Julia Creek, Queensland

Julia Creek is a town and a locality in the Shire of Mckinlay, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] At the 2016 census, Julia Creek had a population of 511.[1]

Julia Creek
Queensland
Julia Creek
Coordinates20.6563°S 141.7436°E / -20.6563; 141.7436
Population511 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density0.07690/km2 (0.19917/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4823
Elevation123 m (404 ft)
Area6,645.0 km2 (2,565.6 sq mi)
Location
LGA(s)Mckinlay
State electorate(s)Traeger
Federal Division(s)Kennedy
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
33.3 °C
92 °F		 17.4 °C
63 °F		 461.3 mm
18.2 in
Localities around Julia Creek:
Taldora Taldora Malpas-Trenton
Cloncurry Julia Creek Maxwelton
Mckinlay Mckinlay Kynuna

The town of Oorindi is within the west of the locality (20.6913°S 141.0741°E / -20.6913; 141.0741 (Oorindi, Queensland)) beside the Oorindi railway station; as at 2019, there is nothing in the town.[4][5] The town of Gilliart is within the west of the locality (20.6866°S 141.5011°E / -20.6866; 141.5011 (Gilliart, Queensland)) beside the Gilliart railway station; as at 2019, there is nothing in the town.[6][5]

Geography

Julia Creek is a town in mid northern Queensland, located on the Flinders Highway (Overlanders Way), the main road between Mount Isa and Townsville. It is 664 kilometres (413 mi) west of Townsville, and is located 123 m above sea level.[7]

The town of Julia Creek is on the Great Northern Railway; the town being served by the Julia Creek railway station.[8]

History

The name Julia Creek was named after the niece of Donald McIntyre (younger brother of Duncan McIntyre), the first white settler in the area.[9] McIntyre took up a property called Dalgonally about 70 kilometres (43 mi) north of the present site of the town in 1864, only a few years after the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition passed through the area.

The township began life as a temporary railway terminus in 1907 when the railway was extended from Richmond to service the copper mines at Cloncurry.

The name Oorindi is the Aboriginal name for the Williams River (which is about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) west of Oorindi) and means stones.[10]

Julia Creek Post Office opened by September 1910 (a receiving office had been open from 1907).[11]

Julia Creek State School was a one-room school established in 1911 with nine students, and was expanded in 1932 and again in 1934.[12][13] A separate high school was constructed in 1963.[9]

In 1952 the town was serviced with electricity.

St Joseph's School opened in 1955 and closed in 1995.[14]

A sixteen-bed hospital was established in 1972.[15]

Julia Creek Public Library was opened in 1994.[16]

Economy

The town's main industries are farming, (especially the beef and wool industries), and mining, which is mainly centred on the South32 mine at nearby Cannington. The town is a major centre for cattle sales and stock trucking, with a large saleyard and associated facilities. Prior to the expansion of the railway to the larger towns of Cloncurry and Mount Isa, the town was also a major transport hub for freight and passengers.

Julia Creek is also home to the Julia Creek dunnart which is now endangered because of feral animals (wild cats, dogs & foxes).

Facilities

Julia Creek has a public library, visitor and cultural centre, swimming pool, tennis courts, parks as well as a sports centre.

The Mckinlay Shire Council operates a public library in Julia Creek at 56 Burke Street.[17]

The Julia Creek branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association has its rooms at 51 Burke Street.[18]

Education

Julia Creek State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at Burke Street (20.6568°S 141.7463°E / -20.6568; 141.7463 (Julia Creek State School)).[19][20] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 34 students with 3 teachers and 4 non-teaching staff (3 full-time equivalent).[21]

There are no secondary schools in Julia Creek. The nearest secondary schools are in Richmond (only to Year 10) and Cloncurry (to Year 12).[5]

Transport
See also: Julia Creek Airport and Flinders Highway, Queensland
Preceding station Queensland Rail Following station
Long distance rail services
Richmond
towards Townsville
 The Inlander Cloncurry
towards Mount Isa

Dirt n Dust Festival

The Dirt n Dust Festival, considered one of Queensland's major sporting events, is held in town annually since 1995.

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Julia Creek (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  2. "Julia Creek – town in Shire of Mckinlay (entry 17428)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  3. "Julia Creek – locality in Shire of Mckinlay (entry 42263)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  4. "Oorindi – town in Shire of Mckinlay (entry 25497)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  5. "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  6. "Gilliat – town in Shire of Mckinlay (entry 13769)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  7. SMH Travel Guide - Julia Creek, retrieved 9 March 2007
  8. "Julia Creek – railway station in the Mckinlay Shire (entry 17429)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  9. Towns - Julia Creek Archived 27 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine, James Cook University, retrieved 9 March 2007
  10. "NOMENCLATURE OF QUEENSLAND.—231". The Courier-mail (881). Queensland, Australia. 26 June 1936. p. 12. Retrieved 2 November 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. Phoenix Auctions History. "Post Office List". Phoenix Auctions. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  12. "Julia Creek SS". Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  13. "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  14. 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. Queensland Health Facility Profile - Julia Creek Hospital, retrieved 9 March 2007.
  16. "Queensland Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-2017" (PDF). Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. November 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  17. "Julia Creek Library". Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. 24 April 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  18. "Branch locations". Queensland Country Women's Association. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  19. "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  20. "Julia Creek State School". Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  21. "ACARA School Profile 2017". Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
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