Lowood, Queensland

{{Redirect|Lowood|the high school|Lowood State High School|the motorsport track|Lowood Airfield Circuit|the fictional school|Jane Eyre#Lowood Institution{{!}}''Jane Eyre'' § Lowood Institution}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}} {{Use Australian English|date=April 2013}} {{GeoGroup}} {{Infobox Australian place | type = town | name = Lowood | state = qld | image = Lowood Post Office.JPG | caption = Post office | coordinates = {{coord|-27.4627|152.5783|type:city_region:AU-QLD|display=inline,title|name=Lowood (town centre)}} | local_map = yes | zoom = 11 | pop = 4082 | pop_year = {{CensusAU|2021}} | pop_footnotes = <ref name=Census2021/> | established = 1872 | postcode = 4311 | area = 26.7 | timezone = AEST | utc = +10:00 | dist1 = 30.7  | dir1 = NW | location1 = Ipswich | dist2 = 40.5 | dir2 = SSE | location2 = Esk | dist3 = 69 | dir3 = W | location3 = Brisbane | dist4 = | dir4 = | location4 = | lga = Somerset Region | stategov = Lockyer | fedgov = Blair | elevation = | maxtemp = | mintemp = | rainfall = | near-nw = Clarendon | near-n = Patrick Estate | near-ne = Wivenhoe Pocket | near-w = Rifle Range | near-e = Vernor | near-sw = Tarampa | near-s = Tarampa | near-se = Glamorgan Vale }} '''Lowood''' is a rural town and locality in the Somerset Region, Queensland, Australia.<ref name=qpnt>{{cite QPN|20197|Lowood|town in Somerset Region|accessdate=29 December 2020}}</ref><ref name=qpnl>{{cite QPN|44894|Lowood|locality in Somerset Region|accessdate=29 December 2020}}</ref> In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Lowood had a population of 4,082 people.<ref name=Census2021/>

== Geography == The town is on the Brisbane River, {{convert|66|km|abbr=on}} west of the state capital, Brisbane, and {{convert|31|km|abbr=on}} north of Ipswich.

Due to its proximity to Brisbane and Ipswich, Lowood is becoming an area for hobby farmers and residential commuters.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

== History == thumb|left|Intact but abandoned Lowood railway station – the railway line and grassed area are now the Jean Bray Carpark.

Lowood railway station ({{coord|-27.4632|152.5816|type:railwaystation_region:AU-QLD|name=Lowood railway station (former)}})<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> was established as the first terminus of the Brisbane Valley branch railway in 1884 and the town grew from the subdivision around the new railway station.<ref name="railwaystations" /> The name ''Lowood'' is derived from the "low woods" of brigalow in the Lowood area, as opposed to the taller trees elsewhere in the Brisbane Valley. The name ''Lowood'' replaced local names of ''The Scrub'' and ''Cairnhill''.<ref name="qpnt" />

Lowood Post Office opened on 15 October 1888 (a receiving office had been open from 1884).<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>

Cairnhill Provisional School opened on 29 June 1881. On 1 April 1889 it become Lowood State School. On 29 January 1963 a secondary department was opened, which closed in 1983 when Lowood State High School opened.<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>

In 1919, 27 building sites in Morningside Estate were advertised for auction by Kavanagh & Smith Auctioneers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120429224|title=Advertising|date=22 February 1919|newspaper=Queensland Times|access-date=26 November 2019|issue=10,296|location=Queensland, Australia|volume=LX|page=11 (DAILY.)|via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The auction was for resubs 1 to 27 of sub 5 of resub 1 of subs 1A & 3 of resub 2 of sub A of portion 319 (Tarampa).<ref name=":0">{{Cite map|title=Morningside Estate 1919|hdl = 10462/deriv/207314|journal=}}</ref> A map produced to advertise the auction shows Morningside Estate is on Peace Street and is close to Lowood Railway Station, the hospital and the state school.<ref name=":0" />

During World War II, an airfield called Lowood, which was actually located at Mount Tarampa, was the site of a military airfield operated by the Royal Australian Air Force. No. 71 Squadron operated from the airfield during 1943, conducting coastal patrol and naval convoy escort missions. After the war, the airfield was converted into a motor-racing circuit, the Lowood Airfield Circuit, and operated for 20 years, the highlight hosting the 1960 Australian Grand Prix.<ref>Australian Grand Prix – The 50-race history, 1986, pages 256 to 266</ref> The airfield no longer exists, but a small memorial marks its previous location.<ref>[http://home.st.net.au/~dunn/ozatwar/lowood.htm Oz at war] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061024094452/http://home.st.net.au/%7Edunn/ozatwar/lowood.htm |date=24 October 2006 }} – Amateur historian site -Retrieved 2 November 2006.</ref>

Lowood State High School opened on 24 January 1983 replacing the secondary department attached to Lowood State School in 1963.<ref name="qfhs" />

The Lowood public library opened in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/388497/SLQ_StatsBulletin1617_20171109.pdf|title=Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-17|date=November 2017|website=Public Libraries Connect|publisher=State Library of Queensland|page=15|access-date=29 January 2018|archive-date=30 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130022546/http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/388497/SLQ_StatsBulletin1617_20171109.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Demographics == In the {{CensusAU|2006}}, the town of Lowood had a population of 1,010 people.<ref name=Census2006UCL>{{Census 2006 AUS|id=UCL334800|name=Lowood (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)|accessdate=28 October 2007|quick=on}}</ref>

In the {{CensusAU|2011}}, the locality of Lowood had a population of 3,336 people.<ref name=Census2011>{{Census 2011 AUS|id=SSC30974|name=Loowood|accessdate=6 July 2015|quick=on}}</ref>

In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the locality of Lowood had a population of 4,159 people.<ref name=Census2016>{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC31715|name=Lowood (SSC)|accessdate=20 October 2018|quick=on}}</ref>

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Lowood had a population of 4,082 people.<ref name=Census2021>{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL31700|name=Lowood (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}</ref>

== Heritage listings == Lowood has a number of heritage-listed sites, including: * 12 Railway Street {{coord|-27.4618|152.5814|region:AU-QLD_type:landmark|name=Royal Bank of Queensland (former)}}: former Royal Bank of Queensland, built sometime between 1901 and 1917, the former bank is now a dental surgery.<ref name=QHR15271>{{cite QHR|15271|Dental Surgery|600496|accessdate=12 July 2013}}</ref>

== Education == Lowood State School is a government primary (Early Childhood to Year 6) school for boys and girls at 32 Peace Street ({{coord|-27.4657|152.5816|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Lowood State School}}).<ref name="SchoolList2018">{{cite web|date=9 July 2018|title=State and non-state school details|url=https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065959/https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|archivedate=21 November 2018|accessdate=21 November 2018|publisher=Queensland Government}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Lowood State School|url=https://lowoodss.eq.edu.au/|url-status=live|accessdate=26 February 2021|archive-date=22 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322044801/https://lowoodss.eq.edu.au/}}</ref> In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 279 students with 24 teachers (23 full-time equivalent) and 17 non-teaching staff (13 full-time equivalent).<ref name="ACARA2018">{{cite web|title=ACARA School Profile 2018|url=https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx|accessdate=28 January 2020|publisher=Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority|archive-date=27 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827085246/https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx|url-status=live}}</ref> It includes a special education program.<ref name="SchoolList2018" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Lowood SS – Special Education Program|url=https://www.lowoodss.eq.edu.au|accessdate=21 November 2018|archive-date=22 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322044801/https://lowoodss.eq.edu.au/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Lowood State High School is a government secondary (7–12) school for boys and girls at 28 Prospect Street ({{coord|-27.4671|152.5824|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Lowood State High School}}).<ref name="SchoolList2018" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Lowood State High School|url=https://lowoodshs.eq.edu.au|url-status=live|accessdate=26 February 2021|archive-date=25 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225193610/https://lowoodshs.eq.edu.au/}}</ref> In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 747 students with 68 teachers (67 full-time equivalent) and 39 non-teaching staff (29 full-time equivalent).<ref name="ACARA2018" /> It includes a special education program.<ref name="SchoolList2018" />

== Transport == Following the withdrawal of the railmotor service to Toogoolawah in 1989, a substitute bus service to Ipswich was introduced by Queensland Rail (QR). Two services are in the morning and return services are in the late afternoon. Time tables are available from QR.

== Amenities == The Somerset Regional Council operates a public library at the corner of Michel and Main Streets ({{Coord|-27.4634|152.5802|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Lowood Public Library}}).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/networking/directory-of-public-libraries/branches/somerset/lowood_library|title=Lowood Library|date=28 April 2014|website=Public Libraries Connect|publisher=State Library of Queensland|access-date=29 January 2018|archive-date=29 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129141535/http://plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/networking/directory-of-public-libraries/branches/somerset/lowood_library|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Google Maps|url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-27.4636372,152.5804053,3a,30y,333.27h,88.61t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sorqMh5hp6NXhdhIqDtO3PA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DorqMh5hp6NXhdhIqDtO3PA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D50.58656%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656|access-date=26 February 2021|title=Lowood Public Library}}</ref>

The Lowood branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at 106 Main Street ({{Coord|-27.4635|152.5806|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Lowood CWA Hall}}).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|title=Branch Locations|publisher=Queensland Country Women's Association|access-date=26 December 2018|archive-date=26 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226010724/http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-27.4634386,152.5804991,3a,75y,100.24h,86.43t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sjXLI7sAVqpxFhvcTZGRTlg!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DjXLI7sAVqpxFhvcTZGRTlg%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D354.74484%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656|access-date=26 February 2021|title=Lowood CWA Hall}}</ref>

The Fernvale Lowood Uniting Church is at 1503 Brisbane Valley Highway in Fernvale.<ref>{{cite web|title=Find a Church|url=https://ucaqld.com.au/find-a-church/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024234524/https://ucaqld.com.au/find-a-church/|archive-date=24 October 2020|access-date=22 November 2020|website=Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Fernvale-Lowood Uniting Church|url=https://www.churchesaustralia.org/list-of-churches/denominations/uniting-church-in-australia/directory/1788-fernvale-lowood-uniting-church|access-date=2021-09-29|website=Churches Australia|language=en}}</ref>

== Attractions == Nearby Lake Wivenhoe is a popular place for activities such as boating and fishing.

== See also == * No. 71 Squadron RAAF

== References == {{reflist}}

== External links == {{commons category|Lowood, Queensland}} * {{cite web|url=http://queenslandplaces.com.au/lowood|title=Lowood|publisher=Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland|website=Queensland Places}} * {{cite web|url=https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-lowood-1983.jpg|title=Town map of Lowood|date=1983|publisher=Queensland Government}} * {{cite web|url=http://queenslandplaces.com.au/lowood|title=Lowood|publisher=Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland|website=Queensland Places}} * {{cite web|url=https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-lowood-1983.jpg|title=Town map of Lowood|date=1983|publisher=Queensland Government}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20180111040614/http://www.lowood.qld.au/ Lowood District Community Website] *[http://www.somerset.qld.gov.au/lowood.htm Somerset Region]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} *[http://www.travelmate.com.au/Places/Places.asp?TownName=Lowood_%5C_QLD Travelmate] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20100516144554/http://www.somersettourism.com.au/ Lowood Tourism Association ] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20120502154031/http://www.australianlocations.com.au/queensland/lowood.html Information about Lowood, Queensland]

Category:Towns in Queensland Category:Suburbs of Somerset Region Category:1872 establishments in Australia Category:Populated places established in 1872 Category:Queensland in World War II Category:Localities in Queensland