Editing Springsure (section)

== History ==
The area had been occupied by Aboriginal people for thousands of years. ''[[Gangulu language|Gangalu]] (Gangulu, Kangulu, Kanolu, Kaangooloo, Khangulu)'' is an [[Australian Aboriginal language]] spoken on Gangula country. The Gangula language region includes the towns of [[Clermont, Queensland|Clermont]] and Springsure extending south towards the [[Dawson River (Queensland)|Dawson River]].<ref>{{Cite SLQ-CC-BY|url=https://maps.slq.qld.gov.au/iyil/view/12|title=Gangalu|author=|date=|website=Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map|access-date=23 January 2020}}</ref> ''[[Wadja language|Wadja]]'' (also known as ''Wadjigu'', ''Wadya'', ''Wadjainngo'', ''Mandalgu'', and ''Wadjigun)'' is an [[Australian Aboriginal languages|Australian Aboriginal language]] in [[Central Queensland]]. The language region includes  the local government areas of the [[Aboriginal Shire of Woorabinda]] and Central Highlands Region, including the [[Blackdown Tableland National Park|Blackdown Tablelands]]. the [[Comet River]], and the [[Expedition Range]], and the towns of [[Woorabinda, Queensland|Woorabinda]], Springsure and [[Rolleston, Queensland|Rolleston]].<ref>{{Cite SLQ-CC-BY|url=https://maps.slq.qld.gov.au/iyil/view/137|title=Wadja|author=|date=|website=Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map|access-date=5 February 2020}}</ref>

[[Ludwig Leichhardt]] was the first European to explore the area, doing so between 1844 and 1845. His favourable reports encouraged settlers to move in and settle the land.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-11-21 |title=Springsure - Culture and History |url=https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/inspiration/springsure-culture-and-history-20081121-6dw9.html |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=13 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813232140/https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/inspiration/springsure-culture-and-history-20081121-6dw9.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1861, squatter [[Horatio Wills]] and a party of Victorian settlers arrived near modern-day Springsure in 1861. Two weeks later, 19 men women and children, including Wills, were killed by [[Aboriginal Australian]] people, the Kairi or Gayiri, in the [[Cullin-La-Ringo massacre]], which was the largest massacre of European settlers by Aboriginal peoples in Australian history.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4602097 |title=ROCKHAMPTON. |newspaper=[[The Courier (Brisbane)|The Courier]] |location=Brisbane |date=11 November 1861 |access-date=13 May 2014 |page=2 |publisher=National Library of Australia |archive-date=2 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702060637/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4602097 |url-status=live }}</ref> At least 15 Aboriginal men, women and children were killed by the Queensland Native Police and militias of local European colonists and their employees in a series of reprisals over the months that followed.<ref>T. Bottoms (2013) Conspiracy of Silence: Queensland's frontier killing times, Allen & Unwin, pp.53-54</ref> However, the massacre of the 19 European family members was itself a retaliatory response to an earlier shooting of fugitive murderer who was Gayiri tribesman by Jesse Gregson, manager of nearby Rainsworth Station, with Second Lieutenant Alfred March Patrick and Native Police Troops in his command.<ref>T Bottoms (2013) Conspiracy of Silence: Queensland's frontier killing times, Allen & Unwin, p.54</ref> Prior to the massacre of the 19 colonists, in early 1861 Second Lieutenant Patrick had complained to Charles Dutton, lessee of Bauhinia Downs pastoral lease {{convert|148|km}} south-east of Springsure, that other officers in the Queensland Native Police "...had been able to bag their first Aborigine after only a few weeks in the Force; he had served for six months and still had not yet killed a black."<ref>G. Reid, "From Hornet Bank to Cullin-La-Ringo", Royal Historical Society of Queensland, 18 May 1981, p.69</ref> The [[Old Rainworth Fort]] was built in 1862 by the colonists of Springsure in order to defend themselves from future raids by Aboriginals. Horatio's son, star [[cricket]]er and [[Australian rules football]] pioneer [[Tom Wills]], survived the massacre, and remained on site until 1864.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thomas Wentworth Wills and Cullin-la-ringo Station |url=https://www.qhatlas.com.au/content/thomas-wentworth-wills-and-cullin-la-ringo-station |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=Queensland Historical Atlas |language=en |archive-date=4 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804092220/https://www.qhatlas.com.au/content/thomas-wentworth-wills-and-cullin-la-ringo-station |url-status=live }}</ref>

The town takes its name from a pastoral run which was first named ''Springsure'' in 1861, after its permanent spring.<ref name="qpnt" /><ref name="qpnl" />

The town was surveyed by Charles Frederick Gregory in August 1863.<ref name="qpnt" />
[[File:Springsure qld presbyterian church.jpg|left|thumb|Presbyterian Church, Springsure, 2006]]
On Sunday 7 April 1867, the first Springsure Presbyterian Church was opened in Charles Street. It was {{Convert|25 by 20|ft}} with {{Convert|12|ft|adj=on}} high walls.<ref>{{cite news |date=6 May 1867 |title=TELEGRAPHIC. |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1283702 |accessdate=14 January 2024 |newspaper=[[The Brisbane Courier]] |location=Queensland, Australia |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia |volume=XXI |issue=2,895}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Springsure Presbyterian Church {{!}} Springsure |url=https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=581 |access-date=2024-01-14 |website=Queensland Religious Places Database |archive-date=14 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114080305/https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=581 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=16 February 1867 |title=SPRINGSURE. |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123608729 |accessdate=14 January 2024 |newspaper=[[Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser]] |location=Queensland, Australia |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia |volume=VI |issue=736}}</ref> In 1922, it was replaced by a new church building known as St Andrew's Presbyterian Church.<ref>{{cite news |date=18 May 1922 |title=PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY. |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167990423 |accessdate=14 January 2024 |newspaper=[[The Telegraph (Brisbane)|The Telegraph]] |location=Queensland, Australia |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia |issue=15,435}}</ref> It closed in March 2011 after 145 years.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cqnews.com.au/news/church-closes-after-145-yrs-emerald-springsure/808764/|title=Church closes after 145 years|last=Carson|first=Julie-Ann|date=30 March 2011|work=[[CQ News]]|access-date=10 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610075116/https://www.cqnews.com.au/news/church-closes-after-145-yrs-emerald-springsure/808764/|archive-date=10 June 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> It was at 55 Charles Street ({{Coord|-24.11674|148.09076|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=St Andrew's Presbyterian Church (former)}}).<ref>{{Cite web |title=St Andrew's Presbyterian Church {{!}} Springsure |url=https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=583 |access-date=2024-01-14 |website=Queensland Religious Places Database |archive-date=14 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114080304/https://www.qldreligiousplaces.net.au/View.php?id=583 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Old Springsure State School.jpg|left|thumb|Springsure State School, circa 1929]]
Springsure State School opened on 14 March 1870 under head teacher John Henry Nicholson, son of an eminent scholar, [[John Nicholson (orientalist)|John Nicholson]], a friend of Ludwig Leichhardt.<ref>{{Cite QldSchool|access-date=18 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-03-09 |title=Our school |url=https://springsuress.eq.edu.au/our-school |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=Springsure State School |language=en |archive-date=2 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302070637/https://springsuress.eq.edu.au/our-school |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Springsure branch railway line opened on 15 August 1887.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our history: 1880s |url=https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/History/Pages/1880s.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625052311/https://www.queenslandrail.com.au/History/Pages/1880s.aspx |archive-date=25 June 2021 |access-date=2022-07-22 |website=[[Queensland Rail]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=17 August 1887 |title=QUEENSLAND NEWS. |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52009713 |accessdate=15 January 2024 |newspaper=[[Morning Bulletin]] |location=Queensland, Australia |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia |volume=XXXIX |issue=6953}}</ref> The section beyond Wurba Junction to Springsure railway station was closed on 26 June 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Salecich |first=Judith |date=2023-08-18 |title=Beta, Queensland: Keeping its unique story and memory alive |url=https://judithsalecich.com/beta-queensland-keeping-its-unique-story-and-memory-alive/ |access-date=2024-01-15 |language=en-AU |archive-date=15 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115004209/https://judithsalecich.com/beta-queensland-keeping-its-unique-story-and-memory-alive/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Unveiling the War Memorial fountain in Springsure State School, 6 December 1919.jpg|thumb|Unveiling the War Memorial fountain in Springsure State School, 6 December 1919|alt=|left]]
On 6 December 1919, the Springsure State School Memorial Fountain was dedicated by Mrs [[Annie Wheeler]] (née Laurie), a former pupil at the school. The memorial is a marble fountain and commemorates students of the school who served in [[World War I]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article53877784 |title=SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL MARBLE FOUNTAIN. |newspaper=[[The Morning Bulletin]] |location=Rockhampton, Qld. |date=13 December 1919 |access-date=6 April 2014 |page=7 |publisher=National Library of Australia |archive-date=28 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228042820/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/53877784 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Springsure State School Memorial Fountain|url=http://monumentaustralia.org.au/search/display/92550-springsure-state-school-memorial-fountain|publisher=Monument Australia|access-date=6 April 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407125102/http://monumentaustralia.org.au/search/display/92550-springsure-state-school-memorial-fountain|archive-date=7 April 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
[[File:Sisters of Mercy convent, Springsure, sketch by architect Roy Chipps, 1926.jpg|thumb|Sisters of Mercy convent, Springsure, sketch by architect Roy Chipps, 1926]]
[[File:Sisters of Mercy school, Springsure, sketch by architect Roy Chipps, 1926.jpg|thumb|Sisters of Mercy school, Springsure, sketch by architect Roy Chipps, 1926]]
In March 1925, the Rev. Father Thomas Andrew Sweeney arrived in Springsure to replace Rev. Father Jules Bucas as the Catholic priest for the parish.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20914541|title=PERSONAL.|date=26 March 1925|newspaper=[[The Brisbane Courier]]|access-date=10 June 2019|issue=20,958|location=Queensland, Australia|page=10|via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Sweeney saw that there was a need for a Catholic school in Springsure and set about building a school and a convent for its teachers in August 1925.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109761665|title=OPPORTUNITIES|date=19 August 1925|newspaper=[[Construction And Local Government Journal]]|access-date=10 June 2019|issue=915|location=New South Wales, Australia|volume=XXXIII|page=18|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=28 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228042822/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/109761665|url-status=live}}</ref> The architect was Roy Chipps and the builder E.H. Fletcher, both of Rockhampton. In January 1926 the school and the convent opened in a ceremony led by [[Roman Catholic Bishop of Rockhampton]] [[Joseph Shiel]].  The convent and school were under the control of Sister Mary Bonaventure of the [[Sisters of Mercy]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article55251628|title=SPRINGSURE CATHOLICITY|date=26 January 1926|newspaper=[[Morning Bulletin]]|access-date=10 June 2019|issue=19171|location=Queensland, Australia|page=11|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=28 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228042824/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/55251628|url-status=live}}</ref> The school opened on 2 February 1926 with 64 children.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72016113|title=NEW BUILDINGS AT SPRINGSURE.|date=13 February 1926|newspaper=[[The Capricornian]]|access-date=10 June 2019|issue=7|location=Queensland, Australia|volume=LI|page=8 (THE CAPRICORNIAN.)|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=28 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228042821/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/72016113|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="qfhs2">{{Citation|author1=Queensland Family History Society|title=Queensland schools past and present|date=2010|edition=Version 1.01|publisher=[[Queensland Family History Society]]|isbn=978-1-921171-26-0}}</ref> It was originally known as The Convent of the Little Flower,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article106259379|title=SPRINGSURE.|date=18 February 1926|newspaper=[[The Catholic Press]]|access-date=10 June 2019|issue=1571|location=New South Wales, Australia|page=29|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=28 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228042854/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/106259379|url-status=live}}</ref> but the name was later changed to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.olshsrok.catholic.edu.au/documents/history.html|title=Our History|website=Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610074328/http://www.olshsrok.catholic.edu.au/documents/history.html|archive-date=10 June 2019|url-status=live|access-date=10 June 2019}}</ref>

On 16 November 1943, a Douglas [[C-47A Skytrain]] broke up in mid-air during a violent storm in the area, and crashed on Rewan Station, around 100 km south of Springsure.<ref name="Dunn">{{cite web|last=Dunn|first=Peter|title=16 NOVEMBER 1943 CRASH OF A C-47A DAKOTA ON REWAN STATION SOUTH OF SPRINGSURE, QLD|url=http://www.ozatwar.com/ozcrashes/qld63.htm|work=www.AustraliaAtWar.com|access-date=22 December 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130103052331/http://www.ozatwar.com/ozcrashes/qld63.htm|archive-date=3 January 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> All 19 people on board the aircraft perished in the crash.<ref name="Dunn" />

Minerva Hills National Park was gazetted in 1994.<ref name=":0" />

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