Oakey

History

Oakey and the creek around which the town is located were named for the river oaks that dominate the banks of the creek. The area was first settled in the early 1840s when pastoralists moved into the area and found the land to be suitable for grazing. In 1859, the Jondaryan Woolshed was built to the west of the town to service the rapidly growing wool industry. The first shearing took place in 1861. The Jondaryan pastoral station dominated the area, encompassing over . The woolshed was responsible for over 200,000 head of sheep and could cater for in excess of 50 shearers working simultaneously. Following World War I, the homestead landholding was reduced and separated to allow for soldier settlement programs. The building of the Western railway line through the area in 1867 prompted the growth of a township to service the pastoral community. Growth of the town was slow, however featured some enterprising ventures, including a short-lived meatworks near the town, which planned to tin and export kangaroo and wallaby under the marketing name 'Australian Game'. The enterprise was unsuccessful and closed down in 1876. The town was surveyed in 1868, with the first sale being 28 June 1870. Originally named Oaky, the spelling of Oakey was officially adopted in August 1940. Oakey Creek Post Office opened on 1 June 1869. It was renamed Oakey by 1878. Oakey Creek Vested School opened on 10 August 1874, with a number of celebrations:"A grand picnic and ball was held here on the 3rd instant in honor of the opening of the above school. The school-house is a neat weatherboard building, shingled, and with a verandah on each side, and capable of accommodating between sixty and seventy children, and will amply supply the requirements of the district for years to come. The…

Geography

The town is situated on the eastern side of the Darling Downs and the Toowoomba Region local government area. Oakey Creek, a tributary of the Condamine River, passes through the town. Oakey is one of the towns contained in the Queensland State Electoral district of Condamine and at the federal level it lies within the Division of Groom. The town is surrounded by farms. The town is bypassed by the Warrego Highway (National A2). The Western railway line connects Toowoomba with south-western Queensland; it passes through the locality which is served by two railway stations: * Oakey railway station, serving the town () It is located on the site of the World War 2 airbase. The Oakey Army Aviation Centre is the major user of the airport.

Most-observed species

• Torresian Crow

  Corvus orru Bonaparte, 1850 · Aves
  1,926
• Australian Magpie

  Gymnorhina tibicen (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  1,868
• Magpie-lark

  Grallina cyanoleuca (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  1,836
• Crested Pigeon

  Ocyphaps lophotes (Temminck, 1822) · Aves
  1,798
• Superb Fairywren

  Malurus cyaneus (Ellis, 1782) · Aves
  1,666
• Galah

  Eolophus roseicapilla (Vieillot, 1817) · Aves
  1,526
• Willie-wagtail

  Rhipidura leucophrys (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  1,521
• Noisy Miner

  Manorina melanocephala (Latham, 1801) · Aves
  1,442