Ficks Crossing, Queensland
Suburb of South Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ficks Crossing is a rural locality in the South Burnett Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] In the 2021 census, Ficks Crossing had a population of 39 people.[1]
Ficks Crossing | |||||||||||||
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  Ficks Crossing | |||||||||||||
 Interactive map of Ficks Crossing | |||||||||||||
| Coordinates: 26.265°S 151.8927°E | |||||||||||||
| Country | Australia | ||||||||||||
| State | Queensland | ||||||||||||
| LGA | |||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||
| Government | |||||||||||||
| • State electorate | |||||||||||||
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| Area | |||||||||||||
• Total | 13.9 km2 (5.4 sq mi) | ||||||||||||
| Population | |||||||||||||
| • Total | 39 (2021 census)[1] | ||||||||||||
| • Density | 2.81/km2 (7.27/sq mi) | ||||||||||||
| Time zone | UTC+10:00 (AEST) | ||||||||||||
| Postcode | 4606 | ||||||||||||
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Geography
Barambah Creek loosely bounds the locality to the north-east and east, while its tributary Yellow Waterhole Creek loosely bounds the locality to the south-east.[3]
The Bunya Highway enters the locality from the north-east (Murgon), crossing Barambah Creek on the John Krebs Bridge (26.24149°S 151.89428°E),[4] and exits to the west (Wondai).[5]
The land use is predominantly grazing on native vegetation.[6]
History
The locality presumably takes its name from the Ficks Crossing ford over Barambah Creek (26.26500°S 151.89278°E). The low-level bridge was constructed over the creek at the crossing in 1917.[7] The approaches to the bridge were carried away by flood water in 1923.[8] In 1935, ongoing problems with the low-level bridge resulted in a request to the Queensland Government to build a high-level bridge.[9] A weir for irrigation just upstream of the crossing was also proposed.[10][11]
Ficks Crossing National Fitness Camp operated at 47 Ficks Crossing Road from 1980 to 2008.[12]
The Silver Lining School in Ficks Crossing was established in 2019 with a program for young men. In 2021, a program for young women was introduced.[13]
Demographics
In the 2016 census, Ficks Crossing had a population of 37 people.[14]
In the 2021 census, Ficks Crossing had a population of 39 people.[1]
Education
Silver Lining School is a private secondary school for boys and girls at 14722 Bunya Highway (26.26060°S 151.88799°E). It is operated by the Silver Lining Foundation, an organisation dedicated to the education and training of Indigenous young people who suffer from social disadvantage to give them a sense of purpose.[15] The school draws most of its students from neighbouring Cherbourg. In 2022, the school had 22 students in the young men's program and 13 students in the young women's program.[16][17]
The nearest government primary schools are Wheatlands State School in neighbouring Wheatlands to the north-west, Murgon State School in neighbouring Murgon to the east, and Wondai State School in neighbouring Wondai to the south-west. The nearest government secondary schools are Wondai State School (to Year 9) and Murgon State High School (to Year 12), also in Murgon.[18]
Attractions
There is a waterhole on Barambah Creek offering opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and picnics. It is accessed from Ficks Crossing Road (26.25332°S 151.89263°E).[19]
