Wilston, Queensland

Wilston Brisbane,  Queensland
Wilston, 2015
Wilston
Coordinates	27°26′10″S153°01′00″E / 27.4361°S 153.0166°E / -27.4361; 153.0166 (Wilston (centre of suburb))
Population	4,110 (2021 census) [1]
• Density	2,940/km2 (7,600/sq mi)
Established	1880s
Postcode(s)	4051
Area	1.4 km2 (0.5 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	5.1 km (3 mi) N of Brisbane CBD
LGA(s)	City of Brisbane (Enoggera Ward) [2]
State electorate(s)	Stafford Clayfield
Federal division(s)	Brisbane
Suburbs around Wilston: Alderley Grange Lutwyche Newmarket Wilston Windsor Kelvin Grove Herston Bowen Hills

Wilston is a northern suburb in the City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. ^[3] In the 2021 census, Wilston had a population of 4,110 people. ^[1]

Geography

Wilston is located 5.1 kilometres (3.2 mi) by road north of the Brisbane CBD. ^[4] It has a mixture of old and new styles of architecture, from workers' cottages to modern architect-designed homes on Wilston Hill.^{[ citation needed ]}

Wilston is home to many professionals, including many medical professionals, due to its inner city location, proximity to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital and views of the city that are available from more elevated streets.^{[ citation needed ]}

In recent years, the area has been transformed by the revamping of Kedron Brook Road, an early precursor to the City Council's urban renewal process that was to roll out across much of inner Brisbane. This has seen a vibrant hub of al-fresco dining evolve, which in turn has increased the popularity of the area and led to a significant increase in the cost of housing in recent years.^{[ citation needed ]}

Residents are also well serviced by public transport (Wilston train station and regular bus routes) and leisure parks and walkways running alongside Enoggera Creek. The area is also close to local sporting grounds such as Downey Park and Ballymore Stadium.^{[ citation needed ]}

History

The Turrbal clan occupied what is today known as Wilston.^{[ citation needed ]}

Wilston House, 2015

The area became known as Wilston after the home of the same name built there by the Honourable William Wilson MLC, who settled in the district in 1868. The home, which was constructed circa 1876, was named Wilston House after Wilson's birthplace home at Derrykeeghan Mills, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Ireland. ^[3] The family believes it is short for Wilson Town.^{[ citation needed ]}

In 1884, the land passed to businessman John Stevenson MLA, who subdivided the property.^{[ citation needed ]}

On Sunday 10 August 1913, a stump-capping ceremony was held for the new Wilston Methodist Church. ^[5] The official opening was held on Sunday 26 October 1913. ^{[6] [7]}

Oakleigh House, 2011

Oakleigh House, at 17 Murray Street, Wilston, has been a landmark for over fifty years. It was occupied, from 1902, by George Murray, a Brisbane police magistrate and postmaster. It is a colonial timber house which still stands proudly preserved today.^{[ citation needed ]}

29 Murray Street (as a private home in 2011)

In 1905, 29 Murray Street was built for the Zoeller family. The house became a reception centre in June 1948, and was the venue for over 25,000 wedding and other receptions until in 1990, 'Oakleigh' was also converted to a function venue, and both houses operated as such until 1995.^{[ citation needed ]}

Between 1924 and 1931, estates were created to provide more land for housing development.^{[ citation needed ]}

Demographics

In the 2011 census, Wilston had a population of 3,872 people, 50.1% female and 49.9% male. The median age of the Wilston population was 35 years, 2 years below the Australian median. 76% of people living in Wilston were born in Australia, compared to the national average of 69.8%; the next most common countries of birth were England 4.5%, New Zealand 3.2%, Italy 1.3%, India 1.1%, South Africa 0.7%. 87.4% of people spoke only English at home; the next most common languages were 1.9% Italian, 0.6% German, 0.6% Cantonese, 0.6% Mandarin, 0.5% Punjabi. ^[8]

In the 2016 census, Wilston had a population of 3,937 people. ^[9]

In the 2021 census, Wilston had a population of 4,110 people. ^[1]

Heritage listings

Wilston State School is one of two schools in the area

Heritage-listed sites in Wilston include:

• Uanda (house), 27 Clifton Street ^[10]
• Wilston Methodist Memorial Church, 181 Kedron Brook Road ( 27°25′43″S153°01′08″E / 27.4285°S 153.0189°E / -27.4285; 153.0189 (Wilston Methodist Memorial Church) ) ^[11]
• Wilston State School, Primrose Street (now in Grange) ^[12]

Education

St Columba's Primary School is a Catholic primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at Kedron Brook Road ( 27°25′44″S153°01′07″E / 27.4289°S 153.0185°E / -27.4289; 153.0185 (St Columba's Primary School) ). ^{[13] [14]} In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 593 students with 43 teachers (34 full-time equivalent) and 35 non-teaching staff (20 full-time equivalent). ^[15]

There are no government schools in Wilston. The nearest government primary school is Wilston State School, which, despite its name, is within the neighbouring suburb of Grange to the north. The nearest government secondary school is Kelvin Grove State College in neighbouring Kelvin Grove to the south-west and Kedron State High School in Kedron to the north-east. ^[16]

Sporting clubs

Sporting clubs in the area include the 100+ year old Grange Thistle Football Club ^[17] (GTFC, which also incorporates the Grange Bowls Club), Wilston Norths Junior Cricket Club, ^[18] Wilston Grange Australian Football Club, ^[19] Fortitude Valley Rugby League Football Club ^[20] and St Andrews Ladies Hockey Club. ^[21]

Other clubs include DAT Racing (triathlon), ^[22] Wilston Crocs (swimming club), ^[23] and Lococo Tennis. ^[24]

The nearby Grange Club (Grange Bowls and Community Club Inc.) has represented the suburb in lawn bowls for 70 years. ^[25]

Retail business

Wilston Village in Kedron Brook Road is the main retail area. ^[26] Local stores in the area are supplemented by larger centres at HomeZone at Windsor, ^[27]

Lutwyche Shopping Centre and slightly further away at Stafford and Brookside.^{[ citation needed ]}

Transport

Wilston railway station provides access to regular Queensland Rail Citytrain network services to Ferny Grove, Brisbane and Beenleigh.^{[ citation needed ]}

Parks

There are a number of parks in the suburb, including:

• Eildon Hill Reserve ( 27°25′51″S153°01′24″E / 27.4308°S 153.0233°E / -27.4308; 153.0233 (Eildon Hill Reserve) ) ^[28]
• Finsbury Park ( 27°26′24″S153°00′53″E / 27.4401°S 153.0147°E / -27.4401; 153.0147 (Finsbury Park) ) ^[28]

• Hinkler Park ( 27°25′56″S153°01′26″E / 27.4321°S 153.0239°E / -27.4321; 153.0239 (Hinkler Park) ) ^[28]

• Langley Avenue Park ( 27°26′26″S153°01′07″E / 27.4406°S 153.0185°E / -27.4406; 153.0185 (Langley Avenue Park) ) ^[28]

• Ruby Robinson Reserve ( 27°26′30″S153°01′18″E / 27.4417°S 153.0216°E / -27.4417; 153.0216 (Ruby Robinson Reserve) ) ^[28]

• Wilston Place Park ( 27°26′07″S153°01′11″E / 27.4352°S 153.0198°E / -27.4352; 153.0198 (Wilston Place Park) ) ^[28]

• Wilston Recreation Reserve ( 27°26′28″S153°00′46″E / 27.4412°S 153.0127°E / -27.4412; 153.0127 (Wilston Recreation Reserve) ) ^[28]

Notable residents

James Tolson, a short-term resident of Wilston House, conducted important experiments in chilling mutton for export from Australia to Great Britain.^{[ citation needed ]}

Major General William Cahill, a commissioner of police in Queensland, also lived at Wilston House for a period. During his residence he further developed the grounds, which became known as a sanctuary for birds and native fauna.^{[ citation needed ]}

Peter Beattie, the former Premier of Queensland, previously resided in this suburb.^{[ citation needed ]}

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Wilston (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
2. "Enoggera Ward". Brisbane City Council. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
3. "Wilston – suburb in City of Brisbane (entry 50206)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government . Retrieved 6 March 2022.
4. Google (25 May 2022). "Brisbane GPO to Wilston" (Map). Google Maps . Google. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
5. "The Brisbane Courier. MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 1918". The Brisbane Courier . No. 17, 340. Queensland, Australia. 11 August 1913. p. 4. Archived from the original on 18 May 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2021– via National Library of Australia.
6. "WILSTON METHODIST CHURCH". The Telegraph . No. 12, 772. Queensland, Australia. 25 October 1913. p. 9. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2021– via National Library of Australia.
7. "WILSTON METHODIST CHURCH". Daily Standard . No. 272. Queensland, Australia. 27 October 1913. p. 5 (SECOND EDITION). Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2021– via National Library of Australia.
8. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Wilston (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
9. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Wilston (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
10. "Uanda (entry 601156)". Queensland Heritage Register . Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
11. "Wilston Methodist Memorial Church (former) (entry 650239)". Queensland Heritage Register . Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
12. "602855". Queensland Heritage Register . Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
13. "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
14. "St Columba's Primary School Wilston". St Columba's Primary School Wilston. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
15. "ACARA School Profile 2018". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
16. "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland . Retrieved 25 May 2022.
17. "Grange Thistle Soccer Club". Archived from the original on 12 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
18. "Wilston Norths Junior Cricket Club". Wilston-Norths Junior Cricket Club. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
19. "Wilston Grange Australian Football Club – Home". Gorillas.com.au. Archived from the original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
20. "Club News – Fortitude Valley RLFC – Jnr Div Inc. – FOX SPORTS PULSE". SportingPulse. Archived from the original on 13 August 2013. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
21. "Brisbane Women's Hockey – St Andrews Ladies Hockey Association". Standrewshockey.com. Archived from the original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
22. "Dan Atkins – The life of a High Performance Coach". first off the bike. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
23. "Come and swim with the 'Crocs'". Wilston State School Amateur Swim Club. Archived from the original on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
24. "Lococo Tennis". Lococotennis.com.au. Archived from the original on 13 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
25. "BOWLS". grangethistle. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
26. "Local Attractions". Number38 Wilston Village. Archived from the original on 3 January 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
27. "Welcome to Homezone Windsor". Homezone Windsor. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
28. "Land for public recreation - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 20 November 2020. Archived from the original on 22 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.

External links

• University of Queensland: Queensland Places: Wilston
• "Wilston". BRISbites. Brisbane City Council. Archived from the original on 23 July 2008.
• "Wilston". Our Brisbane. Brisbane City Council. Archived from the original on 5 February 2008.