Collinsville, Queensland

Collinsville Queensland
Collinsville, May 2018
Collinsville
Coordinates	20.5526°S 147.8452°E / -20.5526; 147.8452 (Collinsville (town centre))
Population	1,496 (2021 census)[1]
• Density	53.62/km^2 (138.88/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4804
Elevation	187 m (614 ft)[2]
Area	27.9 km^2 (10.8 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	1,140 km (708 mi) NW of Brisbane 273 km (170 mi) NW of Mackay 88 km (55 mi) S of Bowen
LGA(s)	Whitsunday Region
State electorate(s)	Burdekin
Federal division(s)	Capricornia
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 30.2 °C 86 °F 16.4 °C 62 °F 704.7 mm 27.7 in
Localities around Collinsville: Springlands Springlands Springlands Springlands Collinsville Springlands Springlands Scottville Springlands

Collinsville is a rural town and locality in the Whitsunday Region, Queensland, Australia.^[3][4] In the 2021 census, the locality of Collinsville had a population of 1,496 people.^[1]

Geography

Collinsville is in the coal-rich Bowen Basin region of Central Queensland, 1,245 kilometres (774 mi) north of Brisbane and 87 kilometres (54 mi) south-west of the coastal town of Bowen. The Bowen Developmental Road passes through the town connecting with Bowen to the north-east and the Gregory Highway at Belyando Crossing to the south-west.

The Newlands railway system passes through Collinsville serving local mines. The line passes through the town itself but the Collinsville railway station is only a siding near the junction of Station Street and Railway Road (20.5571°S 147.8516°E / -20.5571; 147.8516 (Collinsville railway station)).^[5]

Climate

Climate data for Collinsville, Queensland (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1955–present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	44.0 (111.2)	43.3 (109.9)	40.7 (105.3)	36.9 (98.4)	34.7 (94.5)	32.8 (91.0)	32.0 (89.6)	34.2 (93.6)	36.6 (97.9)	39.9 (103.8)	41.9 (107.4)	42.2 (108.0)	44.0 (111.2)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	33.8 (92.8)	33.2 (91.8)	32.5 (90.5)	30.7 (87.3)	27.9 (82.2)	25.6 (78.1)	25.6 (78.1)	27.2 (81.0)	30.3 (86.5)	32.6 (90.7)	33.9 (93.0)	34.6 (94.3)	30.7 (87.3)
Daily mean °C (°F)	28.1 (82.6)	27.7 (81.9)	26.4 (79.5)	24.0 (75.2)	21.0 (69.8)	18.4 (65.1)	17.7 (63.9)	19.0 (66.2)	22.3 (72.1)	25.1 (77.2)	26.9 (80.4)	28.2 (82.8)	23.7 (74.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	22.3 (72.1)	22.3 (72.1)	20.3 (68.5)	17.4 (63.3)	14.0 (57.2)	11.2 (52.2)	9.7 (49.5)	10.9 (51.6)	14.2 (57.6)	17.7 (63.9)	20.0 (68.0)	21.8 (71.2)	16.8 (62.2)
Record low °C (°F)	15.0 (59.0)	15.6 (60.1)	10.2 (50.4)	6.6 (43.9)	1.7 (35.1)	−1.1 (30.0)	−1.0 (30.2)	−1.1 (30.0)	2.2 (36.0)	7.3 (45.1)	12.8 (55.0)	14.3 (57.7)	−1.1 (30.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	137.7 (5.42)	163.1 (6.42)	72.6 (2.86)	32.4 (1.28)	27.2 (1.07)	25.2 (0.99)	13.6 (0.54)	20.2 (0.80)	13.2 (0.52)	21.2 (0.83)	42.5 (1.67)	96.0 (3.78)	664.9 (26.18)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)	8.7	10.5	5.9	3.4	2.6	2.7	1.1	1.5	1.4	2.3	3.7	6.5	50.3
Average dew point °C (°F)	20.4 (68.7)	21.0 (69.8)	19.5 (67.1)	17.0 (62.6)	14.1 (57.4)	11.5 (52.7)	9.9 (49.8)	10.3 (50.5)	12.9 (55.2)	15.2 (59.4)	17.1 (62.8)	19.0 (66.2)	15.7 (60.3)
Source 1: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration[6]
Source 2: Bureau of Meteorology[7]

History

Biri (Birri) is an Aboriginal language of Central Queensland and North Queensland. Biri refers to a language chain extending from Central Queensland towards Townsville and is often used as a universal name for other languages and/or dialects across the region. The language area includes the towns of Bowen, Ayr, Collinsville and Nebo.^[8]

European settlement of the region began in 1861 with the opening of the lands to pastoralists, with some cattle stations still in operation.

Coal was discovered in 1866 but it was not until 1912 that large-scale mining operations commenced.

The town was originally known as Moongunya, an aboriginal word that roughly translates to place of coal.^[3] On 20 September 1921 it was officially renamed Collinsville after Charles Collins who was the Labor Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Bowen from 1915 to 1936.^[3]

Collinsville State School opened on 27 June 1921.^[9]

Collinsville Post Office opened on 21 May 1923 (a receiving office had been open from 1922).^[10]

The foundation stone of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church was laid on Sunday 3 April 1927 by Reverend Father Eveney.^[11] On Sunday 17 July 1927 Bishop Joseph Shiel officially opened the church in the presence of many people, including almost 500 people who had travelled from Bowen on a special train arranged for the occasion accompanied by the Bowen Brass Band.^[12]

Methodist services were being held in Collinsville by the Methodist minister based in Bowen since at least 1935.^[13] In December 1946 tenders were called to erect a Methodist church in Sonoma Street.^[14] In 1947 the foundation stone for the Collinsville Methodist Church was laid. On 7 February 1948 the church was officially opened. When the Methodist Church amalgamated into the Uniting Church in Australia in 1977, it became the Collinsville Uniting Church.^[15]

The St John Bosco Catholic School was established in 1936 under the Sisters of Mercy. The school is named after Saint John Bosco, a Roman Catholic priest who devoted himself to the betterment of children through love and education.^[16]

On 13 October 1954, seven men were killed in the deepest part of the Collinsville State Coal Mine about 1.5 kilometres from the entrance of the No. 1 tunnel, when an outburst dislodged 900 tonnes of earth.^[17] The Collinsville mine disaster was the largest loss of life in a Queensland mine since the Mount Mulligan mine disaster in 1921.^[18]

Collinsville State High School opened on 28 January 1986.^[9]

Demographics

In the 2011 census, the locality of Collinsville had a population of 1,501 people,^[19] which declined to 1,248 in the 2016 census,^[20] before rebounding to 1,496 in the 2021 census.^[1]

Heritage listings

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

• Collinsville Cemetery, Collinsville-Scottville Road^[21]
• Bowen River Hotel, Strathbowen-Leichhardt Range Road^[22]

Economy

The town is home to a number of coal mines. This includes the Collinsville coal mine and the Sonoma Mine. These provide significant employment to the town and surrounding areas.

The town is expected to grow further with the development of more mining related projects, and green energy such as solar power is shaping up to be an important job creating industry for Collinsville.^{[citation needed]}

It is also hoped that a new connecting road, leading to Proserpine, will be built. This will enable faster travel between the town and the coastal plain, and will also open up new opportunities for land development and export.^[23]

Facilities

Facilities in Collinsville include a district hospital, a pharmacy, a newsagent, a bakery, two fuel stations, two medium size grocery stores, two places to buy clothing and a hardware shop.^{[citation needed]}

Amenities

The Whitsunday Regional Council operates the Collinsville Library, located on 37 Conway Street, Collinsville.^[24] It was opened in 1982.^[25]

The Collinsville branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at 33 Conway Street.^[26]

There are four churches: Catholic, Anglican, Uniting, and Assembly of God. Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church is at 28 Stanley Street (20.5542°S 147.8452°E / -20.5542; 147.8452 (Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church)).^[27] Collinsville Uniting Church is at 33 Sonoma Street (corner of Conway Street, 20.5529°S 147.8428°E / -20.5529; 147.8428 (Collinsville Uniting Church)).^[28][29][30]

Sporting facilities include a golf course, rugby league grounds, tennis courts, a public swimming pool, squash courts, and lawn bowls.

Education

Collinsville has two primary schools, Collinsville State School and St John Bosco's Catholic Primary School, and a State High School.^[31] In 2014, the Collinsville State School had an enrolment of 42 students with 4 teachers.^[32] In 2014, the Collinsville State High School had an enrolment of 77 students with 12 teachers (11 full-time equivalent).^[33] In 2016, St John Bosco's Catholic Primary School had an enrolment of 50 students.^[34]

Attractions

A recreational vehicle park has been built offering 72-hour free stays for recreational vehicles and campervans.^[35]

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Collinsville (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
2. Bureau of Meteorology Archived 12 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine - Retrieved on 27 January 2008
3. "Collinsville – town in Whitsunday Region (entry 7762)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
4. "Collinsville – locality in Whitsunday Region (entry 46859)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
5. "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
6. "COLLINSVILLE Climate Normals for 1991-2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
7. "Climate statistics for Australian locations". Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
8. "Indigenous languages map of Queensland". State Library of Queensland. 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
9. "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
10. Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Archived from the original on 15 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
11. "COLLINSVILLE'S NEW CHURCH". The Catholic Advocate. Vol. XV, no. 827. Queensland, Australia. 14 April 1927. p. 36. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
12. "COLLINSVILLE NOTES AND COMMENTS". Bowen Independent. Vol. 23, no. 1887. Queensland, Australia. 23 July 1927. p. 3. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
13. "PERSONAL". Bowen Independent. Vol. 31, no. 2724. Queensland, Australia. 27 March 1935. p. 2. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
14. "COLLINSVILLE AREA". Townsville Daily Bulletin. Vol. LXVII. Queensland, Australia. 30 December 1946. p. 6. Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
15. "Collinsville Memoirs Online". www.memoirs-online.com.au. Archived from the original on 7 April 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
16. "Overview". St John Bosco School. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
17. "Collinsville State Coal Mine 1954- Mining Accident Database". www.mineaccidents.com.au. Archived from the original on 28 February 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
18. "Collinsville disaster remembered". Australian Mining. 16 October 2007. Archived from the original on 7 May 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
19. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Collinsville". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
20. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Collinsville (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
21. "Collinsville Cemetery (entry 602730)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
22. "Bowen River Hotel (entry 600042)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
23. "Road from Proserpine to Collinsville is back on track". Archived from the original on 6 July 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
24. "Collinsville Library". Public Libraries Connect. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
25. "Queensland Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-2017" (PDF). Public Libraries Connect. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
26. "Branch Locations". Queensland Country Women's Association. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
27. "Our Lady of Lourdes Parish - Collinsville". Roman Catholic Diocese of Townsville. Archived from the original on 16 April 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
28. "Find a Church". Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
29. "Collinsville Uniting Church". Collinsville Connect. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
30. "Collinsville UCA". Bowen Uniting Church. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
31. "Queensland State and Non-State Schools". Queensland Government. 24 February 2014. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
32. "2014 School Annual Report" (PDF). Collinsville State School. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
33. "2014 Annual School Report" (PDF). Collinsville State High School. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
34. "St John Bosco Catholic School". St John Bosco Catholic School. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
35. "Collinsville Showground FC". Free Range Camping Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on 1 May 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2018.

External links

• "Collinsville and Scottville". Queensland Places. University of Queensland.
• Coalface Experience - Mining Museum Website
• Collinsville Memoirs Online