Population 377 (2011 census) State electorate(s) Callide Local time Thursday 1:15 AM Federal division Division of Flynn | Postcode(s) 4702 Postal code 4702 Lga Shire of Banana | |
 | ||
Weather 24°C, Wind E at 6 km/h, 76% Humidity | ||
Banana is a small town and rural locality in the Shire of Banana, Central Queensland, Australia. In the 2011 census, Banana had a population of 377 people.
Contents
Map of Banana QLD 4702, Australia
Geography
Banana is located at the intersection of the Dawson and Leichhardt highways, 46 kilometres (29 mi) west of the shire's administrative centre, Biloela.
History
The town was named in the early 1860s. The name derives from an old dun-coloured working bullock, called Banana, used by local stockmen to help them when herding some of the wilder cattle into the yards.
At the time of the Canoona rush, gold was found in Banana's Gully (as it was then called) and a town of at least 2,000 people sprang up there.
The post office at Banana was established on 1 September 1861.
Banana Provisional School opened on 18 September 1871 and was upgraded to Banana State School on 16 February 1874. The school closed in 1935, but reopened on 25 January 1960.
In 1880, the local government area Banana Division (later the Shire of Banana) was established with its headquarters in Banana (taking its name from the town). However, in 1930 the shire headquarters became Rannes and the shire offices were physically relocated from Banana to Rannes. Since 1946, the shire has its headquarters in Biloela.
Economy
The beef industry is still a mainstay of the town and area, along with coal and agriculture.
Education
Banana State School is a government primary (P-7) school at 36 Bramston Street (24.469134°S 150.131069°E / -24.469134; 150.131069 (Banana State School)). In 2012, there were 37 students enrolled with 3 teachers (2.5 full-time equivalent). There is no secondary school in Banana; the nearest are in Moura to the west and Biloela to the east.
Amenities
Banana has a Uniting Church at 39 Bowen Street (Leichhardt Highway) at the corner with North Street (24.46875°S 150.12821°E / -24.46875; 150.12821 (Banana Uniting Church)).
Past population
At the 2006 census, Banana had a population of 627.