Witta, Queensland

Witta is a rural town and locality in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] In the 2016 census, Witta had a population of 1,201 people.[1]

Witta
Queensland
Witta
Coordinates26.6975°S 152.8119°E / -26.6975; 152.8119
Population1,201 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density34.02/km2 (88.12/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4552
Area35.3 km2 (13.6 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)Sunshine Coast Region
State electorate(s)Glass House
Federal Division(s)Fisher
Suburbs around Witta:
Obi Obi Obi Obi Montville
Curramore Witta North Maleny
Elaman Creek Reesville Maleny

History
C M Nothlings vineyard and shingle roof cottage at Teutoberg, circa 1899
Looking from Witta Road towards Conondale, circa 1931

Witta was first settled around 1887 by German immigrant families. They called it Teutoberg (also spelled Teutoburg), possibly referring to the Teutoburg Forest area in Germany.[4] The town was renamed in 1916 during World War 1 due to anti-German sentiment.[5] The name Witta is a corruption of the word wetya meaning dingo in the Kabi language.[2][3]

Maleny Provisional School opened on 1 October 1892 with the first enrolments on 3 October 1892. It was renamed Teutoberg Provisional School in 1893. It became Teutoberg State School in 1909, and Witta State School in 1926. The school closed on 23 August 1974.[6][7]

A reserve for a School of Arts was gazetted in 1907.[8] The School of Arts was opened on 7 October 1908 by Harry Frederick Walker, Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Wide Bay.[9]

In the 2011 census, Witta had a population of 1,230 people.[10]

In the 2016 census, Witta had a population of 1,201 people.[1]

Geography

Witta is located within the Blackall Ranges. The lower land is mostly cleared for residential and farming purposes. The higher land is largely undeveloped natural bushland.[11]

Amenities
Witta Cemetery gates, 2006
Witta Cemetery, 2006

There is a small cemetery on Witta Road (26.7062°S 152.8268°E / -26.7062; 152.8268 (Witta Cemetery)).[11]

Notable residents
  • Otto Nothling, born in Witta, represented Australia in cricket and rugby union

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Witta (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  2. "Witta – town in Sunshine Coast Region (entry 37782)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  3. "Witta – locality in Sunshine Coast Region (entry 50050)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  4. "Witta". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  5. "TOWN OF TEUTOBERG". The Telegraph (SECOND EDITION ed.). Brisbane. 18 May 1916. p. 2. Retrieved 10 August 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  7. "Agency ID 6545, Witta State School". Queensland State Archives. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  8. "RURAL INTERESTS". The Brisbane Courier. 1 March 1907. p. 7. Retrieved 10 August 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. "Maleny". Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser. Qld. 17 October 1908. p. 3. Retrieved 10 August 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Witta". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  11. "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
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