Theodore, Queensland

This article is about the town in Queensland, Australia. For the suburb of Canberra, see Theodore, Australian Capital Territory.

Theodore is a rural town and locality in the Shire of Banana, Queensland, Australia.^[2][3] In the 2016 census the locality of Theodore had a population of 438 people.^[1]

Theodore Queensland
The Boulevard, looking towards the water tower
Theodore
Coordinates	24°56′50″S 150°04′32″E / 24.9472°S 150.0755°E / -24.9472; 150.0755 (Theodore (town centre))Coordinates: 24°56′50″S 150°04′32″E / 24.9472°S 150.0755°E / -24.9472; 150.0755 (Theodore (town centre))
Population	451 (2021 census locality)^[1]
• Density	205/km^2 (531/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4719
Elevation	142 m (466 ft)
Area	2.2 km^2 (0.8 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	564 km (350 mi) NW of Brisbane 222 km (138 mi) S of Rockhampton 106 km (66 mi) SW of Biloela 226 km (140 mi) N of Miles
LGA(s)	Shire of Banana
State electorate(s)	Callide
Federal division(s)	Flynn
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 28.4 °C 83 °F 13.9 °C 57 °F 731.4 mm 28.8 in
Localities around Theodore: Lonesome Creek Lonesome Creek Lonesome Creek Isla Theodore Lonesome Creek Isla Isla Lonesome Creek

It was established in the 1920s as part of Queensland Premier Ted Theodore's ambitious Dawson River Irrigation Scheme which failed to eventuate. It was originally known as Castle Creek, but that name is now used by another locality in the area.

Geography

Theodore is situated on the Dawson River just off the Leichhardt Highway 565 kilometres (351 mi) north-west of the state capital, Brisbane. Castle Creek flows through the town and into the Dawson River immediately south of the town centre.

History

The Aboriginal inhabitants of the area were the Gangulu people.^[4] Gangalu (Gangulu, Kangulu, Kanolu, Kaangooloo, Khangulu) is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken on Gangula country. The Gangula language region includes the towns of Clermont and Springsure extending south towards the Dawson River.^[5]

The first European settler in the district was Joseph Thompson who amassed a number of pastoral leases from 1850 to his death in 1857, including Oxtrack Creek, Okangal, Coteeda, Delusion Creek, Macoom, Hope, Thalba and Woolthorpe.^[6][7] He entered a partnership with James Reid who acquired the Boam run and acquired Thompson's runs after his death and then acquired further runs, before beginning to sell out to new settlers.^[8][9]

In 1864 a town called Woolthorpe was surveyed and town lots offered for sale,^[10] but few were sold and no town developed at that time.^[8]

In 1893, William Woolrych acquired 13,000 acres (53 km²) of land alongside the Dawson River and gradually built it up through further land acquisitions into the very large Woolthorpe Station.^[8]

Dawson River Irrigation Scheme

In 1905, the Queensland Minister for Lands Joshua Thomas Bell and fellow Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly Robert Herbertson conducted a tour of the district. Herbertson reported that Woolthorpe was "a splendid property, consisting of downs and black soil flats" used for sheep grazing. Herbertson also reported favourably on an experiment to raise lucerne by irrigating 70–80 acres (28–32 ha) of cleared land beside the Dawson River. His opinion was that there was plenty of water available in the Dawson River for irrigation and the land could grow almost any crop. Herbertson believed that, with irrigation, the district would be capable of supporting a large population, provided there was cheap, easy and quick transport to the coast.^[11] This comment about transport followed Minister Bell's earlier criticism of the condition of the roads west of Gladstone which were the responsibility of the Banana Shire and the Taroom Shire.^[12]

The idea of a major irrigation scheme involving the Dawson River continued to be considered by the Queensland Parliament over a number of years.^[13][14][15] However, it was not until February 1920, that the Premier of Queensland Ted Theodore announced his support for a Dawson River irrigation scheme.^[16] Later that year, in September 1920, Ted Theodore announced that a dam would be built at The Gorge on the Dawson River (25°26′47″S 150°08′57″E / 25.44645°S 150.14909°E / -25.44645; 150.14909 (Nathan Gorge)) enabling 100,000 acres (40,000 ha) of fertile land to be created through irrigation along 65 kilometres (40 mi) of the Dawson River.^[17] The irrigated area would be organised into five zones: Isla, Castle Creek (later Theodore), Huon, Moura and Coolibah, with each zone having a central township.^[18] There would be irrigated farms closer to the river and dry (non-irrigated) blocks further away. It was estimated that there would be about 5000 farms and that, together with those living in the towns providing services to the farmers, the irrigation scheme would support about 50,000 people.^[18] Each town would be a "model garden city" as the local population would be sufficient to enable all modern amenities and recreational facilities; this was seen as important to attract younger people, who were believed to be abandoning rural towns in favour of cities to which many had been exposed during the Great War.^[19][20]

In 1922 it was announced that the gorge and the dam would both be named after Matthew Nathan, the (then) Governor of Queensland.^[21] The dam would be the second largest in the world, submerging over 83,200 acres (337 km²) and capable of storing 2,485,000 acre feet (3.065 cubic kilometres) of water.^[18] (For comparison, the present day Wivenhoe Dam has an area of 109.4 square kilometres and a capacity of 2.61 cubic kilometres).

Also in 1922, it was announced that, in addition to the dam, the Dawson Valley Irrigation scheme would include the construction of a railway line to service the Dawson Valley. The funding for the overall scheme was to be through a loan from America for approximately £2.5 million.^[22]

Creating the town of Theodore

As it would take some time to build the Nathan Dam, it was decided to commence on a smaller scale by initiating the Castle Creek irrigation zone by building a small low-cost weir nearby on the Dawson River, from which water would be pumped along canals to the irrigated farms. A power station was also built beside the river. The land offered for initial settlement was 264 irrigated farms of average size 13 acres (5.3 ha) and 109 dry blocks of average size 211 acres (85 ha).^[18]

The town was initially called Castle Creek after the local railway station, which in turn took its name from the creek which flowed into the Dawson River just south of the town. However, in November 1926, it was renamed in honour of Ted Theodore, who as Premier of Queensland had given so much support to the irrigation scheme.^[2][3][23]

 

Theodore State School, 2014

Theodore State School opened on 6 May 1924.^[24]

The Castle Creek receiving office opened on 1 December 1924, but was upgraded to a post office on 15 December 1924. It was renamed Theodore Post Office on 1 July 1927.^[25]

The Hotel Theodore was originally built as a boarding house to accommodate new residents to the district.^[26]

 

Country Women's Association hall, 2014

The Theodore branch of the Country Women's Association was established in about 1928. In 1932, they opened their original rest rooms in Theodore in 1923 at a cost of £113. On 21 February 1953, their current hall on The Boulevard was opened. The land was donated and the building cost £3,000. It is painted in the traditional blue-and-white colours of the CWA.^[27][28]

The Theodore Public Library was opened in 1959.^[29]

Postponement of Nathan Dam

However, Ted Theodore never obtained funding for the Nathan Dam and in 1925 he resigned as Queensland Premier in order to move into federal parliament. In 1933, the Nathan Dam was postponed for 25 years. Without the water needed for irrigation, many of the small farm blocks around Theodore became economically unviable and many sold at a loss. This enabled others to enlarge their holdings to a size where it became possible to support a family with dry farming. However, with fewer families, the population estimates used for Theodore's planning could not be achieved in practice, making many aspects of the town's existing and planned infrastructure economically unviable to the disappointment of the settlers attracted by the government's promotional material of a model garden city.^{[30][31][32][33]}

In 2006, the Queensland Government announced that the Nathan Dam was the preferred short-to-medium-term water supply solution for the district to meet the needs of the growing mining activity in the Surat Basin but indicated that only existing agricultural users would be supplied, suggesting there is no plan to revive the Dawson River Irrigation Scheme more generally.^[34] The dam was originally intended to be operational by 2014.^[35] In 2009, environmental impact studies discovered that half of the already endangered Boggomoss snail (Adclarkia dawsonensis) population would be within the inundation area of the dam. A mitigation strategy would be to relocate those snail communities to other suitable habitats outside the inundation area. A trial relocation project was established but required three years to complete as the success criteria require that relocated snail communities successful breed and rear young for two generations. This trial would delay the project by at least two years.^[36] Later in 2009, SunWater claimed other studies of the snails discovered 18,000 snails in other unidentified locations, reducing the concern about the population in the inundation area and allowing the dam project to resume.^[37] However, as at August 2015, the Queensland Government still lists the snail as "endangered in Queensland" with only two population groups.^[38] Although the Environmental Impact Statement for the dam was completed in 2012, changes to the proposed route of the pipeline in 2013 meant the environmental impact statement had to be revised.^[39] As at November 2015, the revised EIS had not been released for public comment.^[40]

Flooding

In March 2010 the Dawson River flooded, causing significant economic damage to the town.^[41] On 28 December 2010, a second flood forced evacuation of the town, with the level of the Dawson River exceeding 14.6 metres.^[42]

At the 2011 census, Theodore had a population of 452.^[43]

In the 2016 census the locality of Theodore had a population of 438 people.^[1]

Economy

The town's economy is closely linked to coal mining – Theodore is at the southern end of Queensland's coal-rich Bowen Basin.

Education

Theodore State School is a coeducational school catering for Prep – year 10. The school motto is 'Learn with a will'.^[44] At the time of the 2015 Annual Report, Theodore State School had 120 students enrolled.^[45]

Transport

 

Theodore Airport, 2014

Theodore has an airport, Theodore Airport (IATA: TDR, ICAO: YTDR) but no regular scheduled services operate from it. The community has raised funds to install solar-powered lighting so the runway can be used for medical emergency flights at night.

Amenities

 

Library, Theodore, 2014

The Banana Shire Council operates a library on The Boulevard in Theodore.^[46]

Attractions

 

War memorial, 2014

The Theodore War Memorial commemorates Australians who have served in all wars and conflicts. It is located on the oval in the centre of The Boulevard (24°56′57″S 150°04′32″E / 24.949055°S 150.075452°E / -24.949055; 150.075452 (Theodore War Memorial)).^[47]

Events

The Theodore Annual Show is held each May; it is organised by the Theodore Show Society.^[48][49]

Notable residents

• Mal Anderson, tennis champion at the 1957 U.S. National Championships, was born in Theodore^[50]
• Nev Hewitt, Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly was born in Theodore
• Rob Simmons, 2008 - 2017 of the Queensland Reds, 2018 - member of the New South Wales Waratahs^[50]

Gallery

•  

  Dawson River at the back of the Hotel Theodore, 2014

•  

  Hotel Theodore, 1938

•  

  Hotel Theodore, 2014

•  

  Airport, Theodore, 2014

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Theodore (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.  
2. "Theodore – town in Shire of Banana (entry 34200)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
3. "Theodore – locality in Shire of Banana (entry 49575)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
4. "Tindale Tribes - Kangulu". South Australian Museum Archives. from the original on 2 October 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
5.   This Wikipedia article incorporates CC-BY-4.0 licensed text from: "Gangalu". Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map. State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
6. "Domestic Intelligence". The Moreton Bay Courier. Brisbane. 27 June 1857. p. 2. from the original on 21 February 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
7. "Domestic Intelligence". The Moreton Bay Courier. Brisbane. 15 August 1857. p. 2. Retrieved 20 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
8. "Town of Theodore". Hotel Theodore. from the original on 20 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
9. "Transfer of Runs". The Moreton Bay Courier. Brisbane. 27 October 1858. p. 2. Retrieved 20 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
10. "Approaching Land Sales". The Courier (Brisbane). Brisbane. 25 March 1864. p. 3. from the original on 21 February 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
11. "Queensland's Areas for Selection". The Brisbane Courier. 1 May 1905. p. 5. Retrieved 20 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
12. "The Hon. J. T. Bell's Tour". The Brisbane Courier. 25 April 1905. p. 2. from the original on 21 February 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
13. "Irrigation in Queensland". The Brisbane Courier. 2 March 1910. p. 5. Retrieved 4 June 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
14. "Water Conservation and Irrigation". The Morning Bulletin. Rockhampton, Queensland. 8 August 1916. p. 4. from the original on 21 February 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
15. "The Morning Bulletin". The Morning Bulletin. Rockhampton, Queensland. 17 December 1919. p. 8. from the original on 21 February 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
16. "Water and Fodder". The Cairns Post. Queensland. 12 February 1920. p. 5. from the original on 21 February 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
17. "The Premier's Speech". The Western Star and Roma Advertiser. Toowoomba, Queensland. 22 September 1920. p. 2. Retrieved 4 June 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
18. "Dawson Valley". The Central Queensland Herald. Rockhampton, Queensland. 1 June 1933. p. 42. from the original on 21 February 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
19. "Theodore". Sydney Morning Herald. 8 February 2004. from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
20. "Theodore". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland. from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
21. "Vice-Regal Tour". The Morning Bulletin. Rockhampton, Queensland. 30 May 1922. p. 9. Retrieved 4 June 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
22. "Burnett Proposal". The Brisbane Courier. 10 February 1922. p. 6. from the original on 21 February 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
23. "Town of Theodore". The Capricornian. Rockhampton, Queensland. 25 November 1926. p. 26. from the original on 21 February 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
24. "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
25. Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. from the original on 15 May 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
26. "Welcome to Hotel Theodore". Hotel Theodore. from the original on 20 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
27. "Country Women's Association". The Brisbane Courier. 7 May 1929. p. 21. from the original on 21 February 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
28. "Big CWA Theodore paint job". Gladstone Observer. 13 April 2012. from the original on 13 February 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
29. "Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-17" (PDF). Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. November 2017. p. 11. (PDF) from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
30. "Why Dawson Valley Plan Failed". The Week. Brisbane. 31 May 1933. p. 31. from the original on 21 February 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
31. "Fifty Years Before Its Time". The Brisbane Courier. 26 May 1933. p. 14. from the original on 21 February 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
32. "Nathan Dam". The Telegraph. Brisbane. 4 September 1931. p. 4 Edition: First Edition. Retrieved 20 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
33. "The Nathan Dam". The Morning Bulletin. Rockhampton, Queensland. 7 December 1929. p. 12. from the original on 21 February 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
34. SunWater. "Nathan Dam and Pipelines". www.sunwater.com.au. from the original on 20 November 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
35. "Nathan Dam and Pipelines: Project Newsletter" (PDF). SunWater. November 2015. (PDF) from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
36. (PDF). SunWater. July 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
37. (PDF). SunWater. May 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
38. "Boggomoss snail". www.ehp.qld.gov.au. Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Queensland Government. from the original on 22 November 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
39. "Nathan Dam and Pipelines Project Newsletter" (PDF). SunWater. June 2013. (PDF) from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
40. "Nathan Dam and Pipelines". statedevelopment.qld.gov.au. from the original on 20 November 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
41. Guse, Russell (12 March 2010). "Theodore starts flood clean up". Central Telegraph. Biloela: APN News. from the original on 2 January 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
42. Guse, Russel (28 December 2010). "Forced Evacuations from Theodore". Central Telegraph. Biloela: APN News & Media Ltd. from the original on 1 January 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2010.
43. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Theodore (SSC)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 21 April 2014.  
44. "Theodore State School". Education Queensland. from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
45. "Theodore State School Annual Report" (PDF). Education Queensland. (PDF) from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
46. "Branches & Opening hours". Shire of Banana. from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
47. "Theodore War Memorial". Monument Australia. from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
48. "Simple Pleasures: Banana Shire" (PDF). The Gladstone Region. Tourism Queensland. p. 3. (PDF) from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
49. "Theodore Show Society". from the original on 16 May 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
50. "Rob Simmons | Rugby Player | Biography". wallabies.rugby. from the original on 29 December 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Theodore, Queensland.

• "Theodore". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland.
• "Town map of Theodore". Queensland Government. 1981.
• Banana Shire Website
• Central Queensland University's Bowen Basin Website (includes information on Theodore)