Queanbeyan, New South Wales

Infobox Australian Place | type = city
name = Queanbeyan
state = nsw

---

caption = Queanbeyan photographed from the air. The Ridgeway is in the right foreground, Jerrabobmerra in the top left.
pop = 36,331 (2004)
poprank = 37th
density = 210
est = 1838
area = 173
timezone = AEST
utc = +10
timezone-dst = AEST
utc-dst = +11
stategov =
fedgov =
lga = Queanbeyan City Council
dist1 = 10
location1 = Canberra

Queanbeyan is a city and local government area (Queanbeyan City Council) in south eastern New South Wales, Australia. It is a city overshadowed somewhat by its proximity to the Australian federal capital city of Canberra: it has effectively become a de facto district of the nearby capital city as it lies on the Australian Capital Territory border and is approximately 10km from Canberra's CBD, Civic. The border itself is defined by a railway line. The Queanbeyan River runs through Queanbeyan, near the centre of the city.

Queanbeyan has a population of 36,331 and has been said to be the "fastest growing city in Southern NSW".

History

The town grew from a squattage held by ex-convict inn keeper, Timothy Beard, on the banks of the Molonglo River. The original name was Quinbean which means "clear waters".

Queanbeyan was officially proclaimed a township in 1838 with a population at that time of about 50. The name was also used for the surrounding parish. Some of the significant historic buildings still standing date from those early days. Traces of gold were discovered in 1851 and lead and silver mines also flourished briefly. Settlers were harassed by bushrangers, of which John Tennant, Jacky Jacky, Frank Gardiner and Ben Hall were some of the more notorious.

The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited (CBC, now part of the National Australia Bank) opened in Queanbeyan on 19 September, 1859. The Bank of New South Wales began service in Queanbeyan in 1878. "The Golden Age" (now "The Queanbeyan Age") was Queanbeyan's first newspaper and was founded in 1860 by John Gale. In 1880 the residence of John James Wright, the first mayor of Queanbeyan, was constructed along the edge of the Queanbeyan River. In 1982 that building became the Queanbeyan Art Centre.

Queanbeyan, an increasingly successful primary producing district, was proclaimed a Municipality in February 1885 incorporating an area of 5,700 acres (23 km²). The railway reached Queanbeyan railway station in 1887 and it became the junction for the lines going to Canberra and Bombala. The town is served by the twice-daily Countrylink Xplorer service between Canberra and Sydney.

William James Farrer, the wheat experimentalist, established Queanbeyan's reputation as an agricultural district with his famous "Federation" rust-free strain, developed on his property "Lambrigg" at Tharwa. Farrer's work was only slowly recognised elsewhere in Australia, but local farmers supported him, particularly in his development of "Blount's Lambrigg", another strain which in 1889 gave hope to farmers after the disastrous season of 1887 when crops had failed after heavy Christmas rains.

At the height of its rural prosperity Queanbeyan boasted sixteen public houses and six flourmills powered by wind, water, horse and steam. The Royal Hotel on Monaro Street opened in 1926. Canberra was "dry" from 1910 at the time of the territory's foundation until 1928 when Federal Parliament had relocated from Melbourne. In that period many of the capital's residents crossed the border to drink at hotels in Queanbeyan.

By 1972 Queanbeyan had little difficulty in meeting the first basic requirement of city status; the population had risen to more than 15,000 and a future population of at least that number was assured. City status was accordingly granted on 7 July, 1972. On 21 July, 1975 the Queen's Bridge was opened. This bridge took pressure off the existing bridge in linking Monaro Street directly to the east. From 1982 to 1989, the Canberra Raiders rugby league team played their home games in Queanbeyan, at Seiffert Oval.

Today

Queanbeyan is a regional centre providing the opportunity for people to work in Canberra and live in New South Wales. The city is home to a large shopping centre known as Riverside Plaza. Queanbeyan has most of the major fast food outlets and selected speciality stores. Queanbeyan has two government high schools, Queanbeyan High and Karabar High. Queanbeyan primary schools include Queanbeyan Public School, Jerrabomberra Public School and St. Gregory's. Queanbeyan has a major hospital, ambulance station, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, community centre, public library and several parks. There is no longer a cinema in Queanbeyan. Much of the growth of Queanbeyan is found in Jerrabomberra, this suburb being created in 1992 and now having a population of over 6000. The city is served by the privately owned bus company, Deane's Buslines. On 16 December, 2006, level 3 water restrictions were introduced for the first time in Queanbeyan. [See [http://www.qcc.nsw.gov.au/page.aspx?page=65 Queanbeyan City Council - compulsory water restrictions] ]

Commerce & Industry

Queanbeyan has two light manufacturing/industrial precincts centred on Gilmore Road and Yass Road.

port and culture

Queanbeyan has a strong sporting culture. One of the major sports in Queanbeyan is Rugby League. The town has two teams, the Queanbeyan Blues and the Queanbeyan Kangaroos, of which the Blues is, as of 2006, the more powerful team. In addition Queanbeyan has a successful Australian Rules Football team, the Queanbeyan Tigers, and a successful Rugby Union team, the Queanbeyan Whites, who secured two premierships in 2007 by claiming the first grade and colts titles. Queanbeyan has fostered many rugby superstars including Ricky Stuart, David Campese, Matt Giteau, Matt Henjak, Anthony Faingaa and Saia Faingaa. Other sporting icons include Mark Webber, a Formula One driver.

Queanbeyan includes a diverse range of Indigenous, African, European, Asian and Pacific cultures. Clubs and associations in Queanbeyan cater for many of these groups, including residents having Dutch, Macedonian, Italian or Mediterranean origins Fact|date=February 2007.

The Queanbeyan Show, which is now 111 years old, is held annually at the Queanbeyan Showgrounds in November over two days. There are equestrian events, a sideshow alley, art and craft displays, cooking exhibits, an agricultural pavilion and livestock exhibitions. Also held is a Showgirl, Miss Junior Showgirl and Tiny Tots competition.

In February, the Queanbeyan Showgrounds play host to the annual "Convoy for Kids" to aid cancer research. The event is widely supported by community groups, regional businesses and the emergency services. The event attracts hundreds of commercial vehicles, trucks, prime movers and bushfire brigade vehicles. The highlight of the afternoon is the sounding of horns, which can be heard for miles around. Other regular events throughout the year include the Rodeo in March, Field Days, and a camping and off-road vehicle show.

In March 2008, the Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre - "the Q" - became the new home for the "Queanbeyan Players" who have provided over thirty years of live theatre and dramatic entertainment for the Queanbeyan community. [See [http://www.gg.gov.au/governorgeneral/speech.php?id=388 Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia - Speech - Opening of the Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre] ]

Politics

Queanbeyan leans towards the Australian Labor Party and is the Federal marginal seat of Eden-Monaro, currently held by the Hon Mike Kelly for the Labor Party and is in the State seat of Monaro, currently held by Mr Steve Whan for Labor. The Jerrabomberra community has tended to vote Liberal at past Federal elections but at the 2003 State election voted for the first time strongly Labor against the then sitting National Party Member.

Historical places and monuments

Notable residents

*David Campese - retired Wallaby winger
*Glen Lazarus - Former Canberra Raiders, Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm player, NSW representative
*Matt Giteau - present-day Australian Wallaby player, Australia's highest ever paid domestic football player of any code, plays for Western Force.
* Brent Kite - Australian NRL player.
* Brad Haddin - Australian cricketer.
*Matt Henjak - former Wallaby halfback, former player for the Western Force
*George Lazenby - movie star, most noted for being the second official James Bond 007, following Sean Connery.
*Heather McKay AM, MBE - Australian squash champion.
*Megan Marcks (nee Still) - Olympic women's (pairs) rowing gold medallist.
*Tommy Murphy - award-winning playwright.
*Mark Webber - Formula 1 driver for Red Bull Racing.
*Terry Campese - present Canberra Raiders player.
* Prudence Murphy - photographer.
* Anthony Faingaa - Rugby Union player for the Queensland Reds
* Saia Faingaa - Rugby Union player for the Queensland Reds

Suburbs

* Carwoola
* Crestwood
* Environa
* Googong
* Greenleigh
* Jerrabomberra
* Karabar
* Queanbeyan East
* Queanbeyan West
* Queanbeyan
* The Ridgeway
* Royalla
* Tralee

* (Oaks Estate is sometimes mistakenly assumed to be part of Queanbeyan but is in fact located in the Australian Capital Territory.)

Popular Culture

Sometimes called "Struggle Town" by neighboring Canberra residents disparagingly referring to its predominantly working class socioeconomic makeup. This culminated in a political incident on 15 May 1997 when ACT member for Ginninderra, Ms Roberta McRae, stated that “poor people live in Queanbeyan and the rich in Canberra” which caused much public anger and resulted in her being disciplined by her party, the ALP. [ [http://www.hansard.act.gov.au/HANSARD/1997/pdfs/19970515.pdf Federal Government Hansard 15th May 1997] ]

Queanbeyan Suburbs

Climate

"Source": [http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_070072.shtml Australian Bureau of Meteorology]

References

External links

* [http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/act/content/2004/s1156601.htm "Queanbeyan Rocks", ABC Stateline]