South Kolan 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

Bundaberg Region The Bundaberg Region is a local government area in the Wide Bay–Burnett region of Queensland, Australia, about north of Brisbane, the state capital. It is centred on the city of Bundaberg, and also contains a significant rural area surroundin ...

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 , South Kolan had a population of 1,061 people.

Geography

The South Kolan region is in the

Wide Bay–Burnett Wide Bay–Burnett is a region of the Australian state of Queensland, located between north of the state capital, Brisbane. The area's population growth has exceeded the state average over the past 20 years, and it is forecast to grow to more ...

region, north of the state capital

Brisbane Brisbane ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the states and territories of Australia, Australian state of Queensland, and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a populati ...

and south west of the regional city of

Bundaberg Bundaberg is a city in the Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia, and is the tenth largest city in the state. Bundaberg's regional area has a population of 70,921, and is a major centre of the Wide Bay–Burnett geographical region. The Bun ...

. The

Burnett River The Burnett River is a river located in the Wide Bay–Burnett and Central Queensland regions of Queensland, Australia. Course and features The Burnett River rises in the Burnett Range, part of the Great Dividing Range, close to Mount Gaeta a ...

flows through the locality. The neighbourhood of Birthamba is located in the north-eastern area of South Kolan (); it takes its name from the former Birthamba railway station on the now closed

Mount Perry railway line The Mount Perry Branch Railway is a closed railway line in Central Queensland, Australia. In 1869 copper was discovered at Mount Perry (approx 100 km west of Bundaberg) and the township grew rapidly. A railway to the coast was essentia ...

. ''Birthamba'' is an Aboriginal word meaning ''camp''. The former neighbourhood of Kalbar is located in the eastern area of South Kolan (). Kalbar Road still bears the name. It is located in the bend of the

opposite South Bingera / Branyan. (This is not to be confused with the town of Kalbar (formerly Engelsburg) in the

Scenic Rim Region The Scenic Rim Region is a local government area in West Moreton region of South East Queensland, Australia. Established in 2008, it was preceded by several previous local government areas with histories extending back to the early 1900s and b ...

). The neighbourhood of Koolboo is located in the north-western area of South Kolan (); it takes its name from the former Kooboo railway station on the now closed

. ''Koolboo'' is named after a local Aboriginal clan leader.

History

The name ''Kolan'' is believed to be a

Kabi language Kabi Kabi, also spelt Gabi-Gabi/Gubbi Gubbi, is a language of Queensland in Australia, formerly spoken by the Kabi Kabi people of South-east Queensland. The main dialect, Kabi Kabi, is extinct, but there are still 24 people with knowledge of th ...

word ''kalang'' meaning ''good''. Kolan South State School opened on 29 July 1878. In 1882, a Methodist Church was established in South Kolan in the area known as Hill End. In 1903, it was replaced by a new building which was subsequently enlarged. Kalbar Plantation was owned by Dr May of Bundaberg; a sugar mill was erected there in 1883. A Union church was opened in 1884 and has been used by a number of denominations. Kalbar Provisional School opened on 26 February 1896. On 1 January 1909, it became Kalbar State School. It closed on 15 June 1962. The Bingera Railway Station Provisional School opened in 1907, becoming a State School in 1909. It closed in 1963. It was in James Street (approx ). The name refers to the nearby (former) Bingera railway station on the now-closed Mount Perry railway line, which was at the intersection of Raines Road and Ten Mile Road (). St Mary's Anglican Church was dedicated on 11 March 1979 by Archbishop

Felix Arnott Felix Raymond Arnott CMG, Th.D., M.A., B.A. (8 March 1911 – 27 July 1988) was the sixth Archbishop of the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane. Early life and education He was born on 8 March 1911 and educated at Ipswich School and Keble College, Oxf ...

. It closed during 1994. At the , South Kolan had a population of 1,164. Many properties damaged by the

2010-2011 Queensland floods 1 (one, unit, unity) is a number representing a single or the only entity. 1 is also a numerical digit and represents a single unit of counting or measurement. For example, a line segment of ''unit length'' is a line segment of length 1. I ...

and

2013 floods The following is a list of major floods. List of notable floods 20th century BC * Jishi Gorge outburst flood about 1920 BC 14th century * Saint Marcellus's flood a storm tide is also called the "Second St. Marcellus flood". * St. Mary M ...

, which saw extensive repairs and adjustments made to the approaches of the Cedars Road Bridge Crossing. In the , South Kolan had a population of 1,061 people.

Economy

Industry in the district consists of cattle farming, sugar cane production and milling, and commercial fruit and vegetable production. The township, although small, has a convenience store, Kolan South State Primary School, a police station and The South Kolan Pub which also has accommodation facilities. South Kolan is also frequented by many residents of surrounding rural areas such as Pine Creek and Gin Gin.

Education

Kolan South State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 2297 Gin Gin Road (). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 124 students with 7 teachers (6 full-time equivalent) and 7 non-teaching staff (4 full-time equivalent).

Culture

Entertainment in South Kolan is centered on local school events and social events at the South Kolan Pub, which hosts live music on a weekly basis with acts performed by local artists. Each afternoon patrons are treated to a live comedic show by local resident Ross Griffiths. Karen Griffiths is also an esteemed singer who specializes in harmonizing and frequently performs at the venue.

Sport

The South Kolan football club affectionately known as the "sharkies" hosts home games in football season while still remaining a family atmosphere as well as being open most weekends for socialising and a good time while having a cold beverage.

Events

Each year the South Kolan Pub hosts its 'Australia Day Warm Beer and Cold Pie Contest'. The prestigious winning title was awarded to local legend Thomas Griffiths in 2014.

Attractions

South Kolan is home to the Mystery Craters. Discovered in 1971, the origin of the 35 oddly shaped craters has been the subject of controversy.

Climate

South Kolan has a subtropical climate with wet, hot summers and mild winters.

References

External links

{{authority control Bundaberg Region Tourist attractions in Bundaberg Localities in Queensland