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Dundathu, Queensland
Suburb of Fraser Coast Region, Queensland, Australia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Dundathu is a rural locality in the Fraser Coast Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] In the 2021 census, Dundathu had a population of 238 people.[1]
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Geography
The Mary River forms part of the southern boundary. Saltwater Creek forms a large part of the southern boundary as it flows east to join the Mary.[3]
Maryborough–Hervey Bay Road (State Route 57) runs through from south to north.
History
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William Pettigrew explored along the Mary River in search of timber. He landed at the place he named Dundathu on 29 October 1862. Pettigrew established a sawmill which was operating by October 1863. William Sim was a partner in the Dundathu mill, having previously worked in another of Pettigrew's sawmills.[4] On 25 December 1893, the sawmill was destroyed by fire and it was not insured.[5] The mill was not rebuilt and people moved away. Another fire in August 1895 destroyed a number of empty houses, with Dundathu settlement described as "ashes and desolation" from which it did not recover.[6][7]
On Sunday 21 January 1866, a church was opened in Dundathu provided by Pettigrew and Sims. It was 32 by 18 feet (9.8 by 5.5 m) with a spire rising to 30 feet (9.1 m) with opening for a bell and a clock. The church was to be used as a school during the week and a separate teacher's residence was built.[8] Although initially operating as a non-vested non-denominational school, with the abolition of the non-vested school system in 1880, it became under the control of the Queensland Government as Dundathu Provisional/State School. It closed in May 1895, after the teacher was withdrawn due to low student numbers caused by the closure of the sawmill.[9][10][11]
In 1878, a traveller along the Mary River described Dundathu as follows:[12]
"The next break in the peaceful monotony of the placid river is Dundathu, a timbering establishment consisting of a sawmill, store, school, and about thirty cottages, all nestling in a green hollow among picturesque conglomerate rocks, and commanded by the handsome villa residence of the Sim family."
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Demographics
In the 2016 census, Dundathu had a population of 252 people.[13]
In the 2021 census, Dundathu had a population of 238 people.[1]
Education
There are no schools in Dundathu. The nearest government primary school is St Helens State School in neighbouring St Helens to the south-west. The nearest government secondary schools is Aldridge State High School in Maryborough to the south-west.[14]
Amenities
Duriseer Park is a 2.9 hectares (7.2 acres) recreational area on the Maryborough - Hervey Bay Road (25.4631°S 152.7334°E).[15] It has playground and picnic/BBQ facilities.[16]
References
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