Dimbulah, Queensland

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Dimbulah Queensland
Dimbulah
Coordinates	17°08′56″S 145°06′38″E / 17.14889°S 145.11056°E / -17.14889; 145.11056Coordinates: 17°08′56″S 145°06′38″E / 17.14889°S 145.11056°E / -17.14889; 145.11056
Population	1,050 (2016 census)[1]
Established	1876
Postcode(s)	4872
Elevation	407 m (1,335 ft)
LGA(s)	Shire of Mareeba
State electorate(s)	Hill Cook
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

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]

Geography[]

Dimbulah is approximately 100km south-west of Cairns. The town was established near the Walsh River as a watering point for trains servicing the Hodgkinson goldfields to the north-west along with the former mining town of Wolfram which is also located to the north-west of the locality. There are historical ruins of early mining there as well as a present-day open cut mine.

Due to the availability of water, Dimbulah also established itself as an agricultural area. However, the Walsh River alone was not reliable enough as a source of water for irrigation. The establishment of Tinaroo Dam and the Mareeba-Dimbulah irrigation scheme provided water security which led to the establishment of many large-scale agricultural enterprises, starting with the expansion of the tobacco industry.

The soils types in the Dimbulah area are particularly suited to tobacco farming due to being based on granitic sand. The 'lighter' soils facilitated the cultivation of a lighter style of tobacco leaf which was in high demand. Some of the soil types in the area include: Murphy, Algoma, Price and Cobra. These soils are mostly colluvial soils derived from weathered metamorphic rock as well as older older alluvium derived from granitic rock.

The main vegetation is low open woodlands consisting mainly of the eucalypts such as bloodwood, box along with melaleucas and a grass cover of kangaroo grass and spear grass.^[4]

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.^[5]

The area around Dimbulah was originally home to the Djankun^[6] and Kuku Djungan tribe. During the 1920s the Queensland Government forcibly removed most of their children, forcing the tribe to scatter.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

The Dimbulah parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns was established in 1963.^[7]

The Dimbulah Public Library opened in 1995 with a minor refurbishment in 2013.^[8]

Dimbulah State School celebrated its centenary on 27 September 2014.^{[citation needed]}

At the 2011 census, Dimbulah had a population of 1,414.^[9]

Heritage listings[]

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

• Main Street, Wolfram: La Société Française des Métaux Rares treatment plant^[10]
• Wolfram Road, Wolfram: Thermo Electric Ore Reduction Corporation Mill^[11]

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 2021, the town's retail facilities include a Bendigo Community Bank with 24-hour ATM, Australia Post office, Dimbulah Chemist , Dimbulah Health & Beauty, Camp 64 Museum Cafe, Junction Hotel, bakery, butcher, TGT hardware store, mini mart, 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, fixed wireless NBN, and 4G mobile service (Telstra and Optus). Nearby properties access NBN via SkyMuster satellite or mobile broadband.

The Mareeba Shire operates a public library at Shire Hall at the corner of Raleigh Street and Burke Development Road.^[12]

The Dimbulah branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at the QCWA Hall at 22 Brickley Street.^[13]

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.^[7]

Events[]

Important local events include the annual Lion's Festival and the Great Wheelbarrow Race both held annually in May.^{[citation needed]}

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).^[7]

Notable people[]

• The Hon. Keith De Lacy AM, former Treasurer of Queensland
• Frances Jankowski, NIDA Alumni^[14]
• Chris Sheppard, former NRL player^[15]
• William Yang, photographer and actor^[16][17]

References[]

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dimbulah, Queensland.

• University of Queensland: Queensland Places: Dimbulah
• Town map of Dimbulah, 1984