Haden, Queensland

Haden is a small town in the Toowoomba Region local government area on the Darling Downs in Queensland, Australia. At the 2011 Australian Census the town recorded a population of 348.^[1]

Location

Haden is a small rural town approximately 50 km north of Toowoomba and 185 km north west from Brisbane. The town is set high on the Great Dividing Range, resulting in a high number of windy days. There is a picturesque lookout on the Haden-Maclagan Road to the west of the town.

History

Haden had been a thriving town with numerous pubs and stores at the turn of the 20th century. With the arrival of rail and Haden State School which was opened in 1912 the town prospered. It became an established place to live, as the surrounding land was ideal for cattle and dairy farming. With the rapid increase in technology and the decline of the dairy industry in Queensland due to deregulation, the population began to decline. Only a handful of farms continue to operate in the area, with the majority of farmers turning to cattle and crop production.^[2]

Haden today

The township continues to be serviced by 'The Haden Stores' and Haden State School continues providing education for students from the town and predominantly the farms to the north-west. Three churches and the Haden Hall also continue to operate.

Famous residents

7:30 Queensland host Jessica van Vonderen is a past pupil of Haden State School.

References