Chinchilla, Queensland

Chinchilla Queensland
Footpath at Chinchilla
Chinchilla The location of Chinchilla in Queensland
Population:	3,682 [1]
Established:	1878
Postcode:	4413
Coordinates:	26°44′30″S 150°37′30″E / 26.74167°S 150.625°E / -26.74167; 150.625Coordinates: 26°44′30″S 150°37′30″E / 26.74167°S 150.625°E / -26.74167; 150.625
Location:	293 km (182 mi) from Brisbane 169 km (105 mi) from Toowoomba
LGA:	Western Downs Region
State District:	Warrego
Federal Division:	Maranoa

Chinchilla is a town in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia. At the 2006 census, Chinchilla had a population of 3,681.^[1]

The town (approximately 300 kilometres NW of Brisbane) was established in 1878. As the railway pushed west across the Darling Downs from Toowoomba and Dalby, the banks of Charley's Creek seemed an ideal place for a town.

Agriculture is the mainstay of the community, with beef and pork production, wool growing, and horticulture traditionally underwriting the local economy. The new Kogan Creek Power Project has begun to inject welcome cash into the town. House prices in Chinchilla have boomed as a result of the need to house workers developing the Kogan plant.^{[citation needed]}

Chinchilla plays host to a Melon festival in February every second year.

Chinchilla is the Australian home of Polocrosse.^[1]

Notable locals

• Film producer George Miller^[2]
• Noted Australian folk/country singer Pete Murray grew up in Chinchilla.^[3]
• Noted Australian painter Hugh Sawrey spent many years in the Kogan area.
• Noted primary educator Jim Alexander (1930-1997) was born in the Kogan district, and he spent his last years as a teacher in Chinchilla (1985-1988). One of the finest of Jim's many students is the 2004 Queenslander of the Year, Chris Sarra.
• Rugby League player, and Sexiest Man in League 2005; Ben Ross.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Chinchilla, Queensland

1. ^ "Polocrosse Association of Australia". Polocrosse Association of Australia. http://www.polocrosse.org.au/. Retrieved 2006-02-06. 
2. ^ "George Miller (II)". IMDB Database. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004306/. Retrieved 2006-02-06. 
3. ^ "Pete Murray Biography". PeteMurray.com. http://www.petemurray.com/biography/home.do. Retrieved 2006-02-06. 
4. ^ "Kogan Creek Power Station". Kogan Creek Power Station. http://www.csenergy.com.au/major_projects/pj_kogan_creek.asp. Retrieved 2007-04-07. 

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