Toowoomba, Queensland
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Toowoomba is a city and Local Government Area of Queensland, Australia. It is located 90 minutes drive west of Queensland's capital city, Brisbane, and two hours from the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast beaches. With a population of nearly 100,000 people, Toowoomba is Australia's second largest inland city after Canberra, the nation's capital. The city sits on the crest of the Great Dividing Range, around 700 metres above sea level.
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Climate
Toowoomba enjoys four distinct seasons and the rich volcanic soil in the region helps maintain the 150 public parks that are scattered across the city. Jacaranda and camphor laurel trees line many of the city streets. The city's reputation as 'The Garden City' is highlighted during the Australian Carnival of Flowers festival held in September each year.
Toowoomba's climate is pleasant with temperatures averaging 27 degrees Celsius in summer and 15 degrees Celsius in winter.
History
1800-1820
Toowoomba's history can be traced back to 1816 when English botanist and explorer Allan Cunningham (botanist) arrived in Australia from Brazil where he had been searching for native trees and plant life that would be suitable for the Australian climate.
1820-1840
In June 1827, he was rewarded for his many explorations when he discovered 4 million acres (16,000 km²) of rich farming and grazing land bordered on the east by the Great Dividing Range and situated 100 miles (160 km) west of the settlement of Moreton Bay (later to become Brisbane). Cunningham named his find Darling Downs after Sir Ralph Darling, Governor of New South Wales.
It was not until 13 years later when George and Patrick Leslie established Toolburra Station 56 miles south-west of Toowoomba that the first settlers arrived on the Downs. Other settlers quickly followed and a few tradesmen and businessmen settled and established a township of bark-slab shops called The Springs which was soon renamed Drayton.
1840-1860
Towards the end of the 1840s Drayton had grown to the point where it had its own newspaper, general store, trading post and the Royal Bull's Head Inn which was built by William Horton and still stands today. Horton is regarded as the real founder of Toowoomba, although he was not the first man to live there.
Early in 1849 Horton sent two of his men, William Gurney and William Shuttlewood, to cut away reeds in a marshy swampland area a few miles away that nobody from Drayton ever visited. When Gurney and Shuttlewood arrived they were surprised to find a pitched tent among the reeds. The tent's owner was bush worker Josiah Dent who was the first man to live in "The Swamp". This extraordinary news was the main talking point in Drayton for weeks and people became interested in developing The Swamp as useful farming land.
Plans were drawn for 12 to 20 acre (49,000 to 81,000 m²) farms in the swamp (later to be drained and become the foundation for the establishment of Toowoomba) in the hope of attracting more people to the area to support the land and build up the town. Two years later people began purchasing the land but not new settlers. The new farm holdings attracted buyers from Drayton.
On August 29, 1852 the town's only churchman, the Rev. Benjamin Glennie who had lived in Drayton since 1848, christened both children at the Alford home. It was the first Church of England service held in Toowoomba and the first day the word "Toowoomba" was written on a public document.
It is common knowledge that the Alfords had given the town its name, but as to how the name Toowoomba was derived is still a point of argument. There are several theories.
- One is that it derived from the aboriginal word for swamp which is Tawampa as the Aborigines had no "s" in their vocabulary.
- Another theory is that the aboriginal interpretation for "reeds in the swamp" Woomba Woomba was used as the original source
- Or the word Toowoomba was taken from the aboriginal term for a native melon "Toowoom" or "Choowoom" which grew plentifully in the township.
Drovers and wagon masters spread the news of the new settlement at Toowoomba. By 1858 Toowoomba was growing fast. It had a population of 700, three hotels and many stores. Land selling at £4 an acre (£988/km²) in 1850 was now £150 an acre (£37,000/km²).
1860-1880
On 30 June, 1860 a petition of 100 names was sent to the Governor requesting that Toowoomba be declared a Municipality. Governor Bowen granted their wish and a new municipality was proclaimed on 24 November 1860.
The first town council election took place on 4 January 1861 and William Henry Groom, who had led Toowoomba people in their petition for recognition, polled the most votes.
On August 12, 1862 Alderman Groom was elected to State Parliament as Member for Drayton and Toowoomba. Also in August 1862, telegraphic communication was opened between Toowoomba and Brisbane.
In April, 1867 Toowoomba's rail link with Ipswich was opened. In 1870 Alderman Spiro replaced William Groom as Mayor. In 1873 Council was granted control of the swamp area and offered a prize of £100 for the best method of draining it.
The Toowoomba Gas and Coke Company was floated in 1875 and the Council pledged to erect street lamps to assist with the establishment of the fledgling company. Due to its financial situation Council leased part of the swamp to town brickmakers and also approved construction of the Toowoomba Grammar School. The school's foundation stone was laid in this year.
1880-1900
In 1892 the Under Secretary of Public Land proclaimed Toowoomba and the surrounding areas as a township. By 1898, the existing Town Hall was inadequate for the demands of a growing community. In July, Council agreed that new municipal buildings and a Town Hall should be constructed on the site of the School of Arts which had been destroyed by fire earlier that year, pending the sale of the old Town Hall for £2,000 to the Roman Catholic Church.
1900-1920
Council offered a prize of 25 guineas for the best design. Architect Willougby Powell's design was awarded first prize and the contract to erect the building at a cost of £10,000 went to Alexander Mayes who later was elected Mayor. The new building was opened in 1900 and still stands in Ruthven Street today. At noon on 20 October 1904 Toowoomba's status of a township was changed to a city and every bell and horn was sounded for half a minute to celebrate the event. A refurbishment program was completed in 1996 at a cost of $3.4 million and Council meetings are once again held there.
1920-1940
The Second World War saw an invasion by American and Australian troops who took over the parks and major buildings for recreational, hospital and training purposes.
1940-1960
Since the 1950s, Toowoomba has added the provision of tertiary services, military installations, public service departments and a university to its traditional role as a commercial, agricultural and educational centre.
Architecture
Toowoomba's history has been preserved in its buildings. Brilliant examples of fine architecture drawing from the city's wealthy beginning's include Toowoomba City Hall, the National Trust Royal Bull's Head Inn and many examples in the heritage listed Russell Street.
Toowoomba also boasts one of the best performing arts theatres in the country. The Empire Theatre was originally opened 86 years ago on Thursday June 29, 1911, operating as a silent movie house. In February 1933, fire broke out almost completely destroying the Empire Theatre. But the Empire struck back and was reopened in November 1933. The architectural styling of the new Empire Theatre was art deco, in keeping with the trend of the 30's. The new cinema and live performance theatre has recently undergone major renovation and was equipped with the most modern of facilities, now able to seat 2,400 people making it the largest regional theatre in Australia.
The City also is home to the Cobb & Co Museum, hailing to the famous mail company's beggings as a small mail run in the 1800's to transport mail and passangers to Brisbane and beyond. It also houses Australia's largest collection of horse-drawn vehicles.
Historical buildings
Modern buildings
Politics
State politics
The City has traditionally been a safe conservative seat on a state level. The two seats that envelop Toowoomba city are Toowoomba North and Toowoomba South. in the 2001 state election, Kerry Shine, a member of the Queensland Labor Party, was the first non-conservative party member to win a state seat in the city. The member for Toowoomba South, Mike Horan, has held the seat for the Queensland National Party since 1991. The seat has never left the conservative party since federation.
Federal politics
The Federal seat of Groom has existed since federation. The seat has always been held by the Conservatives. Ian MacFarlane, a member of The Liberal Party of Australia has held the seat since 1998.
Economy
The city has twice been voted the best city to live in Australia. Factors which influenced this included the city's low cost of living, pleasant surroundings, clean air and the safe, friendly atmosphere. It has the benefits of city living without the pollution.
The largest industry employers in Toowoomba (2004) are retail trade (17.8%); health and community services (13.3%); manufactoring (12.2%); and education (11.1%).Professional employment was the most prominent occupation (18.2%) followed by clerical, sales and service workers (17.7%) and tradespersons and related workers (13.3%).
The City also boasts many large shopping centres Including Grand Central Shopping Centre, Garden Town, Clifford Gardens and KMart Plaza.
Sister cities
Education
Toowoomba is regarded nationally as a major educational centre, boasting more secondary school's per capita then any other australian city. The University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba, established in 1967 and has approximately 27,000 enrolments. The University of Southern Queensland has the fifth largest enrolment of international students in Australia due to its distance education expertise, English language courses and university bridging courses. The university contributes more than $61 million annually to the regional economy and was awarded the 2000/2001 University of the Year - Good Universities Guide for 'developing the e-university'.
Health
Toowoomba is serviced by one public hospital, Toowoomba Base Hospital, and two private hospitals - Saint Vincents Hospital and Saint Andrews Hospital.
External links
- Toowoomba City Council (http://www.toowoomba.qld.gov.au)
- Profiling Toowoomba, Queensland's Garden City (http://www.toowoombanow.com.au)
- Toowoomba Facts and Figures 2004 (http://www.toowoombanow.com.au/Downloads/Facts&Figures-Edition12.pdf)
- Toowoomba Quarry Gardens (http://www.quarrygardens.com.au/)
- Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers (http://www.toowoombacarnivalofflowers.com.au)
- Empire Theatre Toowoomba (http://www.empiretheatre.com.au)
- Toowoomba Climate Averages (http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_041103.shtml)
- Safe Toowoomba (http://www.safetoowoomba.com)
- Toowoomba Royal Show (http://www.rasq.com.au)
- Tour Toowoomba (http://www.tourtoowoomba.com)