Childers, Queensland

Childers is a town in southern Queensland, Australia, situated at the junction of the Bruce and Isis Highways. The township lies 325 km north of the state capital Brisbane and 52 km south-west of Bundaberg. Childers is located within Bundaberg Regional Council Local Government Area. At the 2006 census, Childers had a population of 1,350. The township is set on a ridge overlooking fields of rich volcanic soil. Childers is renowned for its heritage character and is classified a National Trust town. The historic colonial buildings of the main street (Bruce Highway) are set amongst large, shady leopard trees. The sugar cane industry features prominently in Childers and has sustained the town over the years. Fruit and vegetable cropping is common on the lands around town. Tourism is a growing industry in Childers, with a number of the preserved historic buildings in town becoming tourist attractions.

History
Europeans first arrived in the area in the 1850s. Pastoralists established properties soon after to raise cattle on the fertile lands. Back then, sugar was (as it is now) the key crop grown in the Isis. The railway line to Childers opened in 1887 and was pivotal in the early development of the area. The town is reportedly named after Hugh Childers, British statesman, who was the Auditor-General of Victoria in the 1850s. The railway line closed in 1964.

Childers has seen a number of serious fires over the years. The 1902 fire destroyed much of the town centre. The town made international headlines in June 2000, when an arsonist set fire to the Palace Backpackers Hostel, claiming the lives of 15 tourists. The hostel reopened in 2004, and includes a memorial to those lost in the blaze. It now acts as an art gallery exhibiting works from local artists.

Childers acts as a major economic centre in the Wide Bay Region and is undergoing considerable growth.

Childers retains much of its historic significance, although many of the streets were redeveloped under a 'Streetscape' project that continues today.

Services
The Isis Town and Country is the town's local newspaper, being distributed once weekly. Childers is also served by a monthly community newspaper, the Childers Chit Chat, as well as its own radio station, 88.0FM Red Dirt Radio. Childers remains one of the most picturesque small towns in Queensland.

Education in Childers consists of several primary schools, as well as the local high school, Isis District State High School.

Festivals
Childers holds a Multicultural Festival once a year on the final weekend in July. Childers also hosts an agricultural show; which in the past was held in early August, but is now hosted in late May or early June.