Glenfern is a rural locality in the Somerset Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] In the 2021 census, Glenfern had a population of 11 people.[1]

Glenfern
Queensland
Fields along Runges Road, 2015
Glenfern is located in Queensland
Glenfern
Glenfern
Coordinates26°57′59″S 152°36′24″E / 26.9663°S 152.6066°E / -26.9663; 152.6066 (Glenfern (centre of locality))
Population11 (2021 census)[1]
 • Density0.78/km2 (2.02/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4515
Area14.1 km2 (5.4 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)Somerset Region
State electorate(s)Nanango
Federal division(s)Blair
Suburbs around Glenfern:
Winya Sandy Creek Villeneuve
Winya Glenfern Mount Archer
Winya Westvale Westvale

Geography

edit

The D'Aguilar Highway marks a section of the northern boundary. The southern boundary is roughly aligned with the Stanley River, however when the Somerset Dam is full, the dam's waters cover Glenfern's southern extent. Sandy Creek flows from the north into the dam in this area (26°58′20″S 152°34′59″E / 26.9723°S 152.5831°E / -26.9723; 152.5831 (Sandy Creek)) and forms the north-eastern boundary of the locality.[3] The land is used for farming.[4]

History

edit
 
Alexander McPherson and his family outside the Glenfern Hotel, 1878

In January 1880, Alexander McPherson obtained a country publican's licence to operate the Glenfern Hotel.[5] The Glenfern Hotel was located 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Kilcoy on the road to Woodford (now the D'Aguilar Highway). In 1884, McPherson died from a fall from his horse;[6] his wife Eliza (née Webb) continued to operate the hotel, being described in 1886 as "by no means a pretentious-looking place, but it was scrupulously clean".[7] In 1889, Eliza McPherson married John Young who became the licensee.[8] In 1890, the annual Kilcoy horse races were held in the hotel grounds.[9] The hotel operated until at least 1913 but by 1923 was in use as the private home of Amelia Raleigh (one of the McPherson daughters).[10][11] The hotel no longer exists, but is likely to be the origin of the locality name.[12]

In 1913, the Kilcoy railway line was constructed with Glenfern railway station (26°57′14″S 152°36′21″E / 26.9538°S 152.6058°E / -26.9538; 152.6058 (Glenfern railway station)) serving the area.[13][14] The railway line and the station closed in 1964.

Demographics

edit

In the 2012 census, the population of Glenfern was very low so it was included in the population statistics for the adjoining locality of Velleneuve, which recorded a population of 449.[15]

In the 2016 census, Glenfern had a population of 10 people.[16]

In the 2021 census, Glenfern had a population of 11 people.[1]

Education

edit

There are no schools in Glenfern. The nearest primary school is Kilcoy State School in Kilcoy to the west. The nearest secondary school is Kilcoy State High School, also in Kilcoy.[4]

Kilcoy Motorcycle Club

edit
 
Kilcoy Motorcycle Club, 2015

The Kilcoy Motorcycle Club leases a park on the western corner of Neurum Road and Runges Road (26°57′33″S 152°36′28″E / 26.959165°S 152.607760°E / -26.959165; 152.607760 (Kilcoy Motorcycle Club)) from the Somerset Regional Council. The club has developed an off-road motocross course on which it runs competitions and practice and coaching days.[17] Facilities include spectator grandstands, canteen and bar, and showers. The club competes in the Sunshine State Series and the South East Queensland Junior Series. The club hosts the annual Ironman Competition.[18]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Glenfern (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.  
  2. ^ "Glenfern – locality in Somerset Region (entry 44871)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Sandy Creek – watercourse in Somerset Regional (entry 29672)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  5. ^ "LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS". Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser. 15 January 1880. p. 3. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Family Notices". The Brisbane Courier. 4 July 1884. p. 1. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "Through the Moreton District". The Queenslander. 23 January 1886. p. 150. Retrieved 12 August 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "ANNUAL LIOENSING MEETING". The Brisbane Courier. 3 April 1890. p. 3. Retrieved 12 August 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ "Woodford and District". The Telegraph (SECOND EDITION ed.). Brisbane. 9 December 1890. p. 6. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ "LICENSING COURT AT WOODFORD". The Brisbane Courier. 21 June 1913. p. 6. Retrieved 12 August 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ "PERSONAL". The Queensland Times (DAILY ed.). Ipswich, Queensland. 23 November 1922. p. 6. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ "Former Glenfern Hotel". www.gdaypubs.com.au. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  13. ^ "Railway stations and sidings - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 2 October 2020. Archived from the original on 5 October 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  14. ^ "Kilcoy Line Re-named". Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser. Qld. 1 August 1913. p. 2. Retrieved 12 August 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Villeneuve (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 11 August 2015.  
  16. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Glenfern (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.  
  17. ^ "Somerset Regional Council Meeting Highlights - 15 January 2015". Somerset Regional Council. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  18. ^ "Kilcoy Motorcycle Club". www.kilcoymx.org. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
edit

  Media related to Glenfern, Queensland at Wikimedia Commons