Coominya

History

From 1886 to 1906, the area was known as Bellevue (the local pastoral property). The name Coominya is believed to be derived from the Yuggera language where kung means water and nya means to see referring to its lagoons. Coominya State School opened on 17 September 1912. In 1920, the Coominya soldier settlement was established to provide opportunities for soldiers returning from World War I to establish themselves as farmers. There were 100 farms each of intended for growing grapes and fruit. Like many soldier settlements in Australia, the scheme failed due to the poor quality of the land and lack of support for inexperienced farmers. The settlement closed in 1929 with only 2 farms were still operating. Coominya Presbyterian Church was officially opened on Thursday 4 March 1920 by Reverend J. B. Galloway, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church. It was the first church to open in Coominya. On Sunday 21 November 1920, Monsignor James Byrne laid the foundation stone for a Catholic church in Coominya. It had been planned that Archbishop James Duhig was to lay the foundation stone, but he was unable to come on the day. John Newman donated the land for the church and also £300 worth of timber. On Sunday 6 March 1921, Duhig came to Cominya to bless and dedicate the new Catholic church. The new church was including a sacristy. The builder was Mr C. J. Madden, assisted by Messrs J. and H. Madden. During World War II, an airfield was constructed west of Coominya to accommodate US air force squadrons. Today, the airfield is being used by a flight training school. St. Martin's Anglican Church was dedicated on 24 June 1922 by Coadjutor Bishop Henry Le Fanu. It closed circa 2005. The Coominya War Memorial is located on Railway Street and was dedicated on 25 April 1997. In…

Geography

Coominya is bounded by Logan Creek to the north and Buaraba Creek to the south. Although located closely between Atkinson Dam to the south-west and Lake Wivenhoe to the north-east, it does not bound either of these two reservoirs. However, the railway line was closed in 1993.

Most-observed species

• Australian Magpie

  Gymnorhina tibicen (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  2,850
• Magpie-lark

  Grallina cyanoleuca (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  2,773
• Torresian Crow

  Corvus orru Bonaparte, 1850 · Aves
  2,676
• Willie-wagtail

  Rhipidura leucophrys (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  2,557
• Masked Lapwing

  Vanellus miles (Boddaert, 1783) · Aves
  2,471
• Pacific Black Duck

  Anas superciliosa J.F.Gmelin, 1789 · Aves
  2,362
• Whistling Kite

  Haliastur sphenurus (Vieillot, 1818) · Aves
  2,090
• Welcome Swallow

  Hirundo neoxena Gould, 1842 · Aves
  1,905