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Beenleigh, Queensland

Coordinates: 27°42′58″S 153°12′08″E / 27.7161°S 153.2022°E / -27.7161; 153.2022 (Beenleigh (town centre))
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Beenleigh
City of LoganQueensland
Aerial view of Beenleigh
Beenleigh is located in Queensland
Beenleigh
Beenleigh
Coordinates27°42′58″S 153°12′08″E / 27.7161°S 153.2022°E / -27.7161; 153.2022 (Beenleigh (town centre))
Population8,425 (2021 census)[1]
 • Density1,094/km2 (2,834/sq mi)
Established1866
Postcode(s)4207
Area7.7 km2 (3.0 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)Logan City
State electorate(s)Macalister
Federal division(s)Forde
Localities around Beenleigh:
Loganholme Loganholme Eagleby
Holmview Beenleigh Eagleby
Bahrs Scrub Mount Warren Park Yatala
Stapylton

Beenleigh is a town and suburb in the City of Logan, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] In the 2021 census, the suburb of Beenleigh had a population of 8,425 people.[1]

A government survey for the new town was conducted in 1866. The town is the terminus for the Beenleigh railway line, which first opened in 1885 and a stop on the South Coast railway line, which reached Southport in 1889. Beenleigh was the administrative centre of the former Shire of Albert. It is known for the heritage-listed tourist attraction called the Beenleigh Artisan Distillery. In recent years it has seen many high rise developments.

Geography

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Beenleigh is 33 km south-east of central Brisbane,[4] as well as, and its adjoining suburbs, are located near the confluence of the Logan and Albert Rivers. The urban centre lies southwest of the Pacific Motorway after it crosses the Logan River and is crossed by the Gold Coast railway line. Logan River Parklands contain a boat ramp, barbeques, and a picnic area.[5] Whilst it was once a stand-alone town built on sugar and home to Australia's oldest rum distillery built in 1864,[6] increasing development in South East Queensland since the 1980s has seen it enveloped by Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

There are two railway stations in the suburb (from north to south):

History

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Main Street circa 1893
Beenleigh Post Office, circa 1929
The Beenleigh Hotel in the town of Beenleigh, Queensland in 1975.
The Beenleigh Hotel in the town of Beenleigh, Queensland in 1975.

Beenleigh is situated in the Bundjalung traditional Indigenous Australian country.[10] The Yugambeh people are custodians within the traditional Aboriginal Bundjalung country, antedating European settlement by tens of thousands of years. Their Yugambeh language and heritage survive and is a testament to the Yugambeh Museum located in the town. Yugembah (also known as Yugumbir, Jugambel, Jugambeir, Jugumbir, Jukam, Jukamba) is one of the Australian Aboriginal languages in areas that include the Beenleigh, Beaudesert, Gold Coast, Logan, Scenic Rim, Albert River, Coolangatta, Coomera, Logan River, Pimpama, Tamborine and Tweed River Valley, within the local government boundaries of the City of Gold Coast, City of Logan, Scenic Rim Regional Council and the Tweed River Valley.[11]

Beenleigh was first colonised in the 1860s, with the first permanent European settlement occurring by John Davy and Frank Gooding, who named their sugarcane plantation Beenleigh in memory of their family estate in Devon, England.[6]

William Fryar surveyed the Town of Beenleigh in July 1866.[2]

The first sugarcane mill was built in 1867, and by 1885, another 29 were operational.[6]

Beenleigh Post Office opened on 1 August 1867.[12]

Beenleigh State School, 1897

Beenleigh State School was opened on 6 February 1871.[13] From 1954 to 1962 it also had a secondary department.[14] From 4 February 1974 to 1980 the school had an Opportunity Class to provide special education.[14]

St George's Anglican Church was officially opened on Thursday 16 September 1875.[15][16][17] A second St George's was built next door at 10 Tansey Street in 1964. In 1981 the first church building was moved to its present site at the Beenleigh Historical Village in Main Street (27°43′25″S 153°12′48″E / 27.7235°S 153.2133°E / -27.7235; 153.2133 (First St George's Anglican Church (after relocation))) and has been repaired.[15]

On 3 December 1885, 85 resubdivided allotments of "Beenleigh Township Estate" were advertised to be auctioned by J.R. Dickson and Co. on 26 December 1885. A map advertising the auction states that the Estate was close to the Beenleigh Railway Station and was the property of the late Peter Benz.[18][19]

In October 1886, a well-known property on the Albert River owned by W. K. Witty called "Yellowwood Estate" was advertised for subdivision into suitable sized farms and then auctioned by Simon Fraser & Son.[20] A map advertising the auction states that 40 choice farms were available and the auction was to be held on Saturday 27 November at the Palm's Hotel, Beenleigh.[21]

Beenleigh Wesleyan Methodist Church opened on Sunday 28 November 1886.[22] Separate tenders for materials and labour were called in July 1886, which indicated the church was to be built of timber and be 42 feet 6 inches (12.95 m) by 22 feet 6 inches (6.86 m).[23][24]

Commercial dairying in the area began in 1889.[25]

In June 1922, 12 portions of farm land located on the Logan River were advertised to be auctioned by Cameron Bros Auctioneers.[26] A map advertising the auction states that the land was within easy reach of Cleveland Railway Station and Beenleigh, and that there was a steamer service weekly. The land was advertised as suitable for growing arrowroot and sugarcane and magnificent for dairying.[27]

Beenleigh Memorial Park, 2014

The Beenleigh Memorial Park was dedicated on 21 August 1925.[28]

An aerial view of Beenleigh in 1954

The abattoir was established in 1952 for beef production, and is still one of the largest industries in Beenleigh.[29] Beenleigh State High School opened on 29 January 1963.[13] Beenleigh Special School opened on 1 January 1981.[13]

St Joseph's Tobruk Memorial School opened on 25 October 1953.[14]

Beenleigh State High School opened on 29 Jan 1963, replacing the secondary department at Beenleigh State School.[14]

Beenleigh Special School opened in January 1981, replacing the opportunity class at Beenleigh State School.[14]

Trinity College opened on 25 January 1982.[14]

Beenleigh was the centre of the Beenleigh Shire until 1949, then Shire of Albert, which also included the suburbs of Eagleby, Alberton, Mt Warren Park, Windaroo, Edens Landing, Holmview, Pimpama, and Jacobs Well. In 1995, Albert Shire was dissolved and Beenleigh and the surrounding suburbs were then amalgamated into City of Gold Coast. In 2008, these suburbs were transferred from Gold Coast City to City of Logan (despite protests from locals, who voted against being part of Logan).[4]

Beenleigh Mitre 10 MEGA opened in 2004; it was the company's first Australian MEGA store, and it employed over 200 people on opening.[30]

Demographics

[edit]

In the 2011 census, the suburb of Beenleigh had a population of 8,244 people, 49.5% female and 50.5% male. The median age of the Beenleigh population was 34 years, compared to the national median age of 37; 66.9% of people living in Beenleigh were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were New Zealand 8.1%, England 3.4%, the Philippines 1.1%, Brazil 0.6%, and Germany 0.5%. About 81.5% of people spoke only English at home; the next-most common languages were 0.7% Portuguese, 0.6% Tagalog, 0.6% Vietnamese, 0.4% Spanish, and 0.3% German.[31]

In the 2016 census, the suburb of Beenleigh had a population of 8,252 people, 49.7% female and 50.3% male. The median age of the Beenleigh population was 37 years, compared to the national median age of 38. 69.2% of people living in Beenleigh were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were New Zealand 8.0%, England 3.2%, the Philippines 1.4%, India 0.6%, and Germany 0.5%. 82.9% of people spoke only English at home; the next-most common languages were 0.8% Tagalog, 0.4% Samoan, 0.4% Malayalam, 0.4% Vietnamese, and 0.4% Maori (New Zealand).[32]

In the 2021 census, the suburb of Beenleigh had a population of 8,425 people, 49.8% female and 50.2% male. The median age of the Beenleigh population was 38 years, on par with the national median age of 38. 66.3% of people living in Beenleigh were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were New Zealand 7.7%, England 2.8%, the Philippines 1.7%, India 1.0%, and Papua New Guinea 0.5%. 79.0% of people spoke only English at home; the next-most common languages were 0.8% Tagalog, 0.5% Maori (New Zealand), 0.5% Punjabi, 0.5% Mandarin, and 0.5% Filipino.[1]

Heritage listings

[edit]

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

Education

[edit]

Beenleigh State School is a government primary (Preparatory to Year 6) school for boys and girls at 22 James Street (27°43′04″S 153°11′59″E / 27.7179°S 153.1997°E / -27.7179; 153.1997 (Beenleigh State School)).[34][35] In 2023, the school had an enrolment of 448 students with 35 teachers (32 full-time equivalent) and 27 non-teaching staff (17 full-time equivalent).[36] It includes a special education program.[34]

Despite its name, Beenleigh Special School is located in neighbouring Mount Warren Park.[37]

St Joseph's Tobruk Memorial School is a Catholic primary (Preparatory to Year 6) school for boys and girls at 53 Kokoda Street (27°42′42″S 153°11′59″E / 27.7116°S 153.1996°E / -27.7116; 153.1996 (St Joseph's Tobruk Memorial School)).[34][38] In 2023, the school had an enrolment of 448 students with 32 teachers (30 full-time equivalent) and 21 non-teaching staff (14 full-time equivalent).[36]

Beenleigh State High School is a government secondary (Year 7 to 12) school for boys and girls at Alamein Street (27°42′55″S 153°12′16″E / 27.7153°S 153.2044°E / -27.7153; 153.2044 (Beenleigh State High School)).[34][39] In 2023, the school had an enrolment of 1,977 students with 136 teachers (132 full-time equivalent) and 113 non-teaching staff (85 full-time equivalent).[36] It includes a special education program.[34][40]

Trinity College is a Catholic secondary (Year 7 to 12) school for boys and girls at Scott Street (27°42′37″S 153°11′56″E / 27.7104°S 153.1988°E / -27.7104; 153.1988 (Trinity College)).[34][41] In 2023, the school had an enrolment of 942 students with 72 teachers (70 full-time equivalent) and 33 non-teaching staff (29 full-time equivalent).[36]

Facilities

[edit]

Beenleigh Police Station is at 3 Kent Street (27°43′02″S 153°12′06″E / 27.7173°S 153.2016°E / -27.7173; 153.2016 (Beenleigh Police Station)).[42][43]

Beenleigh SES Facility is at 36 Martens Street (27°43′30″S 153°13′06″E / 27.7249°S 153.2184°E / -27.7249; 153.2184 (Beenleigh SES Facility)).[42]

Amenities

[edit]
Beenleigh Mitre 10 MEGA

Still predominately a self-sufficient town with expanding retail and commercial areas close by, Beenleigh is home to three shopping centres with Coles Supermarkets, Woolworths, Big W, Aldi, and a Mitre 10 MEGA.

At the heart of Beenleigh stands the Southern District Court complex, first established in 1871.[citation needed] For many years, the court was constituted solely of three magistrates; this changed with the allocation of a permanent sitting District Court of Queensland Judge in 1998. The first presiding district court judge in Beenleigh was Judge O'Brien. Recently, the Southern District Court complex has played an integral role in the development of the progressive Drug Court.

The town has a community centre and two theatres (Crete Street Theatre and Phoenix Ensemble).

The Logan City Council operate a public library at Crete Street.[44]

The Beenleigh branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at the Beenleigh Neighbourhood Centre at 10 James Street.[45]

St George's Anglican Church is at 10 Tansey Street (27°43′07″S 153°12′06″E / 27.7186°S 153.2018°E / -27.7186; 153.2018 (Second St George's Anglican Church)).[46]

Beenleigh Region Uniting Church is at 32-50 Mount Warren Boulevard in neighbouring Mount Warren Park.[47]

Day care facilities are available at the Lutheran Beenleigh Family Day Care Scheme.

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

Transport

[edit]

Beenleigh is situated on the Pacific Motorway. Queensland Rail Citytrain network provides frequent services to Brisbane and the Gold Coast via the Beenleigh railway line at the centrally located Beenleigh railway station.

Attractions

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The Beenleigh Historical Village (27°43′23″S 153°12′48″E / 27.7231°S 153.2134°E / -27.7231; 153.2134 (tourist attraction)) preserves 20 historic buildings and houses a number of collections of historic material from the region.[49][50]

The town is also home to the Beenleigh Artisan Distillers, Australia's oldest rum distillery, Yugambeh Language and Research Centre, Poppy's Chocolates and Windaroo Organic Cottage just 5 minutes out of town.

Various scenes for the 2024 Netflix limited series Boy Swallows Universe were filmed in and around Beenleigh, including at the Rob Nay Memorial Pool (commonly known as the Beenleigh Pool, and officially the Beenleigh Aquatic Centre), and a house at 5 Cameron Street. During filming, the house’s interior was extensively renovated, the house itself painted a coat of blue, and a white veranda and wooden fence added to the front of the property.[51] After production wrapped, the house was restored to its original state and colour scheme.

Events

[edit]

Social events of note are the annual Rum, Rump and Rhumba Festival, the Beenleigh Cane Gala Ball and Parade, Eats and Beats Food Trucks, and the Beenleigh Show.

Sport and recreation

[edit]

Sporting facilities that are represented in Beenleigh cover baseball, soccer, BMX, football, tennis, swimming, netball, and roller derby. Beenleigh enjoys access to the Logan River via a boat ramp located near the northern bridge on the Pacific Motorway.

Notable People from Beenleigh

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Beenleigh (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ a b "Beenleigh – town in City of Logan (entry 2076)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Beenleigh – suburb in City of Logan (entry 45249)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Beenleigh". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  5. ^ "Logan River Parklands". Logan City Council. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  6. ^ a b c "Beenleigh". Sydney Morning Herald. 8 February 2004. Archived from the original on 13 May 2010. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  7. ^ "Holmview – railway station in the City of Logan (entry 16018)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Railway stations and sidings - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 2 October 2020. Archived from the original on 5 October 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  9. ^ "Beenleigh – railway station in the City of Logan (entry 2077)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  10. ^ "Bundjalung – Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Co-operative". muurrbay.org.au. Archived from the original on 21 September 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  11. ^ This Wikipedia article incorporates CC-BY-4.0 licensed text from: "Yugambeh". Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map. State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  12. ^ Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Archived from the original on 15 May 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  13. ^ a b c "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  14. ^ a b c d e f Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  15. ^ a b c "St George's Anglican Church (entry 600001)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  16. ^ "Beenleigh. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] September 21". The Brisbane Courier. 25 September 1875. p. 6. Archived from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  17. ^ "Classified Advertising". The Queenslander. 11 September 1875. p. 28. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  18. ^ "Plan of resubdivisions 1 to 85 of portion 39 County of Ward, Parish of Boyd" (c. 1880) [Map]. Collections. State Library of Queensland.
  19. ^ "Advertising". The Telegraph. No. 4, 128. Queensland, Australia. 3 December 1885. p. 7. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  20. ^ "Advertising". Logan Witness. Vol. IX, no. 445. Queensland, Australia. 30 October 1886. p. 2. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  21. ^ "Yellow Wood Estate Albert River" [Map]. Collections. State Library of Queensland.
  22. ^ "Advertising". Logan Witness. Vol. IX, no. 449. Queensland, Australia. 27 November 1886. p. 2. Archived from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  23. ^ "Advertising". Logan Witness. Vol. IX, no. 429. Queensland, Australia. 10 July 1886. p. 2. Archived from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  24. ^ Blake, Thom. "Beenleigh Wesleyan Methodist Church". Queensland religious places database. Archived from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  25. ^ Mary Howells. "A brief history of Logan". Logan City Council. Archived from the original on 22 April 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  26. ^ "Advertising". The Telegraph. No. 15464. Queensland, Australia. 21 June 1922. p. 12. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  27. ^ "Logan River: Redland Bay" [Map]. Collections. State Library of Queensland.
  28. ^ "Beenleigh War Memorial". Monument Australia. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  29. ^ "Teys Brothers". Teys Australia. Archived from the original on 4 June 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  30. ^ Speedy, Blair. "Mitre 10 nails down its mega battle with Bunnings ", The Australian, 17 September 2004. Retrieved on 28 August 2009.
  31. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Beenleigh (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 6 January 2014. Edit this at Wikidata
  32. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Beenleigh (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018. Edit this at Wikidata
  33. ^ "Beenleigh Rum Distillery (entry 602470)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  34. ^ a b c d e f "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  35. ^ "Beenleigh State School". Archived from the original on 5 April 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  36. ^ a b c d "ACARA School Profile 2023". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Archived from the original on 1 May 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  37. ^ "Beenleigh Special School". Beenleigh Special School. 11 December 2019. Archived from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  38. ^ "St Joseph's Tobruk Memorial School". Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  39. ^ "Beenleigh State High School". Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  40. ^ "Beenleigh SHS - Special Education Program". Archived from the original on 25 August 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  41. ^ "Trinity College". Archived from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  42. ^ a b "Emergency services facilities - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 18 November 2020. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  43. ^ "Beenleigh Station". Queensland Police. Archived from the original on 5 April 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  44. ^ "Beenleigh Library". Logan City Council. Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  45. ^ "Branch Locations". Queensland Country Women's Association. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  46. ^ "Year Book" (PDF). Anglican Archdiocese of Brisbane. 2019. p. 133. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  47. ^ "Beenleigh Region Uniting Church". Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  48. ^ a b c d e f g h i "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.
  49. ^ "Old Beenleigh Town". Logan City Council. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  50. ^ "Landmark Areas - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 18 November 2020. Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
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  52. ^ Boswell, Tom (21 March 2015). "Former Brisbane Broncos NRL star Tonie Carroll inspires new junior rugby league competition". Courier Mail. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  53. ^ Black, Sarah (7 October 2018). "Groves-Little a one of a kind draft prospect". AFL.com.au. Archived from the original on 23 September 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  54. ^ "AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL IN QUEENSLAND - A Proud and Wonderful History". GameDay. AFL Queensland Hall of Fame. p. 35. Archived from the original on 22 August 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  55. ^ Jordan Membrey LinkedIn Profile
  56. ^ a b "Carlton's path to the premiership goes through coach Michael Voss's former club Brisbane Lions at the Gabba". ABC News Australia. 18 September 2023. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
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