Oakey, Queensland
Encyclopedia
Oakey is a rural town situated in the Darling Downs region of Queensland
, Australia
. It is situated 160 kilometres (99.4 mi) west of the state capital, Brisbane
, and 29 kilometres (18 mi) west of the regional city of Toowoomba
. At the 2006 census
, Oakey had a population of 3,657.
In 1859 Jondaryan Woolshed was built to service the rapidly growing wool industry. The railway reached Oakey and Jondaryan in 1867. The Jondaryan Property dominated the area, encompassing over 400000 acres (1,618.7 km²). The Woolshed was responsible for over 200,000 head of sheep and could cater for in excess of 50 shearers working simultaneously. Following World War I
, the homestead landholding was reduced and separated to allow for soldier re-settlement programs.
The town's moment of glory came with the birth of the brilliant horse Bernborough
at Rosalie Plains in 1939. For the first four years of his life Bernborough was restricted to racing in the local area (because of a ban the Queensland Turf Club had placed on his owners) and he became something of a legend on the tracks around Toowoomba. Eventually the horse was sold to a businessman in Sydney and raced in three states, winning 15 consecutive races between 22 December 1945 and 19 October 1946. His memory is honoured by the life-size bronze horse cast (the first in Australia) which stands outside the Jondaryan shire office. His trainer Harry Plant believed that Bernborough was the greatest horse ever to race in Australia.
During World War II
the requirement for aircraft maintenance and construction exceeded the capabilities of Brisbane-based facilities. To expand the capability, a 934 acres (378 ha) site at Oakey was purchased to facilitate the raising of Number 6 Aircraft Depot (6AD). An airbase was sited approximately 2 miles (3 km) north of the town, and runways were built. With a full complement of RAAF personnel, the base housed almost 2000 troops. The Depot serviced, assembled and conducted test flights of Bristol Beaufort
, P-51 Mustang
, Norsemen, CAC Wirraway
and Supermarine Spitfire
aircraft.
In 1975 Jondaryan Woolshed Historical Museum and Park was established to present the history of Jondaryan Station and its role in the development of pastoralism on the Darling Downs. The woolshed has been in continuous operation since it was built.
(National A2), and is also on the main rail link connecting Brisbane and Toowoomba with south-western Queensland.
Oakey is connected to Toowoomba and Brisbane by bus.
The airport, which primarily functions as the Oakey Army Aviation Centre
is located on the site of the original World War 2 airbase. It was serviced by Macair Airlines
commercial air services originating in Brisbane
, however the failure of Macair has seen services commenced by Skytrans being routed via Toowoomba.
The Oakey Army Aviation Centre
located at the airport, also includes the Museum of Australian Army Flying, which displays aircraft and memorabilia dating from World War I
to the present.
The township also provides services for agricultural and mining activities in the local area.
Oakey has been regularly mentioned on the Australian soap opera, Neighbours
, with characters both originating from the town and moving to the town. A storyline which aired in July 2009 saw the Parker family going on a road trip to Oakey, however the car crashed before it reached its destination, resulting in the tragic death of a family member. As a result the rest of the family decided to leave Erinsborough
and move back to Oakey.
Nearby attractions include the Jondaryan Woolshed, The Acland Coal Mine Museum, The Museum of Army Aviation and the Brookvale Nursery.
The University of Queensland also has a campus for Equine Studies in the town.
Oakey is one of the towns contained in the Queensland State Electoral district of Condamine
.
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It is situated 160 kilometres (99.4 mi) west of the state capital, Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, and 29 kilometres (18 mi) west of the regional city of Toowoomba
Toowoomba, Queensland
Toowoomba is a city in Southern Queensland, Australia. It is located west of Queensland's capital city, Brisbane. With an estimated district population of 128,600, Toowoomba is Australia's second largest inland city and its largest non-capital inland city...
. At the 2006 census
Census in Australia
The Australian census is administered once every five years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The most recent census was conducted on 9 August 2011; the next will be conducted in 2016. Prior to the introduction of regular censuses in 1961, they had also been run in 1901, 1911, 1921, 1933,...
, Oakey had a population of 3,657.
History
Oakey and the creek around which the town is located, were named for the river oaks that dominate the banks of the creek. The area was first settled in the early 1840s when pastoralists moved into the area and found the land to be suitable for grazing. The building of the western railway line through the area prompted the growth of a township to service the pastoral community. Growth of the town was slow, however featured some enterprising ventures, including a short-lived meatworks near the town, which planned to tin and export kangaroo and wallaby under the marketing name 'Australian Game'. The enterprise was unsuccessful and closed down in 1876.In 1859 Jondaryan Woolshed was built to service the rapidly growing wool industry. The railway reached Oakey and Jondaryan in 1867. The Jondaryan Property dominated the area, encompassing over 400000 acres (1,618.7 km²). The Woolshed was responsible for over 200,000 head of sheep and could cater for in excess of 50 shearers working simultaneously. Following World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the homestead landholding was reduced and separated to allow for soldier re-settlement programs.
The town's moment of glory came with the birth of the brilliant horse Bernborough
Bernborough
Bernborough was an outstanding Australian-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who competed from 1941 to 1946. He carried heavy weights to victory in a sequence of 15 consecutive wins that included the Doomben 10,000 carrying 10 stone 5 pounds....
at Rosalie Plains in 1939. For the first four years of his life Bernborough was restricted to racing in the local area (because of a ban the Queensland Turf Club had placed on his owners) and he became something of a legend on the tracks around Toowoomba. Eventually the horse was sold to a businessman in Sydney and raced in three states, winning 15 consecutive races between 22 December 1945 and 19 October 1946. His memory is honoured by the life-size bronze horse cast (the first in Australia) which stands outside the Jondaryan shire office. His trainer Harry Plant believed that Bernborough was the greatest horse ever to race in Australia.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the requirement for aircraft maintenance and construction exceeded the capabilities of Brisbane-based facilities. To expand the capability, a 934 acres (378 ha) site at Oakey was purchased to facilitate the raising of Number 6 Aircraft Depot (6AD). An airbase was sited approximately 2 miles (3 km) north of the town, and runways were built. With a full complement of RAAF personnel, the base housed almost 2000 troops. The Depot serviced, assembled and conducted test flights of Bristol Beaufort
Bristol Beaufort
The Bristol Beaufort was a British twin-engined torpedo bomber designed by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, and developed from experience gained designing and building the earlier Blenheim light bomber....
, P-51 Mustang
P-51 Mustang
The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts...
, Norsemen, CAC Wirraway
CAC Wirraway
The Wirraway was a training and general purpose military aircraft manufactured in Australia by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation between 1939 and 1946...
and Supermarine Spitfire
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
aircraft.
In 1975 Jondaryan Woolshed Historical Museum and Park was established to present the history of Jondaryan Station and its role in the development of pastoralism on the Darling Downs. The woolshed has been in continuous operation since it was built.
Transport
The town is bypassed by the Warrego HighwayWarrego Highway
The Warrego Highway is located in southern Queensland, Australia. It connects coastal centres to the south western areas of the state, and is approximately 750 km in length. It takes its name from the Warrego River, which is the endpoint of the highway...
(National A2), and is also on the main rail link connecting Brisbane and Toowoomba with south-western Queensland.
Oakey is connected to Toowoomba and Brisbane by bus.
The airport, which primarily functions as the Oakey Army Aviation Centre
Oakey Army Aviation Centre
Oakey Army Aviation Centre is situated approximately 3 km from the town centre of Oakey in Queensland, Australia. It provides a training establishment for Australian Army Aviation, and also hosts a Singapore Armed Forces Helicopter Squadron, namely the 126 Squadron.-History:The base has a...
is located on the site of the original World War 2 airbase. It was serviced by Macair Airlines
Macair Airlines
MacAir Airlines Pty Ltd was a regional airline based in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It operated scheduled passenger services throughout Queensland from major regional locations, as well as regular and ad hoc charters for the minerals industry in Queensland...
commercial air services originating in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, however the failure of Macair has seen services commenced by Skytrans being routed via Toowoomba.
Climate
The climate is varied, with hot dry conditions in summer and cool conditions in winter. Cold nights and frosts are frequent in the winter months. Temperatures below -7.5°C (18.5°F) and temperatures above 41.8°C (107.24°F) have been recorded.Present day
Industry is rural based, with emphasis on meat and cropping. A meatworks is located in the town. There are also mining operations in the surrounding districts. The main town centre was redeveloped during 2005 by the council and now includes new shops, landscaping and tree plantings.The Oakey Army Aviation Centre
Oakey Army Aviation Centre
Oakey Army Aviation Centre is situated approximately 3 km from the town centre of Oakey in Queensland, Australia. It provides a training establishment for Australian Army Aviation, and also hosts a Singapore Armed Forces Helicopter Squadron, namely the 126 Squadron.-History:The base has a...
located at the airport, also includes the Museum of Australian Army Flying, which displays aircraft and memorabilia dating from World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
to the present.
The township also provides services for agricultural and mining activities in the local area.
Oakey has been regularly mentioned on the Australian soap opera, Neighbours
Neighbours
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
, with characters both originating from the town and moving to the town. A storyline which aired in July 2009 saw the Parker family going on a road trip to Oakey, however the car crashed before it reached its destination, resulting in the tragic death of a family member. As a result the rest of the family decided to leave Erinsborough
Erinsborough
Erinsborough is the fictional suburb in which the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours is set. The show focuses on the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the suburb...
and move back to Oakey.
Facilities and attractions
The township has many amenities, including an Olympic swimming pool and Golf course. There are several motels and hotels in town providing accommodation, as well as a caravan park catering for tourists. The local RSL (Returned Services League) Club provides convention style facilities, and is the hub of the war remembrance activities for the local area on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day. The town has a junior state school and state high school, as well as daycare and pre-school centres. Oakey has a local hospital providing emergency services and inpatient care as well as a large co-located nursing home facility known as the EAF McDonald nursing home. There a two private GP practices in the town.Nearby attractions include the Jondaryan Woolshed, The Acland Coal Mine Museum, The Museum of Army Aviation and the Brookvale Nursery.
The University of Queensland also has a campus for Equine Studies in the town.
Oakey is one of the towns contained in the Queensland State Electoral district of Condamine
Electoral district of Condamine
The district of Condamine is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of Queensland.Condamine takes in areas to the north-west, west and south of Toowoomba. It includes the towns of Dalby, Oakey, Pittsworth and Clifton. The district is named for the Condamine River...
.