Cherbourg, Queensland
Cherbourg (/ˈʃɜːbɜːɡ/)[2] is a rural town and locality in the Aboriginal Shire of Cherbourg, Queensland, Australia.[3][4] In the 2016 census the locality of Cherbourg had a population of 1,269 people, of whom 98.7% identified as Indigenous Australians.[1]
Cherbourg Queensland | |||||||||||||||
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![]() George of Saxby Downs with his wife at Barambah Aboriginal Settlement, 1909 | |||||||||||||||
![]() ![]() Cherbourg | |||||||||||||||
Coordinates | 26.2920°S 151.9543°E | ||||||||||||||
Population | 1,269 (2016 census locality)[1] | ||||||||||||||
• Density | 39.91/km2 (103.36/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
Established | 1900 | ||||||||||||||
Postcode(s) | 4605 | ||||||||||||||
Area | 31.8 km2 (12.3 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
Location | 6 km (4 mi) E of Murgon | ||||||||||||||
LGA(s) | Aboriginal Shire of Cherbourg | ||||||||||||||
State electorate(s) | Nanango | ||||||||||||||
Federal Division(s) | Wide Bay | ||||||||||||||
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Geography
Cherbourg is located off the Bunya Highway approximately 250 kilometres (155 mi) north-west of Brisbane and 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) from the town of Murgon. It is situated on Barambah Creek, close to Bjelke-Petersen Dam.
The town, formerly known as Barambah, was founded as a settlement for Aboriginal people in the early 1900s under a policy of segregation being pursued by the Government of Queensland. Its history has been described in at least two books, Dumping Ground by Thom Blake and Is That You Ruthie? by Ruth Hegarty.
History
Wakka Wakka (Waka Waka, Wocca Wocca, Wakawaka) is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken in the Burnett River catchment. The Wakka Wakka language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of the North and South Burnett Regional Council, particularly the towns of Cherbourg, Murgon, Kingaroy, Gayndah, Eidsvold and Mundubbera.
In 1900, the Salvation Army negotiated for the establishment of the Barambah Aboriginal Reserve, which was gazetted over 7,000 acres (2,800 ha) on 23 February 1901.[5]
![](../I/Cobbo%252C_Daniel._Member_of_the_Australian_Light_Horse%252C_1917.jpg.webp)
The mission took its name from the original 1840s pastoral run, 'Barambah', which was taken up as a grazing run in 1843 by J.S. Ferriter and Edmund Uhr.
![](../I/Beautiful_Angora_billy_goat_and_goat_herd_from_Barambah_Aboriginal_Settlement%252C_Queensland%252C_1912_(17317337705).jpg.webp)
It was initially populated with a few local Aboriginal people, but others from the Esk region and further afield were soon sent to the reserve. Many were forcibly removed from their land and "settled" at Barambah. People from 109 different areas[7] were mixed together and they were not allowed to speak their own languages. The effect of mixing these different groups of people together and forcing them to learn to speak a foreign language (English) has been an almost total loss of their cultural heritage. Many of the languages are considered to be extinct, surviving only in notes and recordings stored at the University of Queensland. The settlement housed a reformatory school and training farm, a home training centre for girls, a hospital, dormitories in which the women and children lived, and churches of various denominations. Training was provided in a variety of agricultural, industrial and domestic fields. People were hired out as cheap labour and at one stage they were not allowed to leave the reserve. In fact, until the referendum in 1967, the indigenous people at Cherbourg were not even counted in the census.
Barambah Aboriginal School opened in 1904, its name changing to Cherbourg Aboriginal School in 1931-1932. The school was operated by the Department of Native Affairs until the 1960s when it came under the control of Queensland Department of Education and became Cherbourg State School.[8][9]
The reserve was administered by the Aboriginal Protection Society, Ipswich, until February 1905, when control passed to the Government of Queensland and a Superintendent was appointed, who reported to the Chief Protector of Aborigines.
There were approximately 2079 documented removals of Aboriginal people to Barambah between the years of 1905 and 1939.
The district was renamed Cherbourg on 8 December 1931 to avoid confusion with the mail deliveries to the Barambah pastoral station. Cherbourg is the name of the parish, which derives from the original 1840s pastoral run name, which thought to be derived from Chirbury, the town in Shropshire, the birthplace of Richard Jones, the lessee of the run.[3][4]
Cherbourg Provisional School opened on 1932 for the children of the white officials, separate to the school for the Aboriginal children. It closed on 1941.[8]
The Anglican Church of the Holy Spirit was dedicated on 19 February 1939 by the Bishop-Coadjutor. Its closure circa 2018 was approved by Bishop Cameron Venables.[10]
Cherbourg Post Office opened on 15 November 1965 and closed in 1986.[11]
At the 2006 census, Cherbourg had a population of 1,128.[12]
In the 2016 census the locality of Cherbourg had a population of 1,269 people.[1]
Governance
Over the years, the policies towards Aboriginals changed from protection to assimilation and eventually participation and a measure of self-government with the passage of the Community Services (Aborigines) Act 1984. The Act provided for elected community councils who could make recommendations to the Minister for Community Services on matters relating to the progress, development and wellbeing of the people they represented. On 28 August 1986 a Deed of Grant in Trust was granted to the Cherbourg community, giving this council official status.[5] The Local Government (Community Government Areas) Act 2004 gave Cherbourg formal legal recognition as a local government.
Alcohol limits were imposed on Cherbourg residents in March 2009 in an attempt to reduce violence.[13] In 2009, then-Mayor Sam Murray claimed the restrictions were not being enforced and the problem was being pushed underground.[13] Early reports indicate that the bans have not reduced violent assaults in the town which are occurring 30 times more than the Queensland average.[14]
Demographics
Cherbourg has a population of around 1241 people, making it Queensland's third largest Aboriginal community.[5] The town is located on traditional lands that belong to the 'Wakka Wakka' (Waka Waka), people, but many different clan groups are also represented, including 'Gubbi Gubbi' (Kabi Kabi) people.[15] A sign on entry to the town reads "Many Tribes, One Community". In 2006, median individual income for residents of Cherbourg was $227 per week, less than half the national median.[16] 98.8% of housing in the town is stand-alone houses.[16]
Unemployment
The community participates in Work for the Dole scheme. Unemployment in the town is high as there is very little genuine work to be found in the town or in nearby Murgon. Results from 2006 census survey reported 31.4% of the workforce was employed full-time while 49.5% worked part-time and 5.8% were unemployed.[16]
Education
Cherbourg State School is a government primary (Early Childhood-6) school for boys and girls at Fisher Street (26.2929°S 151.9551°E).[17][18] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 130 students with 17 teachers and 40 non-teaching staff (25 full-time equivalent).[19] It includes a special education program.[17][20]
Cherbourg is home to the Nurunderi (meaning taught by Great Spirit) campus of TAFE Queensland South West (26.2951°S 151.9565°E).[21] It offers general courses of study as well as ones specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. All people are welcome to study at this campus.[22]
Community facilities
The Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council operates the Winifred Fisher Knowledge Centre in the Old Youth Respite Centre, Barambah Road.[23]
Other facilities include:
- Cherbourg Police Station (26.2902°S 151.9562°E)[24]
- Cherbourg Fire Station (26.2891°S 151.9567°E)[24]
- Cherbourg SES Facility (26.2878°S 151.9566°E)[24]
- Cherbourg Hospital & Community Health Centre (26.2916°S 151.9569°E)[21] with heliport (26.2912°S 151.9574°E)[25]
Notable residents
- Albert Henry - (Cricketer)
- Maroochy Barambah - opera singer
- Adrian Blair - Olympic boxer
- Harold Blair – tenor and activist
- Marlene Cummins - musician and activist
- Frank Fisher - Rugby League player
- Lionel Fogarty – poet and political activist
- Eddie Gilbert[26] – Australian cricket player
- Ruth Hegarty - author
- Jerry Jerome - Boxer
- Chris Sandow – NRL rugby league player
- Chris Sarra - Indigenous educator
- Willie Tonga – Australian & Queensland representative rugby league player
- Daniel Alfred Yock - dancer.
Notes
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Cherbourg (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
- Macquarie Dictionary, Fourth Edition (2005). Melbourne, The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd. ISBN 1-876429-14-3
- "Cherbourg – town in Aboriginal Shire of Cherbourg (entry 6986)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
- "Cherbourg – locality in Aboriginal Shire of Cherbourg (entry 44517)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
- "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships: Cherbourg community". The State of Queensland. Archived from the original on 12 September 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
- Powell, Marg; Crump, Des (28 August 2017). "DANIEL CABBO #Q19612". Queensland's World War 1 Centenary. State Library of Queensland. Archived from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- Evans, Raymond (2007). A History of Queensland. Port Melbourne, Victoria: Cambridge University Press. p. 140. ISBN 978-0-521-87692-6.
- Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
- "Our school". Cherbourg State School. 21 February 2020. Archived from the original on 13 March 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
- "Closed Anglican Churches". Anglican Church South Queensland. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Archived from the original on 15 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Cherbourg (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
- Emma Pollard (7 July 2009). "Cherbourg alcohol bans 'failing'". ABC News Online. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 21 September 2009. Retrieved 22 October 2009.
- Stephanie Smail (23 July 2009). "Cherbourg violence remains 'high'". ABC News Online. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2009.
- "Cherbourg". Community Histories. Queensland Government. 8 April 2015. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Cherbourg (S) (Local Government Area)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 15 April 2008.
- "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- "Cherbourg State School". Archived from the original on 13 March 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- "ACARA School Profile 2018". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
- "Cherbourg SS - Special Education Program". Archived from the original on 13 March 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- "Landmark Areas - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 18 November 2020. Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
- "Nurunderi". TAFE Queensland South West. Archived from the original on 30 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
- "Cherbourg (Winifred Fisher Knowledge Centre)". Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. 8 June 2017. Archived from the original on 24 January 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
- "Emergency services facilities - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 18 November 2020. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
- "Heliports and landing grounds - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 22 October 2020. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
- Connolly, Paul. "The forgotten story of … Frank Fisher". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
References
- Blake, Thom (2001). A dumping ground: a history of the Cherbourg Settlement. St Lucia, Queensland: University of Queensland Press. ISBN 978-0-7022-3222-0.