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Queanbeyan

New South Wales, Australia

QueanbeyanSky
Queanbeyan photographed from the air. The Ridgeway is in the right foreground, Jerrabomberra in the top left



Queanbeyan is located in New South Wales
Red pog
Queanbeyan
Location in New South Wales
Population: 37991 [1]
Density: 210/km² (543.9/sq mi)
Established: 1838
Elevation: 576 m (1,890 ft)
Area: 173 km² (66.8 sq mi)
Time zone:

 • Summer (DST)

AEST (UTC+10:00)

AEDT (UTC+11:00)

Location: 14.9 km (9 mi) from Canberra
LGA: Queanbeyan City Council
State District: Monaro
Federal Division: Eden-Monaro
Localities around Queanbeyan:
Yass Gunning Goulburn
Canberra Queanbeyan Bungendore
Michelago Cooma Captains Flat


Queanbeyan /ˈkwnbiən/ is a regional centre in the Southern Tablelands in south-eastern New South Wales adjacent to the Australian Capital Territory. The city's mixed economy is based on light construction, high technology, manufacturing, service, retail and agriculture. It is the council seat of the Queanbeyan City Council. At the 2011 census, Queanbeyan had a population of 37,991.[1]

Following the founding of Canberra, Australia's federal capital, just 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) to the west, Queanbeyan has become an integral part of the capital city's economy. The word Queanbeyan is the anglicised form of 'Quinbean' - an Aboriginal word meaning "clear waters".

History[]

The town grew from a squattage held by ex-convict and inn keeper, Timothy Beard, on the banks of the Molonglo River in what is now Oaks Estate. The town centre of Queanbeyan is located on the Queanbeyan River, a tributary of the Molonglo River and about one mile east of Oaks Estate.

Queanbeyan was officially proclaimed a township in 1838 when the population was about 50. The local parish was also known by that name and later still the member for the electorate of Queanbeyan held a seat in the legislative assembly of the colony of NSW. On 28 November 1837 the Colonial Secretary announced the appointment of Captain Alured Tasker Faunce as resident police magistrate at Queanbeyan. His homestead, called Dodsworth, was situated on the banks of the Queanbeyan river opposite the town.[2]

Traces of gold were discovered in 1851 and lead and silver mines also flourished briefly. Settlers were harassed by bushrangers, of which James Shaw, William Millet, and John Rueben,[3] John Tennant, Jacky Jacky, Frank Gardiner and Ben Hall were some of the more notorious. In 1836, a Post Office was established.[4]

The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited (CBC, now part of the National Australia Bank) opened in Queanbeyan on 19 September 1859. The Bank of New South Wales began service in Queanbeyan in 1878. The Golden Age (now The Queanbeyan Age) was Queanbeyan's first newspaper and was founded in 1860 by John Gale. In 1880 the residence of John James Wright, the first mayor of Queanbeyan, was constructed along the edge of the Queanbeyan River. In 1982 that building became the Queanbeyan Art Centre.

The Salvation Army claimed an outpost in Queanbeyan in 1884.

Queanbeyan, an increasingly successful primary producing district, was proclaimed a Municipality in February 1885 incorporating an area of 5,700 acres (23 km²). The railway reached Queanbeyan railway station in 1887 and it became the junction for the lines going to Canberra and Bombala. The town is served by the twice-daily NSW TrainLink Xplorer service between Canberra and Sydney.

Queanbeyan river030

Bridge near the centre of town over the river

Queanbeyan royal hotel

Royal Hotel in Queanbeyan, built 1926

Queabeyan Solar Farm

Queanbeyan Solar Farm established 1999

TheQ

The "Q" - Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre

St Benedicts Queanbeyan

A former monastery, St Benedicts now houses a number of local businesses

Queanbeyan City Council Chambers

Queanbeyan's "Tidy Town" awards are proudly displayed on the Queanbeyan Council Chambers Building (c. 1927)

William James Farrer, the wheat experimentalist, established Queanbeyan's reputation as an agricultural district with his famous "Federation" rust-free strain, developed on his property "Lambrigg" at Tharwa. Farrer's work was only slowly recognised elsewhere in Australia, but local farmers supported him, particularly in his development of "Blount's Lambrigg", another strain which in 1889 gave hope to farmers after the disastrous season of 1887 when crops had failed after heavy Christmas rains.

At the height of its rural prosperity Queanbeyan boasted sixteen public houses and six flourmills powered by wind, water, horse and steam. The Royal Hotel on Monaro Street opened in 1926. Canberra was "dry" from 1911 at the time of the territory's foundation until 1928 when Federal Parliament had relocated from Melbourne. In that period many of the capital's residents crossed the border to drink at one of Queanbeyan's hotels.

Queanbeyan was granted city status on 7 July 1972. On 21 July 1975 the Queen's Bridge was opened. This bridge took pressure off the existing bridge in linking Monaro Street directly to the east. From 1982 to 1989, the Canberra Raiders rugby league team played their home games in Queanbeyan, at Seiffert Oval.

Since December 2008, the ADF's HQ Joint Operations Command has been based adjacent to the Kowen district of the Australian Capital Territory, just south of the Kings Highway, about 15 km east of Queanbeyan, and 15 km south of Bungendore, New South Wales.

Today[]

Queanbeyan is a regional centre providing the opportunity for people to work in Canberra and live in New South Wales. The city is home to a large shopping centre known as Riverside Plaza. Queanbeyan has most of the major fast food outlets and speciality stores.

Queanbeyan has two government high schools: Queanbeyan High and Karabar High. Queanbeyan primary schools include Queanbeyan South Public School, Queanbeyan West Public School, Queanbeyan East Public School, Queanbeyan Public School, Jerrabomberra Public School and St Gregory's Primary School.

Queanbeyan has a small hospital (with Maternity, Emergency and some Community Health services), ambulance station, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, community centre, public library and several parks.

The city's local bus service is Qcity Transit, which also operates routes into Canberra.

On 16 December 2006, level 3 water restrictions were introduced for the first time in Queanbeyan.[5]

Queanbeyan is protected by two fire services, NSWFB and a NSWRFS Volunteer Brigade (Queanbeyan City Brigade).[6]

Commerce and industry[]

Queanbeyan has two light manufacturing/industrial precincts centred on Gilmore Road and Yass Road. The Queanbeyan Solar Farm with 720 solar panels has a generating capacity of 50 kW, and is located in the Yass Road area. Queanbeyan has a large and significant retail market in roses, which are sourced from the local district.

Sport and culture[]

Queanbeyan has a strong sporting culture. One of the major sports in Queanbeyan is Rugby League. The town has two teams, the Queanbeyan Blues and the Queanbeyan Kangaroos, of which the Blues is, as of 2006, the more powerful team. In addition Queanbeyan has a successful Australian Rules Football team, the Queanbeyan Tigers, and a successful Rugby Union team, the Queanbeyan Whites, who secured two premierships in 2007 by claiming the first grade and colts titles. Queanbeyan has fostered many rugby superstars including Ricky Stuart, Heather McKay(MBE)(AM) Squash and raquetball, David Campese, Matt Giteau, Matt Henjak, Anthony Faingaa and Saia Faingaa. Other sporting icons include Mark Webber, a Formula One driver, and local sporting heroes Terry Campese and Trevor Thurling who play for the local National Rugby League team the Canberra Raiders. The Queanbeyan District Cricket Club has been very successful and is linked with Australian test player and Queanbeyan resident Brad Haddin.

The Queanbeyan Show, which started over 100 years ago, is held annually at the Queanbeyan Showgrounds in November over two days. There are equestrian events, a sideshow alley, art and craft displays, cooking exhibits, an agricultural pavilion and livestock exhibitions. Also held is a Showgirl, Miss Junior Showgirl and Tiny Tots competition.

In February, the Queanbeyan Showgrounds play host to the annual "Convoy for Kids" to aid cancer research. The event is widely supported by community groups, regional businesses and the emergency services. The event attracts hundreds of commercial vehicles, trucks, prime movers and bushfire brigade vehicles. The highlight of the afternoon is the sounding of horns, which can be heard for miles around. Other regular events throughout the year include the Rodeo in March, Field Days, and a camping and off-road vehicle show.

On 3 December, Queanbeyan hosts an annual Festival of Ability as part of the Don't DIS my ABILITY campaign, celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The event attracts more than 3,500 people and is a community celebration, acknowledging the strengths, skills and achievements of people with a disability in the Queanbeyan region.

In March 2008, the Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre - the Q - became the new home for the Queanbeyan Players who have provided over thirty years of live theatre and dramatic entertainment for the Queanbeyan community.[7]

Politics[]

Federally, Queanbeyan lies within the electorate of Eden-Monaro, currently held by Peter Hendy representing the Liberal Party.

At a state level, Queanbeyan is the major population centre in the seat of Monaro, and is currently held by John Barilaro of The Nationals.

Historical places and monuments[]

The oldest memorial stone in Queanbeyan is that to Anna Maria Faunce (born 30 November 1838), the eight month old daughter of Captain Alured Tasker Faunce.[8][9]

Notable residents[]

Megan Still Court QBN

Queanbeyan's "Megan Still Court" immediately adjacent the City Council Chambers, named in honour of Queanbeyan's former olympic women's rowing pair gold medalist

  • Susie Balogh - Gold Medal-winning Olympic shooter.
  • David Campese - retired Wallaby winger
  • Terry Campese - Kangaroos, NSW, Canberra Raiders player. Nephew of David Campese.
  • Anthony Faingaa - Rugby Union player for the Queensland Reds and Wallabys
  • Saia Faingaa - Rugby Union player for the Queensland Reds and Wallabys [10]
  • David Furner - former Kangaroos, NSW, Canberra Raiders player and coach
  • Matt Giteau - former Australian Wallaby player, once Australia's highest ever paid domestic player of any code, played for ACT Brumbies and Western Force in Super 12/Super 14
  • Brad Haddin - NSW and Australian cricketer
  • Matt Henjak - former Wallaby halfback, former player for the Western Force
  • Joe Janiak - former taxi driver,[11] owner/trainer of gelding racehorse Takeover Target,a Group One winner in each Australian State [12]
  • Brent Kite - NSW and Australian rugby league player
  • Hau Latukefu - ARIA award-winning MC & triple j radio & TV presenter
  • Glenn Lazarus - Senator, former Kangaroos, NSW, Canberra Raiders, Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm rugby league player
  • George Lazenby - (born 1939), actor, the only Australian to play James Bond, in On Her Majesty's Secret Service.[13]
  • Megan Marcks (née Still) - Olympic women's (pairs) rowing gold medallist
  • Heather McKay AM, MBE - Australian squash champion
  • Tommy Murphy - award-winning playwright
  • Omar Musa - Australian poet and hip-hop artist
  • Fergus Pragnell - Australian rower and current member of the Australian Rowing Team
  • Ben Snow - Academy Award Nominee for Visual Effects[14]
  • Ricky Stuart - former Kangaroos, NSW, Canberra Raiders player, Kangaroos and NSW Coach
  • Mark Webber - Formula 1 driver for Red Bull Racing Winner 2010 Spanish, Monaco, British and Hungarian Grands Prix.[15][16][17] Winner 2011 Brazilian Grand Prix Winner 2012 Monaco and British Grand Prix.

Suburbs[]

  • Carwoola
  • Crestwood
  • Environa
  • Googong
  • Greenleigh
  • Jerrabomberra
  • Karabar
  • Queanbeyan East
  • Queanbeyan West
  • Queanbeyan
  • The Ridgeway
  • Royalla
  • Tralee

Queanbeyan suburbs[]

Climate[]

Lightning 21 Feb 2007

Lightning storms over Queanbeyan, 21 February 2007

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high (°C) 29.8 28.5 25.6 20.6 15.9 12.5 11.8 13.7 17.3 20.7 24.4 27.6 20.6
Average low (°C) 12.7 12.9 10.7 6.6 3.3 0.9 -0.2 0.9 3.3 6.0 8.9 11.4 6.4
Average precipitation (mm) 56.2 49.0 51.1 44.8 45.0 44.0 39.5 44.4 47.9 60.3 57.9 53.0 593.2

Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Climate data for Queanbeyen, New South Wales
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 29.0
(84.2)
28.5
(83.3)
25.6
(78.1)
20.6
(69.1)
15.9
(60.6)
12.5
(54.5)
11.8
(53.2)
13.7
(56.7)
17.3
(63.1)
20.7
(69.3)
24.4
(75.9)
27.6
(81.7)
20.6
(69.1)
Average low °C (°F) 12.7
(54.9)
12.9
(55.2)
10.7
(51.3)
6.6
(43.9)
3.3
(37.9)
0.9
(33.6)
−0.2
(31.6)
0.9
(33.6)
3.3
(37.9)
6.0
(42.8)
8.9
(48.0)
11.4
(52.5)
6.4
(43.5)
Precipitation mm (inches) 55.4
(2.181)
50.9
(2.004)
50.5
(1.988)
44.0
(1.732)
43.9
(1.728)
44.0
(1.732)
39.5
(1.555)
44.0
(1.732)
47.8
(1.882)
59.6
(2.346)
59.2
(2.331)
55.6
(2.189)
598.4
(23.559)
Source: Bureau of Meteorology [18]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Canberra-Queanbeyan (C) (Statistical Local Area)". 2011 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/quickstat/145056470?opendocument&navpos=220. Retrieved 18 December 2013. 
  2. ^ Errol Lea-Scarlet. Queanbeyan. District and People. Queanbeyan Municipal Council 1968 p27.
  3. ^ The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser Saturday 13 August 1842
  4. ^ The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser Tuesday 22 March 1836
  5. ^ See Queanbeyan City Council - compulsory water restrictions
  6. ^ see Queanbeyan Brigade
  7. ^ See Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia - Speech - Opening of the Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre
  8. ^ Rex Cross. Bygone Queanbeyan. Queanbeyan Publishing Company 1985 ISBN 0-9591096-0-9
  9. ^ Enid Wheeler. The Lost Headstone. Canberra Times. 10 December 1992
  10. ^ The Canberra Times Online Family ties bind Faingaa twins 6 April 2008
  11. ^ PM ABC Radio From nag to riches, 6 February 2006
  12. ^ ABC News Takeover Target completes Aussie sweep 2 May 2009
  13. ^ Gordon, Chris. "Lazenby's Goulburn bond" Goulburn Post, 3 November 2010
  14. ^ ABC News Aussie chases visual effects Oscar 23 January 2009
  15. ^ The Sunday Times Online Mark Webber: not your average F1 driver 31 May 2009
  16. ^ Official Results 2009 F1 German Grand Prix 12 July 2009
  17. ^ BBC Formula One - 2009 Grand Prix results15 February 2009
  18. ^ "Climate Statistics for Quenbeyen, New South Wales". http://reg.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_070072_All.shtml. Retrieved 20 January 2012. 

External links[]

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This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Queanbeyan. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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