79-584: Mount Kent Observatory near Toowoomba , in the Darling Downs region of Queensland , Australia , is an observatory owned and operated by the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ). It is the only professional astronomical research observatory in the state of Queensland. Mount Kent hosts the four MINERVA-Australis exoplanet-finding telescopes, three SONG telescopes for asteroseismology and stellar astrophysics , two 'Shared Skies' telescopes, and
158-465: A USQ-Louisville telescope. It is also used for teaching UniSQ students, and is part of a 'Shared Skies Partnership' with the University of Louisville 's Moore Observatory , Kentucky . In the 1980s a dark sky site was established at Mount Kent and used for teaching purposes by USQ. By 2009 the facilities had grown to include three telescopes: the Webb, O'Mara, and Louisville telescopes. The observatory
237-681: A ball in their hearts to rid themselves of their ceremonials and presence at once?" The general mode of attack by the colonists would involve an early morning raid on the Aboriginal camps. The Hodgsons would "generally employ our [black] boys from distant tribes to act as trackers" to locate defiant groups of Aboriginal people. Sometimes a prisoner was taken and "ordered to conduct us to his own camp on risk of his life" and once at this camp, "we rushed to attack it and we had, notwithstanding, ample revenge". Hodgson describes how Aborigines would try to recover "the corpses of those who had fallen victims to
316-536: A distance of around 170 km (110 mi). The rich volcanic soil in the region helps maintain the 159 public parks that are scattered across the city. Jacaranda , camphor laurel and plane trees line many of the city streets. The city's reputation as 'The Garden City' is highlighted during the Australian Carnival of Flowers festival held in September each year. Deciduous trees from around
395-518: A distinct four seasons and is home to festivals including the Carnival of Flowers . Notable landmarks include Queens and Laurel Bank Park , the Empire Theatre , St James' Palace , and Mt Meewah. The surrounding Darling Downs region is known for its rolling hills and pastures, agricultural produce, and historic homesteads. The exact origin of the city's current name is unknown, although it
474-483: A garbage disposal until 1931 and leases for grazing horses were granted until the 1920s. By the 1940s a children's playground had been erected in Queens Park, following the tradition of children's playgrounds set up around the state from the 1920s and developed to allow the proper recreation and exercise of children. Development during the 1950s to the 1970s saw dramatic overhaul of the existing facilities within
553-602: A long used and popular reserve for public recreation and as an early example of the history of the Queensland Government vesting local authorities with the maintenance and control of public reserves. The place has a special association with the life or work of a particular person, group or organisation of importance in Queensland's history. The park and garden feature a number of memorials and gardens, commemorating well known local citizens, these including
632-572: A low masonry fence which is broken to form entrances. A large, recent entrance gate is found on the Lindsay Street boundary of the Gardens. This large structure is made from rubble sandstone and has 4 circular sandstone motifs, and an entablature with Toowoomba Botanic Gardens Est'd 1875. Just inside this gate is another recent addition, a doorway feature from a local demolished building, comprising two granite columns with ionic caps joined by
711-510: A major engineering feat. A cannon was sited near the memorial in 1900. In the 1920s Toowoomba become known as the garden city of Queensland, in recognition of the extensive network of well established gardens which dotted the city. Of these, the Queen's Park and adjacent Botanic Gardens were the premier examples. By now a large iron framed glasshouse was featured in the gardens and the paths were gravelled. However Queens Park continued to be used as
790-687: A portion to be allotted to him for testing the climate of the Downs for the growth (of plants) "of commercial value". That part allotted to the Botanic Gardens was at the northern end of the site, in the small rectangular section forming one of the arms of the L-shaped block. With the establishment of the Toowoomba Botanic Garden, a curator, Edward Way, was appointed and the gardens were well established in late 1875. The curator
869-599: A sandstone entablature. A new toilet block has been constructed within the grounds of the gardens. Queens Park is a more open, less formally arranged space. The most apparent plantings are those forming the Camphor laurel avenue from the Botanic Gardens and aligned with the Thomas Memorial and large established trees surrounding the eastern end and northern border of the Park. Several large playing fields are dotted over
SECTION 10
#1732798582434948-676: A situation somewhat unique among Queensland cities, snow has been reported on the higher parts of the city on several occasions; this is a trait it shares with the Granite Belt to the south along the Great Dividing Range. Light frost will be experienced several nights each winter in the city centre, more often in the western suburbs. According to the Bureau of Meteorology , the highest temperature ever recorded in Toowoomba
1027-507: A small mail run in the 1800s to transport mail and passengers to Brisbane and beyond. It also houses Australia's largest collection of horse-drawn vehicles. The museum has undergone a A$ 8 million redevelopment before reopening in September 2010. Toowoomba has many heritage-listed sites, with over fifty on the Queensland Heritage Register in addition to listings on other local heritage registers. Toowoomba
1106-496: Is a heritage-listed botanic garden at 43–79 Lindsay Street, East Toowoomba , Toowoomba , Queensland , Toowoomba Region , Australia. It was built from 1875 to 1970s. It also contains the Toowoomba Botanic Gardens. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 27 April 2001. The Queen's Park and Botanic Gardens, Toowoomba was gazetted as a public reserve in 1869. It was not until the mid 1870s that
1185-472: Is characterised by a more formal layout and planting, with large trees surrounded by garden beds in geometrical patterns, hedges and avenues. The focal point of the Gardens is the Thomas Memorial which sits in the middle of a large circular bedded area, more open than other areas of the Gardens. Adjacent to the Thomas Memorial in this area is a small cannon. Walks in the garden are gravelled and usually bordered by narrow flower beds. The gardens are surrounded by
1264-588: Is even known to have the odd snowfall. As a result, the city has a reputation for being cooler than many other towns and cities in Queensland. Toowoomba is generally sunny, receiving 103.9 clear days annually on average, mostly in winter. Daily maximum temperatures in Toowoomba average 28 °C (82 °F) in summer and 17 °C (63 °F) in winter. Unlike most of inland Queensland, summer temperatures above 33 °C (91 °F) are uncommon, whilst winter days rarely above 23 °C (73 °F). Winter nights seldom drop below 0 °C (32 °F); however, in
1343-484: Is just over 218 kilometres as the crow flies . In 1899, George Essex Evans published his theory in a pamphlet. He wrote that "Toowoomba" was an Aboriginal word meaning "meeting of the waters", although no evidence was provided to support this claim. Toowoomba is on the crest of the Great Dividing Range , around 700 metres (2,300 ft) above sea level. A few streets lie on the eastern edge of
1422-458: Is located 132 km (82 mi) west of Queensland's capital, Brisbane . The urban population of Toowoomba as of the 2021 census was 142,163, having grown at an average annual rate of 1.45% over the previous two decades. Toowoomba is the second-most-populous inland city in Australia after the nation's capital, Canberra . It is also the second-largest regional centre in Queensland, and
1501-539: Is no evidence that the melon grew near the Toowoomba swamps. A man named Enoggera Charlie proposed another theory in a news story he wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald . He claimed that when he was looking for work as a tar boy, he camped overnight near the Toowoomba Swamp. He claimed that when he asked a shepherd about the naming of the Toowoomba Swamp, he was told that near the junction of
1580-731: Is often referred to as the capital of the Darling Downs. The city serves as the council seat of the Toowoomba Region . Toowoomba, one of Australia's oldest inland cities, was founded in 1849 on the lands of the Giabal and Jarowair people. The city's central streets were named after the history of the House of Stuart . The city became the viceregal summer retreat of Queensland's governors . The city witnessed several significant events during Australia's Victorian period , including
1659-481: Is significant for its considerable aesthetic value as a large urban park with both formal and informal section all planted with early and substantial trees. The Park and Gardens have individual items of particular aesthetic merit, including a Camphor laurel avenue, other avenues and individual trees. The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural or spiritual reasons. The place has social significance as
SECTION 20
#17327985824341738-665: Is the seat of the Toowoomba Region local government area . The city is represented in the Parliament of Queensland by three seats: Toowoomba North , Toowoomba South and Condamine . In the Commonwealth Parliament , Toowoomba forms part of the Division of Groom , which is held by Garth Hamilton for the Liberal National Party of Queensland . Queens Park, Toowoomba Queens Park
1817-472: Is widely accepted that the name derives from an Aboriginal language. When Toowoomba was first discovered by Europeans, it was named "Drayton Swamp" (in reference to the Toowoomba Swamp) and was often nicknamed "The Swamp". One theory is that after European settlement, the local Aboriginal people referred to it as "Tawampa", which is borrowed from "The Swamp". Another theory is that it derives from
1896-518: The 2016 census , the Urban Centre of Toowoomba recorded a population of 100,032 people. Of these: Toowoomba has a humid subtropical climate ( Köppen climate classification : Cfa ) with warm summers and cool winters. The city's inland location as well as elevation and exposed location on the Great Dividing Range influence its climate in several notable ways: Toowoomba experiences more frequent high winds, hail, fog, low maximum temperatures and
1975-667: The Darling Downs , bordered on the east by the Great Dividing Range and 160 kilometres (100 mi) west of the settlement of Moreton Bay . In 1840, Patrick Leslie (second son of the ninth Laird of Warthill ) and Peter Murphy established Toolburra Station 56 miles (90 km) south-west of Toowoomba, being the first British pastoralists to take land on the Downs. Later that same year, Eton College graduate, Arthur Hodgson , together with Gilbert Elliot and Cocky Rogers established "Eton Vale" on land which included "The Swamp", now known as Toowoomba. In forming Eton Vale , Hodgson's brother Christopher Pemberton Hodgson , later described
2054-688: The War of Southern Queensland and Battle of One Tree Hill . During the Federation period , Toowoomba emerged as a major artistic and cultural centre with the establishment of the Austral Society . Toowoomba, a city renowned for its cathedrals and universities, is celebrated for its preserved Victorian-era and traditional Queenslander architecture , historic churches and gardens, and vibrant food, and coffee culture . The city boasts street art, laneways, and numerous nature trails. The city experiences
2133-500: The "constant skirmishes with the natives" to wrest control of the area off the local Aboriginal people. He wrote that hundreds of Aborigines were killed in a bitter war that lasted three years from the time they arrived in the area. The interior of Eton Vale homestead was decorated with spears and boomerangs and other spoil which the Hodgsons had collected after hard fought battles with "the blacks". Hodgson wrote "who would not rather put
2212-481: The 1900s. In July 1902, 80 subdivided allotments of "The Lilley Estate" owned by the late Sir Charles Lilley, were advertised to be auctioned by Scholefield & Godsall. A map advertising the auction shows that the estate was bordered by Bridge, Mary and Lindsay Streets and overlooking and adjoining the Royal Agricultural Society's Showgrounds. In 1905, the Royal Agricultural Society and
2291-416: The 19th century kiosk, conservatory/greenhouse, bush-house and bandstand were removed from the park. The Toowoomba Queens Park and adjacent Botanic Gardens are located on a large open L-shaped site bounded by Margaret Street to the south, Hume Street to the west, Godsall and Campbell Streets to the north and Lindsay Street to the east. The part occupied by the Botanic Gardens is a small rectangular section of
2370-483: The Acclimatization Society, and a bush house. The latter part of the 1870s saw the planting and testing of structure trees and fruit trees and in 1880 climatic experiments were carried out on the extant garden. Periodically trees were removed and replaced from the gardens to allow continual testing of various species and types, the results from these tests were published in local papers and forwarded to
2449-402: The Botanic Gardens continued in the 1890s with the construction of several buildings, including a curator's cottage, kiosk, bandstand and, in 1900, a zoo on the southern boundary of the park. None of these buildings are extant. One of the more prominent avenues associated with the Park and Gardens is the Camphor laurel avenue from Margaret Street to northwards to the Gardens. Although only parts of
Mount Kent Observatory - Misplaced Pages Continue
2528-870: The Brisbane Botanic Gardens, thereby contributing to a rich volume of knowledge about Queensland botany. With the Botanical Gardens well underway, it was time for the Council to concentrate on the development of Queen's Park which was still pitted with holes and without vegetation. By 1881 the site was used by the Caledonian Sports Association as a sports field with the erection of a small grandstand, sports ring and running track. Many societies and clubs established sports fields on Queens Park throughout its life and to this day there are many sports fields associated with
2607-634: The CBD to form Gowrie Creek. Gowrie Creek drains west across the Darling Downs and is a tributary of the Condamine River , part of the Murray–Darling basin . The water flowing down Gowrie Creek travels approximately 3,000 km (1,900 mi) to the mouth of the Murray River near Adelaide , South Australia. Rain falling on the easternmost streets of Toowoomba flows east to Moreton Bay ,
2686-416: The Council at the establishment of Queen's Park to develop a Botanic Gardens in conjunction with the public recreation park, Groom successfully lobbied the colonial government for £ 500 in 1874 for this purpose. Under the direction of Brisbane Botanic Gardens curator, Walter Hill , the Brisbane Botanic Gardens was establishing branch gardens throughout Queensland. After Ipswich , the Toowoomba Botanic Gardens
2765-579: The Drayton and Toowoomba Agricultural and Horticultural Society merged and the Toowoomba Showgrounds on Campbell Street became the sole venue for the annual show. The Rotary Club of Toowoomba was established in 1930. During World War II , Toowoomba was the location of RAAF No.7 Inland Aircraft Fuel Depot (IAFD), completed in 1942 and closed on 29 August 1944. Usually consisting of 4 tanks, 31 fuel depots were built across Australia for
2844-457: The East and West Swamps, there was a log with an inscription informing swagmen of the way to a well-known homestead where food rations were available. He claimed that the inscription read "To Woombrah". A man named Ardlaw Lawrence put forward his theory shortly after Enoggera Charlie. He suggested that the name was an Anglicised form of "Boowoomga", which comes from the term for "thunder" in
2923-652: The Empire Theatre is now the largest regional theatre in Australia. The former Drayton railway station now functions as the DownSteam heritage railway and museum . Rollingstock includes the only surviving C16 Class , No. 106 "Pride of Toowoomba", Built in 1914 and originally retired in Cairns by 1964. The city also is home to the Cobb & Co Museum , hailing to the famous mail company's beginnings as
3002-668: The Gummingurru Aboriginal Corporation and is an important ceremonial place for not only the traditional groups but neighbouring groups. Toowoomba's colonial history traces back to when English botanist and explorer Allan Cunningham arrived in Australia from Brazil . He conducted an inland expedition north from the New England region and in June 1827 encountered 4 million acres (16,000 km ) of rich farming and grazing land, which he named as
3081-588: The L shape, extending north to Campbell Street from Godsall Street. Substantial remnants of early planting remain within both the Gardens and the Park, most prominently the Camphor laurel avenue traversing north south, from Margaret to Campbell Street and comprising a walkway bounded by mature Camphor laurels. Many early single individual trees also remain, among them Bottle trees, Bunya pines , Chinese elm, Cricket Bat willow, English oak, Himalayan pine, Jacaranda, Norfolk Island pine, Plane trees, Kauri pine, Silky oak, Silver maple and Swamp cypress. The Botanic Gardens
3160-587: The Park and these are serviced by small one storeyed facilities buildings. In the south west corner of the park is a more formal area, known as the Vera Lacaze Gardens and containing a bridge between lawned mounds and toilet block. The park is more sparsely planted at this western end, which is closer to the Toowoomba CBD. Toowoomba Queens Park and Botanic Gardens was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 27 April 2001 having satisfied
3239-428: The Queens Park and Botanic Gardens were established as separate, but related, entities on this land. Queens Park was intended as a place of public recreation and the Botanic Gardens as a place for botanic research. Urban public parks became a popular vehicle for 19th century movements concerned with public health - the park provided a place for the outdoor recreation of those unable to afford private gardens and improved
Mount Kent Observatory - Misplaced Pages Continue
3318-509: The Queensland Legislative Assembly , lobbied the colonial government for an area of land for public recreation. A constant theme over Groom's long political career was his interest in the development of Toowoomba as a major centre and of the associated rural interests of the surrounding fertile farming area. In 1861 land was reserved for a Toowoomba recreation park but this was not the eventual site. By September 1869
3397-541: The Thomas Memorial Vera Lacaze. The place has significance for its association with Walter Hill, on whose advice the Botanic Gardens was instigated and laid out, and who was instrumental in the development of the regional network of botanic gardens and thereby contributing to early knowledge of the intersection between botany and Queensland geography. The place has significance for its association with William Groom who as Mayor of Toowoomba for six years
3476-502: The avenue remain within the Gardens in 2000, it remains extant within the Park. This avenue was established by 1891. At about this time, the Alfred Thomas Memorial was relocated from the corner of Ruthven and Margaret Streets, to the centre of the circular part of the avenue, just inside the northern entrance to the Gardens off Campbell Street. Alfred Thomas supervised construction of the railway from Ipswich to Toowoomba,
3555-521: The building. However, the Empire was rebuilt and reopened in November 1933. The architectural styling of the new Empire Theatre was art deco , in keeping with the trend of the 1930s. After years of neglect, the Empire Theatre was extensively renovated in the late 1990s, but retains much of its art deco architecture and decorations, especially the proscenium arch. Able to seat approximately 1,500 people,
3634-428: The city's waterways to become swollen. Around midday, an intense storm moved in from the northeast, completely overwhelming East Creek and West Creek which run through the CBD. 149.6 mm (5.89 in) fell in one day with rainfall peaking at 144 mm/h (5.7 in/h) over one 10-minute interval. The flood caused damage to properties and infrastructure, and resulted in the deaths of 2 people in Toowoomba. At
3713-406: The control of all parks in the municipality. However it was not until 1892 that the Council was formally vested with the title to the land, on the condition that the whole area remain a recreation ground and be used for no other purpose. The development of the site, by now known as Queens' Park began with modest efforts - in 1873 the Council was granted £ 200 for the development of Queens Park this
3792-559: The dialect spoken by the Aboriginal tribe inhabiting areas along the Upper Burnett River (including the town of Gayndah ). However, it is highly unlikely that this theory is correct, as this dialect was not spoken in the Darling Downs region (but rather in the Wide Bay-Burnett region) and Lawrence did not state why he transferred the name to the Darling Downs. In fact, the distance between Toowoomba and Gayndah
3871-466: The environment of crowded central city and town areas. Botanic Gardens were started as part of an increasing interest in scientific understanding of the natural world. A botanic gardens was established in Brisbane in 1855 in response to 19th century interest in botany which saw botanic gardens established around the world, particularly in those colonized areas of the world where little formal knowledge of
3950-568: The establishment of the baths located in this position seems to have been part of a strategy to drain this area of what was known as the East Swamp of Toowoomba. In 1937, with the popular national swimming movement this baths were enlarged and upgraded. The baths were removed in 1964 and replaced with the Vera Lacaze Memorial Park, an interesting example of modernist landscape architecture in Queensland. The development of
4029-413: The following criteria. The place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland's history. The Toowoomba Queen's Park and adjacent Botanic Gardens is significant as a substantially intact 19th century public recreation reserve. The Botanic Gardens is important in demonstrating the introduction of scientific centres associated with the development of economic and ornamental botany,
SECTION 50
#17327985824344108-497: The heritage-listed Russell Street. Immediately to the east of the CBD is the Caledonian Estate, an area of turn-of-the-20th-century housing, ranging from humble workers cottages to large stately homes, in the classic wooden Queenslander style. Toowoomba is also home to the Empire Theatre , which was originally opened in June 1911, as a silent movie house . In February 1933, fire broke out, almost completely destroying
4187-400: The interaction between geography and botany existed. An integral part of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens was a series of branch gardens in provincial areas throughout Queensland which provided botanic data across the wide spectrum of Queensland ecosystems. Soon after Toowoomba was proclaimed a municipality on 19 November 1860, William Henry Groom , an early Toowoomba mayor and later Member of
4266-439: The knowledge of which benefited the colony. The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a particular class of cultural places. The Park and Garden demonstrate the principal characteristics of 19th century public parks and botanic gardens, with early planting, avenues, memorials and remnants of the early layout. The place is important because of its aesthetic significance. The Park and Gardens
4345-626: The landscape within the local government boundaries of the Toowoomba Regional Council, particularly Toowoomba north to Crows Nest and west to Oakey . This traditional landscape changed dramatically from 1840 with the incursion of British pastoralists into the region. Those Aboriginal Australians that survived the frontier conflict of this time were pushed to the fringe of society in camps and later moved to missions such as Deebing Creek , Durundur and later Barambah (now Cherbourg ). Some local Aboriginal Australians worked on
4424-512: The name "Toogoom". This theory was first proposed by author Steele Rudd in a letter to the Toowoomba City Council . He claimed that his father told him that in 1848, he first saw Toowoomba and that he assisted in laying it out the following year. He believed that it derived from the native name "Toogoom" because of the reeds that grew in the area. Rudd also wrote that he remembered that the original Aboriginal name for "The Swamp"
4503-461: The park and the replacement of many of the earlier buildings. An amenities block was constructed in the gardens, the municipal baths were removed and replaced with a garden and toilet facilities. One of the most prominent changes that occurred during the 1970s was the replacement of the existing fence on the Lindsay and Campbell Street sides of the Botanic Gardens with a low sandstone footwall. As well
4582-443: The park, particularly on that more open area at the western end. The levelling of the park in the 1930s as part of the relief scheme aided its more extensive use by sporting associations. As well as sports fields, Queens Park was the home of municipal swimming baths from 1894 until 1964. The baths were first established on the south west corner of the park, near the corner of Margaret and Hume Streets. As much as for public recreation,
4661-522: The peak rainy months. Like most of south-east Queensland, severe thunderstorms can be a threat and Toowoomba may occasionally be affected by ex-tropical cyclones . Toowoomba's history has been preserved in its buildings. Examples of architecture drawing from the city's wealthy beginnings include Toowoomba City Hall which was Queensland's first purpose-built town hall, the National Trust Royal Bull's Head Inn and many examples in
4740-470: The prefix "too-" and omitted one "Woomba" (as this would be a synonym of "two Woomba"), hence "Toowoomba". In 1875, William Henry Groom wrote an account of Toowoomba. He stated that "Toowoomba" derived from the Aboriginal term "great in the future". However, he did not provide a source for his information. Another theory was proposed by botanist Archibald Meston in a book titled A Geographical History of Queensland . He wrote: "Toowoom" or "Choowom"
4819-402: The present site was surveyed and reserved for public reserve but many years were to elapse before any further progress was made of the layout or even rudimentary planting. The land chosen for the reserve was an L-shaped block bounded by streets that were to become Margaret, Lindsay, Hume, Godsall and Campbell Streets very near the centre of the growing town. Until further development of the site it
SECTION 60
#17327985824344898-460: The properties around Toowoomba in this contact period. Ceremonies such as the Bonye Bonye festival remained active until the late 19th century – groups from south east and south west Queensland as well as northern New South Wales gathered at Gummingurru, near Gowrie (west of Toowoomba) prior to attending the festival. The Gummingurru site with its ancient stone circles is being restored by
4977-406: The range, but the majority of the city is situated west of the divide. The city is situated on the edge of the range and the low ridges behind it. Two valleys extend north from the southern boundary, originating from springs on either side of Middle Ridge near Spring Street, at an altitude of approximately 680 metres (2,230 ft). These waterways, East Creek and West Creek, converge just north of
5056-656: The storage and supply of aircraft fuel for the RAAF and the US Army Air Forces at a total cost of £900,000 ($ 1,800,000). In 1985, the show left the Toowomba Showgrounds for the new site in Glenvale . Toowoomba was named as Australia's Tidiest Town in 2008. On 10 January 2011, Toowoomba suffered a catastrophic flash flood . Unusually heavy rainfall had occurred in the preceding days, causing
5135-481: The white man's gun in defiance of a sentry on the lookout". Those who were at peace with the Hodgson brothers, were kept in line with methods such as the taking of young boys from the tribe as hostages. Hodgson claimed that if the local Aboriginal people were to be considered a species of simia acaudata or tail-less monkey, they had to be "hunted down and exterminated". Towards the end of the 1840s, closer settlement
5214-519: The wish of locals and a new municipality was proclaimed on 24 November 1860. The first town council election took place on 4 January 1861 and William Henry Groom won. The railway from Ipswich was opened in 1867, bringing with it business development. In 1892, the Under Secretary of Public Land proclaimed Toowoomba and the surrounding areas as a township and in 1904 Toowoomba was declared a city. Pastoralism replaced agriculture and dairying by
5293-481: The world line many of the parks, giving a display of autumn colour. The City of Toowoomba includes the following suburbs: - from former Shire of Jondaryan Giabal and Jarowair are recognised as the two main Aboriginal language groups of the Toowoomba with Giabal extending south of the city while Jarowair extends north of the city. The Jarowair (also known as Yarowair, Yarow-wair, Barrunggam, Yarrowair, Yarowwair and Yarrow-weir) language region includes
5372-530: Was Chinkery Yackan meaning "water like the stars". Another theory was proposed by the wife of pioneer Toowoomba resident Thomas Alford. She claimed to have asked the Aboriginals what they called the area; they replied with "Woomba Woomba", meaning "the springs and the water underneath". However, she claimed that the Alfords thought this would not be a suitable name for their house and store, so they added
5451-412: Was 40.8 °C (105.4 °F) on 12 February 2017, while the lowest was −4.4 °C (24.1 °F) on 12 July 1965. Average annual rainfall is 735 mm (28.9 in), which peaks in the warm season. Rainfall in the eastern suburbs along the Great Dividing Range nudges 1,000 mm (39 in) per year. The majority of Toowoomba's rain falls from November to March, with January and February being
5530-493: Was closely associated with the establishment and ongoing development of Queen's Park and Gardens. [REDACTED] This Misplaced Pages article was originally based on "The Queensland heritage register" published by the State of Queensland under CC-BY 3.0 AU licence (accessed on 7 July 2014, archived on 8 October 2014). The geo-coordinates were originally computed from the "Queensland heritage register boundaries" published by
5609-426: Was discovered in 1993, is named after the observatory. MINERVA-Australis was used in the discovery of TOI-257b , a rare 'sub-Saturn' planet lying between super-Earths and giant planets. Toowoomba Download coordinates as: Toowoomba ( / t ə ˈ w ʊ m b ə / tə- WUUM -bə ), nicknamed 'The Garden City’,and 'T-Bar', is a city in the Darling Downs region of Queensland , Australia. It
5688-515: Was essential to the success of the Botanic Gardens as a scientific research tool - Way was responsible for liaising with Walter Hill about the layout, planting projects and overseeing the construction of appropriate structures therein. The two local newspapers reported in October and November 1875 that the Queens Park and the Botanic Gardens had been lately improved with walks, borders, flower beds, nurseries of exotic trees, specimen grass plantings from
5767-478: Was occurring and the nearby township of Drayton had grown to the point where it had its own newspaper, general store, trading post and the Royal Bull's Head Inn , which was built by William Horton and still stands today. The first Britishers began to live at "The Swamp" (Toowoomba) from 1849, where Josiah Dent, William Shuttleworth and William Gurney were employed to cut reeds and timber for use at Drayton. Dent
5846-456: Was said to have "lived in a tent, and with his axe, he killed the blacks". In 1852, Thomas Alford established the first store at Toowoomba. Land for the town of Toowoomba at "The Swamp" was first surveyed in 1849, then again in 1853. By 1858 Toowoomba was growing fast. It had a population of 700, three hotels and many stores. Land selling at £4 per acre (£10 per hectare) in 1850 was by then £150 per acre (£370 per hectare). Governor Bowen granted
5925-627: Was significantly expanded beginning in 2016 with the establishment of MINERVA-Australis , funded by UniSQ, the Federal Government, the Australian Research Council , the University of New South Wales and the University of Sydney . It was opened by Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews and UniSQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Geraldine Mackenzie in March 2019. The asteroid 11927 Mount Kent , which
6004-481: Was the local blacks' name for a small native melon ( Cucumis pubescens ) which grew plentifully on the site of the township. The terminal "ba" is equal to the adverb "There", so the whole word means "melons there", and to an Aborigine it meant "the place where the melon grows". While this melon still exists and can be found in areas along the Balonne and Warrego Rivers , as well as in areas closer to Toowoomba, there
6083-629: Was the second of eight branch gardens established in Queensland during the 1870s. Very early correspondence on the establishment of the Gardens suggests that Walter Hill was instrumental in deciding on appropriate locations for these branch gardens and lobbying on behalf of the various councils to the Colonial Government for their establishment. Certainly, in making his case to the Government for funding, Walter Groom mentions that Walter Hill would 'lay out our Queens Park - and he would like
6162-405: Was used for the construction of timber rail fencing. Fencing was a significant stage in the development of the park because it prohibited itinerant and destructive cattle and also allowed regulation of hours of opening. The Council was also concerned with the draining of swamps throughout Toowoomba including swampy land on the western side of Queens Park. Although it was not the stated intention of
6241-555: Was variously used to graze cattle and horses, and as a source of clay for bricks for use in government buildings. These uses left the park in poor condition with holes pitted throughout and in no way like the public parks on which it was modelled. Although initially the reserve was under the control of the Colonial Queensland Government, by the end of the 1860s the Toowoomba Council was vested with
#433566