Bajool, Queensland

Bajool Queensland
Bajool
Coordinates
Population	543 (2011)
Postcode(s)	4699
LGA(s)	Rockhampton Region
State electorate(s)	Mirani
Federal Division(s)	Flynn
Suburbs around Bajool: Bouldercombe Struck Oil Midgee Port Alma Limestone Nine Mile Creek Bajool Marmoor Fletcher Creek Ulogie Raglan

Bajool is a town and locality in the Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2011 census, Bajool had a population of 543 people.

Geography

Bajool is located on the Bruce Highway, 35 km south of Rockhampton and 74 km north of Gladstone. Eight-Mile Creek flows to the east of the town.

History

The town takes its name from the Aboriginal name for the lagoon on the Archer brother's property Gracemere. It has been suggested that the meaning of the name was Big Fella water hole or stop here.

A provisional school opened on 12 March 1888 at Eight Mile Creek under teacher Mr Beck (brother of J. Beck, chairman of the Fitzroy Shire Council; it closed in 1892. The school reopened on 30 September 1895 with teacher Michael Donovan, but closed again on 18 September 1896. On 5 February 1900, a part-time provisional school was established in a private home at a short-lived mining field called San Jose with 10 students under teacher William MacLean. On 2 September 1902 another part-time school was opened in conjunction at the home of Mr H. Cross in Bajool with 6 students.

In August 1903, the two part-time schools were combined into Bajool Provisional School with 31 students in another building on Cross's property. In 1903 the school closed for a while and the land it was using was resumed for the railway line from Gladstone to Rockhampton. However, the railway enabled Bajool to grow. The school re-opened on the southern side of Mill Street in late 1904, and was upgraded to a State School in 1909.

Education

Bajool State School is a government co-educational primary (P-7) school located on Toonda Street. In 2012, the school had 39 students and 2 teachers.