Columboola is a rural town and locality in the Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] In the 2016 census, the locality of Columboola had a population of 72 people.[1]
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Columboola Queensland | |||||||||||||||
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![]() Columboola Environmental Education Centre on the site of the former Columboola State School | |||||||||||||||
![]() ![]() Columboola | |||||||||||||||
Coordinates | 26.6734°S 150.3374°E / -26.6734; 150.3374 (Columboola (town centre)) | ||||||||||||||
Population | 72 (2016 census)[1] | ||||||||||||||
• Density | 0.2873/km2 (0.744/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
Postcode(s) | 4415 | ||||||||||||||
Area | 250.6 km2 (96.8 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
LGA(s) | Western Downs Region | ||||||||||||||
State electorate(s) | Callide | ||||||||||||||
Federal division(s) | Maranoa | ||||||||||||||
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The town takes its name from Columboola Creek, an Aboriginal word, meaning plenty of white cockatoos.[2][4]
Columboola Provisional School opened on 20 July 1896 with 20 students. On 1 January 1909 it became Columboola State School. From 1942 through World War II the school was closed so it could be used in connection with the ammunition storage facility on Cameby Downs.[5][6][7] The school building was relocated to Miles State School. On 23 October 1954 Columboola State School reopened with a new building. It closed permanently on 28 April 1978.[5][8] The school was at 25 Boort Koi Road (26.6712°S 150.3406°E / -26.6712; 150.3406 (Columboola State School (former))).[9][10] Since 1991, the school site has been used by the Columboola Environmental Education Centre.[5]
In the early 1920s, the area had an active Scottish association, the Columboola and District Caledonian Society, which held their first highland gathering on New Year's Day 1923.[11][12] They even had sufficient people to form a pipe band.[13]
In the 2016 census, the locality of Columboola had a population of 72 people.[1]
Columboola railway station is the main loading point for coal trains from the Cameby Downs coal mine that utilise the West Moreton rail corridor of the Main Line railway.[citation needed]
There are no schools in Columboola, save for the Columboola Environmental Education Centre.[14] The closest schools are in Miles 24.2 kilometres (15 mi) to the west and Chinchilla 44.2 kilometres (27.4 mi) to the east.[citation needed]