Highfields, Queensland

Highfields
Queensland

View over Highfields from Mitchell Road Park, looking west towards Gowrie Mountain.
Highfields
Coordinates 27°27′29″S 151°56′57″E / 27.45806°S 151.94917°E / -27.45806; 151.94917Coordinates: 27°27′29″S 151°56′57″E / 27.45806°S 151.94917°E / -27.45806; 151.94917
Population 7,946 (2011 census)[1]
 • Density 478.7/km2 (1,240/sq mi)
Postcode(s) 4352
Elevation 700 m (2,297 ft)
Area 16.6 km2 (6.4 sq mi)
Location 13 km (8 mi) N of Toowoomba
LGA(s) Toowoomba Region
State electorate(s) Toowoomba North
Federal Division(s) Groom
Suburbs around Highfields:
Meringandan Kleinton Cabarlah
Woolmer
Cawdor		 Highfields Spring Bluff
Birnam Blue Mountain Heights Ballard

Highfields is both a town and a locality in the Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia along the New England Highway.[2][3] It is situated on the Great Dividing Range, slightly north of Mount Kynoch. It serves as a satellite suburb to the city of Toowoomba, accommodating many of Toowoomba businesses' employees. At the 2011 census, Highfields had a population of 7,946.[1] The ABS also defines a larger growth area, named Highfields, that includes the suburb and several of those surrounding. At June 2015, the estimated urban population for the Highfields urban area was 18,771.[4] It is the fastest growing area in Queensland and also one of the fastest in Australia.

History

The area probably takes its name from the Highfields pastoral run, north of the township.[5] The area was first developed in the 1860s. Initially, there were a number of sawmills in the area, harvesting the local timber. Then the construction of the railway line between Ipswich and Toowoomba (completed in 1867) brought railway workers to the district. As the timber-getters cleared the land, dairy farms were established.[5] The first post office openly briefly in 1866 with a weekly mail service from Toowoomba.[6][7] It re-opened in 1868[8] and changed its name in December 1877 to Koojarawon.[3][9] The Highfields School opened on 17 January 1870 in the Rising Sun Hotel under teacher Mr Larkin.[10][11] The first school building was constructed in the 1880s.[12] In 1906, the school was renamed Koojarawon.[3]

In 1907 the protests of residents resulted in the both the school and the post office returning to the name Highfields.[3][13] Another post office in the Highfields area is now the Geham Post Office.[3] Coming into the 1960s, the Highfield remained a rural community with, at one stage, only 9 children enrolled in the school. However, residential subdivision started to occur in the 1960s, to a point where it is now considered a satellite town of Toowoomba. The school is now one of the largest primary schools in the district.[5][12]

Schools

There are four schools in Highfields:[14]

Amenities

A shopping centre called Highfields Village was developed and opened in 2003 that contains a number of community stores, including a hardware store, a baker and a supermarket. A tavern was also opened at the site in 2003. The centre also contains a pizza store, a post office, a bank and a hairdressing salon. In addition to the Highfields Village shopping centre, the Plaza shopping centre was recently redeveloped (2007). It now has a supermarket, newsagency, numerous banks, takeaways and a hair dresser. Also serving the community are a small bundle of shops found on the turn off from the New England Highway to Highfields Road, amongst them include a bakery, a delicatessen, a hairdressers, a real estate agency and an auto parts shop.

Sports

Highfields is also home to a football (soccer) club, Highfields FC, with teams ranging from Under 6's to Colts. Highfields also has a regional rugby league club, Highfields Eagles, with teams ranging from Under 7's to 16's in the juniors and has an under 18's, reserve and A grade team in the seniors. Highfields Lions were admitted into the AFL Darling Downs Senior competition in 2010, and now have a competitive club at Senior and Junior level. Highfields is home to the Highfields Redbacks Rugby Union Club. The Redbacks are based at Kuhls Road Oval, and field teams from Under 6's to Over 35's. Highfields & District Railways Bulldogs Cricket Club are the local cricket club with teams from under 7s - under 16s and D - A grade. Highfields and District Netball Club operates from the newly opened Highfields district sports park. Highfields and Districts Little Athletics Centre operates during the summer months from the AFL oval

Attractions

The Highfields Pioneer Historical Village has an unusual collection of vintage machinery. The Historical Village also has a fully operating blacksmith shop, a Heritage Chapel, an original Toowoomba 1928 Dennis Fire Engine, a two cell lock up short term prison from 1903, Model T Fords, and a collection of restored antique radios and appliances. The Danish Flower Art Centre at Highfields hosts a number of displays including a flower barn, Dutch furniture store and operating blacksmith workshop. The Chocolate Cottage is located at the Village Green which sells antiques, art and other specialty items. Across the road from the Village Green is Jacaranda Manor. Within Jacaranda Manor is a coffee shop, fudge factory and bead store. The Davidson Arboretum on Cawdor Road features temperate deciduous ornamentals and conifers. There is also a Bunya pine.[17]

Recreation

The Cultural Centre is a large venue for conferences and performances. Also located at the Centre is an outdoor public swimming complex with a large indoor arena holding two volleyball and basketball courts and a gym. Just outside this is the Highfields Library; the library is operated by the Toowoomba Regional Council and is open seven days.[18] On the other side of the Cultural Centre is a skate park.

(from left to right) The Highfields Cultural Centre, Aquatic Centre and Library

Development is currently in progress for the Highfields Sport & Recreation Park, which upon completion will include a number of netball courts, multi-use sporting fields, and tennis courts; amenities, picnic areas, and 150 additional car parking spaces are also planned.[19] The first stage of the Highfields Sport and Recreation Park opened in May 2016 with 12 netball courts, Two Football fields plus clubhouses. The second stage is due to commence construction in late 2016 for completion in 2018.

References

  1. 1 2 Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Highfields (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  2. ↑ "Highfields (town) (entry 15863)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Highfields (locality) (entry 47967)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  4. ↑ "3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2014-15: Population Estimates by Significant Urban Area, 2005 to 2015". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 30 March 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2016. Estimated resident population, 30 June 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 "Highfield and Highfields Shire". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  6. ↑ "TOOWOOMBA.". The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939). Brisbane, Qld.: National Library of Australia. 24 February 1866. p. 8. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  7. ↑ "TOOWOOMBA.". The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939). Brisbane, Qld.: National Library of Australia. 17 March 1866. p. 8. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  8. ↑ "TOOWOOMBA AND HIGHFIELDS POSTAL SERVICE.". The Darling Downs Gazette and General Advertiser (Toowoomba, Qld. : 1858 - 1880). Toowoomba, Qld.: National Library of Australia. 9 November 1867. p. 3. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  9. ↑ "A. A. Gazette, WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE VOICE OF THE DOWNS. TOOWOOMBA, DECEMBER 15, 1877.". The Darling Downs Gazette and General Advertiser (Toowoomba, Qld. : 1858 - 1880). Toowoomba, Qld.: National Library of Australia. 15 December 1877. p. 5. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  10. ↑ "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  11. ↑ "Agency ID5313, Highfields State School". Queensland State Archives. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  12. 1 2 "Our School History". Highfields State School. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  13. ↑ "220 - Highfields / Koojarewon / Brookfield". Queensland Postage Stamp Numerals. Bernand Manning & Hugh Campbell. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  14. ↑ "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government Data. Queensland Government. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  15. ↑ "Highfields State Secondary College". highfieldsssc.eq.edu.au. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  16. ↑ "The school where everyone is the new kid". ABC Southern Queensland. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  17. ↑ "Davidson arboretum".
  18. ↑ "Toowoomba Regional Council". Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  19. ↑ "Highfields Sport & Recreation Park". Retrieved 18 June 2015.

Further reading

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