Hughenden, Queensland
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| Hughenden Queensland |
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| Population: | 1,395 (2001 census) | ||||||
| Postcode: | 4821 | ||||||
| Elevation: | 324.0 m | ||||||
| Location: | |||||||
| LGA: | Flinders Shire | ||||||
| State District: | Charters Towers | ||||||
| Federal Division: | Kennedy | ||||||
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Hughenden, is a town in Queensland, Australia situated on the banks of the Flinders River. It was named after Hughenden Manor, the home of former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.
Hughenden is located on the Flinders Highway, 376 kilometres west of Townsville and 1400 kilometres north-west of Brisbane, the state capital. The region around Hughenden is a major centre for the grazing of sheep and cattle. the main feed is annual grasses known as Flinders grass, which grow rapidly on the (by Australian standards) fertile grey or brown cracking clay soils after rain between November and March. However, because the rainfall is extremely erratic - at Hughenden itself it has ranged from 126 millimetres (5 inches) in 1926 to 1,051 millimetres (41 inches) in 1950 - droughts and floods are normal and stock number fluctuate greatly.
The runoff from the Flinders River is much too erratic to provide a sustainable supply for any crop-growing via irrigation.
It is thought that by the year 2025, Hughenden will be a very different town. The Council and community groups have discussed putting in place a range of initiatives so that Hughenden’s future is positive. Hughenden has taken advantage of being at the crossroads of two major highways. Land sales in Hughenden Industrial Estate have shown high growth with Stage 1 all sold and stage 2 and 3 being rushed through the Council so the next development can start.With the Industrial Estate growing, residental growth will also grow, making Hughenden well placed for growth.[1]
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[edit] History
Torrens Creek near Hughenden is where the Americans stored explosives in world war 2. The Americans didn't know of the dangerous bush fires out there. After They put out a fire they went back to camp thinking that the fire was out. however the fire took hold again without them knowing, they then heard about twelve major explosions in succession, the explosions left craters twenty feet deep. Hot shrapnel covered a wide area and started more fires, In the townships people said that buildings shook and windows broke,some people were convinced that a air raid had occurred. Thousands of soldiers and civilians attacked the blaze in an attempt to stop it spreading to fuel dumps, but where unable to control it. When The fire got to the explosives it was so powerful it blew the Americans out of their trucks. Many buildings and shops got burnt down from the spreading fires. however the locals were able to save the post office. A police Constable from Torrens Creek Police was awarded the King’s Medal of Bravery. [2]
[edit] Demographics
The Flinders Shire covers an area of 41,632 sq kilometres. The population of the Flinders Shire from the 1996 Census was 2,222. yet according to the 2001 Census the Shire population was 2,152. Hughenden's estimated population as of June 2005 is 1997.[3]
[edit] Sport
Hughenden has a large range of sports on offer, from pony clubs, swimming, lawn bowls, golf, netball, tennis, campdrafting, rugby league.[4]
[edit] Attractions
Apart from agricultural business, Hughenden also boasts a replica of the Muttaburrasaurus, a dinosaur, whose bones were discovered in 1963 near Muttaburra and some teeth and other bones where also discovered around Hughenden. The town is home to the Hughenden Dinosaur Festival, which attracts tourists and includes entertainment and other events.[5] Other annual events include the Hughenden Show, held the first week end in June; the Hughenden Country Music Festival, held every Easter week end and the Bullride and Race Day which is held in September. The Matron's Ball is also a popular annual event.
[edit] Climate
Hughenden is in a dry, tropical climate. Temperatures can very from a around 44ºc in the Summer months to as low as minus 2ºc. The average rainfall is from 340mm – 450mm.[6]
[edit] References
[edit] External links
