Tambo

History

The area on which the town of Tambo now sits was home of many different Aboriginal groups including the Wadjaling, Wadjalad, Wadjabangai, and Pitjara. The first European exploration of the district was by Sir Thomas Mitchell, popularly known as "Major Mitchell", in 1846. For approximately the next 15 years the area was unused until selectors began taking land in 1861. The settlement was renamed Tambo in 1868. The name Tambo comes from an Indigenous Australian word, meaning hidden place, or "resting place, fish, shady waters, hidden waters, a secluded spot, hidden place and native yam." A branch of the Queensland National Bank was first established in 1875. Tambo State School opened on 28 February 1876. A Bush Mission church was built from timber in 1877 for Reverend Peter Campbell, an itinerant preacher. It was designed by JW Wilson. It was built from timber. It has been demolished. St Mary's Catholic Church was a Roman Catholic church at 14 Star Street (). It was built in 1886. On 10 January 1955, it was demolished in a storm. On 18 December 1955, a new church, Our Lady of Victories War Memorical Catholic Church, was blessed and officially opened by Bishop Tynan on the same site as the earlier church. It was designed by Frank Cullen and built from timber. The Courthouse was built in 1888. Tambo Presbyterian Church was opened on Sunday 24 June 1888 by Reverend J. Mably. It was built from timber and cost £750. It has been demolished. Tambo was the location of Qantas' first fatal accident. An Airco DH.9 crashed on 24 March 1927 with the loss of three lives after the plane stalled while landing. St Michael's and All Angels Anglican Church was officially opened by Bishop Halford on Sunday 29 September 1912. It was a timber church in Edward Street. It was…

Geography

Tambo is in Central West Queensland, Australia, on the banks of the Barcoo River. Tambo is southeast of the town of Blackall via the Landsborough Highway, north of Augathella, north of Charleville, north west of Toowoomba and approximately north west of the state capital, Brisbane. The Barcoo River runs through the town and sits near the Grey Range – part of the "Roof of Queensland" section of the Great Dividing Range. The Landsborough Highway—part of the National Highway network linking Brisbane and Darwin—passes through Tambo. Tambo is also connected to Springsure and Alpha by the Dawson Developmental Road and the Alpha Tambo Road.

Most-observed species

• Magpie-lark

  Grallina cyanoleuca (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  133
• Yellow-throated Miner

  Manorina flavigula (Gould, 1840) · Aves
  116
• Australian Magpie

  Gymnorhina tibicen (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  112
• Willie-wagtail

  Rhipidura leucophrys (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  99
• Galah

  Eolophus roseicapilla (Vieillot, 1817) · Aves
  96
• Australasian Grebe

  Tachybaptus novaehollandiae (Stephens, 1826) · Aves
  94
• Crested Pigeon

  Ocyphaps lophotes (Temminck, 1822) · Aves
  81
• Pacific Black Duck

  Anas superciliosa J.F.Gmelin, 1789 · Aves
  76