Widgee

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}} {{Use Australian English|date=July 2016}} {{GeoGroup}} {{Infobox Australian place | type = suburb | name = Widgee | state = qld | image = Widgee Memorial Hall.JPG | caption = Soldiers' Memorial hall | coordinates = {{coord|-26.2163|152.42|type:city_region:AU-QLD|display=inline,title|name=Widgee (centre of locality)}} | local_map = yes | zoom = 9 | pop = 862 | pop_year = {{CensusAU|2021}} | pop_footnotes = <ref name=Census2021/> | established = | postcode = 4570 | area = 197.8 | timezone = [[AEST]] | utc = +10:00 | dist1 = 24.8<!-- road distances as per template instructions --> | dir1 = W | location1 = [[Gympie]] | dist2 = 199 | dir2 = NNW | location2 = [[Brisbane]] | dist3 = | dir3 = | location3 = | dist4 = | dir4 = | location4 = | lga = Gympie Region | stategov = [[Electoral district of Gympie|Gympie]] | fedgov = [[Division of Wide Bay|Wide Bay]] | maxtemp = | mintemp = | rainfall = | near-n = [[Lower Wonga, Queensland|Lower Wonga]] | near-ne = [[Bells Bridge, Queensland|Bells Bridge]] | near-e = [[Glastonbury, Queensland|Glastonbury]] | near-se = [[Upper Glastonbury, Queensland|Upper Glastonbury]] | near-s = [[Wrattens Forest, Queensland|Wrattens Forest]] | near-sw = [[Wrattens Forest, Queensland|Wrattens Forest]] | near-w = [[Black Snake, Queensland|Black Snake]] | near-nw = [[Oakview, Queensland|Oakview]] }}'''Widgee''' is a rural [[Suburbs and localities (Australia)|locality]] in the [[Gympie Region]], [[Queensland]], Australia.<ref name="qpnl">{{cite QPN|46397|Widgee|locality in Gympie Region|access-date=6 November 2017}}</ref> In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, Widgee had a population of 862 people.<ref name=Census2021/>

== History == The name is believed to have originated from the Aboriginal words ''Witchee Witchee'' meaning ''listen'' or ''hark''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37029595 |title=NOMENCLATURE OF QUEENSLAND-306. |newspaper=[[The Courier-Mail]] |location=Brisbane |date=22 September 1936 |access-date=9 July 2013 |page=12 |publisher=National Library of Australia |archive-date=15 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315054223/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/37029595 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1887, {{Convert|43000|acres||abbr=}} of land were resumed from the Widgee Widgee pastoral run. The land was [[Land selection in Queensland|offered for selection]] for the establishment of small farms on 17 April 1887.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1361846|title=Proclamations under the New Land Acts.|date=2 March 1877|newspaper=[[The Brisbane Courier]]|access-date=20 February 2020|location=Queensland, Australia|page=3|via=Trove|archive-date=27 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827084837/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1361846|url-status=live}}</ref>

Widgee Provisional School opened on 11 July 1892, presumably in temporary premises,<ref>{{cite news |date=9 June 1893 |title=LOCAL NEWS. |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146954248 |accessdate=15 March 2024 |newspaper=[[Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser]] |location=Queensland, Australia |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia |issue=6,447 |archive-date=15 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315054228/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/146954248 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=22 August 1896 |title=NOTES AND NEWS |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article171355043 |accessdate=15 March 2024 |newspaper=[[Gympie Times And Mary River Mining Gazette]] |location=Queensland, Australia |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia |volume=XXVIII |issue=3483 |archive-date=15 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315054232/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/171355043 |url-status=live }}</ref> as tenders to erect a building were not called until April 1893.<ref>{{cite news |date=13 April 1893 |title=Advertising |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article171609285 |accessdate=15 March 2024 |newspaper=[[Gympie Times And Mary River Mining Gazette]] |location=Queensland, Australia |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia |volume=XXV |issue=3068 |archive-date=15 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315052214/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/171609285 |url-status=live }}</ref> It became Widgee State School on 1 January 1909. A new school building was built in 1913.<ref>{{cite news |date=20 September 1913 |title=WIDGEE |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article189710825 |accessdate=15 March 2024 |newspaper=[[Gympie Times And Mary River Mining Gazette]] |location=Queensland, Australia |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia |volume=XLVI |issue=7128 |archive-date=15 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315052023/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/189710825 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was closed in 1921. It was near Station Creek (approx {{Coord|-26.19787|152.41702|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Widgee State School (first site)}}).<ref>{{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><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=A Brief History of Widgee |url=http://www.widgee.info/widgee_history.htm |access-date=15 March 2024 |archive-date=2 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202161136/http://widgee.info/widgee_history.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1903 |title=Parish of Widgee |url=https://apps.information.qld.gov.au/data/v2/HistoricalMaps/StaticMap/cadastral/cad-map-40chain-parish-widgee-1903/original |access-date=15 March 2024 |publisher=[[Queensland Government]] |type=Map |archive-date=15 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315052118/https://apps.information.qld.gov.au/data/v2/HistoricalMaps/StaticMap/cadastral/cad-map-40chain-parish-widgee-1903/original |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 10 August 1912 at the Lands Office at Gympie, the [[Queensland Government]] offered for selection 48 agricultural lots in the Widgee Repurchased Estate. The lots ranged in size from {{Convert|160 to 758|acres||abbr=}}, in total {{Convert|20266|acres||abbr=}}. 17 blocks were situated around Waroonga Creek to the north-west of Widgee Mountain ({{Coord|-26.2428|152.3731|type:mountain_region:AU-QLD|display=|name=Widgee Mountain}}) while 31 blocks were situated to south around Widgee Creek and Little Widgee Creek. The blocks were described as suitable for dairying and general farming with an average annual rainfall of {{Convert|40|inch||abbr=}}.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1912|title=The Widgee Estate|url=http://hdl.handle.net/10462/deriv/282104|access-date=5 June 2020|website=[[State Library of Queensland]]|type=Real estate map|archive-date=15 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315052129/https://collections.slq.qld.gov.au/viewer/IE428769|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=10 August 1912|title=Advertising|page=11|newspaper=[[The Telegraph (Brisbane)|The Telegraph]]|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article178644530|access-date=5 June 2020|via=Trove|archive-date=15 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315052044/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/178644530|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Widgee Soldiers' Memorial Hall was officially opened in the presence of 300 people on Saturday 31 March 1923 by [[Harry Clayton (politician)|Harry Clayton]], the Member for the local [[electoral district of Wide Bay]] in the [[Queensland Legislative Assembly]].<ref>{{cite news |date=4 April 1923 |title=MEMORIAL HALL AT WIDGEE. |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151292241 |accessdate=15 March 2024 |newspaper=[[Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser]] |location=Queensland, Australia |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia |issue=14,862 |archive-date=15 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315052123/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/151292241 |url-status=live }}</ref> The opening of the hall enabled the school to re-open using the hall until 1938 when a new school was built beside the hall.<ref name=":0" />

On Sunday 27 March 1938, a [[stump-capping ceremony]] was performed for a Catholic church on land donated by Mrs W. Power of Widgee.<ref>{{cite news |date=29 March 1938 |title=Augmenting Gladstone's Water Supply |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article39727187 |accessdate=15 March 2024 |newspaper=[[The Courier-mail]] |location=Queensland, Australia |page=8 (Second Section.) |via=National Library of Australia |issue=1427 |archive-date=15 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315052219/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/39727187 |url-status=live }}</ref> The church was officially opened and dedicated to [[St Vincent de Paul]] on Sunday 25 September 1938 by [[Roman Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane|Archbishop]] [[James Duhig]] in the presence of 500 residents. The timber church was {{Convert|60 by 30|ft}} and could seat 100 people; it cost £674.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 October 1938 |title=NEW CATHOLIC CHURCH |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article152155029 |accessdate=15 March 2024 |newspaper=[[Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser]] |location=Queensland, Australia |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia |issue=20,871 |archive-date=15 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315052729/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/152155029 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Demographics == In the {{CensusAU|2011}}, Widgee had a population of 788 people.<ref name="Census2011">{{Census 2011 AUS|id=SSC31767|name=Widgee|access-date=9 July 2013|quick=on}}</ref>

In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, Widgee had a population of 794 people.<ref name=Census2016>{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC33098|name=Widgee (SSC)|access-date=20 October 2018|quick=on}}</ref>

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, Widgee had a population of 862 people.<ref name=Census2021>{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL33068|name=Widgee (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}</ref>

== Heritage listings == Widgee has a number of [[heritage-listed]] sites, including: * [[Wodonga House]], Woolooga Road, Upper Widgee ({{coord|-26.2023|152.4362|region:AU-QLD_type:landmark|display=|name=Wodonga House}})<ref>{{cite QHR|15418|Wodonga House (former)|600643|access-date=8 July 2013}}</ref>

== Education == Widgee State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 2156 Gympie-Woolooga Road ({{coord|-26.2038|152.4431|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Widgee 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]]|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|url-status=live|access-date=21 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.widgeess.eq.edu.au/|title=Widgee State School|access-date=21 November 2018|archive-date=27 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327115118/https://widgeess.eq.edu.au/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 52 students with 4 teachers (3 full-time equivalent) and 6 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|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|url-status=live|access-date=22 November 2018}}</ref>

There are no secondary schools in Widgee; the nearest one is [[James Nash State High School]] in [[Gympie]].<ref name="globe">{{Queensland Globe|access-date=25 May 2019}}</ref>

== Amenities == [[File:Widgee Church.JPG|left|thumb|St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 2010]] St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church is on the south-west corner of Gympie Woolooga Road and Little Widgee Road ({{Coord|-26.20419|152.44243|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=St Vincent de Paul's Catholic Church}}).<ref>{{Cite web |title=St Vincent de Paul Church, Widgee |url=https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/parishes-mass-times/mass-centre/st-vincent-de-paul-church-widgee/ |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211151331/https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/parishes-mass-times/mass-centre/st-vincent-de-paul-church-widgee/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=St Vincent de Paul's Catholic Church {{!}} Widgee |url=https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=177&St%20Vincent%20de%20Paul%27s%20Catholic%20Church%20Widgee |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=Queensland Religious Places Database |archive-date=15 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315052556/https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=177&St%20Vincent%20de%20Paul%27s%20Catholic%20Church%20Widgee |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@-26.2038454,152.4424523,3a,21y,183.16h,90.45t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgMqEHzKICh-0ZjB_ejW8GQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=tts|title=St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church|access-date=15 March 2024|date=September 2022}}</ref>

The Soldiers' Memorial Hall is at 2148 Gympie Woolooga Road ({{Coord|-26.20391|152.44380|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Widgee Soldiers' Memorial Hall}}).<ref>{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@-26.2041778,152.4436687,3a,33.5y,18.84h,90.04t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1ssuyBuVlVVTKIhIM5hWAYQA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=tts|title=Widgee Soldiers' Memorial Hall|access-date=15 March 2024|date=August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Widgee Memorial Hall |url=https://monumentaustralia.org.au/display/115061-widgee-memorial-hall |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=Monument Australia |archive-date=15 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315052633/https://monumentaustralia.org.au/display/115061-widgee-memorial-hall |url-status=live }}</ref> Inside the hall, an honour board commemorates those who served in [[World War I]], [[World War II]] and the [[Vietnam War]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Widgee & District Honour Board |url=https://monumentaustralia.org.au/search/display/115064-widgee-and-district-honour-board |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=Monument Australia |archive-date=15 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315052645/https://monumentaustralia.org.au/search/display/115064-widgee-and-district-honour-board |url-status=live }}</ref> Outside the hall, a war memorial also commemorates those who served in the conflicts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Widgee War Memorial |url=https://monumentaustralia.org.au/search/display/115063-widgee-war-memorial |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=Monument Australia |archive-date=15 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315052555/https://monumentaustralia.org.au/search/display/115063-widgee-war-memorial |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Widgee Memorial Hall |url=https://www.gympie.qld.gov.au/directory-record/36/widgee-memorial-hall |access-date=2024-03-15 |publisher=Gympie Regional Council |archive-date=18 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118100549/https://www.gympie.qld.gov.au/directory-record/36/widgee-memorial-hall |url-status=live }}</ref>

Widgee Showgrounds are at 22 Upper Widgee Road ({{Coord|-26.20197|152.43687|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Widgee Showgrounds}}).<ref>{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Widgee+Showground,+22+Upper+Widgee+Rd,+Widgee+QLD+4570/@-26.202135,152.435661,293m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x6b94c01a9aa874cb:0x51517625dba576be!8m2!3d-26.2023929!4d152.4368411!16s%2Fg%2F11cjgbdy6t?entry=tts|title=Widgee Showgrounds|access-date=15 March 2024}}</ref> The Widgee & District Pony Club is located there.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Widgee & District Pony Club |url=https://www.facebook.com/widgeedistrictponyclub/ |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=Facebook |publisher= |archive-date=15 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315052718/https://www.facebook.com/widgeedistrictponyclub/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

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== Notable people ==

* [[Tino Fa'asuamaleaui]] - Queensland and Australia Rugby League Player.

== References == {{Reflist}}

== Further reading == * {{Cite book |last=Donald |first=R. H |title=Widgee Widgee: Widgee district centenary, 1869-1969 |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/12454576 |publication-date=1969 |publisher=Reid Printery}} * {{Cite book|author1=Dale, J. D. (John Douglas)|title=Widgee, the development of a community|publication-date=1992|publisher=Widgee State School|isbn=978-0-646-11300-5|author2=McCarthy, M. T. (Mary T.)|author3=Widgee State School}} * {{Cite book|title=Widgee State School 90th anniversary 1892-1982 : a history of the school|publication-date=1982|publisher=Widgee State School|isbn=978-0-949704-03-0}}

== External links == {{Commons category|Widgee, Queensland}} *[http://www.widgee.info/ Community website] {{Gympie Region}}

[[Category:Gympie Region]] [[Category:Localities in Queensland]]