Queensland Heritage Register . Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
35. "Brooklyn House" (PDF). Local Heritage Register]. Fraser Coast Regional Council . Retrieved 18 September 2013.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
36. "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
37. "Howard State School". Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
38. "Queensland State and Non-State Schools". Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
39. "2012 School Annual Report" (PDF). Howard State School. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 June 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
40. "ACARA School Profile 2018". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
41. "Branch Locations". Queensland Country Women's Association. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
42. "Howard – Railway station in the Fraser Coast Region (entry 16365)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government . Retrieved 3 July 2020.
43. "Find your station". www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
44. "Howard Library". Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. 19 August 2016. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
45. "Howard Library renovations to shine at Garden Party". Fraser Coast Regional Council. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
46. "Find a Post Office, street posting box, Parcel Locker or Parcel Collect location". auspost.com.au. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
47. "Stations". www.police.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
48. "Howard Ambulance Station - 36 Thomas Street, Howard | Reviews, Phones & Addresses". howard-qld.place-advisor.com. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
49. "Find a Church". Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
50. "Howard/Torbanlea – Hervey Bay Uniting Church". Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
51. "Queensland congregations and faith communities" (PDF). Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod . March 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
52. "Tom & Minnie Young | Monument Australia". monumentaustralia.org.au. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
53. "The Burrum District Museum, Howard". Fraser Coast Attractions :: Action, Adventure, Heritage, Fun!. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
54. Council, Fraser Coast Regional. "Burgowan boilers to promote Howard's coal history". Fraser Coast Regional Council. Archived from the original on 18 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
55. "Brooklyn House, Howard". Fraser Coast Attractions :: Action, Adventure, Heritage, Fun!. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
56. "Howard, Fraser Coast Hinterland". Fraser Coast Attractions :: Action, Adventure, Heritage, Fun!. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
57. "Howard, Fraser Coast Hinterland". Fraser Coast Attractions :: Action, Adventure, Heritage, Fun!. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
58. Council, Fraser Coast Regional. "Coalfest 2024". Fraser Coast Regional Council. Archived from the original on 18 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
59. "Country Markets – Howard Community Centre". Archived from the original on 18 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.

External links

• "Howard". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland.
• "Town map of Howard". Queensland Government. 1983. Archived from the original on 2 July 2020.
• Burrum River and Howard community website