Byrnestown

{{Use Australian English|date=August 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}} {{GeoGroup}} {{Infobox Australian place | type = suburb | name = Byrnestown | city = | state = qld | image = O'Neill's Store in Byrnestown, Queensland, 1919.jpg | caption = O'Neill's Store in Byrnestown, 1919 | coordinates = {{coord|-25.5219|151.7677|type:city_region:AU-QLD|display=inline,title|name=Byrnestown (centre of locality)}} | local_map = yes | zoom = 11 | pop = 27 | pop_year = {{CensusAU|2021}} | pop_footnotes = <ref name=Census2021/> | established = | postcode = 4625 | area = 40.2 | timezone = AEST | utc = +10:00 | dist1 = 22.9 <!-- road distances as per template instructions --> | dir1 = NW | location1 = Coalstoun Lakes | dist2 = 25.0 | dir2 = NE | location2 = Gayndah | dist3 = 125 | dir3 = W | location3 = Maryborough | dist4 = 125 | dir4 = SW | location4 = Bundaberg | dist5 = 320 | dir5 = NNW | location5 = Brisbane | lga = North Burnett Region | stategov = Callide | fedgov = Flynn | near-n = Wetheron | near-ne = Gooroolba | near-e = Gooroolba | near-se = Ginoondan | near-s = Ginoondan | near-sw = Wetheron | near-w = Wetheron | near-nw = Wetheron }} '''Byrnestown''' is a rural locality in the North Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia.<ref name=qpnl>{{cite QPN|45325|Byrnestown|locality in North Burnett Region|accessdate=15 December 2020}}</ref> It was established as one of the first communes in Queensland. In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, Byrnestown had a population of 27 people.<ref name="Census2021" />

== Geography == Wetheron Creek forms most of the southern boundary of the locality.<ref name="globenatural">{{cite web |title=Layers: Locality; Mountains and ranges; Contours; Watercourses |url=https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ |access-date=5 April 2025 |website=Queensland Globe |publisher=Queensland Government |archive-date=19 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219175447/https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Gayndah Mount Perry Road enters the locality from the south (Ginoondan) and exits to the north (Wetheron).<ref name="globetransport">{{cite web |title=Layers: Locality; Road and rail; Railways; Railway stations |url=https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ |access-date=5 April 2025 |website=Queensland Globe |publisher=Queensland Government |archive-date=19 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219175447/https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Apart from the small residential town area around the site of the former railway station, the land use is predominantly grazing on native vegetation.<ref name="globeuse">{{cite web |title=Layers: Locality; Protected areas and forests; Land use; Sugarcane areas |url=https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ |access-date=5 April 2025 |website=Queensland Globe |publisher=Queensland Government |archive-date=19 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219175447/https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== History == In response to the idea of communes promulgated by utopian William Lane, in 1893 the Queensland Government legislated the ''Queensland Co-operative Communities Land Settlement Act'' to allow a group of 30 or more men and their families to establish a commune in Queensland. This led to many groups forming to pursue the goal of establishing a commune; one of these groups called themselves ''Byrnestown'' after the then Queensland Attorney-General Thomas Joseph Byrnes (who became Premier of Queensland in 1898).<ref name=qpnl/><ref name=nbrlhr/>

In late 1893, sites near Roma were deemed too far from the town.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123344944 |title=Co-operative Communities. |newspaper=Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser |date=2 December 1893 |access-date=30 May 2014 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> In January 1893, the Byrnestown group inspected land in the Burnett area and found it suitable, having a water supply from the Wetherton Creek and frontage to the prospective railway to Gayndah. As a result, the Byrnestown commune (comprising 34 members) was registered on 24 February 1894 receiving {{convert|4600|acre}} for an 8-year term. Another group calling themselves ''Resolute'' selected land immediately to the east of the Byrnestown group, while a third group ''Bon Accord'' also took land in the Burnett area at Bon Accord.<ref name=nbrlhr/><ref>{{cite news |title=QUEENSLAND NEWS. |newspaper=The Morning Bulletin |location=Rockhampton, Qld. |date=10 January 1894 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3574803 |title=THE MAYORAL ELECTION. |newspaper=The Brisbane Courier |date=21 February 1894 |access-date=30 May 2014 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224025751/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3574803 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The first of the Byrnestown settlers arrived in March 1894.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123751151 |title=Our Brisbane Letter. |newspaper=Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser |date=3 March 1894 |access-date=30 May 2014 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Although all communes were given initial funds, by June 1894, Byrnestown requested and received additional financial assistance.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123759340 |title=Co-operative Groups. |newspaper=Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser |date=7 June 1894 |access-date=30 May 2014 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224025754/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/123759340 |url-status=live }}</ref> By October 1894, there were 169 people in the Byrnestown commune: 34 men, 28 wives and 107 children. The group had erected numerous bark dwellings, farm buildings and were beginning work on a school building, but had made more limited progress on clearing and planting the land.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3588651 |title=LAND SETTLEMENT GROUPS IN THE BURNETT. |newspaper=The Brisbane Courier |date=5 October 1894 |access-date=30 May 2014 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224025656/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3588651 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=tq>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20722215 |title=The Byrnestown Co-operative Group. |newspaper=The Queenslander |date=17 November 1894 |access-date=30 May 2014 |page=916 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224025656/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20722215 |url-status=live }}</ref>

thumb|"Showing how six Byrnestown socialists paid the penalty of a too strict adherence to principle", cartoon, 1895 The Byrnestown commune did not succeed. As early as November 1894, there were allegations (denied by the group) that some of their members were working outside the commune but not contributing their wages to the commune as their agreement required.<ref name=tq/> The following month some members were petitioning the government for funds, saying that the commune's management committee was denying them food.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123751040 |title=The Byrnestown Group. |newspaper=Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser |date=13 December 1894 |access-date=30 May 2014 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224025759/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/123751040 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the agricultural show at Degilbo in February 1895, it was revealed that 6 men had left the group and a further 9 were refusing to work, with the group's secretary suggesting the internal disputes arose from differences in nationality and religion.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3596582 |title=A VISIT TO DEGILBO. |newspaper=The Brisbane Courier |date=11 February 1895 |access-date=30 May 2014 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> An inspection in April 1895 reported on limited progress at cultivation of the land, possibly linked to the number of men in the group working outside the commune.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article67942744 |title=MR. CAMERON, M.L.A., AT LONG REACH. |newspaper=The Capricornian |location=Rockhampton, Qld. |date=13 April 1895 |access-date=30 May 2014 |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224025713/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/67942744 |url-status=live }}</ref> By July 1895, members of group had resorted to legal action over the management committee refusal to provide food to members who disagreed with their decisions.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article76717154 |title=LOCAL AND GENERAL. |newspaper=The Northern Miner |location=Charters Towers, Qld. |date=2 July 1895 |access-date=30 May 2014 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224030217/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/76717154 |url-status=live }}</ref> Byrnestown was not alone in its failure; in August 1895 a report by the Under-Secretary for Agriculture revealed most of the communes established were ''"in a state of collapse"'' and that there was little prospect of them being economically self-supporting.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article79759773 |title=Co-operative Settlements. |newspaper=The Western Champion and General Advertiser for the Central-Western Districts |location=Barcaldine, Qld. |date=13 August 1895 |access-date=30 May 2014 |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224030243/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/79759773 |url-status=live }}</ref>

One small success for the commune was the opening of the Byrnestown Provisional School on 4 September 1895.<ref name=qsa>{{cite QSA Agency|6460|Byrnestown State School|30 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="qfhs">{{Citation |author1=Queensland Family History Society |title=Queensland schools past and present |publication-date=2010 |edition=Version 1.01 |publisher=Queensland Family History Society |isbn=978-1-921171-26-0}}</ref> However, the Byrnestown commune soon complained that children from the neighbouring Resolute commune were attending their school without contributing to it.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article21639342 |title=THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL. |newspaper=The Queenslander |date=28 December 1895 |access-date=30 May 2014 |page=1240 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224030226/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/21639342 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was originally housed in a bark humpy, but, through the efforts of Roman Catholic priest Father Michael Joseph McKiernan, it was replaced by a more substantial building.<ref>{{cite news |date=6 February 1904 |title=A MAN AND HIS WORK: THE LATE FATHER M'KIERNAN. |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311001016/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/0 |archive-date=11 March 2020 |access-date=30 May 2014 |newspaper=The Queenslander |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> It became Byrnestown State School in 1909. A second school, Byrnestown Central State School, opened on 20 May 1913,<ref>{{cite news |date=11 October 1912 |title=Public Works. |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19845933 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224030808/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/19845933 |archive-date=24 December 2023 |access-date=30 May 2014 |newspaper=The Brisbane Courier |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> after which the first school was often known as Old Byrnestown School. The old school closed in 1931 and its buildings were relocated in 1932 to Wilson Valley.<ref>{{cite news |date=15 April 1932 |title=PUBLIC WORKS. |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article21799138 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224030853/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/21799138 |archive-date=24 December 2023 |access-date=30 May 2014 |newspaper=The Brisbane Courier |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> In 1938, Byrnestown Central State School was renamed Byrnestown State School. It closed on 31 December 1970.<ref name="qsa" /><ref name="qs">{{Cite QldSchool|accessdate=29 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |author1=Queensland Family History Society |title=Queensland schools past and present |publication-date=2010 |url=http://www.qfhs.org.au/shop/shop-catalogue/society-publications/schools/qfhscd120/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530060639/http://www.qfhs.org.au/shop/shop-catalogue/society-publications/schools/qfhscd120/ |archive-date=30 May 2014 |url-status=live |edition=Version 1.01 |publisher=Queensland Family History Society |isbn=978-1-921171-26-0}}</ref> (Old) Byrnestown State School was on the western side of Gayndah - Mount Perry Road ({{Coord|-25.54858|151.77670|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=(Old) Byrnetown State School (former)}}).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=1933 |title=Queensland Two Mile series sheet 2m115 |url=https://apps.information.qld.gov.au/data/v2/HistoricalMaps/StaticMap/cadastral/cad-map-2mile-qld-2m115-surv-control-1933/original |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224030756/https://apps.information.qld.gov.au/data/v2/HistoricalMaps/StaticMap/cadastral/cad-map-2mile-qld-2m115-surv-control-1933/original |archive-date=24 December 2023 |access-date=24 December 2023 |publisher=Queensland Government |type=Map}}</ref><ref name="globe">{{Queensland Globe|access-date=24 December 2023}}</ref> Byrnestown (Central) State School was at 28 Byrnes Parade (corner of King George Avenue, {{Coord|-25.52324|151.75872|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Byrnestown (Central) State School (former)}}).<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=1964 |title=Town of Byrnestown |url=https://apps.information.qld.gov.au/data/v2/HistoricalMaps/StaticMap/cadastral/cad-map-town-byrnestown-1964/original |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224030847/https://apps.information.qld.gov.au/data/v2/HistoricalMaps/StaticMap/cadastral/cad-map-town-byrnestown-1964/original |archive-date=24 December 2023 |access-date=24 December 2023 |publisher=Queensland Government |type=Map}}</ref><ref name="globe" />

In October 1895, the Byrnestown committee instituted a system of punishments for any member (or their wife) who criticised their commune or suggested it might not be a success.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article79760930 |title=The Western Champion. |newspaper=The Western Champion and General Advertiser for the Central-Western Districts |location=Barcaldine, Qld. |date=8 October 1895 |access-date=30 May 2014 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224030254/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/79760930 |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 1895, the Queensland Government passed legislation to enable communes to be dissolved and the communal land divided among the members.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article21638652 |title=Gallery Notes. |newspaper=The Queenslander |date=7 December 1895 |access-date=30 May 2014 |page=1101 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224030235/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/21638652 |url-status=live }}</ref> The members of Byrnestown immediately petitioned the Queensland Government to divide their communal land into individual portions.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3614171 |title=POLITICAL POINTS. |newspaper=The Brisbane Courier |date=4 December 1895 |access-date=30 May 2014 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224030333/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3614171 |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 1896, {{convert|2560|acre}} of the Byrnestown communal land was divided among 16 of its members, bringing the commune to an end.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3623435 |title=CO-OPERATIVE GROUPS. |newspaper=The Brisbane Courier |date=15 April 1896 |access-date=30 May 2014 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224030337/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3623435 |url-status=live }}</ref> Those members who chose to take up individual land generally succeeded in their enterprise and were described less than two years later in February 1896 as "doing pretty well", suggesting that dissolution of the commune had rid the community of those men unsuited to agriculture or generally disinclined to work.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3666978 |title=IN THE GAYNDAH DISTRICT. |newspaper=The Brisbane Courier |date=23 February 1898 |access-date=30 May 2014 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224030805/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3666978 |url-status=live }}</ref>

A report by R. W. Winks of the Department of Agriculture, Brisbane, surveying for the proposed Degilbo to Gayndah railway line extension, dated 10 November 1897 stated:- "The first really good piece of country of any extent begins some little distance from the coach stage at Wetheron, Two Mile, extending beyond the head station and running thence in a south-westerly direction to Oakey Creek. This belt, which takes in the whole of what was the Byrnestown and part of the Resolute and Bon Accord Groups, about {{Convert|8|mi}} in length, and varying in breadth from 3 to 4 miles, is on the whole good land. It is principally composed of fine, black and chocolate soil ridges, even in contour, and in many places lightly timbered with broad-leafed ironbark and a kind of bloodwood. In some parts there is scarcely any timber, from which fact a portion of this zone is known locally as the Wetheron Clear Lands. Want of water is the chief drawback, but from some wells I saw on what was once group property, it would appear that good water can be obtained by comparatively shallow sinking. The average depth of the wells seemed about {{Convert|40|ft}}."<ref>{{cite news |date=2 December 1897 |title=REPORT BY R. W. WINKS. |page=3 |newspaper=Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser |issue=7,824 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article147693872 |accessdate=11 October 2022 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224030806/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/147693872 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1903, there were over {{convert|1000|acre}} under cultivation, growing mostly maize, potatoes and fodder crops; the main barrier to greater prosperity was the distance to the railway.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19240065 |title=COUNTRY NEWS. |newspaper=The Brisbane Courier |date=4 September 1903 |access-date=30 May 2014 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224030851/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/19240065 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Byrnestown Post Office opened by November 1903 (a receiving office had been open from 1898) and closed in 1911. Byrnestown Railway Station Post Office opened by June 1910 (a receiving office had been open from 1909, briefly known as ''Ginoon'') and closed in 1974.<ref name="Post Office">{{Cite web | last = Premier Postal History | title = Post Office List | publisher = Premier Postal Auctions | url = https://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=QLD&country= | access-date = 10 May 2014 | archive-date = 15 May 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140515223132/http://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=QLD&country= | url-status = live }}</ref>

The Mungar Junction to Monto railway line opened from Degilbo to Wetheron via Byrnestown on 21 December 1905.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |date=2 December 1905 |title=COUNTRY NEWS. |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19422662 |accessdate=9 December 2023 |newspaper=The Brisbane Courier |location=Queensland, Australia |page=10 |via=National Library of Australia |volume=LXII |issue=14,943}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=16 December 1905 |title=CURRENT. |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20800933 |accessdate=9 December 2023 |newspaper=The Queenslander |location=Queensland, Australia |page=10 |via=National Library of Australia |issue=2075}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=19 December 1905 |title=Degilbo to Wetheron. |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article173405165 |accessdate=9 December 2023 |newspaper=The Telegraph |location=Queensland, Australia |page=2 (SECOND EDITION) |via=National Library of Australia |issue=10324}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=22 December 1905 |title=GENERAL NEWS. |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148670657 |accessdate=9 December 2023 |newspaper=Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser |location=Queensland, Australia |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia |issue=10,322}}</ref> Byrnestown was served by the Byrnestown railway station ({{coord|-25.5237|151.7615|type:railwaystation_region:AU-QLD|name=Byrnestown railway station}}). The last train on the railway line was in 2008 and in 2012 it was announced the line was officially closed.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Gough |first=Emma |date=7 June 2012 |title=Last train out of Monto gone |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/south-burnett/last-train-out-of-monto-gone/news-story/a2c5b2acd42176a01872884e0a33af7d |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209064618/https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/south-burnett/last-train-out-of-monto-gone/news-story/a2c5b2acd42176a01872884e0a33af7d?nk=6d9f0b09cea95400a60977eb84d7bf09-1702104378 |archive-date=9 December 2023 |access-date=26 September 2022 |website=The Courier-Mail}}</ref><ref name="railwaystations">{{Cite web |date=2 October 2020 |title=Railway stations and sidings - Queensland |url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/transport-features-queensland-series/resource/84fff9a0-e315-4844-9c4d-63934562a9bd |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005070354/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/transport-features-queensland-series/resource/84fff9a0-e315-4844-9c4d-63934562a9bd |archive-date=5 October 2020 |access-date=5 October 2020 |website=Queensland Open Data |publisher=Queensland Government}}</ref>

In September 1912, 54 allotments were sold in the town of Byrnestown.<ref>{{cite news |date=7 September 1912 |title=Advertising |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146936706 |accessdate=6 April 2025 |newspaper=Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay And Burnett Advertiser |location=Queensland, Australia |page=10 |via=National Library of Australia |issue=12,278}}</ref>

thumb|Church of the Sacred Heart, 1925In August 1913, local residents desired to establish a Roman Catholic church in the town. At that time, the town had a hall which was used both for church services and recreational purposes, but following the establishment of a concert hall by Mr Christensen, the hall was only used for church services. Peter McSween senior donated an acre of land for the church and the residents decided to relocate the old hall to the donated land.<ref>{{cite news|date=19 August 1913|title=BYRNESTOWN.|page=8|newspaper=Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser|issue=12,571|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article150571897|access-date=1 July 2020|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224030855/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150571897|url-status=live}}</ref> On 25 July 1914, Archbishop James Duhig opened St Peter's Catholic Church with 250 people in attendance. The new church was made of weatherboard and was {{Convert|40 by 20|ft||abbr=}} with a sacristry and vestry in the rear of the church and an "artistic" porch at the front. The building was designed and built by local contractor Harry Head.<ref>{{cite news|date=28 July 1914|title=BYRNESTOWN.|page=5|newspaper=Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser|issue=12,852|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151015157|access-date=1 July 2020|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224031307/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/151015157|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=28 September 1915 |title=BYRNESTOWN. |page=6 |newspaper=Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser |issue=13,212 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article150961461 |accessdate=28 September 2022 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224031329/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150961461 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 1 December 1923, the church was blown down in a storm.<ref>{{cite news|date=3 December 1923|title=TOOWOOMBA STORM.|page=7|newspaper=The Brisbane Courier|issue=20,550|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20682141|access-date=1 July 2020|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224031308/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20682141|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=3 December 1923|title=CHURCH BLOWN DOWN.|volume=53|page=4|newspaper=The Bundaberg Mail|issue=8,543|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article217020917|access-date=1 July 2020|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224031353/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/217020917|url-status=live}}</ref> It was decided in August 1924 to construct a new church rather than try to repair the damaged building.<ref>{{cite news|date=29 July 1924|title=CENTRAL BURNETT|page=11|newspaper=The Daily Mail|issue=6995|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article219056302|access-date=1 July 2020|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224031314/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/219056302|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=16 August 1924|title=GAYNDAH.|page=20|newspaper=The Brisbane Courier|issue=20,769|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20742655|access-date=1 July 2020|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224031341/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20742655|url-status=live}}</ref> The contract for the new church was given to George William Jealous of Gayndah at a cost of over £1000.<ref>{{cite news|date=8 October 1924|title=BYRNESTOWN.|page=4|newspaper=Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser|issue=16,907|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article152570445|access-date=1 July 2020|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224031340/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/152570445|url-status=live}}</ref> The new Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart was opened in Byrnestown on 22 February 1925 by Roman Catholic Archbishop James Duhig.<ref>{{cite news|date=27 February 1925|title=The new church of the Sacred Heart, Byrnestown, blessed and opened by his Grace Archbishop Duhig on 22nd inst.|page=6|newspaper=The Brisbane Courier|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20901286|access-date=17 June 2015|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224031310/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20901286|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=24 February 1925|title=CATHOLIC CHURCH|page=8|newspaper=The Daily Mail|issue=7174|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article219080173|access-date=1 July 2020|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224031305/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/219080173|url-status=live}}</ref> The church was damaged in a cyclone in 1959. In 1969 the church was moved to Gayndah to serve as the church hall for St Joseph's Catholic Church there. To reduce the risk of future cyclone damage, the roof was lowered by reducing the height of the walls and reducing the pitch of the roof.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Byrnestown St Peter's Catholic Church c 1914 – Opposite 8 Fielding St, Gayndah, QLD|url=https://poi-australia.com.au/points-of-interest/australia/queensland-1/gayndah/byrnestown-st-peters-catholic-church-c-1914-opposite-8-fielding-st-gayndah-qld/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701093038/https://poi-australia.com.au/points-of-interest/australia/queensland-1/gayndah/byrnestown-st-peters-catholic-church-c-1914-opposite-8-fielding-st-gayndah-qld/|archive-date=1 July 2020|access-date=1 July 2020|website=POI Australia}}</ref>

In May 1931, a railway carriage carrying the Queensland Premier Arthur Edward Moore and Robert Boyd MLA and their wives came detached during shunting operations at the Gooroolba junction and rolled away, gathering speed down a streep grade. It hurtled, swaying dangerously, through Byrnestown railway station and eventually came to a halt five miles later on flat ground near the Wetheron railway station. Nobody was hurt.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article94240119 |title=RUNAWAY. |newspaper=Northern Star |location=Lismore, NSW |date=4 May 1931 |access-date=17 June 2015 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224031306/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/94240119 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article100121335 |title=DASHED FIVE MILES. |newspaper=Sunday Mail |location=Brisbane |date=3 May 1931 |access-date=17 June 2015 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224031306/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/100121335 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Demographics == In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, Byrnestown had a population of 34 people.<ref name=Census2016>{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC30472|name=Byrnestown (SSC)|accessdate=20 October 2018|quick=on}}</ref>

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, Byrnestown had a population of 27 people.<ref name=Census2021>{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL30469|name=Byrnestown (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}</ref>

== Heritage listing == The Byrnestown Commune and Cemetery are listed on the North Burnett Regional Council's local heritage register. The cemetery is on Cemetery Road ({{coord|-25.5514|151.7705|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Byrnestown Cemetery}}).<ref name=nbrlhr>{{cite web|title=Byrnestown Commune and Cemetery |url=http://www.northburnett.qld.gov.au/res/file/Local%20Heritage%20Register/AE/Byrnestown%20Commune%20and%20Cemetery.pdf |work=Local Heritage Register |publisher=North Burnett Regional Council |access-date=29 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530020346/http://www.northburnett.qld.gov.au/res/file/Local%20Heritage%20Register/AE/Byrnestown%20Commune%20and%20Cemetery.pdf |archive-date=30 May 2014 }}</ref><ref name="CemeteryAreas">{{Cite web |date=12 November 2020 |title=Cemetery Areas - Queensland |url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/2baca5c3-a111-4fbc-86c9-3b896884438b |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115100513/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/built-features-queensland-series/resource/2baca5c3-a111-4fbc-86c9-3b896884438b |archive-date=15 November 2020 |access-date=12 November 2020 |website=Queensland Open Data |publisher=Queensland Government}}</ref>

== Education == There are no schools in Byrnestown. The nearest government primary schools are Coalstoun Lakes State School in Coalstoun Lakes to the south-east and Gayndah State School in Gayndah to the south-west. The nearest government secondary school is Burnett State College in Gayndah.<ref name="globeschools">{{cite web |title=Layers: Locality; Schools and school catchments |url=https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ |access-date=5 April 2025 |website=Queensland Globe |publisher=Queensland Government |archive-date=19 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219175447/https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

== Further reading == * {{Citation | author1=Metcalf, William James | title=The Gayndah communes : from Aborigines and squatters through communes to rural depopulation in the Gayndah area | publication-date=1998 | publisher=Central Queensland University Press | isbn=978-1-875998-49-4 }}

== External links == {{Commons category|Byrnestown, Queensland}} * {{cite web|author=Bill Metcalf | title=Utopian communities|url=http://www.qhatlas.com.au/content/utopian-communities|publisher=Queensland Historical Atlas}} * {{cite web|title=Byrnestown commune plan, 1890s|url=http://www.qhatlas.com.au/map/byrnestown-commune-plan-1890s|publisher=Queensland Historical Atlas}} – map of Byrnestown commune * {{cite web|title=Survey of communes, 1890s|url=http://www.qhatlas.com.au/map/survey-communes-1890s|publisher=Queensland Historical Atlas}} – map showing communes in the Burnett area {{North Burnett Region}}

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Category:Localities in Queensland Category:North Burnett Region Category:Utopian communities