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32 Be here: Gladstone AROUND CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Gladstone – a real contrast of industry and nature by Joanne Perry Originally dubbed Port Curtis in 1802, Gladstone received its current moniker in 1853 in honour of the then-English Chancellor of the Exchequer and future prime minister, William Ewart Gladstone. After modest beginnings, in the late 20th Century Gladstone became one of Queensland’s fastest-growing towns, drawing its strength from coal mining and other industries, and a flourishing export trade, especially to Japan and China. Positioned between two large rivers, the Calliope River and the Boyne River, the city is home to Queensland’s largest multi-commodity port. Gladstone Harbour is also protected by Facing and Curtis Islands – just two of 14 islands within the Gladstone region. From the majestic heights of Kroombit Tops National Park in the west through to the deep coral lagoons of the Southern Great Barrier Reef, Gladstone is home to some of the State’s top tourist attractions including one of the best dive and snorkelling sites in the world. Whereabouts Proclaimed as a city in 1976, Gladstone is located about 550 kilometres by road north of Brisbane and 100 kilometres south-east of Rockhampton. It covers a land area of about 128 square kilometres and is in close proximity to the seaside twin towns Tannum Sands and Boyne Island. People and property In 1853, the town of Gladstone was surveyed and the first sale of town and suburban allotments took place the following year. The population increased from about 6,000 to 20,000 in the period between 1960 to 1980, which strained the social fabric and local infrastructure, and branded Gladstone a ‘caravan’ town. More recently, the Gladstone community has grown dramatically from a ‘sleepy hollow’ township to a major industrial city, with an estimated population of 60,000 in the wider Gladstone region. The population boom is tipped to continue in the near future as the city meets the needs of an emerging liquefied natural gas industry. Goondoon Street, in Gladstone’s city centre, has four heritage-listed sites – the Catholic church and school (1920s), a former Commonwealth Bank (1920s), the former town hall which now is the gallery and museum (1930s) and the former post office (1924). The Port Curtis dairy complex in Short Street is also heritage-listed. What goes on here Known for being Queensland’s premier port city and boasting several of the nation’s most significant industries, Gladstone is home to the world’s largest alumina refinery, built in 1963, and Australia’s largest aluminium smelter. With a sub-tropical climate, the Gladstone region has a diverse range of environmental beauty and outdoor recreation options. Gladstone’s Tondoon Botanic Gardens are home to more than 1,500 species of plants from the Port Curtis Region and Tropical North Queensland. The gardens are set upon an 83-hectare site with a wide variety of flora and fauna. Lake Tondoon, situated in the centre of the gardens, once provided the source of Gladstone’s water supply until 1945. The city’s primary water supply is now Lake Awoonga. Located 25 kilometres south of Gladstone, the lake has been stocked with several fish species since 1996, with about 200,000 fish released each year including barramundi. ISSUE 13
33 PHOTO: PETER LAWRENCE The picturesque coastal twin towns of Boyne Island and Tannum Sands are only a short drive south from Gladstone – linked by bridge across the Boyne River – and provide an ideal residential option for those working in the Gladstone region. Gladstone residents are passionate about their water and marine activities and are proud to boast among the highest boat ownership per capita in Australia. Schooling The first school was established in Gladstone in 1864. Gladstone now has several primary schools, three high schools, a CQUniversity campus and two technical college campuses. There are also up to 20 more schools in the wider Gladstone region, catering to a growing, young family population. Last words This year Gladstone celebrated the golden anniversary of the Gladstone Harbour Festival. This annual Easter festival regularly attracts about 70,000 patrons. Once a one-day celebration to greet the winners of the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race, this 50-year-old tradition has more recently been extended to become a week-long event, jampacked with a variety of family entertainment, novelty events, a street parade and fireworks. Ships moored at the docks at Gladstone, ca 1868 CQUNIVERSITY CONNECTION CQUniversity established its Gladstone campus in 1984 in Dawson Road. It later relocated to its current location at the Gladstone Marina in 1994. Around 200 students are currently enrolled at the Gladstone campus studying a range of programs such as Engineering, Education and Management & Commerce. The Campus is home to the University’s two largest research centres, the Process Engineering and Light Metals Centre and the Centre for Environmental Management. Proposed plans for the campus include a state-of-the art marine research and rehabilitation facility, an early childhood education and training hub, and a mixed-use affordable accommodation complex for students and the wider community. ISSUE 13
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Page 13 and 14: Be: Committed 13 PHOTO:PETERY WALTO
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Page 17 and 18: 17 GETTING A CHECK UP We checked a
Page 19 and 20: 19 Circle of Friendship by Kerry Re
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