Warwick, Queensland

Infobox Australian Place | type = town
name = Warwick
state = qld


caption =
lga = Southern Downs Regional Council
postcode = 4370
est =
pop = 12,562 (2006 census)
elevation= 477
maxtemp = 24.2
mintemp = 10.8
rainfall = 692.1
stategov = Southern Downs
fedgov = Maranoa
dist1 = 159
dir1 = SW
location1= Brisbane
dist2 = 85
dir2 = S
location2= Toowoomba
dist3 = 155
dir3 = W
location3= Gold Coast

Warwick is a town in Queensland, Australia, lying 130 km south-west of Brisbane. It is the administrative centre of the Southern Downs Local Government Area. In 2006 the town of Warwick itself had a population of 12,562, with a total population of 21,387 for the whole shire.Cite web|url=http://www.warwick.qld.gov.au/council_info/default.htm|title=Warwick - Council Information|accessdate=2006-12-12|publisher=Warwick Shire Council]

The surrounding Darling Downs have fostered a strong agricultural industry for which Warwick, together with the larger city of Toowoomba, serve as convenient service centres. Warwick is situated on the Condamine River. The Cunningham Highway and the New England Highway pass through the town. The town's current mayor is Ron Bellingham.

History

Patrick Leslie and his two brothers originally settled in the area as squatters, naming their run Canning Downs. In 1847 the NSW government asked Patrick Leslie to select a site on his station for a township, which was to be called 'Cannington,' although the name 'Warwick' was eventually settled on. Land sales were held in 1850, and the first allotment was bought by Patrick Leslie.Cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/queensland/warwick/2005/02/17/1108500203807.html|title=Warwick Historical Information|accessdate=2006-12-14|publisher=www.smh.com.au] The telegraph to Brisbane was operating by 1861. The 1870s were boom years for this new town. In 1871 the railway reached Warwick ["The Centenary of the Southern Line" Kerr, J.D. Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, December, 1970 pp261-291] , a brewery was built in 1873, then a cooperative flour mill and brickworks were completed during 1874.

An event officially known as the Warwick Incident [ [http://www.archivenet.gov.au/treasures/qld_intro.html Warwick Incident] ,published, 7 January 2007 (accessed 7 January,2007)] occurred on the 29 November 1917, which would lead to the formation of the Australian Commonwealth Police with the first commissioner for Commonwealth Police appointed eight days later. As Prime Minister William Morris Hughes was addressing a crowd at the Warwick railway station, a man in the crowd threw an egg dislodging the Prime Minister's hat. Hughes ordered his arrest but the Queensland State Police allegedly refused to carry out the order.

Twinned Towns

Warwick is twinned with Camrose, Canada and also with Warwick, England.

Newspapers

Newspapers in Warwick include the "Warwick Daily News", the "Free Weekly Trader" and the "Free Times".

Events

*FEI Eventing World Cup (May)
*Jumpers and Jazz in July Festival (July)
*The “Rose Bowl” Polocrosse Carnival (August)
*Warwick Rodeo (October)
*Rose Festival (October)

External links

* [http://www.warwick.qld.gov.au Warwick Shire Council]
* [http://www.warwickrodeo.com.au Warwick Rodeo]
* [http://www.warwickshiretourism.com.au Warwick Shire Tourism]
* [http://www.warwickturfclub.org.au Warwick Turf Club]
* [http://www.wht.org.au/ Warwick Horse trials]

References

* "Heritage Trails of Great South East" by the Queensland [http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/ Environmental Protection Agency]