Rubyvale, Queensland

Rubyvale is a rural town and locality in the Central Highlands Region, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] In the 2016 census, the town of Rubyvale had a population of 640 people.[1]

Rubyvale
Queensland
Main street of Rubyvale
Rubyvale
Coordinates23.4191°S 147.6983°E / -23.4191; 147.6983 (Rubyvale (town centre))
Population640 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density1.899/km2 (4.92/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4702
Area337.1 km2 (130.2 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)Central Highlands Region
State electorate(s)Gregory
Federal Division(s)Flynn
Suburbs around Rubyvale:
Argyll Argyll Carbine Creek
Argyll Rubyvale Fork Lagoons
Willows Anakie Siding Sapphire Central

Rubyvale was one of three towns within the locality of The Gemfields (the others being Sapphire and Anakie) until 17 April 2020, when the Queensland Government decided to replace The Gemfields with three new localities (Rubyvale, Sapphire Central and Anakie Siding) based around each of the three towns respectively. The boundaries of Argyll were also modified to accommodate the introduction of the locality of Rubyvale with an area of 337.1 square kilometres (130.2 sq mi).[4][5][6][7]

Geography

The town is located near the south-east boundary of the locality.[7] The town is approximately 61 kilometres (38 mi) west of Emerald. Sapphires are mined extensively in the area.

History

The name Rubyvale derives from a ruby weighing 5 to 6 pennyweights (0.27 to 0.33 oz; 7.8 to 9.3 g) found near the town by miner William Dunn in the early 1900s.[2] Dunn was very proud of the ruby and did not sell it but showed it to people he trusted; after his death the ruby could not be found.[8]

Rubyvale Provisional School opened on 19 October 1908. On 1 January 1909 it became Rubyvale State School. It closed in 1963.[9]

At the 2006 census, Rubyvale had a population of 510.[10]

In the 2016 census, Rubyvale had a population of 640 people.[1]

Rubyvale was one of three towns within the locality of The Gemfields (the others being Sapphire and Anakie) until 17 April 2020, when the Queensland Government decided to replace The Gemfields with three new localities (Rubyvale, Sapphire Central and Anakie Siding) based around each of the three towns respectively. The boundaries of Argyll were also modified to accommodate the introduction of the locality of Rubyvale with an area of 337.1 square kilometres (130.2 sq mi).[4][5][6][7]

Amenities

Rubyvale has a convenience store/news agents, post office, hotel and take-away bottle shop, as well as a variety of accommodation and fossicking areas. Some popular places to go fossicking are the Bob n John Mine, Bobby Dazzler and Pats Gems.

The Central Highlands Regional Council operates a public library at 7 Burridge Road (23.4200°S 147.6998°E / -23.4200; 147.6998 (Rubyvale library)).[11]

Education

There are no schools in Rubyvale. The nearest primary school is Anakie State School in Anakie to the south. The nearest secondary schools are Emerald State High School in Emerald to the east and Capella State High School in Capella to the north-east.[7]

Climate

The area can get up to 40 °C during summer, and can reach 0 °C in winter.

Heritage listings

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

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Rubyvale (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  2. "Rubyvale – town in Central Highlands Region (entry 29264)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  3. "Rubyvale – locality in the Central Highlands Region (entry 50496)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  4. "Recent place name decisions: Job number 18-115: The Gemfields". Queensland Government. 17 April 2020. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  5. "Proposed Locality Boundaries and Names: Anakie Siding, Argyll, Emerald, Gindie, Lochington, Minerva, Rubyvale and Sapphire Central" (PDF). Queensland Government. 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  6. "Locality Boundaries and Names: Anakie Siding, Argyll, Emerald, Gindie, Lochington, Minerva, Rubyvale and Sapphire Central" (PDF). Queensland Government. 17 April 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  7. "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  8. "The State's mystery town of wealth". The Courier-mail. Queensland, Australia. 18 November 1950. p. 2. Retrieved 23 April 2020 – via Trove.
  9. Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  10. Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Rubyvale (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
  11. "Locations". Central Highlands Regional Council. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  12. "Tomahawk Creek Huts (entry 602661)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
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