Byee is a rural
locality
Locality may refer to:
* Locality (association), an association of community regeneration organizations in England
* Locality (linguistics)
* Locality (settlement)
* Suburbs and localities (Australia), in which a locality is a geographic subdivis ...
in the
South Burnett Region
The South Burnett Region is a local government area in the South Burnett district of Queensland, Australia.
Origins
This Local Government was created in March 2008 as a result of the report of the Local Government Reform Commission released in ...
,
Queensland
)
, nickname = Sunshine State
, image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, established_ ...
, Australia.
In the , Byee had a population of 31 people.
The district name was applied by the Railways Department in 1915 when plans for the Murgon to Proston branch line extension were approved and under development. The word Byee is derived from Aboriginal origin with connotations meaning Silver Leaf Ironbark Tree
History
The branch railway from Murgon to Proston opened on 25 February 1923, with Byee the second station on the route after Barlil, although some services to Byee functioned prior to the entire line opening as that section had been completed. A mixed service was provided three times a week between 1938 and 1964 utilising a
rail motor
Railmotor is a term used in the United Kingdom and elsewhere for a railway lightweight railcar, usually consisting of a railway carriage with a steam traction unit, or a diesel or petrol engine, integrated into it.
Steam railcars
Overview
In th ...
service operated to and from
Gympie
Gympie ( ) is a city and a Suburbs and localities (Australia), locality in the Gympie Region, Queensland, Australia. In the Wide Bay-Burnett District, Gympie is about north of the state capital, Brisbane. The city lies on the Mary River (Queen ...
. In 1924 it was reported that the local Byee storekeeper Mr. W.J.Wrigely had been appointed postmaster, and also that the telegraph and telephone office was functioning, and that land had been reserved for the purpose of building a hotel (which never eventuated)
A public hall was established at Byee in 1929 on land donated by E.D.Quinlan and was funded by local donations and fundraising efforts such as
a dance held in the barn of a nearby property owned by A.Sempf. The hall became a popular local venue for regular dances and social functions. The district had its own soccer and cricket teams which competed in South Burnett fixtures.
Telephone infrastructure was first extended to Byee in 1923 and was based at the local railway station which itself was only new.
[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/151411075?searchTerm=byee]
Children in the Byee district attended school at either Silverleaf State School, Barlil State School or Wheatlands State School. Wheatlands State School is the only school that has remained open and functioning into the modern era.
A small village developed in Byee which included a shop, receiving depots and later, grain silos. Most business revolved around the functions of the railway.
References
South Burnett Region
Localities in Queensland
{{SouthBurnett-geo-stub