Baralaba

History

The town's name is derived from an Aboriginal word meaning "high mountain" referring to nearby Mount Ramsay. Baralaba Post Office opened by April 1924 (a receiving office had been open since about 1919). Lily State School opened in 1925 and closed circa 1927. St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church was designed by Roy Chipps of Rockhampton. The timber church was built by R. L. Schofeld at a cost of £650. On Sunday 24 February 1935, the church was opened and consecrated by Bishop Hayes. In May 1941, an Honour Board commemorating those who served in World War II was unveiled at the Returned and Services League of Australia Memorial Hall in Stopford Street (). Outside of the Memorial Hall is a white cross commemorating those who served in all wars and conflicts. In September 1945, a Methodist Ladies' Guild was established to raise funds for a Methodist church. In November 1945, two blocks of land were donated for the church. The land for Baralaba Methodist Church was consecrated in August 1948. In 1977, the Baralaba Methodist Church became Baralaba Uniting Church when the Methodist Church amalgamated into the Uniting Church in Australia. Two coal mines once operated in the Baralaba region. Both closed, but mining operations recommenced at one mine in 2005. The mobile library service commenced in 2004.

Geography

The Dawson River forms the western boundary of the locality. The town is located in the north-west corner of the locality beside the river. The Neville Hewitt weir on the river at the town creates a wide river for irrigation and recreation. The town is located west of the Leichhardt Highway.

Most-observed species

• Australian Magpie

  Gymnorhina tibicen (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  34
• Magpie-lark

  Grallina cyanoleuca (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  32
• Willie-wagtail

  Rhipidura leucophrys (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  31
• Torresian Crow

  Corvus orru Bonaparte, 1850 · Aves
  29
• Galah

  Eolophus roseicapilla (Vieillot, 1817) · Aves
  27
• Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

  Cacatua galerita (Latham, 1790) · Aves
  25
• Crested Pigeon

  Ocyphaps lophotes (Temminck, 1822) · Aves
  22
• Red-winged Parrot

  Aprosmictus erythropterus (Gmelin, 1788) · Aves
  20