History of Brigalow

Brigalow and district was originally part of two adjoining stations, "Warra Warra" and old "Chinchilla" station, and bordered on the south by "Logie" station.

Campbells Camp, situated two miles south-west of Brigalow on the banks of the Condamine River, was a small township and a stopover point for travellers and teamsters on their journeys westward.

With the completion of the railway line in 1878, a few settlers took up land and in 1894 a group settlement was established at Mulga, but was abandoned soon after owing to depressed markets and isolation. When the stock route was no longer used by the teamsters and travellers, owing to the railway being built, Campbells Camp became a ghost town and eventually disappeared from the map.

At the turn of the century, more settlers took up land and as numbers grew, the township of Brigalow started to take shape. During the next 10 to 15 years, the country was thrown open for closer settlement, and a large influx of farmers from Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland took up their selections and commenced to clear the virgin country and build their dwellings, mostly slab huts, a far cry from today's modern houses with every convenience.

Dairying was the only industry that could be undertaken and although times were hard, they were almost self-sufficient, growing their own meat, eggs, milk and fruit. The women kept the home front going with their skill of cooking and sewing, handed down from the previous generation. I wonder how many women of today could cope with the job of cooking, sewing clothes, and caring for a family of eight or 10 children, as well as giving a hand with the outside chores alongside their menfolk.

It was from this time onwards that the prickly­ pear, known as the green octopus, had encompassed all the area and was a further burden to the hardships of the farmers who had to clear the pear, only to see it grow up behind them. To compete with such problems, droughts, floods and depressed markets, as well as rear and educate their children, our pioneers must have indeed been stout­hearted.

In the early thirties, the cactoblastis, a new wonder insect, was introduced to combat the pear menace and, unbelievably, in a few years the country was eradicated of the pear. Snakes and death adders were very prevalent during this time, breeding prolifically amongst the rotting pear leaves

and timber. Wildlife, especially scrub turkeys, were plentiful and many a meal was had on them. Wallabies and kangaroos were in plague proportions, and birds and parrots of all kinds were a common sight. Today to see blue mountains, a king parrot, or rosella, is a rarity.

The mechanical age had started some years previously with the advent of the motor car and the tractor, and as more country became cleared and prices improved, the people of the district became more contented. The vintage cars and tractors, and working tools displayed at various processions and in historical museums, was the transport and the working implements of the farmers.

In 1939, the country, as a member of the British Commonwealth, was plunged into war and many of the sons and daughters of the town and district families answered the call to serve in many war zones, some paying the supreme sacrifice.

When peace finally came in 1945 and everything returned to normal, a new and exciting era had begun. Bulldozers were imported by contractors and large areas of timber and regrowth were cleared and turned into cultivation, beginning the swing to grain growing. Today the district is almost entirely dependent on grain. Bulk handling and modern equipment have made it a much more easier enterprise. However, a few dairy farmers still exist but they too enjoy the benefits of modern tech­nology, and it is no longer the drudge it used to be.

Cattle fattening is a sideline and the district can boast some of the best fat cattle in the state. Fat lamb production is another enterprise carried out by some farmers. Numerous prizes and trophies have been won by district exhibitors throughout the state and the Brisbane Royal Show, with their fat cattle and sheep.

Black soil roads, little more than tracks, which turned into quagmires during rainy seasons, have given way to bitumen sealed and gravel surfaced roads, in keeping with progress.

During the last few years of exploration, large deposits of coal have been found south of Brigalow and in the Haystack area, bringing new wealth to the district. Land prices have soared dramatically and properties in the Brigalow, Wychie and Haystack area are the most keenly sought-after land in Queensland.

Things have certainly changed since those early days of development, and we can thank our pioneers for laying the foundations in making our district, Brigalow, one of the top districts of our state.

Brigalow Township

The township of Brigalow is situated on the Warrego Highway approximately 304 km (190 miles) from Brisbane and 1050 feet above sea level.

In the early days of settlement and the era of the horse-drawn vehicles, Brigalow was a thriving business centre catering for the needs of the district. Businesses included a hotel, two general stores, butcher, baker, fruiterer, saddlery, and railway station, which also served as a post office; then later the post office, garage and sawmill. The wheat silos were added in later years to cope with the increasing need for grain storage. The hotel was destroyed by fire in 1923.

With the advent of faster transport and better roads, the decline of smaller towns was inevitable, and some businesses were forced to close down. However, Brigalow today is still coping with the needs of the community, despite the introduction of big shopping complexes in nearby towns.

Sporting facilities for cricket, tennis and indoor bowls have been provided, and a recreation ground for other activities such as Sunday School picnics, sports days, rodeos and rallies, is available. A large community hall run by a very energetic committee is the basis for social outings including dances, parties and get-togethers. It is also the general meeting place for local organisations, CWA, Progress Association, Recreation Ground Committee, Hall Committee, Graingrowers and Rural Youth.

Several district churches catered for the spiritual needs of the community, but today only the Uniting Church remains, the others having been removed to other centres.

Cattle sales were held monthly but these have been closed down owing to the Chinchilla Municipal Yards being built and modern transport available for cartage to other centres.