Wikipedia - Benutzerbeiträge [de]

Texas (Queensland)

2008-11-02T13:07:15Z

Foolestroupe: ambig link fixed, other fixes

{{Refimprove|date=September 2007}}
{{Infobox Australian Place| type = town
| name = Texas
| state = qld
| image =
| caption =
| lga = Goondiwindi Regional Council
| postcode = 4385
| coordinates = {{coord|28|51|17|S|151|10|06|E|display=inline,title}}
| est =
| pop = 693
| pop_footnotes=<ref name="ABS"/>
| elevation=
| maxtemp =
| mintemp =
| rainfall =
| stategov = [[Electoral district of Southern Downs|Southern Downs]]
| fedgov = [[Division of Maranoa|Maranoa]]
| dist1 = 322
| dir1 = SW
| location1= [[Brisbane]]
| dist2 = 166
| dir2 = SW
| location2= [[Warwick, Queensland|Warwick]]
| dist3 = 56
| dir3 = S
| location3= [[Inglewood, Queensland|Inglewood]]
}}
'''Texas''' is a town in [[Queensland]], [[Australia]]. The town is located just {{convert|2|km|mi}} from Queensland's southern border with New South Wales, close to [[Bonshaw, New South Wales]]. Farming is the dominant industry in the Texas region, although there is also a silver mine. A large cattle feedlot is located about 20 mins from town. At the 2006 [[Census in Australia|census]], Texas had a population of 693.<ref name="ABS">{{Census 2006 AUS
|id=UCL354000
|name=Texas (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)
|accessdate=30 October 2008
|quick=on}}</ref>

Part of the [[Goondiwindi Regional Council]], Texas is administered from the nearby larger town of [[Goondiwindi, Queensland]].

The origin of the town's name is generally regarded as a reference to a territorial dispute. The land in the area was first settled by the McDougall brothers, who found squatters there on returning from the goldfields. Once their legal right to the land was recognised, they named their property in honour of the rather more famous dispute between the [[United States]] and [[Mexico]] over territory in [[Texas]], USA. <ref>[http://www.travelmate.com.au/Places/Places.asp?TownName=Texas_%5C_QLD] Town Name</ref>

Texas was connected by railway from [[Inglewood, Queensland|Inglewood]] in November, 1930<ref>[[Australian Railway History|Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin]], June, 1988, pp129-136</ref>.

Up until about 1980, tobacco farming was an important industry in the area and many Italian families settled the area to run and work the tobacco farms.

==Country Music==
After a visit to Texas in 2002, and being involved in a car accident nearby, American Country/Rockabilly recording artist [[Jason Lee Wilson]] memorialized the town in a song TX, QLD, Australia. The song was included on the [[Cumberland Runners]]' 2004 debut album entitled Music to Haul By.

==Notable People==
* [[Travis Burns]] - Rugby League player

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Darling Downs}}

[[Category:Towns in Queensland]]
[[Category:Towns in the Darling Downs]]
{{Queensland-geo-stub}}

[[nl:Texas (Australië)]]
[[sv:Texas, Queensland]]

John Serry senior

2008-11-01T11:13:13Z

Foolestroupe: /* Biography */ red link patrol - free bass linked correctly

{{Infobox musical artist
|Name = John Serry Sr.
|Img = John-Serry-Sr.gif
|Img_capt = John Serry Sr. 1963
|Img_size =
|Background = classical_ensemble
|Birth_name = Giovanni Serrapica
|Born = [[January 29]], [[1915]] 
 [[Brooklyn, New York]] [[United States|USA]] 
{{flagicon|USA}}

|Died = [[September 14]], [[2003]] 
 [[Long Island, New York]], [[United States|USA]]

|Instrument = [[Accordion]], [[Organ (music)|Organ]], [[Piano]]
|Genre = [[Classical Music]] - [[Big Band]]
 [[Jazz]] - [[Broadway Theater]]

|Occupation = [[Concert]] [[Accordionist]] - [[Organist]]
 [[Educator]] - [[Arranger]]- [[Composer]]

|Years_active = [[1930 in music|1930]] - [[2002 in music|2002]]
|Label = [[Dot Records]], [[RCA Victor]]
}}

'''John Serry, Sr. ''' ([[January 29]], [[1915]] – [[September 14]], [[2003]]) was a distinguished [[concert]] [[accordionist]], [[arranger]], [[composer]], [[organist]] and [[music]] [[educator]] who achieved prominence through his live performances on the [[Columbia Broadcasting System]] ([[CBS]]) network.

== Biography ==
Born '''Giovanni Serrapica''' in [[Brooklyn, New York]] of [[Italian-American]] parents (Pasquale Serrapica and Anna Balestrieri of [[Castellammare di Stabia]], [[Italy]]), John Serry, Sr. pursued a remarkable artistic career which spanned seven decades. As a leading exponent of [[Latin American music]] and the [[Free-bass system|free bass accordion]], he attained prominence through live radio and television performances on the [[CBS]] network which were broadcast to millions of listeners coast to coast. In addition, he earned widespread acclaim as the featured soloist on the popular radio music program ''[[Viva America]]'', which was broadcast live to [[South America]] under the [[United States Department of State]]'s Office for Inter-American Affairs' ([[OCIAA]]) cultural initiative for [[Voice of America]] during [[World War II]] <ref> ''The New York Times'', January 8, 1941, pg. 18</ref> <ref> ''The New York Times'', January 1, 1942, pg. 27 </ref> <ref> ''The New York Times'', May 10, 1942, pg. SM10 </ref> <ref> ''The New York Times'', February 28, 1943, pg.X9 </ref> <ref> ''Time, June 1, 1942</ref>.

As a member of CBS' [[Pan American Orchestra]] (1940-1949) and [[Columbia Concert Orchestra]] (1940-1949), John Serry Sr. achieved national recognition as a professional concert accordionist and featured soloist. Several of his historic broadcasts with the [[CBS]] Orchestra (1949 - 1960) on the [[CBS]] network are available to researchers and members of the general public as part of the permanent archive collection of [[The Paley Center for Media]] ([http://www.MTR.org]) in New York. His professional studies were pursued with the 20th century composer and music educator [[Robert Strassburg]] (1915 - 2003) <ref> ''The New York Times'', November 18, 1945, pg. 50 </ref> ([http://www.milkenarchive.org/artists/artists.taf?artistid=177] (who studied with [[Igor Stravinsky]] and [[Paul Hindemith]]) and the theater organist [[Arthur Guttow]] (who was featured at the keyboard of the [[Wurlitzer organ|Mighty Wurlitzer]] in the [[Radio City Music Hall]]).

Through his extensive concert engagements over a forty year period, John Serry Sr. elevated the performance standards for his instrument at some of the nation's premier concert venues including: The [[New York State Theater]] at [[Lincoln Center]] (1969); [[Town Hall]] (1942); [[Carnegie Hall]] (1940s); The [[Empire Theater]] in New York (1953); The [[Majestic Theatre]] (1968); The [[Broadway Theater]] (1968); The [[Ed Sullivan Theater]] (1950s); The [[Plaza Hotel]] (1940's); The [[Palmer House]] in Chicago (1938), [[Radio City Music Hall]] (1933); The [[Rainbow Room]] at [[Rockefeller Center]] (1930s); The [[Starlight Roof]] at the [[Waldorf Astoria]] Hotel (1930s), the [[Biltmore Hotel]] in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]] (1938) and such New York society nightspots as: [[El Morocco]]; [[El Chico(nightclub)|El Chico]] and [[The Riviera(nightclub)|The Riviera]] in the 1930s.

As a composer and arranger John Serry Sr. recorded an LP album of original compositions and popular music for [[Dot Records]] ''([[Squeeze Play]]'' 1956 (DLP3024) [http://bsnpubs.com/dot/dotb.html] <ref>''Billboard's Music Popularity Charts'' - Reviews & Ratings of New Popular Albums, Nov. 1956, Pg. 22</ref>) and a second LP for ''[[RCA Thesaurus]]'' (1954) with [[Ben Selvin]] as musical director. These recordings featured Serry's ensemble [[The Bel-Cordions]] which included the accordionist [[Louis Delmonte]]. In addition, he recorded his composition ''[[Leone Jump]]'' for a 45 RPM record which was featured in [[jukeboxes]] nationwide during the 1950s and sold over 55,000 copies
[http://www.classicjazzguitar.com/albums/artist_album.jsp?album=623].
Later in the same decade, several of his arrangements for accordion quartet, guitar and bass were published. Several advanced compositions were also completed in the [[Symphonic]] [[Jazz]] genre including the ''[[American Rhapsody]]''. Among his advanced compositions in the classical music genre Mr. Serry included a ''[[Concerto For Free Bass Accordion]]'' which demonstrated the robust orchestral sound of the solo [[Free-bass system|Free bass accordion]]. Also known as the ''[[Concerto in C Major for Bassetti Accordion]]'', this [[concerto]] was dedicated to the memory of Julio Giulietti - a leading promoter and manufacturer of the [[Free-bass system|Free bass accordion]] in the United States who custom built an instrument for the composer.

In his role as a music educator, John Serry Sr. founded and operated a music studio in [[Manhattan]] and on [[Long Island]], New York for over thirty years (1945 - 1980s). During this time he provided instruction on several instruments including: [[accordion]], [[piano]] and [[Organ (music)|organ]]. In addition, he published several accordion method books for elementary, intermediate and advanced grade students. Many of his pupils emerged in later years as noted artists including: [[Gene Ettore]], [[Bob Creash]], [[Ralph Vetro]] and [[Robert Davine]],[http://www.ksanti.net/free-reed/essays/davinetribute.html] - the international concert virtuoso and music educator of the [[Lamont School of Music]]- [[University of Denver]].

In order to demonstrate the accordion's potential to perform compositions from the classical music repertoire, Mr. Serry
designed and perfected a unique [[Free-bass system|Free bass accordion]]
system in February of 1940 in a series of notorized letters.
His design was based upon the [[chromatic scale]] and featured dual keyboards for the bass voice of the left hand. Each button keyboard
incorporated the traditional fingering found on the [[piano]]. These
twin keyboards accessed two sets of reeds which were tuned in octaves and provided a total range of tones from F to D which
exceeded three and one half octaves. They were designed to be
coupled and to provide independent access for the performer's thumb via keyboard #2 and for the remaining fingers of the left hand via keyboard #1. This design liberated the performer from the fixed chord
structure which characterized the [[Stradella]] bass system and facilitated the performance of classical compositions.

Mr. Serry also enjoyed a thirty-five year tenure performing as a free-lance organist at the Interfaith Chapel on the [[Long Island University C.W. Post Campus]] in [[Brookville, New York]]. In this capacity he specialized as both a composer and performer of interfaith liturgical music as well as [[classical music]] (1968 - 2002).

=== Concert Artistry ===
In the course of his artistic endeavors, John Serry Sr. gave expression to a refined poetic artistry which illustrated the unique orchestral sound of the [[Free-bass system|Free bass accordion]] and the traditional stradella accordion. In the process, he established lofty performance standards which demonstrated the accordion's potential as both a legitimate member of the orchestral ensemble and a serious solo instrument suitable for the concert hall stage. This professionalism was also reflected in his advanced compositions which embody several American musical genres including [[Symphonic]] [[Jazz]] and [[Classical Music]]. These compositions reflect Mr. Serry's keen interest in the works of [[George Gershwin]] and [[Maurice Ravel]]. On the organ, his performances were conducted in the polished style of the American [[theater organ]] popularized during the 1930s/1940s.

As a modest and unassuming professional, John Serry Sr. upheld a high standard of musicianship and a strong disregard for the flamboyant "performance techniques" employed by many of the popular entertainers of the day (such as the exaggerated "bellows shake" and the excessively prolonged "gliss" or glissando). It was Mr. Serry's firm conviction that the accordion could successfully transcend its limited historic role in America as an ethnic folk instrument through professional performances with leading orchestral ensembles. His unique artistic vision and passion for excellence garnered considerable respect for his "orphaned instrument" among many of the top ranked conductors and musicians of his era. In the process, he acquired widespread acclaim as a performer of the [[Free-bass system|Free bass accordion]] and one of the most prominent and accomplished accordion artists on New York's musical scene for over thirty years (1940 - 1970).

=== The 1930s: The Big Band Era===

John Serry Sr. collaborated and performed with a variety of leading conductors and arrangers who were also eager to integrate the accordion into the professional musical ensemble. During the [[Big Band]] era of the 1930s in New York City these included: [[Erno Rapee]] - conductor of the [[Radio City Music Hall]] Orchestra with John Serry Sr. as the first on stage accordion soloist (1933) and in subsequent years during the early 1930s <ref>''The New York Times'', [[June 27]] [[1935]], pg. 16</ref>; [[Ralph Gomez]] - a Cuban orchestra leader in an extended engagement at the [[Rainbow Room]] at [[Rockefeller Center]](1935) <ref> ''Accordion News'', March 1935</ref>; the [[Hugo Mariani]] [[Tango music|Tango]] [[Orchestra]] at the [[Waldorf Astoria]] Hotel (1930s)<ref>''The New York Times'', August 12, 1936, Pg. 15</ref> <ref>''The New York Times'', September 16, 1936, Pg. 28</ref>; [[Alfred Brito]] - a Cuban orchestra leader in New York (1936) and [[Misha Borr]] - conductor of the [[Waldorf Astoria]] Hotel house orchestra periodically during the 1930s. He also performed as a soloist for society functions during this period in the [[Waldorf Astoria]] Hotel's exclusive [[Waldorf Towers]] and at its intimate [[Starlight Roof]] (1930's).

Mr. Serry received extensive national exposure as a result of his collaborations with the [[jazz]] conductor [[Shep Fields]][http://www.parabrisas.com/d_fieldss.php] in performances with [[Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm]] orchestra. Mr. Serry performed during a nationwide tour which featured live radio broadcasts from the [[Palmer House]] hotel in [[Chicago, Illinois]] and the [[Biltmore Hotel]] in [[Los Angeles, California]] over the [[NBC]] network (1937 - 1938). These broadcasts were noteworthy for utilizing the [[Zenith Electronics Corporation]]'s innovative [[Radiogran]] technology. <ref>''The Los Angeles Examiner'', [[October 9]] [[1938]], pg. 1</ref> His concert artistry as a member of the orchestra was also captured on-screen
in a segment of [[Paramount Pictures]]' musical anthology ''[[The Big Broadcast of 1938]]''.

During this period John Serry Sr. also served as Assistant Dean of Accordion and Harmony at the [[Biviano School of Music]] in Manhattan (1939) <ref>''The New York Times'', [[November 2]] [[1941]], pg. X6 </ref> <ref> ''The New York Times'', [[September 6]] [[1942]], pg. X5</ref>. In this capacity he provided advanced instruction to students who shared his interest in orchestral jazz.

=== The 1940s: The Golden Age of Radio ===
During the [[Golden Age of Radio]] in the 1940s Mr. Serry performed extensively on the [[CBS]] radio network in collaboration with several prominent concert artists including: [[Elsa Miranda]] [http://www.parabrisas.com/d_mirandae.php] -vocalist on the [[CBS]] radio network (1940s) <ref> ''The New York Times'', June 9, 1946, pg 49</ref>; [[Marianne Oswald]] - (aka [[Marianne Lorraine]])[http://www.thenation.com/archive/detail/13485324], a French chanteuse in a performance of works by the American [[poet]] [[Carl Sandburg]] at Town Hall (1942) <ref>''The Nation'', [[March 7]] [[1942]], vol. 154 #10 </ref> <ref> ''The New York Times'' [[March 1]] [[1942]], pg. 36</ref> and [[Alfredo Antonini]] ([http://nfo.net/cal/ta3.html#antonini]) - conductor [[CBS Pan American Orchestra]] on the [[CBS]] network (1940-1949)<ref>''A Pictorial History Of Radio''. Settel, Irving. Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, New York, 1960 & 1967, pg. 146, Library of Congress # 67-23789</ref> <ref> ''The New York Times'', November 5, 1983, pg. 34</ref> and conductor for the ''[[Viva America]]'' [http://radiogoldindex.com/cgi-local/p2.cgi?ProgramName=Viva+America] program on [[CBS]] for the [[Department of State]]- Office for Inter-American Affairs (OCIAA) <ref>''The New York Times'', [[June 9]] [[1946]], pg. 49 </ref> <ref> [[The New York Times]], [[November 5]] [[1983]], pg. 34</ref>.

Mr. Serry's contributions to the advancement of [[classical music]]
extended beyond radio broadcasting into the realm of grand [[opera]] as well. During the start of the decade Mr. Serry performed under the baton of the noted conductor [[Alexander Smallens]] in performances at Town Hall of [[Virgil Thomson]]'s monumental composition ''[[Four Saints in Three Acts]]'' (1941).<ref> ''The New York Times'', May 28, 1941, pg. 32</ref>

Mr. Serry also collaborated with several noted international concert artists including: [[Terig Tucci]][http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terig_Tucci][http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.todotango.com/spanish/gardel/autores/autor.asp%3fidc%3d136&prev=/search%3fq%3dterig%2b][http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terig_Tucci][http://www.webcom.com/reporter/nota-new-york.html] - Argentine composer and musical program arranger/director for the [[CBS Pan American Orchestra]] broadcasts on [[CBS]] and to South America over [[La Cadena De Las Americas]] (aka Network of the Americas )<ref>''Accordion World'', March 1946, Vol XI, #11, pg. 3</ref> <ref> ''The New York Times'', January 18, 1942, Pg. 27</ref> and musical director for ''[[Macy's]] Latin-American Fair of 1942'' broadcasts over CBS <ref> ''The New York Times'', January 17, 1942, Page 30</ref> <ref> ''The New York Times'', January 16, 1942, Page 19</ref> <ref> ''The New York Times'', January 14, 1942, Page 24</ref>; [[Juan Arvizu]] - the Mexican "Tenor with the Silken Voice" and bolerista on the [[CBS]] network (1940s)[http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolero]<ref> ''The New York Times'', May 5, 1941, Pg. 32</ref>; [[Nestor Chayres]] - a Mexican tenor aka "El Gitano De Mexico" on the CBS network (1942 & 1945)[http://www.bassanonline.com/1946-Nestor-Chayres-photo,i180061834647,c108730.html] <ref>''The New York Times'', April 23, 1944, pg. X5</ref>; [[Eva Garza]] - the Mexican songstress featured on ''[[Viva America]]'' for [[CBS]]/[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] radio <ref> ''The New York Times'', January 23, 1944, Pg. X9</ref>; [[Miquel Sandoval]] - pianist on the [[CBS]] network (1940s); and [[Marlene Dietrich]][http://www.marlene.com] - in a performance of ''[[Lili Marlene]]'' on [[CBS]] radio, John Serry Sr. accompanist (1940s).

During this time Mr. Serry was featured on several popular network broadcasts including: ''The [[Gordon MacRae]] Show'' ''[[Star of Stars]]'' broadcast live from the [[CBS]] studio's Starline Roof (1946) featuring John Serry Sr. as solo artist; ''The Danny O'Neil Show'' featuring John Serry, Sr. as guest artist (1946); ''[[The Coca Cola Show]]'' on the [[CBS]] network with the Percy Faith Orchestra conducted by [[Percy Faith]] (1948); ''The [[Jack Smith]] Show'' (1947);''The [[Jean Sablon]] Show ''(1947); and [[Studio One (TV series)|''Studio One'']] with the cellist [[Bernard Greenhouse]] - a protege of [[Pablo Casals]][http://shumskymusic.com/Greenhouse-biography.html] (1947).

Mr. Serry also collaborated with several noted recording artists of the decade including: [[Victoria Cordova]] vocalist and [[Alfredo Antonini]] conductor for a recording session on [[Muzak]] (1949); [[RCA Victor]]'s transcriptions division for recordings of over thirty compositions by Mr. Serry's ensemble the [[BelCordions]] (four accordions supported by string bass and guitar) for broadcast over the [[NBC]] network (1946); and the [[Biviano Sextette]] in a performance for a series of LP recordings (1946).

Mr. Serry's radio performances were broadcast live to the general public in both North and South America over the [[CBS]] radio network. Several of them were even enjoyed in person by [[Eleanor Roosevelt]] and various high level South American diplomates during the opening ceremonies of ''[[Macy's]] Latin-American Fair of 1942'' in [[New York City]] <ref> ''The New York Times'', January 17, 1942, Page 30</ref>.

The success of these broadcast activities enabled Mr. Serry to establish a successful private music studio in [[Manhattan]] and on [[Long Island]], New York. In the process, he was able to continue his performance endeavors while providing musical instruction in performance and harmony to thousands of students over the course of nearly four decades (1945 - 1983).

=== The 1950s: Live Network Television ===
During the early days of network television in the 1950s, John Serry, Sr. performed extensively at [[CBS]] as a staff member of the original [[CBS]] Orchestra (1949 - 1960) and an accompanist on several live network [[television]] programs including: ''The [[Jackie Gleason]] Show'' (1953); ''The [[Ed Sullivan]] Show'' (1959); ''The [[Frank Sinatra]] Show'' (1950s) and with the distinguished organist [[Billy Nalle]] [http://www.BillyNalle.Com],[http://www.classicthemes.com/50sTVThemes/themePages/mama.html] on the prime time drama ''[[I Remember Mama]]'' starring [[Peggy Wood]] [http://video.barnesandnoble.com/search/biography.asp?ctr=662946] (1953).

In an effort to take advantage of emerging technologies, Mr. Serry also collaborated with [[Mitch Miller]] at [[Columbia Records]] to produce an LP demo recording in 1951. He also collaborated with [[Julius Baker]] (first flautist for the Columbia Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra at [[CBS]] and for the [[New York Philharmonic]]) to produce another demo recording of his compositions "Desert Rumba" and "La Culebra" (1950) [http://www.juliusbaker.com/bio.php]. As television technology improved, he also joined forces with [[Andre Kostelanetz]] who served as the conductor on the ''[[Eastman Kodak]] [[Kinescope]]'' broadcasts (1951).

As a member of the famed Magnante Accordion Quartet, John Serry Sr. continued his performances as a soloist on such acclaimed network radio broadcasts as ''[[The Lucky Strike Hour]]'', ''[[Waltz Time]]'' and ''[[American Melody Hour]]'', often substituting for the founder of the quartet.

On the [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] stage he joined [[Shirley Booth]], [[Dino Diluca]] (an Italian romantic actor), and [[Lydia St. Clair]][http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0820460/#actress] in a production of [[Arthur Laurents]] play ''[[The Time of the Cuckoo]]''([http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?id=2342]) <ref> ''The New York Times'', October 15, 1952, pg. 40</ref> <ref> ''The New York Times'', September 21, 1952, pg. X1</ref> <ref> ''The New York Times'', September 28, 1952, pg. SM18</ref>. Mr. Serry served as soloist and Musical Director at the historic [[Empire Theatre]] on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]](1952)<ref> ''The New York Times'', October 16, 1952, pg. 37</ref> <ref>''The New York Times'', [[August 27]] [[1952]], pg. 22 </ref> <ref> ''The New York Journal-American'', [[May 25]] [[1953]], pg. 15</ref>.

As a result of the widespread popular appeal of these endeavors, Mr. Serry made efforts later in the deacde to present his
music to a wider audience through the use of new high fidelity recording techniques. With this in mind, Mr. Serry composed, arranged and performed several popular compositions for [[Dot Records]] with [[Al Caiola]] [http://guitar-masters.com/Masters/Al_Caiola.html] on his album ''[[Squeeze Play]]'' [http://bsnpubs.com/dot/dotb.html] (1956). He also recorded for [[Decca Records|Decca]] during this time and collaborated with [[Ben Selvin]] at [[RCA Victor]] to produce a second record album
entitled ''[[RCA Thesaurus]]'' (1954). [[Sonora Records]] also released over 55,000 copies of his composition ''[[Leone Jump]]'' as a single record which was featured in jukeboxes nationwide. These activities led to Mr. Serry's nomination to the ''"Who's Who In Music International"'' in 1958.

=== The 1960s: The Broadway Theatre ===
The 1960s ushered in a new era of popular entertainment suited to general audiences. During this Golden Age of the [[musical theater]], John Serry, Sr. collaborated on the '' [[Voice of Firestone]]'' with the conductor [[Howard Barlow (conductor)|Howard Barlow]] [http://www.barlowgenealogy.com/FairfieldFamilies/HDB-obit.html](guest conductor for [[NBC]] Television in 1961) <ref> ''The Boston Globe'',November 24, 1991, pg. A3</ref> and on ''[[The Revlon Revue]]'' (1960) for [[CBS]] Television.

Mr. Serry also achieved success in such acclaimed [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] productions as: ''[[Cabaret (musical)]]'' [http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?id=3348] at the [[Imperial Theatre]] (1968); ''[[Can-Can (musical)|Can-Can]]''; ''[[La Grosse Valise]]'' [http://ibdb.com/production.asp?id=3274] (1965) (composer [[Gerard Calvi]], lyrics by [[Harold Rome]], musical director [[Lehman Engel]]); ''[[The Happy Time]]
([http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?id=3115]) starring [[Robert Goulet]] at [[The Broadway Theatre]] (1968 [[Tony Award]] Best Musical) and ''[[Fiddler On The Roof]]'' -[http://ibdb.com/production.asp?id=3213] starring [[Zero Mostel]] at the [[Majestic Theatre]] (1968).

During this decade he was also the featured soloist at private receptions hosted for the international diplomatic community by Mayor [[John Lindsay]] at New York City's historic [[Gracie Mansion]] (1960s). Extended appearances were also made with
the [[Lester Lanin Orchestra]] [http://www.lesterlanin.com] at the exclusive [[Plaza Hotel]] for a variety of society functions. In addition, Mr. Serry was invited to perform at private estates located throughout the [[Hamptons]] (1960s).

Mr. Serry also continued to perform for the general public under the musical direction of the bandleader [[Guy Lombardo]] at the [[Jones Beach State Park]] Theater on [[Long Island]] (1968). In addition, he performed as the featured soloist at the [[Seven Up]] Pavilion of the [[New York World's Fair]] at Flushing Meadow (1964).

As the general public's appreciation for classical music in the United States grew, Mr. Serry took advantage of additional opportunities to demonstrate his artistry in a formal classical concert venue. He served as the lead concert accordionist in performances of the ''[[New Ballet]]'' as staged to the music of [[Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky|Tchaikowsky]] at the [[New York State Theater]] - [[Lincoln Center]] (1969)<ref> ''The New York Times'', November 22, 1968, pg. 39 </ref> <ref> ''The New York Times'',November 17, 1968, pg. D10</ref> <ref> ''The New York Times'', January 12, 1969, pg. D4</ref>. The production was performed as part of the 25th anniversary season of the [[New York City Ballet]] and was choreographed by [[Jacques d'Amboise]] [http://www.the-ballet.com/damboise.php]<ref> ''The New York Times'', December 8, 1968, pg. 162</ref> <ref> ''The New York Times'', January 10, 1969, pg. 38</ref>.

=== The 1970s - 2002: Liturgical Concerts ===
During the course of the next thirty five years, Mr. Serry performed as a respected free-lance chapel organist at the [[Long Island University C.W. Post Campus]] [http://www.cwpost.liu.edu/cwis/cwp/] in [[Brookville, New York]] (1968 - 2002). In addition to performing regularly, he composed and arranged several compositions for the dedication ceremonies at the university's Interfaith Chapel.

As a specialist in interfaith liturgical music, Mr. Serry enthralled thousands of listeners with his performances and arrangements of [[sacred music]] reflecting a variety of religious traditions including: [[Catholicism]], [[Protestantism]], [[Judaism]] and [[Eastern Orthodox]]. In addition, his concerts on both [[organ (music)|organ]] and [[piano]] included classical and contemporary works by such composers as: [[Johann Sebastian Bach]], [[Beethoven]], [[Leonard Bernstein]], [[John Denver]], [[Charles Gounod]], [[Handel]], [[Felix Mendelsohn]], [[Jean-Joseph Mouret]], [[Mozart]], [[Johann Pachelbel]], [[Henry Purcell]], [[Rachmaninoff]], [[Franz Shubert]], [[Tchaichovsky]], [[Eric Satie]], [[Antonio Vivaldi]], [[Richard Wagner]], [[Charles Widor]] and [[Andrew Lloyd Weber]]. His artistry always reflected the conviction that the language of music is unique in its capacity to transcend all boundaries to unite humanity in peace.

John Serry, Sr. died after a brief illness on [[Long Island]], [[New York]] in 2003 at the age of 88. [http://www.local802afm.org/publication_entry.cfm?XEntry=23736371]. His unique talent and love of music is shared by one of his surviving sons: [[John Serry]](John Serry, Jr.)[http://www.JohnSerry.Com/bio.html]-an international jazz pianist, composer, conductor and arranger.

== Musical Legacy ==
=== Published Compositions & Arrangements ===
* "Desert Rumba" (for accordion, 1939; publisher Antobal Music Co., 1951)
* "Glissando" (for accordion, publisher Biviano Music Co., 1942)
* "Tarantella" (for accordion, 1942; publisher Alpha Music Co., 1955)
* "Valse" ( composer Pytor Ilych Tchaikovsky, arr. for accordion, 1946)
* "Fantasy In F" (for accordion, publisher Vicas Music Co., 1946) [http://www.ksanti.net/free-reed/reviews/ktrio.html]
* "Consolation Waltz" (for accordion, publisher O. Pagani & Bro., 1948)
* "Uncle Charlie's Polka" (for accordion, publisher O.Pagani Bro., 1948)
* "The Bugle Polka" (for accordion, publisher O. Pagani Bro., 1948)
* "Leone Jump" (for accordion, publisher Pietro Diero Publishers, 1956) [http://www.classicjazzguitar.com/albums/artist_album.jsp?album=623]
* "La Culebra" (for accordion, 1950; arr. accordion & flute; 1950, arr. flute solo 1991; publisher Antobal Music Co., 1951)
* "African Bolero" (for accordion, 1950; arr. accordion & flute; 1950, arr. flute solo 1991; publisher Antobal Music Co., 1951))
* "The Syncopated Accordionist" (for accordion, publisher/editor Charles Colin, 1952)
* "The First Ten Lessons For Accordion" (for accordion, publisher Alpha Music Co., 1952)
* "Accordion Method Books I, II, III, IV" (for accordion, publisher Alpha Music Co., 1953)
* "La Cinquantaine" (m. Gabriel Marie, arr. accordion quartet, publisher Alpha Music Co., 1954)
* "Allegro" (m. Joseph Hayden, arr. accordion quartet, publisher Alpha Music Co., 1954)
* "Junior Accordion Band Series" (arr. accordion quartet, publisher Alpha Music Co., 1955)
* "Tango Verde" (m. Romero, arr. accordion quartet, publisher Alpha Music Co., 1955)
* "Holiday In Rio" (m. Terig Tucci, arr. accordion quartet, publisher Alpha Music Co., 1955)
* "En Tu Reja" (m. Romero, arr. accordion quartet, publisher Alpha Music Co., 1955)
* "Tango Of Love" (for accordion quartet, publisher Alpha Music Co., 1955)
* "Manolas" (m. Escobar, arr. accordion quartet, publisher Alpha Music Co, 1955)
* "Petite Tango" (for accordion quartet, publisher Alpha Music Co. 1955)
* "Garden In Monaco" (for accordion, publisher Alpha Music Co., 1956)
* "Rockin' The Anvil" (for accordion, publisher Alpha Music, 1956)
* "Selected Accordion Solos" (arr. accordion, publisher Alpha Music Co, 1956)
* "Spooky Polka" (for accordion, publisher Alpha Music Co., 1957)
* "Reeds In A Rush" (for accordion, publisher Alpha Music Co., 1957)
* "American Rhapsody" (for accordion, publisher Alpha Music Co., 1957)

=== Unpublished Compositions ===
* "Falling Leaves" (for Piano, 1976)
* "Processional" (for Piano 1951; rev. for Organ, 1968)
* "Elegy" (for Organ, 1984, revised 1991)
* "Songs of Love #1, #2, #3" (for Piano and Voice, lyrics by [[David Napolin]][http://www.timbooktu.com/napolin/napolin.htm], 1986)
* "Dreams Trilogy" (for Piano 1991)
* "A Savior Is Born" (for Organ & Voice, 1991)
* "The Lord's Prayer" (for Organ & Chorus, 1992)
* "Five Children's Pieces" (for Piano, 1996)

=== Advanced Compositions ===
John Serry Sr.'s compositions in the [[Symphonic]] [[Jazz]] and [[Classical Music]] genres include:

* [[American Rhapsody]] ( for Accordion, 1955: published by Alpha Music Co. 1957; transcribed for piano, 2002)
* [[Concerto For Free Bass Accordion]] (for Accordion, 1966; transcribed for piano, 1995-2002, unpublished, aka ''Concerto in C Major for Bassetti Accordion'')

=== Albums ===
* ''[[Squeeze Play]]''[http://bsnpubs.com/dot/dotb.html] - [[Dot Records]] (catalogue #DLP-3024) (1956)
* ''[[RCA Thesaurus]]'' - [[RCA Victor]] Transcriptions series of over thirty works. John Serry Sr. arranger and soloist with The Bel-Cordions ensemble and [[Ben Selvin]] - Music Director (1954).

=== Filmography ===
* ''[[The Big Broadcast of 1938]]'' (1938): as Himself performing with the [[Shep Fields]] Orchestra.

=== Bibliography ===
* Serry, John. "Accordions & Orchestras: Past Present & Future",''Accordion World'', November, 1937.

* Serry, John. "Those Neglected Basses", ''Accordion World'', March, 1939.
* Serry, John. "Jazz And The Student Accordionist", ''Accordion World, 1964.

===Archives ===
Several of John Serry Sr.'s compositions have been archived at the [[University of Rochester]]'s [[Eastman School of Music]] - Sibley Music Library for research purposes. They are housed within the Ruth T. Watanabe Special Collections Department as the John Serry Sr. Collection [http://www.rochester.edu/Eastman/sibley].

In addition, several of John Serry Sr.'s live performances on the CBS Television network have been archived within the permanent collection of [[The Paley Center for Media]] in New York City [http://www.paleycenter.org/].

== Professional Affiliations ==
John Serry, Sr. was an active member of BMI, SESAC, Musicians Local #802 (1933 - 2003) ([http://www.local802afm.org/publication_entry.cfm?Xentry=23736371]) and The [[American Guild of Organists]]. For a brief period he served as a charter member of the [[American Accordionists Association]] (1938). He pursued professional musical studies with: [[Joseph Rossi]] (Accordion 1926 - 1929); [[Albert Rizzi]] (Piano and Harmony 1929 - 1932); [[Gene Von Hallberg]] (Counterpoint and Harmony 1933 - 1934); [[Jascha Zade]] (Piano 1945-1946); [[Arthur Guttow]] (Organ 1946) and [[Robert Strassburg]] ([http://www.milkenarchive.org/artists/artists.taf?artistid=177])(Piano, Advanced Harmony and Orchestration 1948 -1950).

=== Dual Citizenship ===
John Serry Sr. held dual [[USA]]/[[Italy]] citizenship. 
{{flagicon|USA}} {{flagicon|Italy}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Serry Sr., John}}
[[Category:1915 births]]
[[Category:2003 deaths]]
[[Category:20th century classical composers]]
[[Category:Jazz composers]]
[[Category:American composers]]
[[Category:American music arrangers]]
[[Category:Italian-American musicians]]
[[Category:American classical accordionists]]
[[Category:American jazz accordionists]]
[[Category:American organists]]
[[Category:People from Brooklyn]]
[[Category:Accordionists]]

Girraween-Nationalpark

2008-10-24T13:38:12Z

Foolestroupe: Added category

{{Infobox_protected_area_of_Australia | name =
| iucn_category = II
| image = Australia_Locator_Map.svg
| caption =
| locator_x = 260
| locator_y = 129
| nearest_town_or_city = [[Stanthorpe, Queensland|Stanthorpe]]
| coordinates = {{coord|28|46|27|S|151|54|43|E|type:landmark_region:AU}}
| area = 117.00 km²<ref name="explore">{{cite book |title=Australia's National and Marine Parks: Queensland |last=Reid |first=Greg |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2004 |publisher=Macmillan Education Australia |location=[[South Yarra, Victoria]] |isbn=073299053X |pages=22 }}</ref>
| established = 1966<ref name="heritage">{{cite book |title=Heritage Trails of the Great South East |last=Queensland Environmental Protection Agency |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2000 |publisher=State of Queensland |location= |isbn=0-7345-1008-X |pages=122 }}</ref>
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| managing_authorities = Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
| official_site = [http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/projects/park/index.cgi?parkid=111 www.epa.qld.gov.au]
}}
'''Girraween National Park''' is an area of the [[Granite Belt]] in south-east [[Queensland]], [[Australia]] reserved as a national park. Girraween is known for its spectacular flowers, dramatic landscapes and unique wildlife. [[Bushwalking]] and [[rock climbing]] are the most popular activities in the park.

==Location==
The park is situated 40 km south of [[Stanthorpe, Queensland|Stanthorpe]]. The southern boundary of the park is the state border between Queensland and [[New South Wales]]. It is a twin park with [[Bald Rock National Park]], which lies across the border in New South Wales, and features Bald Rock, the second-largest monolith (after [[Uluru]]) on the continent. Curiously, South Bald Rock and West Bald Rock lie in Girraween National Park in Queensland, not in Bald Rock National Park in New South Wales.

==Features==
[[Image:Vistagirrahween email.jpg|thumb|260px|Granite Boulders and Vista]]
It features [[granite]] landscapes, balancing boulders, clear streams, wetlands, cascades and open forest.<ref name="explore"> </ref> The granite outcroppings, such as the Pyramids and [[Castle Rock (Queensland)|Castle Rock]] at 1112 m, dominate the local scenery. The park contains many kilometres of graded walking trails to the park's major features like the [[First Pyramid]], [[Second Pyramid]], The Sphinx, Turtle Rock, Underground Creek, the Eye of the Needle and [[Mount Norman]] - the highest point in the park at 1267 metres.<ref name="seeing">{{cite book |year=1980 |title=Seeing South-East Queensland |edition=2 |pages=73 |publisher=RACQ |isbn=0-909518-07-6}}</ref> Fire trails can be followed when venturing into the southern and eastern sections of the park. The park has a temperate climate. During winter snow can fall in the area.<ref name="explore"> </ref>

===Fauna and flora===
The park has abundant fauna, including some that are rarely seen elsewhere in Queensland, such as the common [[wombat]], [[spotted quoll]], [[lyrebird]] and the [[Turquoise Parrot]].
[[Image:Black butts Girraween National Park yarra64.jpg|thumb|Blackbutt trees.<ref>[http://people.hws.edu/fieldguide/show.asp?ID=77 Blackbutt Online]</ref>]]
The area is also noted for its diverse flora. The eucalypt forests and heathlands provide habitat for abundant birdlife. In spring, many wildflowers bloom, which led to its being called "place of flowers" in the indigenous language. The area is the only place where the [[Wallangarra whitegum]]s grow.<ref name="explore"> </ref>

In 1992, [[Taronga Park Zoo]] staff discovered the rare [[Bald Rock Creek turtle]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/qld/content/2006/s1626436.htm |title=Rare Species |accessdate=2008-08-30 |date=2006-04-26 |work=Stateline |format=Transcript |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] }}</ref> The species has only been found within a ten km stretch of the creek.

==See also==
{{portal|Queensland}}
* [[Protected areas of Queensland (Australia)|Protected areas of Queensland]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{citebook|title=Landforms and Geology of Granitic Terrains|author=C. R. Twidale, Juan Ramón Vidal Romaní|year=2005|publisher=CRC Press|id=ISBN 0415364353}}

==External links==
*[http://www.exploroz.com/Places/64109/QLD/Girraween_National_Park.aspx Girraween National Park QLD] www.exploroz.com

[[Category:National parks of Queensland]]
[[Category:Darling Downs]]

Sundown-Nationalpark

2008-10-24T13:28:09Z

Foolestroupe: Added category

'''Sundown''' is a national park in [[Queensland]] ([[Australia]]), 198 km southwest of [[Brisbane, Australia|Brisbane]]. It is the source of the [[Severn River, Queensland|Severn River]], which is the starting point of the [[Darling River]].

====Fact sheet====
*''Area:'' 125.00 km²
*''[[geographic coordinates|Coordinates]]'': {{coord|28|48|39|S|151|42|12|E|type:landmark_region:AU}}
*''Date of establishment:'' 1977
*''Managing authorities:'' Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
*''[[World Conservation Union|IUCN]] category:'' II

==See also==
* [[Protected areas of Queensland (Australia)]]

{{Darling Downs}}

[[Category:National parks of Queensland]]
[[Category:Darling Downs]]
[[es:Parque Nacional Sundown]]

{{Queensland-national-park-stub}}

Stanthorpe

2008-10-24T13:02:13Z

Foolestroupe: Added category

{{Infobox Australian Place | type = town
| name = Stanthorpe
| state = qld
| image = DSCF0355.JPG
| caption = Stanthorpe township (north-west aspect) taken from Mt Marlay lookout
| lga = [[Southern Downs Regional Council]]
| postcode = 4380
| est =
| pop = 10,575 (est)
| elevation= 873
| maxtemp =
| mintemp =
| rainfall =
| stategov = [[Electoral district of Southern Downs|Southern Downs]]
| fedgov = [[Division of Maranoa|Maranoa]]
| dist1 = 218
| dir1 = SW
| location1= [[Brisbane]]
| dist2 = 143
| dir2 = S
| location2= [[Toowoomba, Queensland|Toowoomba]]
| dist3 = 237
| dir3 = W
| location3= [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]]
}}
{{Refimprove|date=June 2008}}
[[Image:DSCF0356.JPG|thumb|South-West aspect of Stanthorpe Township as seen from Mt Marlay]]

'''Stanthorpe''' is a town situated in south east [[Queensland]], [[Australia]]. The town lies on the [[New England Highway]] near the [[New South Wales]] border 223 km from [[Brisbane]] via [[Warwick, Queensland|Warwick]], 56 km north of [[Tenterfield, New South Wales|Tenterfield]] and 811 m above sea level.<ref>{{cite web| title =Stanthorpe | publisher =The Age
| url =http://www.theage.com.au/news/Queensland/Stanthorpe/2005/02/17/1108500203734.html
| format =Web article | accessdate =2008-02-17 }}</ref> The area surrounding the town is known as the [[Granite Belt]].

==History==

Stanthorpe was founded by [[tin]] miners. People came from many countries to mine tin from 1872. Stanthorpe literally means 'tintown', as Stannum is [[Latin]] for 'tin' and [[thorp]]e is [[Middle English]] for 'town'.

The railway reached Stanthorpe in May, 1881<ref>'''''The Centenary of the Southern Line''''' Kerr, J.D. [[Australian Railway History|Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin]], December, 1970 pp261-291</ref>.

==Geography & Climate==

At an altitude of 873 metres (with some areas as high as 950 metres), Stanthorpe holds the record for the lowest temperature recorded in Queensland at -11.0 °C in July [[1895]]. In winter Stanthorpe is frequently the coldest town in the state. Sleet and light snowfalls are rare, but have been recorded numerous times. It can be very hot in the summer, above 30 °C.

The Granite Belt national parks are [[Girraween National Park|Girraween]], [[Bald Rock National Park|Bald Rock]], [[Sundown National Park|Sundown]], [[Boonoo Boonoo National Park|Boonoo Boonoo]].

==Farming==

The main industry today is agriculture, the main crops being [[apple]]s and [[grape]]s. [[Wine]] and stone fruit are also produced in the area, and [[sheep]] and [[cattle]] grazing is also prevalent.

Stanthorpe and the surrounding Granite Belt and Granite Highlands area of [[South East Queensland]] and Northern [[New South Wales]] are the centre of a booming winery and national parks [[tourist]] destination. There are more than 50 [[wineries]] in the Granite Belt winery area, with a wide range of [[restaurant]]s.

==Culture==
===Annual events===
There are local events, including the Spring Wine Festival (September), the Australian Small Winemakers Show (October/November), the Apple & Grape Harvest Festival (February/March - biennial) and the Australian Country Shows and Rodeos.

===Tourism===
[[Image:Stanthorpe-brass-monkey-1942.jpg|thumb|The [[Brass monkey (colloquial expression)|Brass monkey]] at Stanthorpe's central Post Office Square]]
[[Wine]] and [[tourism]] are a very important part of the town's economy. A world-standard College of Wine Tourism has recently been opened in the town to enable students to study these vocations, and Stanthorpe State High School owns and operates its own [[winery]].[[backpacking (travel)|Backpacking]] conditions here are excellent, and there is large demand for fruit and vegetable pickers from November until May each year.

[[Storm King Dam]] offers some good angling opportunities for [[Murray Cod]], [[Golden perch|Yellowbelly]] & [[Silver Perch]].

;Shire Statistics
*Population - 10,575
**Stanthorpe 5,500(est)
**Wallangarra 550(est)
*Area: 2,669 square kilometres
*Total Valuation: $206 million
*Length of roads: 584 km sealed (approx)
**736 km unsealed (approx)
*Federal Electorate: Maranoa
*Federal Member: [[Bruce Scott]] MP
*State Electorate: Southern Downs
*State Member: [[Lawrence Springborg]] MP

==Famous people from Stanthorpe==
* [[Ben Dark]] - [[television presenter]], [[Getaway]], [[Nine Network]]

==See also==
{{commonscat}}
*[[Wallangarra, Queensland|Wallangarra]]
*[[Warwick, Queensland|Warwick]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Darling Downs}}

{{coord|28|40|S|151|57|E|region:AU_type:city|display=title}}

[[Category:Towns in Queensland]]
[[Category:Towns in the Darling Downs]]
[[nl:Stanthorpe]]

Texas (Queensland)

2008-10-24T13:02:02Z

Foolestroupe: Added category

'''Texas''' is a town in [[Queensland]], [[Australia]]. Found approximately at coordinates 28°51'0.00"S / 151°10'0.00"E, it is located just 2km (1.2 Mi) from the State's southern border with New South Wales, close to [[Bonshaw, New South Wales]]. Farming is the most obvious industry in the Texas region, although there is also a silver mine. A large cattle feedlot is located about 20 mins from town.

Part of the [[Goondiwindi Regional Council]], Texas is administered from the nearby larger town of [[Goondiwindi, Queensland]].

The origin of the town's name is generally regarded as a reference to a territorial dispute. The land in the area was first settled by the McDougall brothers, who found squatters there on returning from the goldfields. Once their legal right to the land was recognised, they named their property in honour of the rather more famous dispute between the [[United States]] and [[Mexico]] over territory in [[Texas]], USA. <ref>[http://www.travelmate.com.au/Places/Places.asp?TownName=Texas_%5C_QLD]</ref>

Texas was connected by railway from [[Inglewood]] in November, 1930<ref>[[Australian Railway History|Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin]], June, 1988, pp129-136</ref>.

Up until about 1980, tobacco farming was an important industry in the area and many Italian families settled the area to run and work the tobacco farms.

*Population: 900
*Area: South Queensland
*Density:
*Location: South Queensland
*Area code: +61 (0)7
*Postcode: 4385
==Country Music==
After a visit to Texas in 2002, and being involved in a car accident nearby, American Country/Rockabilly recording artist [[Jason Lee Wilson]] memorialized the town in a song TX, QLD, Australia. The song was included on the [[Cumberland Runners]]' 2004 debut album entitled Music to Haul By.

==Notable People==
* [[Travis Burns]] - Rugby League player

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Refimprove|date=September 2007}}

{{Darling Downs}}

{{coord|28|51|S|151|10|E|region:AU_type:city|display=title}}

[[Category:Towns in Queensland]]
[[Category:Towns in the Darling Downs]]
{{Queensland-geo-stub}}

[[nl:Texas (Australië)]]
[[sv:Texas, Queensland]]

Highfields (Queensland)

2008-10-24T08:37:43Z

Foolestroupe: Added category

{{Infobox Australian Place | type = town
| name = Highfields
| state = qld

| caption =
| pop = 6528 (2006)
| density = 673
| est =
| postcode = 4352
| coordinates = {{coord|27.4581|S|151.9491|E|display=inline,title|region:AU-QLD_type:city}}
| elevation = 700
| area = 9.7
| timezone = [[UTC10|AEST]]
| utc = +10
| lga = [[Toowoomba Regional Council]]
| stategov =
| fedgov = [[Division of Groom|Groom]]
}}
'''Highfields''' is a small country [[town]], just north of [[Toowoomba]], [[Queensland]], [[Australia]] along the [[New England Highway]]. It is situated on the [[Great Dividing Range]], slightly north of [[Mount Kynoch]]. It serves as a satellite town to the city of [[Toowoomba]], accommodating many of Toowoomba business' employees.

== Community ==
Highfields State School is located in the heart of the town and is one of two primary schools. A shopping centre called Highfields Village was developed and opened in 2003 that contains a number of community stores, including a [[Thrifty-Link]] hardware store, a [[Brumby's Bakeries]] and a [[Woolworths Supermarkets|Woolworths Supermarket]]. Highfields Tavern was also opened at the site in 2003. A local produce store was since built. A local butchery and fruit & veg was also established. A cafe is also present. The fruit and vegetable shop "fruice" also provides juices, smoothies, salads and sandwiches etc.

In addition to the Highfields Village shopping centre, the Plaza shopping centre was recently redeveloped. It now has a Coles supermarket, numerous banks, takeaways and a hair dresser.

Highfields is also home to a football club, Highfields FC, with teams ranging from Under 6's to Colts.

Also serving the community are a small bundle of shops found on the turn off from the New England Highway to Highfields Road, amongst them include the Highfields Bakery (Not Brumbys near Woolworths), a delicatessen located beside the Bakery, a hair dressers, a real estate agent and an auto parts shop.

== Attractions ==
The Highfields Pioneer Historical Village has an unusual collection of vintage machinery. The Historical Village also has a fully operating [[blacksmith]] shop, a Heritage [[Chapel]], an original [[Toowoomba]] 1928 [[Dennis Fire Engine]], a two cell lock up short term prison from 1903, [[Model T]] Fords, and a collection of restored antique radios and appliances.

The Danish Flower Art Centre at Highfields hosts a number of displays including a flower barn, [[Netherlands|Dutch]] furniture store and operating [[blacksmith]] workshop.

The Chocolate Cottage is located at the Village Green which sells antiques, art and other specialty items. Across the road from the Village Green is [[Jacaranda]] Manor. Within Jacaranda Manor is a coffee shop, fudge factory and bead store.

[[Davidson Arboretum]] which includes [[Araucaria bidwillii]] (Bunya pine)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.crowsnest.info/dmdocuments/D_treelist.pdf | title=Davidson arboretum}}</ref>

== Recreation ==
The Cultural Centre is a large venue for conferences and performances. Also located at the Centre is an outdoor public swimming complex with a large indoor arena holding two volleyball and basketball courts and a gym. Just outside of this is the Highfields Library and on the other side is a skate park.

== References ==
{{reflist}}
* [http://www.highfieldsss.eq.edu.au/ Highfields State School]
* [http://www.highfieldsvillage.com.au/index.cfm Highfields Village]
* [http://users.tpg.com.au/wagnerbe/hpv/index.html Highfields Pioneer Village]

[[Category:Towns in Queensland]]
[[Category:Towns in the Darling Downs]]

{{Queensland-geo-stub}}

Main-Range-Nationalpark

2008-10-24T07:28:28Z

Foolestroupe: /* See also */ link to orphaned article

{{Infobox_protected_area_of_Australia | name = Main Range National Park
| iucn_category = II
| image = Australia_Locator_Map.svg
| caption =
| locator_x = 269
| locator_y = 125
| nearest_town_or_city = [[Warwick, Queensland|Warwick]]
| coordinates = {{coord|27|48|57|S|152|15|56|E|type:landmark_region:AU}}
| area = 184.0 km²
| established = 1965
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| managing_authorities = Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
| official_site = [http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/projects/park/index.cgi?parkid=94 Main Range National Park]
}}
[[Image:Queen Mary Falls.jpg|thumb|160 px|left|[[Queen Mary Falls]]]]
'''Main Range''' is a [[mountain range]] and a [[national park]] in [[Queensland]] ([[Australia]]), 85 km southwest of [[Brisbane]]. It is part of the [[World Heritage]] site [[Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves]]. It protects the western part of a semi-circle of mountains in [[South East Queensland]] known as the [[Scenic Rim]]. This includes the largest area of rainforest in South East Queensland.<ref name="heritage"> Queensland Environmental Protection Agency (2000). '' Heritage Trails of the Great South East'' p 34. ISBN 9780834510082</ref>

The park extends from [[Kangaroo Mountain]] south to [[Wilson's Peak]] on the [[New South Wales]] border <ref name="discover">{{cite book |title=Discover Australia's National Parks |last=Hema Maps |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1997 |publisher=[[Random House]] Australia |location=[[Milsons Point, New South Wales]] |isbn=1975992472 |pages=186 }}</ref> and includes [[Mount Superbus]] (1375 m), [[South East Queensland]]’s highest peak.

[[Bare Rock]], [[Mount Cordeaux]], [[Cunningham's Gap]], [[Mount Mitchell (Australia)|Mount Mitchell]], [[Spicer's Gap]], [[Spicers Peak]], [[Mount Huntley]], [[Mount Asplenium]], [[Mount Steamer]], [[The Steamer Range]], [[Lizard Point, Queensland|Lizard Point]], [[Mount Roberts (Queensland)|Mount Roberts]], [[Mount Mistake]] and Mount Superbus all lie within the Main Range National Park. In total there are more than 40 peaks higher than 1000 m.<ref name = "heritage"/>
[[Image:LakeMoogerah.jpg|thumb|right|The forested slopes of Main Range to the south of [[Lake Moogerah]].]]
There are [[bushwalking|walking]] tracks, [[camping]] areas and [[picnic]] facilities at a number of places such as Spicers Gap, Cunningham's Gap and [[Queen Mary Falls]].

==Flora and Fauna==
The steeper slopes have avoided any [[land clearing in Australia|land clearing]], acting a refuge for wildlife in the region.<ref name="discover"> </ref> The most predominant vegetation types on the range is [[sub-tropical]] [[rainforest]] and dry [[sclerophyll]] forest.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rankin |first=Robert |year=1992 |title=Secrets of the Scenic Rim |page=18 |publisher=Rankin Publishers |isbn=0-9592418-3-3}}</ref>. The park’s forests and montane heath provide habitat for many animals, including the [[Eastern Bristlebird]], [[Coxen’s Fig Parrot]], [[Black-breasted Buttonquail]], all of which are threatened by extinction. The vulnerable and rare [[Red Goshawk]] may also be seen.

The [[Giant Barred Frog]], [[Fleay's Barred Frog]], [[Tiger Quoll|Spotted-tailed quoll]] and the [[Hastings River Mouse]] are listed as endangered species, once more commonly found in the Goomburra section of the park.<ref>Environmental Protection Agency. Wildlife Online Extract:Species List. Retrieved on 2 April 2006.</ref>

==History==
[[Spicer's Gap]] is believed to be a traditional pathway for [[Indigenous Australians]] travelling between the inland and the coast.
[[Image:Mount_Mitchell1.jpg|thumb|right|Near [[Cunningham's Gap]], [[Mount Mitchell (Queensland)|Mount Mitchell]] rises to an elevation of 1168 m.]]
In 1828, [[Allan Cunningham (botanist)|Allan Cunningham]] 'officially' discovered the route through the mountains now called [[Cunningham's Gap]], however it can be easily seen from Brisbane. [[Stockman]] [[Henry Alphen]] discovered Spicer's Gap in 1847. The Spicer's Gap Road, used to carry supplies to and from the [[Darling Downs]], is the best remaining example of sophisticated 19th century engineering in Queensland.

In 1840, Ernst Dalrymple settled in the Goomburra Valley. Dalrymple Creek was named after this early settler.

By 1847 a new road, through [[Spicer's Gap]] was opening areas for settlers.

In 1909 the areas surrounding Cunningham's Gap were declared a national park.<ref name="heritage"> </ref>

In 1994 the UNESCO World Heritage Committee extended the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves of Australia to include Goomburra Forest Reserve within Main Range National Park.

==See also==
{{portal|Queensland}}
* [[Border Ranges National Park]]
* [[Bunya Mountains National Park]]
* [[McPherson Range]]
* [[Protected areas of Queensland (Australia)|Protected areas of Queensland]]
* [[Spicers Gap Road Conservation Park]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/projects/park/index.cgi?noback=1&parkid=43 Queen Mary Falls at Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service]

[[Category:National parks of Queensland]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Queensland]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Australia]]

[[es:Parque Nacional Montañas Principales]]
[[fr:Parc national du Main Range]]

Darling Downs

2008-10-24T06:55:48Z

Foolestroupe: /* Attractions */ Typo, link

{{refimprove|date=April 2008}}
{{Infobox Australian Place | type = region
| name = Darling Downs
| state = Queensland
| image = Sunflower crop on the Darling Downs, Queensland.jpg
| caption = Fields of crops cover the open plains of the Darling Downs.
| pop = 218 826 '''(2004)'''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/320Population/People12000-2004?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=320&issue=2000-2004&num=&view= |title=National Regional Profile : Darling Downs |accessdate=2008-04-21 |format= |work=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] }}</ref>
| area = 15200
| est = 1840
| logo =
| url =
| stategov = [[Electoral district of Southern Downs]]
| fedgov = [[Division of Maranoa]]
| lga =
| lga2 =
| lga3 =
| lga4 =
}}

{{otheruses4|the region of Queensland, Australia|the suburb of Perth, Australia|Darling Downs, Western Australia}}

The '''Darling Downs''' is a [[farm]]ing region on the western slopes of the [[Great Dividing Range]] in southern [[Queensland]], [[Australia]]. The downs are to the west of [[South East Queensland]] and are one of eleven major [[regions of Queensland]].

The region was named after the then Governor of New South Wales, [[Ralph Darling]] by [[Allan Cunningham (botanist)|Allan Cunningham]], an early Australian explorer.<ref>[http://www.mainroads.qld.gov.au/MRWEB/prod/CONTENT.NSF/0/6ddb277983000ee04a257170000299a7/$FILE/Naming%20the%20Highways.pdf Naming the Highways] - Cunningham Highway No. 17. p. 2. Accessed on 20 August 2007.</ref>

The [[landscape]] is dominated by rolling hills covered by pastures of many different [[vegetable]]s, [[legume]]s and other crops including [[cotton]], [[wheat]], [[barley]] and [[sorghum]]. Between the farmlands there are long stretches of crisscrossing roads, bushy ridges, winding creeks and many herds of cattle. There are farms with [[beef cattle|beef]] and [[dairy cattle]], [[pig]]s, [[sheep]] and [[domestic sheep|lamb]] stock. Other typical sights include [[irrigation]] systems, windmills serving as [[bore]] pumps to get water from the [[Great Artesian Basin]], light planes [[Crop (agriculture)|crop]]-dusting, rusty old [[woolshed]]s and other scattered remnants from a bygone era of early exploration and settlement.

==Geography==
[[Image:Toowoombacbd1.jpg|thumb|right|The central business district of the region's largest city, [[Toowoomba, Queensland|Toowoomba]]]]
The principal town is [[Toowoomba, Queensland|Toowoomba]] about 132 km west of [[Brisbane]].{{fact|date=April 2008}} Other towns situated on what is now called the Downs include [[Dalby, Queensland|Dalby]], [[Warwick, Queensland|Warwick]], [[Roma, Queensland|Roma]], [[Oakey, Queensland|Oakey]], [[Mitchell, Queensland|Mitchell]], [[Pittsworth, Queensland|Pittsworth]], [[Allora, Queensland|Allora]], [[Clifton, Queensland|Clifton]], [[Cecil Plains, Queensland|Cecil Plains]], [[Drayton, Queensland|Drayton]], [[Millmerran, Queensland|Millmerran]], [[Nobby, Queensland|Nobby]], and [[Chinchilla, Queensland|Chinchilla]] in the west.
[[Image:Main street Nobby.jpg|thumb|A wide street in the small town of [[Nobby, Queensland|Nobby]].]]
It is in the drainage basin of the [[Condamine River]] and [[Maranoa River]] and tributaries. On the northern boundaries of the Downs are the [[Bunya Mountains]] and the [[Bunya Mountains National Park]]. The region to the north is the [[South Burnett]] and the [[Maranoa, Queensland|Maranoa]] lies to the west. A section of the western downs lies over coal deposits of the [[Surat Basin]]. Towards the coast, the mountains of the [[Scenic Rim]] form the headwaters of the westward flowing Condamine.

===Southern Downs===
Part of the Darling Downs, which includes the towns of Allora, Clifton, Warwick, Killarney and the rocky district in the south known as the [[Granite Belt]], is known as the '''Southern Downs'''. The Southern Downs is classed as a region of the [[Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia]]. The phrase is also used to define political boundaries and in the promotion of tourism in the area. The [[Dumaresq River|Dumaresq]] and the [[MacIntyre River|MacIntyre]] are found in this part of the region.

==Pre-History==
Originally the Darling Downs was covered with a wealth of indigenous [[grasses]], this created an ideal vendure for stock eight months of the year. The Darling Downs Aborigines had an annual burning season at the time when the indigenous grasses were ripe and dry. The annual fires gave the local Aborigines of the Darling Downs a name "Goonneeburra" or "Fire Blacks" - "goonnee" being a name for fire and "burra" a generic word for the whole race. This is what the Downs tribes were known as to the coast blacks who inhabited the [[Moreton Bay]] area. [[Murri (people)|Murri]] is wider spread genic word meaning the whole race but in the Kamabroi dialect. The Downs tribes spoke one common dialect, called Waccah and so to all other surrounding tribes were known as the Wacca-burra. The Goonnee-burra were once situated where Warwick stands today.

== History ==
[[Image:Windmill on the Darling Downs, Queensland.jpg|thumb|Windmill on the Darling Downs, Queensland]]
[[Cunningham's Gap]] and the Darling Downs were first explored by Allan Cunningham (botanist)and [[Charles Fraser (botanist)|Charles Fraser]] in 1827. Cunningham returned in 1828 to further research the area and try to find a way through to the coast which was still off limits being a penal colony. Cunningham climbed to the top of Mount Dumareque (near what is now [[Maryvale, Queensland|Maryvale]]) and after wrote in his diary that this lush area was ideal for settlement. The original Darling Downs as quoted by Allan Cunningham was named after Governor Darling and stretched for 100 miles or as far as the eye could see from Mt Dumaresque. [[Ludwig Leichhardt]] in 1844 saw the remains of a camp showing the signs of white men through ridge polls and steel axes.

News of the lush pastures quickly spread resulting in a land grab that authorities in the distant New South Wales colony found difficult to stop.<ref name="qldhistory">{{cite book |title=A History of Queensland |last=Evans |first=Raymond |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2007 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Port Melbourne, Victoria |isbn=9780521876926 |pages=51-52 }}</ref> [[Patrick Leslie]] was the first person to settle on the Darling Downs in 1840, establishing a [[sheep]] property at [[Canning Downs]] on the [[Condamine River]] in 1846. Other well-established residences on the southern downs include Glengallan Homestead, Talgai Homestead, Pringle Cottage and Rosenthal Homestead.

In 1854 [[Charles Douglas Eastaughffe]] settled in the area. [[Spicer's Gap]] Road opened up the area in the 1850's. Later the expansion of [[Queensland Rail]]'s train networks and [[Cobb and Co]]'s [[stagecoach]] transport greatly assisted access to the region. [[Gold]] was found in the district around this time, however it was agricultural activity that provided for the boom times ahead.
[[Image:Fences on the Darling Downs, Queensland.jpg|thumb|Fences on the Darling Downs, Queensland]]
The [[1891 Australian shearers' strike]] started at [[Jondaryan, Queensland|Jondaryan]].

The Darling Downs experienced a [[water crisis]] as the Condamine River dried up during the severe drought of 1994/1995.<ref name="multiplewater">Collie, Gordon. ''Water crisis threatens towns. [[The Courier Mail]]'' p. 3. 3 June 1995.</ref>

==Development==
The [[New England Highway]], [[Gore Highway]] and the [[Warrego Highway]] traverse the region. The [[Leslie Dam]], [[Storm King Dam]] and the [[Glenlyon Dam]] are some of the major water storage facilities in the area.

The [[Queensland Gas Pipeline]] oil pipeline and the [[Roma to Brisbane Pipeline]], Australia's first natural gas pipeline both cross the region from west to east. There are a few [[coal mine]]s and a number of power stations situated on the Downs, including the [[Milmerran Power Station, Queensland|Milmerran Power Station]], [[Oakey Power Station, Queensland|Oakey Power Station]] and the [[Kogan Creek Power Station, Queensland|Kogan Creek Power Station]].

Before European settlement many areas on the Darling Downs were fertile [[wilderness]]. For example around Ma Ma Creek, rich [[swamp]]y wetlands provided a haven for many animal species not currently found on the downs. The [[Hopping mouse]] and [[Paradise Parrot]] have both become extinct since cattle farming begun.

The [[Dingo Fence]] starts at the town of [[Jimbour, Queensland|Jimbour]] across the country to the [[Great Australian Bight]].

== Attractions ==
The region is popular with tourists because of its many natural and heritage attractions, including the Goomburra State Forest, [[Cunningham's Gap]], [[Spicer's Gap]] and the [[Queen Mary Falls]] near [[Killarney, Queensland|Killarney]] in the [[Main Range National Park]].
[[Image:BunyaMtns-SW.jpg|thumb|440 px|Darling Downs viewed from the [[Bunya Mountains]].]]
The town of [[Jandowae, Queensland|Jandowae]] gained fame after offering vacant block of land for just $1. This was done to encourage resident to settle in the small town with less than 1000 people in 2001.

The [[Cobb & Co Museum]] has displays of horse drawn vehicles and material on the history of the Darling Downs. The region has also a small zoo, [[Darling Downs Zoo]] near Clifton.

The region has uncovered important [[megafauna]] fossil finds.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/fossils/ |title=Australia's fossil past |accessdate=2008-06-23 |format= |work= }}</ref> The rich discoveries have lent weight to the theory that humans were not a factor in the extinction of the ancient megafauna species.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200505/s1379450.htm |title=Study clears humans over megafauna extinction |date=2005-05-30 |accessdate=2008-06-24 |format= |work=ABC News }}</ref>

==In fiction==
[[Steele Rudd]] (Arthur Davis) wrote a series of comic novels on rural life, starting with ''[[On Our Selection]]'' ([[1899]]), about Dad, Mother and Dave Rudd of Snake Gully. The Rudds had four (or six) acres adjoining a sheep run in Darling Downs. They were made into films and a radio series.

== References ==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{portal|Queensland}}
* [http://www.qldsoutherndowns.org.au Southern Darling Downs]
* [http://www.toowoomba.org Everything Toowoomba]

[[Category:Regions of Queensland]]
[[fr:Darling Downs]]

Darling Downs

2008-10-19T06:20:53Z

Foolestroupe: refimprove moved to top of page

{{refimprove|date=April 2008}}
{{Infobox Australian Place | type = region
| name = Darling Downs
| state = Queensland
| image = Sunflower crop on the Darling Downs, Queensland.jpg
| caption = Fields of crops cover the open plains of the Darling Downs.
| pop = 218 826 '''(2004)'''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/320Population/People12000-2004?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=320&issue=2000-2004&num=&view= |title=National Regional Profile : Darling Downs |accessdate=2008-04-21 |format= |work=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] }}</ref>
| area = 15200
| est = 1840
| logo =
| url =
| stategov = [[Electoral district of Southern Downs]]
| fedgov = [[Division of Maranoa]]
| lga =
| lga2 =
| lga3 =
| lga4 =
}}

{{otheruses4|the region of Queensland, Australia|the suburb of Perth, Australia|Darling Downs, Western Australia}}

The '''Darling Downs''' is a [[farm]]ing region on the western slopes of the [[Great Dividing Range]] in southern [[Queensland]], [[Australia]]. The downs are to the west of [[South East Queensland]] and are one of eleven major [[regions of Queensland]].

The region was named after the then Governor of New South Wales, [[Ralph Darling]] by [[Allan Cunningham (botanist)|Allan Cunningham]], an early Australian explorer.<ref>[http://www.mainroads.qld.gov.au/MRWEB/prod/CONTENT.NSF/0/6ddb277983000ee04a257170000299a7/$FILE/Naming%20the%20Highways.pdf Naming the Highways] - Cunningham Highway No. 17. p. 2. Accessed on 20 August 2007.</ref>

The [[landscape]] is dominated by rolling hills covered by pastures of many different [[vegetable]]s, [[legume]]s and other crops including [[cotton]], [[wheat]], [[barley]] and [[sorghum]]. Between the farmlands there are long stretches of crisscrossing roads, bushy ridges, winding creeks and many herds of cattle. There are farms with [[beef cattle|beef]] and [[dairy cattle]], [[pig]]s, [[sheep]] and [[domestic sheep|lamb]] stock. Other typical sights include [[irrigation]] systems, windmills serving as [[bore]] pumps to get water from the [[Great Artesian Basin]], light planes [[Crop (agriculture)|crop]]-dusting, rusty old [[woolshed]]s and other scattered remnants from a bygone era of early exploration and settlement.

==Geography==
[[Image:Toowoombacbd1.jpg|thumb|right|The central business district of the region's largest city, [[Toowoomba, Queensland|Toowoomba]]]]
The principal town is [[Toowoomba, Queensland|Toowoomba]] about 132 km west of [[Brisbane]].{{fact|date=April 2008}} Other towns situated on what is now called the Downs include [[Dalby, Queensland|Dalby]], [[Warwick, Queensland|Warwick]], [[Roma, Queensland|Roma]], [[Oakey, Queensland|Oakey]], [[Mitchell, Queensland|Mitchell]], [[Pittsworth, Queensland|Pittsworth]], [[Allora, Queensland|Allora]], [[Clifton, Queensland|Clifton]], [[Cecil Plains, Queensland|Cecil Plains]], [[Drayton, Queensland|Drayton]], [[Millmerran, Queensland|Millmerran]], [[Nobby, Queensland|Nobby]], and [[Chinchilla, Queensland|Chinchilla]] in the west.
[[Image:Main street Nobby.jpg|thumb|A wide street in the small town of [[Nobby, Queensland|Nobby]].]]
It is in the drainage basin of the [[Condamine River]] and [[Maranoa River]] and tributaries. On the northern boundaries of the Downs are the [[Bunya Mountains]] and the [[Bunya Mountains National Park]]. The region to the north is the [[South Burnett]] and the [[Maranoa, Queensland|Maranoa]] lies to the west. A section of the western downs lies over coal deposits of the [[Surat Basin]]. Towards the coast, the mountains of the [[Scenic Rim]] form the headwaters of the westward flowing Condamine.

===Southern Downs===
Part of the Darling Downs, which includes the towns of Allora, Clifton, Warwick, Killarney and the rocky district in the south known as the [[Granite Belt]], is known as the '''Southern Downs'''. The Southern Downs is classed as a region of the [[Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia]]. The phrase is also used to define political boundaries and in the promotion of tourism in the area. The [[Dumaresq River|Dumaresq]] and the [[MacIntyre River|MacIntyre]] are found in this part of the region.

==Pre-History==
Originally the Darling Downs was covered with a wealth of indigenous [[grasses]], this created an ideal vendure for stock eight months of the year. The Darling Downs Aborigines had an annual burning season at the time when the indigenous grasses were ripe and dry. The annual fires gave the local Aborigines of the Darling Downs a name "Goonneeburra" or "Fire Blacks" - "goonnee" being a name for fire and "burra" a generic word for the whole race. This is what the Downs tribes were known as to the coast blacks who inhabited the [[Moreton Bay]] area. [[Murri (people)|Murri]] is wider spread genic word meaning the whole race but in the Kamabroi dialect. The Downs tribes spoke one common dialect, called Waccah and so to all other surrounding tribes were known as the Wacca-burra. The Goonnee-burra were once situated where Warwick stands today.

== History ==
[[Image:Windmill on the Darling Downs, Queensland.jpg|thumb|Windmill on the Darling Downs, Queensland]]
[[Cunningham's Gap]] and the Darling Downs were first explored by Allan Cunningham (botanist)and [[Charles Fraser (botanist)|Charles Fraser]] in 1827. Cunningham returned in 1828 to further research the area and try to find a way through to the coast which was still off limits being a penal colony. Cunningham climbed to the top of Mount Dumareque (near what is now [[Maryvale, Queensland|Maryvale]]) and after wrote in his diary that this lush area was ideal for settlement. The original Darling Downs as quoted by Allan Cunningham was named after Governor Darling and stretched for 100 miles or as far as the eye could see from Mt Dumaresque. [[Ludwig Leichhardt]] in 1844 saw the remains of a camp showing the signs of white men through ridge polls and steel axes.

News of the lush pastures quickly spread resulting in a land grab that authorities in the distant New South Wales colony found difficult to stop.<ref name="qldhistory">{{cite book |title=A History of Queensland |last=Evans |first=Raymond |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2007 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Port Melbourne, Victoria |isbn=9780521876926 |pages=51-52 }}</ref> [[Patrick Leslie]] was the first person to settle on the Darling Downs in 1840, establishing a [[sheep]] property at [[Canning Downs]] on the [[Condamine River]] in 1846. Other well-established residences on the southern downs include Glengallan Homestead, Talgai Homestead, Pringle Cottage and Rosenthal Homestead.

In 1854 [[Charles Douglas Eastaughffe]] settled in the area. [[Spicer's Gap]] Road opened up the area in the 1850's. Later the expansion of [[Queensland Rail]]'s train networks and [[Cobb and Co]]'s [[stagecoach]] transport greatly assisted access to the region. [[Gold]] was found in the district around this time, however it was agricultural activity that provided for the boom times ahead.
[[Image:Fences on the Darling Downs, Queensland.jpg|thumb|Fences on the Darling Downs, Queensland]]
The [[1891 Australian shearers' strike]] started at [[Jondaryan, Queensland|Jondaryan]].

The Darling Downs experienced a [[water crisis]] as the Condamine River dried up during the severe drought of 1994/1995.<ref name="multiplewater">Collie, Gordon. ''Water crisis threatens towns. [[The Courier Mail]]'' p. 3. 3 June 1995.</ref>

==Development==
The [[New England Highway]], [[Gore Highway]] and the [[Warrego Highway]] traverse the region. The [[Leslie Dam]], [[Storm King Dam]] and the [[Glenlyon Dam]] are some of the major water storage facilities in the area.

The [[Queensland Gas Pipeline]] oil pipeline and the [[Roma to Brisbane Pipeline]], Australia's first natural gas pipeline both cross the region from west to east. There are a few [[coal mine]]s and a number of power stations situated on the Downs, including the [[Milmerran Power Station, Queensland|Milmerran Power Station]], [[Oakey Power Station, Queensland|Oakey Power Station]] and the [[Kogan Creek Power Station, Queensland|Kogan Creek Power Station]].

Before European settlement many areas on the Darling Downs were fertile [[wilderness]]. For example around Ma Ma Creek, rich [[swamp]]y wetlands provided a haven for many animal species not currently found on the downs. The [[Hopping mouse]] and [[Paradise Parrot]] have both become extinct since cattle farming begun.

The [[Dingo Fence]] starts at the town of [[Jimbour, Queensland|Jimbour]] across the country to the [[Great Australian Bight]].

== Attractions ==
The region is popular with tourists because of its many natural and heritage attractions, including the Goomburra State Forest, [[Cunningham's Gap]], [[Spicer's Gap]] and the Queen Mary Falls near [[Killarney, Queensland|Killarney]] in the [[Main Range National Park]].
[[Image:BunyaMtns-SW.jpg|thumb|440 px|Darling Downs viewed from the [[Bunya Mountains]].]]
The town of [[Jandowae, Queensland|Jandowae]] gained fame after offering vacant block of land for just $1. This was down to encourage resident to settle in the small town with less than 1000 people in 2001.

The [[Cobb & Co Museum]] has displays of horse drawn vehicles and material on the history of the Darling Downs. The region has also a small zoo, [[Darling Downs Zoo]] near Clifton.

The region has uncovered important [[megafauna]] fossil finds.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/fossils/ |title=Australia's fossil past |accessdate=2008-06-23 |format= |work= }}</ref> The rich discoveries have lent weight to the theory that humans were not a factor in the extinction of the ancient megafauna species.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200505/s1379450.htm |title=Study clears humans over megafauna extinction |date=2005-05-30 |accessdate=2008-06-24 |format= |work=ABC News }}</ref>

==In fiction==
[[Steele Rudd]] (Arthur Davis) wrote a series of comic novels on rural life, starting with ''[[On Our Selection]]'' ([[1899]]), about Dad, Mother and Dave Rudd of Snake Gully. The Rudds had four (or six) acres adjoining a sheep run in Darling Downs. They were made into films and a radio series.

== References ==
<references/>

== External links ==
{{portal|Queensland}}
* [http://www.qldsoutherndowns.org.au Southern Darling Downs]
* [http://www.toowoomba.org Everything Toowoomba]

[[Category:Regions of Queensland]]
[[fr:Darling Downs]]