Chillagoe, Queensland

Chillagoe is a rural town and locality in the Shire of Mareeba, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] In the 2016 census the locality of Chillagoe had a population of 251 people.[1]

Chillagoe
Queensland
Chillagoe
Coordinates17.155°S 144.5244°E / -17.155; 144.5244 (Chillagoe (town centre))
Population251 (2016 census locality)[1]
 • Density0.11379/km2 (0.2947/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4871
Area2,205.8 km2 (851.7 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)Shire of Mareeba
State electorate(s)Cook
Federal Division(s)Kennedy
Localities around Chillagoe:
Nychum Mount Mulligan Thornborough
Rookwood Chillagoe Dimbulah
Crystalbrook Almaden Petford

It was once a thriving mining town for a range of minerals,[4] but is now reduced to a small zinc mine and some marble quarries.

Just out of town is the Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park containing limestone caves. There are between 600 and 1,000 caves in the Chillagoe-Mungana area. The caves, the spectacular karst landscape and the mining and smelting history are the main tourist attractions to the region.

It has been stated by leading geologist Professor Ian Plimer that the Chillagoe region has the most diverse geology in the world.

History
A horse and carriage at Tower Rock in 1897

Chillagoe was named by William Atherton in 1888. The name is taken from the refrain of a sea shanty: "Hikey, Tikey, Psyche, Crikey, Chillagoe, Walabadorie".[5] James Mulligan had explored the area in 1873 and Atherton backed up his reports of rich copper outcrops in the area. Mining pioneer John Moffat sent prospectors to the field in 1888 and quickly monopolised the field. A receiving office opened in 1891 (with W. Atherton as Receiving Office Keeper) but closed in 1893. A post office opened in 1900 with F. Donner as the storekeeper and postmaster. The Chillagoe Railway and Mining Company's line opened from Mareeba in 1901 and a Town Reserve was proclaimed 27 October 1910.[6]

Chillagoe is sometimes remembered for its involvement in the Mungana affair, a mining scandal which brought down the government. In 1919, after fluctuating fortunes and closures, ownership of the smelter was transferred to the Queensland Government. This acquisition by the Labor Government brought allegations of political corruption which persisted for many years. Closures plagued the smelter again in the late 1920s. When the Labor Party lost power in 1929, the new government ordered a Royal Commission into the incident. The political careers of two former Queensland Premiers, 'Red' Ted Theodore and William McCormack, were ruined by the Commission’s report. Read the famous book by Frank Hardy: "Power without Glory".

There were many schools established in the Chillagoe area, often short-lived, reflecting the movement of family from one mine site to another.

Muldiva Provisional School opened on circa 1892 and closed on circa 1893.[7]

Tate Tin Mines Provisional School opened on 17 October 1894. On 1 January 1909 it became Tate Tin Mines State School. It closed on 31 January 1924, but reopened on 3 February 1930. It closed permanently on 31 December 1940.[7]

Girofla Provisional School opened circa 1898 (sometimes misspelt as Girolfa). On 1 January 1909 it became Girofla State School. In 1910 it was renamed Mungana State School. It closed circa 1943.[7]Calcifer Provisional School opened on January 1900 and closed in 1905.[7]

Chillagoe State School opened on 1 April 1902.[7][8]

Redcap Provisional School opened in 1905 and closed circa 1908.[7]

O.K. Provisional School opened in 1906. On 1 January 1909 it became O.K. State School. It closed circa 1910.[7]

Almaden Provisional School opened on 6 July 1906. On 1 January 1909 it became Almaden State School. It closed on 12 December 1997.[7]

Fossilbrook Provisional School opened in 1908. On 1 January 1909 it became Fossilbrook State School. It closed in 1926.[7]

Zillmanton State School opened in 1909 and closed in 1912.[7]

Gilmore Provisional School opened in 1909 and closed in 1913.[7]

Cardross State School opened in 1914 and closed circa 1918.[7]

The Chillagoe Public Library opened in 2002.[9]

At the 2006 census, Chillagoe had a population of 227.[10]

Although Chillagoe is currently and historically within the local government area of Shire of Mareeba, between 2008 and 2013 the Shire (and hence Chillagoe) was amalgamated into the Tablelands Region.[11]

In the 2011 census, Chillagoe had a population of 192 people.[12]

In the 2016 census the locality of Chillagoe had a population of 251 people.[1]

Heritage listings
Limestone boulders, Chillagoe

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

Transport

Chillagoe Airport is north of the town (17.1373°S 144.5287°E / -17.1373; 144.5287 (Chillagoe Airport)).[15]

Chillagoe was once the terminus of the Mareeba-to-Chillagoe railway line. That line has closed, leaving the following abandoned stations:

Education

Chillagoe State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at Cathedral Street (17.1553°S 144.5211°E / -17.1553; 144.5211 (Chillagoe State School)).[17][18] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 21 students with 2 teachers and 6 non-teaching staff (2 full-time equivalent).[19]

There are no nearby secondary schools. Distance education or boarding schools are the options.[20]

Facilities

Facilities available in Chillagoe include:

Amenities

The Mareeba Shire Council operates a public library in Chillagoe at The Hub, 21-23 Queen Street.[25]

The Catholic Church is at 24-28 Queen Street. It is dedicated to St Nicholas of Tolentino and Blessed Mother Mary of the Cross. It is within the Chillagoe Parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns.[26]

Chillagoe Town Hall is a public hall (17.1549°S 144.5235°E / -17.1549; 144.5235 (Chillagoe Town Hall)).[22]

Chillagoe Hotel Motel provides meals and accommodation (17.1522°S 144.5223°E / -17.1522; 144.5223 (Chillagoe Hotel Motel)).[27]

Attractions

Woothakata is a property on beautiful Chillagoe creek named after the Shire of Woothakata of which Chillagoe was once part. Woothakata is an Aboriginal word which describes the way Aborigines traveled to Ngarrabullgan/Mount Mulligan, an important meeting place.

The heritage-listed Chillagoe smelters, the cemetery and the many old mines attract history buffs to the area.

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Chillagoe (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  2. "Chillagoe – town in Shire of Mareeba (entry 7067)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  3. "Chillagoe – locality in Shire of Mareeba (entry 48570)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  4. The Chillagoe Railway and Mining Company Ellis, R.F. Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin December 1976; January–April, 1977 pp 270-291; 16-23; 36-48; 62-81
  5. Bolton, G.C. (1975) A Thousand Miles Away: A History of North Queensland to 1920, Australian National University Press, ISBN 0-7081-0091-0
  6. Frew, Joan (1981) Queensland Post Offices 1842-1980 and Receiving Offices 1869-1927, p. 235. Fortitude Valley, Queensland: published by the author, ISBN 0-9593973-0-2
  7. Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  8. "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  9. "Queensland Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-2017" (PDF). Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. November 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  10. Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Chillagoe (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 27 January 2007.
  11. "Mareeba Shire". Queensland Places. University of Queensland. Archived from the original on 2 March 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  12. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Chillagoe (SSC)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  13. "Chillagoe Smelters (entry 600675)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  14. "Mungana Archaeological Area (entry 700001)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  15. "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.
  16. "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.
  17. "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  18. "Chillagoe State School". Archived from the original on 9 August 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  19. "ACARA School Profile 2018". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  20. "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  21. "Emergency services facilities - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 18 November 2020. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  22. "Building points - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 17 November 2020. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  23. "Landmark Areas - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 18 November 2020. Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  24. "Cemetery Areas - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 12 November 2020. Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  25. "Chillagoe Library". Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. 23 August 2016. Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  26. "Chillagoe Parish". Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns. Archived from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  27. "Building areas - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 17 November 2020. Archived from the original on 17 November 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
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