Dimbulah, Queensland

Dimbulah is a town and locality in Far North Queensland, Australia, 114 kilometres (71 mi) from Cairns by road, on the Atherton Tableland.[2][3] It is within the local government area of Shire of Mareeba (between 2008 and 2013, it was within the Tablelands Region). At the 2016 census, Dimbulah had a population of 1,050.[1]

Dimbulah
Queensland
Dimbulah
Coordinates17°08′56″S 145°06′38″E
Population1,050 (2016 census)[1]
Established1876
Postcode(s)4872
Elevation407 m (1,335 ft)
LGA(s)Shire of Mareeba
State electorate(s)
Federal Division(s)Kennedy
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
35 °C
95 °F		 10.5 °C
51 °F		 783.2 mm
30.8 in
Localities around Dimbulah:
Chillagoe Thornborough Thornborough
Chillagoe Dimbulah Mutchilba
Petford Irvinebank Irvinebank
Molybdenite from Wolfram Camp near Dimbulah

Geography

The former mining town of Wolfram is located in the north-west of the locality. There are historical ruins of early mining there as well as a present-day open cut mine.

History

The town was established in 1876 to service the Tyrconnell Gold Mine, one of the richest mines on the Hodgkinson Gold Fields. The name "Dimbulah" is thought to have come from the local Indigenous Australian word for "long waterhole", referring to the Walsh River that runs nearby the town. Dimboola Post Office opened by 1900 and was renamed Dimbulah in 1904.[4]

The area around Dimbulah was originally home to the Djankun[5] and Kuku Djungan tribe. During the 1920s the Queensland Government forcibly removed most of their children, forcing the tribe to scatter.

In the early 1900s the area received an influx of Italian migrants and in 1928 tobacco was introduced, becoming the area's major industry soon after. At its peak, there were 800 growers in the area, producing over 8,000 tonnes (60% of national yield) of tobacco a year. "The Way Back In" is an Australian heritage project that documents a small selection of Australian heritage within the Italian communities in Dimbulah, Innisfail and Cairns.

The Dimbulah parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns was established in 1963.[6]

The Dimbulah Public Library opened in 1995 with a minor refurbishment in 2013.[7]

Dimbulah State School celebrated its centenary on 27 September 2014.

At the 2011 census, Dimbulah had a population of 1,414.[8]

Heritage listings

Dimbulah has a number of sites listed on the Queensland Heritage Register including:

Economy

Tobacco remained the dominant crop until recent years when government policy compelled its demise. Recent attempts at alternative crops such as tea trees, mangoes, sugar cane, coffee, lemons, limes, avocados, papaws, papayas, peanuts, soya beans, lychees, grapes and cash crops (pumpkins, melons, etc.) have met with mixed success. Farming is a significant employment option in Dimbulah and many travelers, including backpackers, are employed as short-term farm labourers, particularly during the busy mango harvest from November to January. Holders of a working holiday visa may be eligible for an extension to their visa after a period of work on farms in the area. Accommodation is available at the town's caravan park or the Junction Hotel. If employed on a farm, accommodation is often available in small 'dongas' or barracks. Public transport from Cairns is possible, although infrequent, on Trans North's bus service which stops at Mareeba, 45 kilometres (28 mi) from Dimbulah. The Savannahlander tourist train stops in Dimbulah as well but does not operate year-round.

Climate

Local residents enjoy a tropical climate with hot, wet summers and dry, mild winters.

Education
  • Dimbulah Limited Hours Child Care, Age range 15 months - 5 years
  • Dimbulah Kindergarten, Age range 3–5 years (C&K Affiliated)
  • Dimbulah P-10 State School (founded September 1914), Age range: 4–16 years
  • St Anthony's Parish School (Catholic - founded January 1966) Age range: 4-12

Amenities
Junction Hotel, Dimbulah, circa 1930 (still operating 2017)

In 2013, the town's retail facilities include a Bendigo Community Bank with 24-hour ATM, Australia Post office, Mareeba Discount Chemist, Funky Mango Cafe, Canzian's Restaurant, Junction Hotel, Abundant Life opp shop, Sunshine Bakery, butcher, two salons, TGT hardware store, Foodworks grocery store, One Stop convenience store and two petrol stations. Community groups include the Dimbulah Community Centre, St Anthony's Catholic church, Men's Shed, Lions Club, QCWA, Chamber of Commerce, museum association, and several other faith-based groups.

There are many sporting clubs including swimming (with an Olympic-sized pool), tennis, horse & pony, lawn bowls, Rhee Taekwon-Do, and soccer/football. Services include Police station, Queensland Health clinic, ADSL internet, and 3G mobile service (Telstra and Optus).

The Mareeba Shire operates a public library at Shire Hall at the corner of Raleigh Street and Burke Development Road.[11]

The Dimbulah branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at the QCWA Hall at 22 Brickley Street.[12]

St Anthony's Catholic Church is in Raleigh Street. It is within the Dimbulah Parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns which is administered from the Atherton parish.[6]

Events

Important local events include the annual Lion's Festival and the Great Wheelbarrow Race both held annually in May.

St Anthony's Catholic Church celebrates the Feast Day of St Anthony of Padua on the 3rd Sunday of June with a special mass, followed by a procession, barbeque and pesca (a lucky dip which takes its name from the Italian pesca miracolosa, the miraculous catch of fish).[6]

Notable people

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Dimbulah". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  2. "Dimbulah – town (entry 9976)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  3. "Dimbulah – locality (entry 48608)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  4. Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  5. "Tindale's Catalogue of Australian Aboriginal Tribes". South Australia Museum Archives. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  6. "Dimbulah Parish". Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns. Archived from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  7. "Queensland Public Library Statistical Bulletin 2016-17" (PDF). Public Libraries Connect. November 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  8. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Dimbulah". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  9. "La Société Française des Métaux Rares treatment plant (former) (entry 602583)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  10. "Thermo Electric Ore Reduction Corporation Mill (entry 602240)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  11. "Dimbulah Library". Public Libraries Connect. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  12. "Branch Locations". Queensland Country Women's Association. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  13. "Show us your arts!". My Sunshine Coast. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  14. Marshall, Matt (28 February 2007). "Good Sheppard". Rugby League Week. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  15. "Mother. Cairns, 1930s - William Yang". Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  16. "My Family in North Queensland - What's On - Exhibitions - Cairns Art Gallery". Cairns Art Gallery. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
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