Byee, Queensland
| Byee Queensland | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  Byee | |||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 26°11′02″S 151°51′05″E / 26.1838°S 151.8513°E | ||||||||||||||
| Population | 39 (SAL 2021)[1] | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4605 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 15.1 km2 (5.8 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | South Burnett Region | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Nanango | ||||||||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Wide Bay | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Byee is a rural locality in the South Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] In the 2021 census, Byee had a population of 39 people.[3]
History[edit]
The district name was chosen by the Queensland Railways Department in 1915 when plans for the Murgon to Proston branch line were approved and under development. The word Byee is derived from Aboriginal origin with connotations meaning silver leaf ironbark tree.[2]
The branch railway from Murgon to Proston opened on 25 February 1923, with Byee the second station on the route after Barlil,[4] 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 service operated to and from Gympie. 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) [5]
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.[6] 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. [7]
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.
The railway line was progressively closed with Byee not serviced from 1999. The Byee railway station is now abandoned (26°11′24″S 151°51′09″E / 26.1899°S 151.8525°E).[8]
Demographics[edit]
In the 2016 census, Byee had a population of 31 people.[9]
In the 2021 census, Byee had a population of 39 people.[3]
Education[edit]
There are no schools in Byee. The nearest government primary schools are Wheatlands State School in neighbouring Wheatlands to the south and Murgon State School in Murgon to the south-east. The nearest government secondary school is Murgon State High School in Murgon to the south-east.[10]
References[edit]
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Byee (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
- ^ a b "Byee – locality in South Burnett Region (entry 46202)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
- ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Byee (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ Kerr, J. 'Triumph of Narrow Gauge' Boolarong Press 1990
- ^ "MURGON". Brisbane Courier. 13 February 1924. Archived from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ "BYEE". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser. 14 September 1929. Archived from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ "Byee and Windera Telephone". Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser. 20 November 1923. Archived from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Byee (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
- ^ "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
