{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}} {{Use Australian English|date=April 2013}} {{GeoGroup}} {{Infobox Australian place | type = town | name = Grandchester | state = qld | image = Grandchester-railway-station-queensland.JPG | caption = Grandchester railway station | coordinates = {{coord|-27.6594|152.4672|type:city_region:AU-QLD|display=inline,title|name=Grandchester (town centre)}} | local_map = yes | zoom = 10 | pop = 467 | pop_year = {{CensusAU|2021}} | pop_footnotes = <ref name=Census2021/> | established = | postcode = 4340 | area = 57.4 | timezone = AEST | utc = +10:00 | dist1 = 10.4 <!-- road distances as per template instructions --> | dir1 = ESE | location1 = Laidley | dist2 = 13.4 | dir2 = W | location2 = Rosewood | dist3 = 34.1 | dir3 = W | location3 = Ipswich CBD | dist4 = 75.5 | dir4 = WSW | location4 = Brisbane CBD | lga = City of Ipswich | stategov = Scenic Rim | stategov2 = Ipswich West | fedgov = Blair | near-n = Summerholm | near-ne = Woolshed | near-e = Calvert | near-se = Lower Mount Walker | near-s = Mount Mort | near-sw = Mulgowie | near-w = Laidley South | near-nw = Laidley }} '''Grandchester''' is a rural town and locality in the City of Ipswich, Queensland, Australia.<ref name=qpnt>{{cite QPN|14561|Grandchester|town in City of Ipswich|access-date=7 March 2022}}</ref><ref name=qpnl>{{cite QPN|45095|Grandchester|locality in City of Ipswich|access-date=7 March 2022}}</ref> In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Grandchester had a population of 467 people.<ref name=Census2021/>
== Geography == Grandchester is located {{convert|76|km|mi}} west of the Brisbane CBD.
The district historically known as '''Hidden Vale''' (or '''Hiddenvale''') is within the locality, approx {{Convert|6|km||abbr=}} south of the town of Grandchester where Hiddenvale Road has its junction with the Grandchester Mount Mort Road ({{Coord|-27.715|152.470|type:city_region:AU-QLD|display=|name=Hidden Vale}}).<ref name=":0">{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/27%C2%B042'54.7%22S+152%C2%B028'11.3%22E/@-27.7151876,152.4687177,308m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d-27.7151901!4d152.4698121|title=Hidden Vale|access-date=28 July 2020}}</ref> Although unofficial, the name persists in the road name,<ref name=":0" /> St Anne's Hidden Vale (Anglican church),<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=St Anne's Hiddenvale|url=https://rosewoodanglican.org.au/ministry/st-annes-hiddenvale/|access-date=2020-07-28|website=Rosewood Anglican Parish|language=en-AU|archive-date=28 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728075523/https://rosewoodanglican.org.au/ministry/st-annes-hiddenvale/|url-status=live}}</ref> Spicers Hidden Vale (a rural resort),<ref>{{Cite web|title=Spicers Hidden Vale – Luxury Retreat – Grandchester, QLD|url=https://spicersretreats.com/retreats/spicers-hidden-vale/|access-date=2020-07-28|website=Spicers Retreats|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804073221/https://spicersretreats.com/retreats/spicers-hidden-vale/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the Hidden Vale Wildlife Centre (jointly operated by the resort and the University of Queensland).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hidden Vale Wildlife Centre|url=https://hiddenvalewildlife.uq.edu.au/|access-date=2020-07-28|publisher=University of Queensland|language=en|archive-date=24 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924135817/https://hiddenvalewildlife.uq.edu.au/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The terrain varies from {{Convert|70 to 347|m}} above sea level. There is one named peak, Mount Grandchester, in the north of the locality ({{coord|-27.6327|152.4859|type:mountain_region:AU-QLD|name=Mount Grandchester}}) rising to {{convert|347|m}}. It is part of the Little Liverpool Range.<ref name="MountainPeaksCapes">{{Cite web |date=12 November 2020 |title=Mountain peaks and capes - Queensland |url=https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/geographic-features-queensland-series/resource/06ff12a9-862e-4aac-bf9d-693f0a63b4c9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125215033/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/geographic-features-queensland-series/resource/06ff12a9-862e-4aac-bf9d-693f0a63b4c9 |archive-date=25 November 2020 |access-date=25 November 2020 |website=Queensland Open Data |publisher=Queensland Government}}</ref><ref>{{cite QPN|14566|Mount Grandchester|mountain in Ipswich City|access-date=25 November 2020}}</ref><ref name="globenatural">{{cite web |title=Layers: Locality; Mountains and ranges; Contours; Watercourses |url=https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ |access-date=15 February 2024 |website=Queensland Globe |publisher=Queensland Government}}</ref>
The land use is predominantly grazing on native vegetation.<ref name="globeuse">{{cite web |title=Layers: Locality; Protected areas and forests; Land Use |url=https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ |access-date=15 February 2024 |website=Queensland Globe |publisher=Queensland Government}}</ref>
The West Moreton section of the Main Line railway passes through the locality, entering from the east (Calvert), passing through the town of Grandchester, and exiting to the north-west (Laidley).<ref name="globetransport">{{cite web |title=Layers: Locality; Road and rail |url=https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ |access-date=15 February 2024 |website=Queensland Globe |publisher=Queensland Government}}</ref> The locality is served by two stations:
* Yarongmulu railway station, on the boundary with Laidley ({{coord|-27.6537|152.4216|type:railwaystation_region:AU-QLD|name=Yarongmulu railway station}})<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> * Grandchester railway station, serving the town ({{coord|-27.6625|152.4660|type:railwaystation_region:AU-QLD|name=Grandchester railway station}})<ref name="railwaystations" />
== History == The first settlers in the Grandchester area were Thomas and Maria Mort in 1849.<ref name=":3" />
Grandchester was the initial terminus of the first narrow gauge mainline railway in the world. The first track opened to traffic on Monday 31 July 1865 from Ipswich, as the Queensland Government was keen to prove the viability of its controversial 'pony railway'.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 August 1865 |title=THE OPENING OF THE FIRST RAILWAY IN QUEENSLAND. |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article147935866 |accessdate=15 February 2024 |newspaper=Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser |location=Queensland, Australia |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia |volume=V |issue=291}}</ref> The choice of Ipswich as the starting point for the first rail line in Queensland was a testament to the importance of Ipswich in early Queensland. Coal was needed for steam trains and Ipswich's port was an inland freight centre. In Ipswich, this first line skirted north around the river, running through North Ipswich to enter a two-storey iron station, then on to the Bremer River wharf. This wharf handled rail freight until a railway line joining Ipswich to Brisbane was opened in 1875.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-05-31|title=Queensland Places – Queensland's First Railway {{!}} State Library of Queensland|url=https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/queensland-places-queenslands-first-railway|access-date=2021-05-17|website=slq.qld.gov.au|language=en|archive-date=17 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517035009/https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/queensland-places-queenslands-first-railway|url-status=live}}</ref>
The construction of the Victoria Tunnel through the Little Liverpool Range to the west of Grandchester was behind schedule, and so, although it served a very small population, Bigge's Camp (as it was initially known) became the terminus for 10 months, until the line was extended to Gatton.<ref>Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, July, 1965 pp121-136</ref> The camp was named Bigge's Camp after local pioneer pastoralist Frederick Bigge.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Randall |first=Brian |date=2013-07-25 |title=Queensland Places - Bigge's Camp - Grandchester |url=https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/queensland-places-bigges-camp-grandchester |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=State Library Of Queensland |language=en |archive-date=9 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209092620/https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/queensland-places-bigges-camp-grandchester |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the name was changed on 30 August 1865 to be Grandchester, by translating the name into Latin, as ''bigge'' (''Grand'') and ''camp'' (''Chester''), which was suggested by the Governor George Bowen (a classicist) when the railway opened as being a more impressive name for the first railway terminus in Queensland.<ref name="qpnt" /><ref>{{cite news|date=8 February 2004|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/Queensland/Grandchester/2005/02/17/1108500203358.html|title=Grandchester|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=7 November 2019|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924194441/http://www.smh.com.au/news/Queensland/Grandchester/2005/02/17/1108500203358.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=24 October 1876 |title=NOTES BY "VIATOR," IN QUEENSLAND. |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8948714 |accessdate=15 February 2024 |newspaper=The Mercury |location=Tasmania, Australia |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia |volume=XXIX |issue=5007}}</ref> The original Grandchester railway station, including the former station master's residence, still exists.<ref name=":2" />
Grandchester Post Office opened on 1 January 1866 after the arrival of the railway and closed in 1978.<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& | url-status = live }}</ref>
Grandchester Provisional School opened in November 1870 in a tent borrowed from the Queensland Government, but which closed after one month in December 1870.<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>
Granchester State School opened on 29 January 1878.<ref name="qfhs" />
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church was officially opened in November 1894 by Archbishop Robert Dunne. The timber church was {{Convert|45 by 25|ft}} with the wall {{Convert|12|ft}} high. It was designed by Ipswich architect Henry E. Wyman and was built by James Madden at a cost of £130 on the site of the former Jockey Club Hotel at 7-9 George Street ({{Coord|-27.66103|152.46505|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=St Peter's Catholic Church (former)}}). By 1912, the church had become known as St Peter's.<ref>{{cite news |date=25 July 1912 |title=ST. PETER'S CHURCH, GRANDCHESTER. |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article113074705 |accessdate=15 February 2024 |newspaper=Queensland Times |location=Queensland, Australia |page=4 (DAILY) |via=National Library of Australia |volume=LIV |issue=8510}}</ref> It was closed and sold in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |date=6 November 1894 |title=A Sunday at Grandchester. |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123752320 |accessdate=15 February 2024 |newspaper=Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser |location=Queensland, Australia |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia |volume=XXXVI |issue=5201}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=St Peter's Catholic Church {{!}} Grandchester |url=https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=3427&St%20Peter%27s%20Catholic%20Church%20Grandchester |access-date=2024-02-15 |website=Queensland Religious Places Database}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=St Peter's Catholic Church, Grandchester, 2005 |url=https://www.pictureipswich.com.au/nodes/view/22649?keywords= |access-date=2024-02-15 |website=Picture Ipswich |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=7 George Street, Grandchester, Qld 4340 (2022 sale) |url=https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-grandchester-140354499 |access-date=15 February 2024 |website=Realestate.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=7 George Street, Grandchester, Qld 4340 |url=https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-grandchester-142206076 |access-date=15 February 2024 |website=Realestate.com.au}}</ref>
Hidden Vale Provisional School opened on 10 July 1916. On 1 September 1919, it became Hidden Vale State School. It closed on 15 February 1943.<ref name="qfhs" /> It was at 779-799 Hiddenvale Road ({{Coord|-27.7138|152.4707|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Hidden Vale State School (former)}}).<ref>{{Cite web |date=1943 |title=Parish of Alfred and Ferguson (part) |url=https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-40chain-parish-alfred-and-ferguson-part-1943-new.jpg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522112616/https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-40chain-parish-alfred-and-ferguson-part-1943-new.jpg |archive-date=22 May 2022 |access-date=22 May 2022 |publisher=Queensland Government |type=Map}}</ref><ref name="globe">{{Queensland Globe|access-date=15 February 2024}}</ref>
On Sunday 18 July 1937, St Anne's Anglican Church was officially dedicated by Archdeacon H.W.H. Stevenson.<ref>{{cite news|date=23 July 1937|title=NEW CHURCH|volume=LXXVIII|page=9 (DAILY.)|newspaper=Queensland Times|issue=15,810|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116003437|access-date=29 July 2020|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=14 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214211832/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/116003437|url-status=live}}</ref>
Grandchester Sawmills is one of the last known surviving steam-powered flat-belt sawmills in Australia. The engine powering it was manufactured in 1908, and the mill has been in operation from 1945. It was destroyed by a fire, sometime in the early hours of 6 May 2007.<ref>[http://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/icc_cms/plugins/media_releases/viewMediaReleasePDF.php?id=866 Grandchester Sawmill fire] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927062952/http://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/icc_cms/plugins/media_releases/viewMediaReleasePDF.php?id=866 |date=27 September 2007 }}. Ipswich City Council Media Release. 9 May 2007.</ref> Work on the long process of restoring the mill to its former glory started almost immediately in the days following the fire. The mill is operating once again with work still continuing on the restoration. This will ensure that this important piece of history is preserved for the generations that follow.<ref>[http://www.grandchestersawmill.com.au/history.html History of Heritage Listed Grandchester Sawmill] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220062319/http://www.grandchestersawmill.com.au/history.html |date=20 February 2011 }}. Grandchester sawmill. Retrieved 4 July 2013</ref>
== Demographics == In the {{CensusAU|2011}}, the locality of Grandchester had a population of 504 people.<ref name="Census2011">{{Census 2011 AUS|id=SSC30694 |name=Grandchester (State Suburb) |access-date=4 July 2013 |quick=on}}</ref>
In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the locality of Grandchester had a population of 444 people.<ref name=Census2016>{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC31235|name=Grandchester (SSC)|access-date=20 October 2018|quick=on}}</ref>
In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Grandchester had a population of 467 people.<ref name=Census2021>{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL31224|name=Grandchester (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}</ref>
== Heritage listings == [[File:Grandchester_Sawmill_machine 2.jpg|thumb|Grandchester Sawmills, 2015]] Grandchester has a number of heritage-listed sites, including: * Franklyn Vale Homestead, Franklin Vale Road<ref>{{cite QHR|15503|Franklyn Vale Homestead|600728|access-date=9 July 2013}}</ref> * Grandchester railway station, Ipswich Road<ref name=":2">{{cite QHR|15504|Grandchester Railway Complex|600729|access-date=9 July 2013}}</ref> * Grandchester Sawmills, Symes Street<ref>{{cite QHR|15505|Grandchester Sawmills|600730|access-date=9 July 2013}}</ref>
== Education == thumb|Grandchester State School, 2024 Grandchester State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 35 School Road ({{coord|-27.6655|152.4653|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Grandchester State School}}).<ref name="SchoolList2018">{{cite web|url=https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|title=State and non-state school details|date=9 July 2018|publisher=Queensland Government|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065959/https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|archive-date=21 November 2018|access-date=21 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-09 |title=Grandchester State School |url=https://grandchesterss.eq.edu.au/ |access-date=2024-02-14 |website=Grandchester State School |language=en}}</ref> In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 37 students with 6 teachers (3 full-time equivalent) and 5 non-teaching staff (3 full-time equivalent).<ref name="ACARA2017">{{cite web|url=http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0|title=ACARA School Profile 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122010027/http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0|archive-date=22 November 2018|access-date=22 November 2018}}</ref>
There are no secondary schools in Grandchester. The nearest government secondary schools are Laidley State High School in neighbouring Laidley to the north-west and Rosewood State High School in Rosewood to the east.<ref name="globeschools">{{cite web |title=Layers: Locality; Schools and school catchments |url=https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ |access-date=15 February 2024 |website=Queensland Globe |publisher=Queensland Government}}</ref>
== Amenities == thumb|St Anne's Anglican Church The Ipswich City Council operates a fortnightly mobile library service which visits the Grandchester Hotel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.library.ipswich.qld.gov.au/files/2018/01/mobile-library-calendar-jan-june-2018-A4.pdf|title=Ipswich Libraries: Mobile library schedule of stops – January to June 2018|website=Ipswich City Council|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130110326/http://www.library.ipswich.qld.gov.au/files/2018/01/mobile-library-calendar-jan-june-2018-A4.pdf|archive-date=30 January 2018|url-status=dead|access-date=30 January 2018}}</ref>
St Anne's Anglican Church at 798 Hiddenvale Road ({{Coord|-27.7155|152.4700|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|display=|name=29 July 2020}}) holds monthly services. It is part of the Rosewood Anglican Parish.<ref name=":1" />
== See also == {{Portal|Queensland}} * Rosewood * Rail transport in Queensland * Victoria Tunnel, Queensland
== References == {{Reflist}}
== Further reading == * {{cite book |last=McGovern |first=Dawn |url=https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/tqqf2h/alma997097554702061 |title=Grandchester State School centenary, 1878-1978 |date=1978}} — includes Franklyn Vale State School, Hidden Vale State School, and Mount Mort State School
== External links == {{Commons category}} * {{cite web |title=Grandchester |url=http://queenslandplaces.com.au/grandchester |website=Queensland Places |publisher=Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland}} * {{cite web |date=1972 |title=Town map of Grandchester |url=https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-grandchester-1972.jpg |publisher=Queensland Government}} *{{cite web|url=https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/queensland-places-queenslands-first-railway|title=Queensland's First Railway|website=John Oxley Library Blog|publisher=State Library of Queensland}}
{{Ipswich City}} {{South East Queensland}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Grandchester, Queensland Category:Towns in Queensland Category:City of Ipswich Category:Localities in Queensland