Proserpine, Queensland
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Proserpine, Queensland
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| Proserpine Queensland |
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 Main Street, Proserpine |
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 Proserpine
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| Population: | 3,316[1] | ||||||
| Established: | 1890's | ||||||
| Postcode: | 4800 | ||||||
| Coordinates: | 20°24′06″S 148°34′53″E / 20.401640°S 148.581500°ECoordinates: 20°24′06″S 148°34′53″E / 20.401640°S 148.581500°E | ||||||
| Elevation: | 20 m (66 ft) [2] | ||||||
| Location: | |||||||
| LGA: | Whitsunday Regional Council | ||||||
| State electorate: | Whitsunday | ||||||
| Federal Division: | Dawson | ||||||
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Proserpine (
/ˈprɒsərpaɪn/, locally [ˈpɹɔsəpɑen][3]) is a town situated on the Bruce Highway in the state of Queensland, Australia. It was founded in the 1890’s. At the 2006 census, Proserpine had a population of 3,316.[1]Proserpine is an anchor for the Whitsundays region providing some key infrastructure including the rail station, the mainland airport for scheduled jet services, 2 high schools, the hospital and other vital services. It lies around 26kms inland from Airlie Beach on the Bruce Highway and has grown from its 19th century foundations on the success of the sugar and cattle industries.[4]
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Contents
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History
The town was founded around 1890 just after the sugar mill was constructed. The name Proserpine was derived from the legend of the Greek goddess Persephone (whose Latin name is Proserpine). It is sometimes nicknamed "ProsVegas" or Abbreviated to "Prossy".
Economy
Service and administration
Proserpine is an anchor and the main service and administration centre for the region. It provides some key infrastructure including the rail station, mainland airport, 2 high schools (1 public, 1 catholic), the hospital and other vital services. Whitsunday Regional Council also has its main offices in Proserpine.
Sugar
One of the town’s main industries is sugar growing. In the NW corner of the Central Business District is a large factory known as the Proserpine Mill. It was established in 1897[5] and is one of the town’s biggest employers at the present time. Due to recent difficulties it was placed into administration on November 6, 2011 and KordaMentha was appointed as the administrators. On December 9, 2011 the Proserpine Sugar Mill was sold to Sucrogen a division of Wilmar International.[6][7]
Gold
Dittmer is the location of the largest gold find in the Whitsundays; it is 20 km to the SW of Proserpine. The Dittmer Gold Mine has been closed since the 1960s.
Landmarks & attractions
The Proserpine Sugar Mill Chimneys, the towns water tower and various buildings in Main Street are landmarks such as the Faust Corner Store (currently vacant) and the many pubs which are all constructed in the Art Deco style. Attractions include the Proserpine Historical Museum, Proserpine Entertainment Centre and the Peter Faust Dam.
Events
PBR
The PBR (Professional Bull Riders) event is held every year in September (dates vary) at the Proserpine Showgrounds. In recent times, attendance numbers peaked at 2,132 in 2008.
Proserpine show
The Proserpine Show is held at the Proserpine Showground around 24-25 June. It is a typical show with carnival rides, sideshow alley and fireworks.
Harvest festival
The Harvest Festival is generally held in October, around the 20th of the month, as a celebration of the end of sugar crushing at the mill. It includes carnival rides at Les Stagg Oval and a parade with floats through the Main Street.
Christmas fair
The Proserpine Rotary Christmas Fair is an annual event held on December 16. Main Street is closed off and stall holders take the place of cars. Most shops open or stay open until late and some offer discounts.[8]
Sports and facilities
Les Stagg Oval
Les Stagg Oval is located on the western side of the railway tracks and the Whitsunday Brahmans are based there. There is also a BMX track, skate park and half court basketball courts located in the vicinity of the oval.
Proserpine sporting complex
Proserpine Junior/Senior Sporting Complex is a medium sized facility located on the western edge of town at the intersection of Crystalbrook and Kelsey Creek Road. Sports that it caters for are junior/senior cricket, soccer and football. Night games can be played at the eastern end of the facility.
Proserpine Showground
The Proserpine Showground is located in the south-western corner of the town and is used for various events such as auctions, swap meats, car boot sales, softball but the main event that attracts the largest amount of attendees is the Proserpine Show which is held on 24 and 25 June. In 2012, the Proserpine show will celebrate 100years at the showground.[9]
Education
Proserpine has two local public schools: Proserpine State Primary School and Proserpine State High School. There is also a smaller catholic primary school, Saint Catherine's Primary. Saint Catherine’s recently opened a secondary campus on Renwick Road.[10][11]
Transport
Bus
There are bus services to and from Airlie Beach and a connection service to Proserpine / Whitsunday Coast Airport.
Taxi
Taxi services operate 24/7 in the town and a taxi rank is located outside the courthouse.
Rail
Proserpine is located on the North Coast railway line, Queensland and has services between Brisbane and Cairns provided by the Sunlander and Tilt Train.
Air
Proserpine has daily flights to the state capital Brisbane that depart from Proserpine / Whitsunday Coast Airport which is located 10km to the south of the town in the locality of Gunyarra.
| Long Distance services | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inbound | Service | Outbound | ||
| Mackay | The Sunlander | Bowen | ||
| Mackay | Diesel Tilt Train | Bowen | ||
Climate
Proserpine's climate is typical of North Queensland and consists of two main seasons. The "Wet Season" (November to April) and The "dry season" (May to November). The wet season is usually relatively humid with high rainfall in most years and the dry season is cool and pleasant with scarce rainfall and low humidity.
| Climate data for Proserpine Post Office (closed 1989) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 41.7 (107.1) |
37.4 (99.3) |
36.2 (97.2) |
36.7 (98.1) |
31.1 (88.0) |
29.6 (85.3) |
29.7 (85.5) |
33.2 (91.8) |
35.1 (95.2) |
36.5 (97.7) |
38.9 (102.0) |
42.4 (108.3) |
42.4 (108.3) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 32.0 (89.6) |
31.0 (87.8) |
30.1 (86.2) |
28.2 (82.8) |
25.9 (78.6) |
24.0 (75.2) |
23.5 (74.3) |
25.3 (77.5) |
27.5 (81.5) |
29.9 (85.8) |
31.5 (88.7) |
32.3 (90.1) |
28.4 (83.1) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 22.5 (72.5) |
22.8 (73.0) |
21.6 (70.9) |
19.3 (66.7) |
16.2 (61.2) |
12.2 (54.0) |
11.5 (52.7) |
12.8 (55.0) |
14.9 (58.8) |
18.0 (64.4) |
20.4 (68.7) |
21.9 (71.4) |
17.8 (64.0) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 18.1 (64.6) |
17.7 (63.9) |
13.9 (57.0) |
10.7 (51.3) |
5.3 (41.5) |
0 (32) |
−1.27 (29.71) |
2.4 (36.3) |
5.1 (41.2) |
9.0 (48.2) |
13.2 (55.8) |
16.1 (61.0) |
−1.27 (29.71) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 379.4 (14.937) |
384.4 (15.134) |
317.6 (12.504) |
152.6 (6.008) |
94.8 (3.732) |
66.1 (2.602) |
39.8 (1.567) |
33.6 (1.323) |
39.0 (1.535) |
40.5 (1.594) |
70.7 (2.783) |
173.8 (6.843) |
1,795.3 (70.681) |
| Source: [12] | |||||||||||||
See also
References
- ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Proserpine (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=UCL347400&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 2007-11-22.
- ^ Bureau of Meteorology Retrieved 2007-11-22.
- ^ Macquarie Dictionary, Fourth Edition (2005). Melbourne, The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd. ISBN 1-876429-14-3
- ^ "Welcome to Our Attractions and Places". Whitsunday Regional Council. http://www.whitsunday.qld.gov.au/web/guest/places-to-visit. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- ^ "Proserpine Sugar Mill". 2006 Proserpine Co-operative Sugar Milling Association Limited. http://www.prosugar.com.au/. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- ^ "Proserpine sugar mill sold to Singapore firm". Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/business/proserpine-sugar-mill-sold-to-singapore-firm-20111116-1nilh.html. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- ^ "Proserpine vote for Sucrogen a 'done deal'.". ABC News. http://www.abc.net.au/rural/content/2011/s3387165.htm?site=tropic. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- ^ "Proserpine Rotary Christmas Fair". 'Travel Oz Info' - Travel Information for Australia. http://www.travelozinfo.com/event/9154767/. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- ^ "Show Whitsunday". 2010 Proserpine A.P. & I. Inc.. http://www.showwhitsunday.com.au/. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
- ^ New Catholic school approved. Whitsunday Times. APN News & Media. Retrieved on 31 January 2012.
- ^ (17 February 2011). St Catherine's School, Proserpine (Yr 5-7). Catholic Education Office Diocese of Townsville. Retrieved on 31 January 2012.
- ^ "Climate statistics for Proserpine". Australian Bureau of Meteorology. http://www.weatherzone.com.au/climate/station.jsp?lt=site&lc=33061. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
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