Ward, Queensland


Ward is a rural locality in the Shire of Murweh, Queensland, Australia. In the, Ward had a population of 87 people.

Geography

The Ward River enters the locality from the north and then flows south through the locality becoming a tributary of the Langlo River in the south of the locality.
Glengarry is a neighbourhood in the south of the locality.
Meecha is a neighbourhood in the far south of the locality.
Castle Hill is in the centre of the locality.
The land use is almost entirely grazing on native vegetation.

History

Meecha was surveyed for a town site by A. T. Macfarlane on 17 March 1891. Two of the 20 town lots were purchased on 30 January 1894 and were held until ownership was transferred to Murweh Shire Council on 30 July 1968 and then became Crown land on 15 September 1977.
The locality was officially named and bounded on 28 March 2002.

Demographics

In the, Ward had a population of 74 people.
In the, Ward had a population of 87 people.

Economy

There are a number of homesteads in the locality:
  • Aubigny
  • Balmacarra
  • Barford
  • Binga Minor
  • Brumich
  • Buckeys Creek
  • Calowne
  • Conargo
  • Gleneden
  • Laguna
  • Maxvale
  • Millie
  • Molonga
  • Newholme
  • Oak Park
  • Oakwood
  • Old Gowrie
  • Oxford Downs
  • Perola Park
  • Southampton Downs
  • Thurlby
  • Wansey Downs
  • Wardsdale

Transport

Wanko railway station is on the Western railway line, but on the section from Westgate to Quilpie which has not been used since 2011. A small refreshment stand operated at Wanko station in the era when passenger rail travel to these Western locations was common.

Education

There are no schools in Ward. The nearest government primary schools are Augathella State School in neighbouring Augathella to the east and Charleville State School in neighbouring Charleville to the south. The nearest government secondary school is Charleville State High School. However, some students in Ward could be too distant to attend these schools; the alternatives are distance education and boarding school.

Amenities

There is a boat ramp into the Langlo River on the Diamantina Developmental Road, southwest of Charleville. It is managed by the Murweh Shire Council.