The University of Queensland (UQ) is a public university located in state of Queensland of Australia. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest and largest university in Queensland and the fifth oldest in Australia^[1]. The main campus is located in the suburb of St Lucia, southwest of the Brisbane City Central Business District, with other major campuses in Gatton, Ipswich and Herston with a number of other satellite facilities. The University of Queensland is a member of the Australia's Group of Eight, and the international research-intensive universities network Universitas 21. UQ is colloquially known as a "sandstone university" and is ranked among the top universities in Australia and the top 1 percent in the world.^[2][3][4]

History[link]

Construction of the Forgan Smith Building began in 1938

Queensland portal

Beginnings[link]

The University of Queensland (UQ) was established on 10 December 1909 by the Queensland Parliament to mark the 50th anniversary of Queensland’s independence from New South Wales. The University's first classes in the Government house were held in 1911 with 83 commencing students and Sir William MacGregor is the first chancellor (with Reginald Heber Roe as vice-chancellor). The development of the University was delayed by World War I, but after the first world war the university enrollments for education and research took flight as demand for higher education increased in Australia. Thus, in the early 1920s the growing University had to look for a more spacious campus as its original site at George Street, Brisbane has limited room for expansion.^[1]

Expansion and growth[link]

See also: The Mayne Inheritance^[5]

In 1927, Dr James O’Neil Mayne and his sister Mary Emelia Mayne, provided a grant of approximately £50,000 to the Brisbane City Council to acquire 274 acres (111 ha) of land at St Lucia and provided it to the University of Queensland as its permanent home. Lack of finance delayed development of the St Lucia campus. Hence, the construction of the University's first building in St Lucia only began in 1938. It was later named the Forgan Smith Building, after the Premier of the day and it was completed in 1939. During World War II, the Forgan Smith Building was used as a military base and it served first as advanced headquarters for the Allied Land Forces in the South West Pacific.^[1]

In 1990, Australia reorganized its higher education system by abolishing the binary system of universities and colleges of advanced education. Under this transition, the University merged with Queensland Agricultural College, to establish the new UQ Gatton campus. In 1999, UQ Ipswich began operation as one of the completely Web-enabled campuses in Australia.^[1][6]

Academics[link]

Research[link]

The Commonwealth Government's Excellence in Research for Australia 2010 National Report presents a comprehensive assessment of the research quality and research activity in Australia’s higher education institutions. Notable results were UQ being one of the nation's top two universities, measured on a combination of research quality and breadth; UQ research is above world standard in more broad fields than at any other Australian university (in 21 broad fields); more UQ researchers are working in research fields that ERA has assessed as above world standard than at any other Australian university; UQ research in biomedical and clinical health sciences, technology, engineering, biological sciences, chemical sciences, environmental sciences, and physical sciences was ranked well above world standard (rating 5).^[7] In 2009, the Australian Cancer Research Foundation reported that UQ have taken the lead in numerous areas of cancer research, having awarded almost $10 million in grants over a three year period.^[8]

Research institutes[link]

The University of Queensland maintains a number of major research institutes and centres based on national, state, university, faculty and school levels.^[9] With the support from the Queensland Government, the Australian Government and major donor The Atlantic Philanthropies, the University of Queensland has developed eight major research institutes:

• Institute for Molecular Bioscience (within the Queensland Bioscience Precinct which also houses scientists from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation ^[10]
• The Diamantina Institute for Cancer, Immunology and Metabolic Medicine
• Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
• Institute for Social Science Research
• Sustainable Mineral Institute
• Global Change Institute
• Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation
• Queensland Brain Institute

Rankings[link]

The University of Queensland consistently ranks in the top 1 percent of world university rankings^[7].

Campus[link]

The University of Queensland maintains a number of campuses and facilities throughout Queensland.^[16][17] UQ has its main campus in the suburb of St Lucia in Brisbane. Its other campuses include Ipswich, Gatton, Herston, and Turbot Street.

St Lucia campus[link]

In 1927, the land on which the St Lucia campus is built was resumed by the Brisbane City Council using money donated by James O'Neil Mayne and his sister Mary Emelia Mayne to replace the less spacious city campus. The city campus is now home to the Gardens Point campus of the Queensland University of Technology. Construction of the new university began at St Lucia in 1937.^[5]

At its centre is the heritage-listed Great Court — a 2.5 hectares (6.2 acres) open area surrounded by sandstone buildings with grotesques of great academics and historic scenes, floral and faunal motifs and crests of universities and colleges from around the world.^[5] This central semi-circular quadrangle features a connected arcade so students could reach any section under cover. The 274 acres (111 ha) also includes sporting fields, gardens, duckponds, and cycling tracks.

The university is served by a CityCat wharf, two bus stations and is also served by the Eleanor Schonell Bridge providing pedestrian and bus access across the river to Dutton Park. 2009 saw the opening of the $2.5 million Advanced Concepts Teaching Space (ACTS) lecture theatre which enable students to use mobile technology to aid classroom learning.^[18]

• 

  Panoramic image of Forgan Smith, Michie, Biology Library and Mayne Hall Buildings

• 

  Panoramic image of UQ Lake viewed toward the South-East

• 

  Panoramic image of UQ Lake viewed toward the South-West

• 

  The Forgan Smith Building and the Great Court

• 

  The University of Queensland Great Court

• 

  UQ Steele Building and The Great Court.

• 

  Panoramic image of the playing field to the North-East of the UQ Lakes bus station, viewed towards the North

Theatres and Museums[link]

The University of Queensland Art Museum is located in the James and Mary Emelia Mayne Centre on the St Lucia campus. The Art Museum was established in the Forgan Smith Tower in 1976 to house the artworks collected by The University of Queensland since the 1940s, relocating to its present site in 2004. Today, with more than 3,000 artworks, the University’s Art Collection is Queensland's second largest public art collection.^[19]

The University of Queensland Club provides licenced facilities for members and their guests, and offers honorary membership to visiting Australian and overseas academics. Services include function rooms and catering for events ranging from weddings to seminars and conferences. Catering for events elsewhere is also available.^[20]

Gatton campus[link]

The UQ Gatton Campus is a 1068-hectare campus which is located in Gatton, Queensland about 90 km west of Brisbane on the Warrego Highway. The campus was opened in 1897 next to the site of the Queensland Agricultural College which was then amalgamated with UQ in 1990.^[1] UQ Gatton is the core campus for research, learning and teaching activities and facilities in agriculture, animals, veterinary science and the environment.^[21]

Ipswich campus[link]

The Ipswich campus, opened in 1999, after State and Federal government backing is the newest campus, made up of nearly 20 buildings and more than 5001 students on nearly 25 hectares (62 acres)^[22] Courses offered include: arts, business, medicine and social sciences as well as Interaction design. It is located near central Ipswich, Queensland, just south of the CBD. Nearby landmarks include Limestone Park, The Workshops Railway Museum and RAAF Base Amberley.

The site dates back to 1878 with the opening of the Ipswich branch of the Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum. Operations continued until 1910 when it became the Ipswich Hospital for the Insane.^[22] In 1938 it was renamed the Ipswich Mental Hospital and in 1964 it was renamed again as the Ipswich Special Hospital. It was finally named the Challinor Centre in 1968 in honour of Dr. Henry Challinor, the ships surgeon on the Fortitude. From 1968 to 1997 the Challinor Centre served as an institution for people with intellectual disabilities. In late 1997 the Challinor Centre began its first stage of transformation as the new UQ Ipswich campus.^[22]

Herston campus[link]

The UQ Herston campus is the home of the UQ Mayne Medical School and is the core campus for clinical health teaching and research. The campus is situated in Herston and operates within Queensland Health system of the Royal Brisbane Hospital, Royal Children's Hospital, Royal Women's Hospital and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research. It is home to the School of Medicine, the School of Population Health, the Herston Health Sciences Library, the Centre for Clinical Research and clinical research and learning activities of the School of Nursing and Midwifery.^{[23][24][25][26]}

Satellite facilities[link]

Helicopter view of Heron Island Research Station

There are other research and education facilities not attached directly to the three campuses. These locations are primarily for research which cannot be undertaken in the campus locales but also represent buildings which established pre-eminence in education before the creation of the current campuses.

• Turbot Street — Turbot Street is University of Queensland Dental School and associated disciplines campus. It comprises the Hospital Building, the Clinical Building and the Pre-clinical Building at the junction of Turbot Street and Albert Street and next to the Old Windmill in the Brisbane central business district. The campus also houses the Dentistry Library, the Dentistry Learning Centre, the Biomaterials Laboratory and the Orthodontics Laboratory. It operates within the Brisbane Dental Hospital of the Queensland Health North Brisbane Oral Health Services and also draws on the Faculty of Health Science resources and support of the St Lucia campus.^[27]

• Queen Street — Queen Street, Brisbane is the location of the Customs House and the Business School Downtown Venue. Customs House is one of Brisbane's heritage icons and is located on the river along Queen Street in the Brisbane central business district. It is owned and operated by The University of Queensland as a cultural, educational and heritage facility.^[28] The UQ Business School Downtown is an inner-city corporate education, meeting and dining venue and facility which is situated on Level 19 of Central Plaza One in the Brisbane central business district.

• Indooroopilly — Indooroopilly is the site of the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre and the Queensland University Regiment Logistics Company. The Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre of the Sustainable Minerals Institute is situated at the former silver and lead mine situated at Finney's Hill in Indooroopilly. It was acquired by the University in 1951 by the School of Mining Engineering. The Centre was officially established as a University Centre and Experimental Mine in 1970, with a goal to develop practical technical solutions for large-scale mining and minerals industry challenges.^[29] The Queensland University Regiment Logistics Company is housed in the Witton Barracks, Indooroopilly.

• Pinjarra Hills - the Pinjarra Hills Research Station, the Veterinary Science Farm and the Pinjarra Aquatic Research Station are located in Pinjarra Hills, Brisbane. The Aquatic Research Station investigates aquaculture and inland ecology.^[30]

• Heron Island — the Heron Island Research Station is situated on Heron Island, 72 km north-east of Gladstone. Its primary use is for coral reef ecology research and teaching and is an integral component of the Great Barrier Reef Ocean Observations System and the national Integrated Marine Observing System. It consists of over thirty buildings situated on a two hectare lease.^[31]

• Low Isles — the Low Isles Research Station is located 15 km northeast of Port Douglas in Northern Queensland in a lagoon area of the Marine National Park Zone of the Great Barrier Reef.

• Moreton Bay — the Moreton Bay Research Station and Study Centre is located in Dunwich on North Stradbroke Island and researches the ecosystems.^[32]

• Mt Nebo — the University of Queensland operates an International Seismograph Station on Mt Nebo.

• Charters Towers — the University of Queensland operates an International Seismograph Station at Charters Towers.

• Goondiwindi — the Goondiwindi Pastoral Veterinary Centre was set up in 1965 to establish a centre for teaching and research in veterinary practice and is located at Goondiwindi 360 km west of Brisbane on the Queensland/NSW border.^[33]

• Dayboro — the Dayboro Veterinary Surgery was bought by the University in 1987 as a teaching clinic for fifth year veterinary students in their dairy cattle medicine rotation. Later, separate brick accommodation was built for student accommodation. Research projects into practical aspects of dairy production are frequently carried out by clinic staff. There is a full range of veterinary services and pet care for dogs, cats, horses, cows, alpacas, goats in fact all small and large animals.

Organisation[link]

The University of Queensland is organised into a number of divisions for academic, administrative and logistical purposes.^[34]

Governance[link]

The Senate is the governing body of the University of Queensland and consists of 22 members from the university and community. The Senate is led by the Chancellor and Deputy Chancellor, elected by the Senate. The University of Queensland Act 1998 grants Senate wide powers to appoint staff, manage and control University affairs and property, and manage and control finances to promote the University's interests.^[35][36]

The Vice-Chancellor is the University's chief executive officer and is appointed by and responsible to the Senate for the overall direction of strategic planning, finance and affairs of the university. The Vice-Chancellor is supported by an Executive to whom the University's organisational units report and provides advice on policy and administrative matters relating to their area of responsibility.

• Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Relations)
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International)
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
• Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Ipswich Campus)
• Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Advancement)
• Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and International)
• Executive Director (Operations) and University Secretary
• President of the Academic Board

The Academic Board is the University's senior academic advisory body. It formulates policy on academic matters including new programs, teaching, learning and assessment, research, promotions, student academic matters, prizes and scholarships. An Academic Board member is elected annually as its President. The President is assisted by a half-time Deputy President.^[37] Its members include the Vice-Chancellor's Executive, Executive Deans of Faculties, Institute Directors, Heads of Schools, Dean of the Graduate School, Directors of Central Service Units, the University Academic Registrar, the President of the UQ Student Union, and 5 Student Representatives.

Academic faculties[link]

The university has six faculties.

• Faculty of Arts
• Faculty of Business, Economics and Law
• Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Science
• Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Student organizations and activities[link]

Events and Traditions[link]

Three Minute Thesis[link]

In 2008, the university originated the Three Minute Thesis competition for students completing a higher degree by research. Three Minute Thesis is now held annually at universities across Australasia. It challenges participants to present their research in just 180 seconds, in an engaging form that can be understood by an intelligent audience with no background in the research area. This exercise develops presentation, research and academic communication skills and supports the development of research students' capacity to explain their work effectively.^[38]

Great Court Race[link]

Based on the Trinity College Great Court Run of the University of Cambridge, the University of Queensland organises an annual 636m sprint race around the UQ sandstone Great Court.^[39][40][41]

Eagle Rock[link]

Whenever the song Eagle Rock is played, it is tradition for students to drop their pants, not including underwear. Moreover, it is policy of the UQ Union and the Red Room, the university bar and pub, that no individual can be removed from it. The tradition is often attributed to a group of mining engineering students, who at the time were residents of St Johns College.^[42]

Market Day[link]

During Orientation week and the first week of each semester, Market Day is organised throughout Campbell Place and the Great Court at the St Lucia Campus. The UQ Union and clubs and societies have stalls and organises social activities.^[43]

Careers Fair[link]

The UQ Careers Fair is an annual event that brings together university students and major employers from across the country.^[44]

Residential colleges[link]

The University of Queensland has 11 residential colleges with 10 of these located on its St Lucia campus and one on its Gatton campus. The University of Queensland Intercollege Council is the organisational and representative body for the residential colleges which coordinates sporting and cultural events and competitions.

• Cromwell College is a co-ed college founded in 1950. It is affiliated with the Uniting Church and accommodates 190 students.
• Duchesne College is a women's only college founded in 1937 in Toowong, moving the university in 1959. It is affiliated with the Society of the Sacred Heart and accommodates 200 students.
• Emmanuel College is a co-educational college founded in 1911. It accommodates 350 students.
• Gatton Halls of Residence was established in 1897 and has 440 residential students, making it by far the largest and oldest college at the University.
• Grace College is a women's college founded in 1970. It accommodates 180 students.
• International House is a co-educational college for International and Australian students founded in 1965.
• King's College provides accommodation for 260 male students of the University.
• St John's College is a co-educational college founded in 1911. It is administered by the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane.
• St Leo's College is a men's college affiliated with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.
• Union College is a co-educational college named after the student union.
• Women's College is an independent college for female students.

• St John's College, University of Queensland Shield.jpg

  St John's shield

• Cromwell College, University of Queensland Shield.png

  Cromwell College shield

• Duchesne College, University of Queensland, Shield.png

  Duchesne College shield

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  Halls College Shield

• International House, University of Queensland Shield.png

  International House shield

• St Leo's College, UQ, Shield.png

  St Leo's College shield

• Union College, University of Queensland Shield.png

  Union College shield

• Women's College, University of Queensland Shield.png

  The Women's College shield

• King's College, UQ, logo.png

  King's College shield

Student services[link]

The University of Queensland maintains a number of support and student services. Each campus of St Lucia, Ipswich and Gatton have Student Centres which provide information and support services. The UQ Union is the peak student representation body that coordinates various student services and activities.

• University of Queensland Debating Society (UQDS) - the University of Queensland Debating Society is one of the oldest and most active student societies at UQ. As of 2011 UQDS is ranked 6th in the World.^[45]
• UQ Engineering Undergraduate Society
• University of Queensland Business Association
• University of Queensland Australian Football Club
• University of Queensland Rugby Club
• University of Queensland Football Club
• Queensland University Regiment
• University of Queensland Law Society
• University of Queensland Medical Society
• Semper Floreat
• University of Queensland Library is the university's library network. It consists of 15 branches.^[46]
• UQ Sport offers a wide range of sport, fitness and recreation opportunities at the St Lucia, Gatton and Ipswich campuses of The University of Queensland. Its facilities and services are open to students, staff, alumni, and the general public.^[47]

The UQ Aquatic Centre is operated by UQ Sport and consists of two pools; a 50 metre, outdoor heated pool and a small enclosed heated teaching pool. The main pool is a 50m lap pool with a minimum of three lanes dedicated to public lap swimming throughout our opening hours.^[48] The UQ Athletics Centre maintains an Olympic standard 8 lane synthetic track and grandstand able to accommodate up to 565 spectators.^[49] The UQ Sport and Fitness Centre is a multi-purpose indoor facility comprising a three level weights gym, including four Olympic lifting platforms and a power lifting area, an air-conditioned cardio studio, a RPM stationary bike cycle studio, an indoor sports pavilion, a martial arts gymnasium, a multipurpose area, and five squash courts.^[50] The UQ Tennis Centre is the largest tennis centre in both Brisbane and Queensland, it features 21 floodlit courts and a shop the centre hosts various fixtures and coaching programs for all ages and skill levels.^[51] The UQ Playing Fields and Ovals is also managed by UQ Sport, home to a total of eight oval fields at the St Lucia campus. The majority are designated for use by particular sports including cricket, rugby and soccer. These ovals are also used for recreational activities and lunchtime social sport.^[52]

Alumni[link]

The University of Queensland has produced a number of notable alumni including Nobel Laureate Peter Doherty, Oscar-winner Geoffrey Rush and current Governors-General of Australia Quentin Bryce.

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: University of Queensland

• The University of Queensland
• The University of Queensland Press
• UQ Sport
• UQ News Online

v t e The University of Queensland Academic Faculties Faculty of Arts • Faculty of Business, Economics and Law (T. C. Beirne School of Law) • Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology • Faculty of Health Sciences (Mayne Medical School) • Faculty of Science • Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences Research Institutes The Diamantina Institute for Cancer, Immunology and Metabolic Medicine • Institute for Molecular Bioscience  • Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology • Institute for Social Science Research • Sustainable Mineral Institute • Queensland Brain Institute • Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation • Global Change Institute • University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research • Queensland Institute of Medical Research Campuses and Facilities St Lucia • Gatton • Ipswich • Herston • Queensland Bioscience Precinct • Art Museum • Library • Schonell Theatre • Customs House • Residential colleges People Alumni and faculty Organisations & Culture Union • UQ Sport • Athletics Club • Rugby Club • Football Club • Debating Society • Queensland University Regiment • Academic dress • Law Society • Medical Society • Intercollege Council • Semper Floreat Publications University of Queensland Press • University of Queensland Law Journal

v t e Faculties of the University of Queensland Arts · Business, Economics and Law · Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology · Health Sciences · Science · Social and Behavioural Sciences

v t e Residential colleges of the University of Queensland University of Queensland Intercollege Council Cromwell College Duchesne College Emmanuel College Grace College International House King's College St John's College St Leo's College Union College The Women's College Gatton Halls of Residence

v t e Universities in Australia Tertiary education in Australia Australian Capital Territory Australian Defence Force Academy (UNSW accredited degrees) Australian National University University of Canberra New South Wales Charles Sturt University Macquarie University University of Newcastle University of New England University of New South Wales Southern Cross University University of Sydney University of Technology, Sydney University of Western Sydney University of Wollongong Northern Territory Charles Darwin University Queensland Bond University Central Queensland University Griffith University James Cook University University of Queensland Queensland University of Technology University of Southern Queensland University of the Sunshine Coast South Australia University of Adelaide University of South Australia Flinders University Heinz College, Australia UCL, Australia Tasmania University of Tasmania Victoria University of Ballarat Deakin University La Trobe University University of Melbourne Monash University Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Swinburne University of Technology Victoria University Western Australia Curtin University Edith Cowan University Murdoch University University of Western Australia National Australian Catholic University University of Notre Dame, Australia Education in Australia

v t e Universities in Queensland, Australia Australian Catholic University • Bond University • Central Queensland University • Griffith University • James Cook University • Queensland University of Technology • University of Queensland • University of Southern Queensland • University of the Sunshine Coast

v t e Group of Eight University of Adelaide • Australian National University • University of Melbourne • Monash University University of New South Wales • University of Queensland • University of Sydney • University of Western Australia

v t e Universitas 21 East Asia Fudan · Korea (KU) · NUS · Shanghai Jiao Tong (SJTU) · Hong Kong · Waseda South Asia Delhi Europe Lund · Dublin (UCD) · Amsterdam (UvA) · Birmingham · Edinburgh · Glasgow · Nottingham North America McGill · ITESM · British Columbia (UBC) · Connecticut · Virginia Oceania Auckland · Queensland · Melbourne · New South Wales (UNSW)

Coordinates: 27°29′54.97″S 153°0′55.87″E / 27.4986028°S 153.0155194°E / -27.4986028; 153.0155194

Queensland
Flag Coat of arms
Slogan or nickname: Sunshine State
Motto(s): Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful)
Other Australian states and territories
Capital	Brisbane
Demonym	Queenslander
Government	Constitutional monarchy
- Governor	Penelope Wensley
- Premier	Campbell Newman (LNP)
Australian State
- Established as Self-Governing Colony	6 June 1859
- Became State	1901
- Australia Act	3 March 1986
Area
- Total	1,852,642 km2 (2nd largest) 715,309 sq mi
- Land	1,730,648 km2 668,207 sq mi
- Water	121,994 km2 (6.58%) 47,102 sq mi
Population (June 2010)
- Population	4,580,700[1] (3rd)
- Density	2.61/km2 (5th) 6.8 /sq mi
Elevation
- Highest	Mount Bartle Frere +1,622 m (5,321 ft)
Gross State Product (2009–10)
- Product ($m)	$254,550[2] (3rd)
- Product per capita	$56,362 (4th)
Time zone	AEST UTC+10 does not observe DST
Federal representation
- House seats	30
- Senate seats	12
Abbreviations
- Postal	QLD
- ISO 3166-2	AU-QLD
Emblems
- Floral	Cooktown orchid (Dendrobium phalaenopsis)
- Animal	Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
- Bird	Brolga (Grus rubicunda)
- Fish	Barrier Reef Anemonefish (Amphiprion akindynos)
- Gem	Sapphire
- Colours	Maroon
Web site	www.qld.gov.au

Coordinates: 23°0′S 143°0′E / 23°S 143°E / -23; 143 Queensland is the second-largest and third-most populous state of Australia, located in the northeast of the country. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, southwest and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean. Queensland has a population of 4,580,700, concentrated along the coast and particularly in the state's South East. The state is the world's sixth largest subnational entity, with an area of 1,852,642 km2. The capital and largest city in the state is Brisbane, Australia's third largest city. Referred to as the 'Sunshine State', Queensland is home to 10 of Australia's 30 largest cities and is the nation's third largest economy.

Queensland was first occupied by Indigenous Australians and Torres Strait Islanders, who arrived at least 40,000 years ago.^[3] The first European to land in Queensland was Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon in 1607. In 1770, Lieutenant James Cook claimed the east coast of Australia for the Kingdom of Great Britain. The colony of New South Wales was founded in 1788 by Governor Arthur Phillip at Sydney; New South Wales at that time included all of what is now Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania. Queensland was explored in subsequent decades until the establishment of a penal colony at Brisbane in 1824 by John Oxley. Penal transportation ceased in 1839 and free settlement permitted in 1842. Queensland was separated from New South Wales, forming a self-governing colony, on 6 June 1859, a date now celebrated state-wide as Queensland Day. Queensland achieved statehood with the Federation of Australia on 1 January 1901.

Queensland's Governor is Penelope Wensley, and the Premier is Campbell Newman of the Liberal National Party.

Etymology[link]

The state was named in honour of Queen Victoria,^[4] who on 6 June 1859 signed Letters Patent separating the colony from New South Wales. Queen Victoria, who went on to become Britain's longest reigning monarch, chose an eponymous name for the colony over Cooksland, which had been suggested by the influential local Presbyterian minister John Dunmore Lang in honour of navigator James Cook.^[5][6]

History[link]

The history of Queensland spans thousands of years, encompassing both a lengthy indigenous presence, as well as the eventful times of post-European settlement. Estimated to have been settled by Indigenous Australians approximately 40,000 years ago, the northeastern Australian region was explored by Dutch, Portuguese and French navigators before being encountered by Captain James Cook in 1770. The Australian Labor Party has its origin as a formal organisation in Queensland and the town of Barcaldine is the symbolic birthplace of the party.^[7] The state has witnessed frontier warfare between European settlers and Indigenous inhabitants, as well as the employment of cheap Kanaka labour sourced from the South Pacific. June 2009 marked the 150th anniversary of its creation as a separate colony from New South Wales.^[8] A rare record of early settler life in north Queensland can be seen in a set of ten photographic glass plates taken in the 1860s by Richard Daintree, in the collection of the National Museum of Australia.^[9]

Geography[link]

Commonly-designated regions of Queensland

The Great Barrier Reef, which extends along Queensland's northern coastline

A coral garden in Osprey Reef

Queensland is bordered to the north by the Torres Strait with Boigu Island off the coast of New Guinea representing the absolute northern extreme of the territory. The triangular Cape York Peninsula, which points toward New Guinea is the northernmost part of the state's mainland. West of the peninsula's tip, northern Queensland is bordered by the Gulf of Carpentaria, while the Coral Sea— an arm of the Pacific Ocean— borders Queensland to the east. To the west, Queensland is bordered by the Northern Territory, at the 138°E longitude, and to the southwest by the northeastern corner of South Australia.

In the south, there are three sections that comprise its border: the watershed from Point Danger to the Dumaresq River; the river section involving the Dumaresq, the MacIntyre and the Barwon; and 29°S latitude (including some minor historical encroachments below the 29th parallel) over to the South Australian border.

The state capital is Brisbane, located on the coast 100 kilometres (60 mi) by road north of the New South Wales border. The state is divided into several officially recognised regions. Other smaller geographical regions of note include the Atherton Tablelands, the Granite Belt, and the Channel Country in the far southwest.

Queensland has many places of natural beauty, including: the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast having some of the state's most popular beaches; the Bunya Mountains and the Great Dividing Range with numerous lookouts, waterfalls and picnic areas; Carnarvon Gorge; Whitsunday Islands and Hinchinbrook Island.

The state contains six World Heritage listed preservation areas: Australian Fossil Mammal Sites at Riversleigh in the Gulf Country, Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, Fraser Island, Great Barrier Reef, Lamington National Park and the Wet Tropics of Queensland.

Climate[link]

Because of its size, there is significant variation in climate across the state. Low rainfall and hot summers are typical for the inland west, a monsoonal 'wet' season in the far north, and warm temperate conditions along the coastal strip. Inland and in southern ranges low minimum temperatures are experienced. The climate of the coastal strip is influenced by warm ocean waters, keeping the region free from extremes of temperature and providing moisture for rainfall.^[10]

There are five predominate climatic zones in Queensland,^[11] based on temperature and humidity:

• hot humid summer (far north and coastal)
• warm humid summer (coastal elevated hinterlands and coastal southeast)
• hot dry summer, mild winter (central west)
• hot dry summer, cold winter (southern west)
• temperate – warm summer, cold winter (inland southeast, e.g. Granite Belt)

However, most of the Queensland populace experience two weather seasons: a "winter" period of rather warm temperatures and minimal rainfall and a sultry summer period of hot, sticky temperatures and higher levels of rainfall.

The annual mean statistics^[12] for some Queensland centres is shown below:

The highest maximum temperature observed in the state is 49.5 °C (121 °F) at Birdsville on 24 December 1972 (The temperature of 53.1 °C (128 °F) at Cloncurry on 16 January 1889 is not considered reliable; the figure quoted from Birdsville is the next highest, so that record is considered as being official).

The lowest minimum temperature is −10.6 °C (13 °F) at Stanthorpe on 23 June 1961 and at The Hermitage on 12 July 1965.^[17]

Demographics[link]

State capital and most populous city, Brisbane, located in southeast Queensland.

Queensland has a less centralised population than other states, with significant populations in regional cities such as Townsville (above).

A smaller proportion of Queensland's population lives in the capital city than any other mainland state. As of June 2004 the capital city represented 45.7% of the population; for the whole country, capital cities represented 63.8% of the total population.

• Christian: 70.9%:
  • Roman Catholic: 24.9%
  • Anglican: 22.3%
  • Uniting: 8.4%
  • Lutheran: 2.1%
  • Other: 13.2%
• Non-Christian: 2.3%
  • Buddhism: 1.1%
  • Islam: 0.4%
  • Hinduism: 0.3%
  • Judaism: 0.1%
  • Other: 0.4%
• No Religion: 14.8%
• Not Stated: 12.0%

On 9 December 2005, the population of Queensland officially reached 4 million. According to Queensland's Office of Economic and Statistical Research the estimated population of the state at the end of 2007 was 4,228,290 which is almost 20% of Australia's total. For many years until 2008, Queensland was the fastest growing state in Australia. At its peak growth in 2007, it was estimated that over 1,500 people moved to the state per week including 1,000 to the southern part of the state alone and the state recorded a TFR of 2.1, the highest since 1977.^[20] Queensland's growth rate has since been surpassed by Western Australia^[21]).

Economy[link]

Sugar canefields south of Childers

Queensland's economy has enjoyed a boom in the tourism and mining industries over the past 20 years. A sizeable influx of interstate and overseas migrants, large amounts of federal government investment, increased mining of vast mineral deposits and an expanding aerospace sector have contributed to the state's economic growth. The 2008–09 saw the expansion slow to just 0.8% the state's worst performance in 18 years.^[22]

Between 1992 and 2002, the growth in the Gross State Product of Queensland outperformed that of all the other states and territories. In that period Queensland's GSP grew 5.0% each year, while growth in Australia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose on average 3.9% each year. Queensland's contribution to the Australian GDP increased by 10.4% in that period, one of only three states to do so.^[23]

In 2003 Brisbane had the lowest cost of living of all Australia's capital cities. In late 2005 Brisbane was the third most expensive capital for housing after Sydney and Canberra and just ahead of Melbourne by $15,000.

Primary industries include: bananas, pineapples, peanuts, a wide variety of other tropical and temperate fruit and vegetables, grain crops, wineries, cattle raising, cotton, sugar cane, wool and a mining industry including bauxite, coal, silver, lead, zinc, gold, and copper. Secondary industries are mostly further processing of the above-mentioned primary produce. For example, bauxite is shipped by sea from Weipa and converted to alumina at Gladstone.^[24] There is also copper refining and the refining of sugar cane to sugar at a number of mills along the eastern coastline. Major tertiary industries are the retail trade and tourism.

Tourism[link]

Tourism is Queensland's leading tertiary industry with millions of interstate and overseas visitors flocking to the Sunshine State each year. The industry generates $4.0 billion annually, accounting for 4.5% of Queensland's GSP.^[25] Queensland is a state of many landscapes that range from sunny tropical coastal areas, lush rainforests to dry inland areas.

The main tourist destinations of Queensland include, Brisbane, Cairns, Port Douglas and the Daintree Rainforest, Gold Coast, the Great Barrier Reef, Hervey Bay and nearby Fraser Island, Townsville, Magnetic Island, North Stradbroke Island and South Stradbroke Island, Sunshine Coast, Hamilton Island, Daydream Island and the Whitsundays known for Airlie Beach and Whitehaven Beach.

The Gold Coast of Queensland is also sometimes referred to as "Australia's Theme Park Capital", with five major amusement parks. These are Dreamworld, Movie World, Sea World, Wet 'n' Wild and WhiteWater World.

There are numerous wildlife parks in Queensland. On the Gold Coast there is Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary at Currumbin and David Fleay Wildlife Park at Burleigh Heads. On the Sunshine Coast there is UnderWater World at Mooloolaba and Australia Zoo near Beerwah/Glass House Mountains, home of Steve Irwin until his death in 2006.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary at Fig Tree Pocket and Brisbane Forest Park at The Gap are located in Brisbane. North of Brisbane is Alma Park Zoo which is relocating to Logan City and Kumbartcho Wildlife Sanctuary which was originally called Bunya Park Wildlife Sanctuary.

Accommodation in Queensland caters for nearly 22% of the total expenditure, followed by restaurants/meals (15%), airfares (11%), fuel (11%) and shopping/gifts (11%).^[26]

Transport[link]

Cairns International Airport

Queensland is served by a number of National Highways and, particularly in South East Queensland, high quality motorways such as the M1. The Queensland government Department of Transport & Main Roads oversees the development and operation of main roads and public transport, including taxis and local aviation.

Principal rail services are provided by Queensland Rail and Pacific National, predominantly between the major towns along the coastal strip east of the Great Dividing Range.

Major seaports include the Port of Brisbane and subsidiary ports at Gladstone, Townsville and Bundaberg. There are large coal export facilities at Hay Point / Dalrymple Bay, Gladstone and Abbot Point. Sugar is another major export, with facilities at Lucinda and Mackay.

Brisbane Airport is the main international and domestic gateway serving the state. Gold Coast Airport, Cairns International Airport and Townsville Airport are the next most prominent airports, all with scheduled international flights. Other regional airports, with scheduled domestic flights, include Great Barrier Reef Airport, Hervey Bay Airport, Mackay Airport, Mount Isa Airport, Proserpine / Whitsunday Coast Airport, Rockhampton Airport, and Sunshine Coast Airport.

South East Queensland has an integrated public transport system operated by the TransLink Transit Authority, which provides services bus, rail and ferry services through contracted bus and ferry operators and Queensland Rail. The TransLink network operates a fare system which allows a single ticket to be used across all modes for the same price irrespective of the number of transfers made on the trip. Regional bus and long-distance rail services are also provided throughout the State. Local bus services are also available in most regional centres.

Governance[link]

The Parliament House in Brisbane.

Executive authority is vested in the Governor, who represents and is appointed by Elizabeth II on the advice of the Premier. The current governor is Ms. Penelope Wensley, AO. The head of government is the Premier, who is appointed by the Governor but must have the support of the Legislative Assembly. The current Premier is Campbell Newman of the Liberal National Party. Other ministers, forming the Executive Council, are appointed by the governor from among the members of the Legislative Assembly on the Premier's recommendation.

The Queensland Parliament or the Legislative Assembly, is unicameral. It is the only Australian state with a unicameral legislature. A bicameral system existed until 1922, when the Legislative Council was abolished by the Labor members' "suicide squad" so called because they were appointed for the purpose of voting to abolish their own offices.^[27] The Parliament is housed in the 19th century Parliament House and 20th century Parliamentary Annexe in Brisbane. The state's politics are traditionally regarded as being conservative relative to other states.^{[28][29][30][31][32]}

The judicial system of Queensland consists of the Supreme Court and the District Court, established by the Queensland Constitution, and various other courts and tribunals established by ordinary Acts of the Queensland Parliament.

In 2001 Queensland adopted a new codified constitution, repealing most of the assorted Acts of Parliament that had previously made up the constitution. The new constitution took effect on 6 June 2002, the anniversary of the formation of the colony of Queensland by the signing of Letters Patent by Queen Victoria in 1859.

Local government[link]

Local government is the mechanism by which towns and districts can manage their own affairs to the extent permitted by the Local Government Act 1993–2007. Queensland is divided into 73 local government areas which may be called Cities, Towns, Shires or Regions.^[33]

Each area has a council which is responsible for providing a range of public services and utilities, and derives its income from both rates and charges on resident ratepayers, and grants and subsidies from the State and Commonwealth governments.^[34]

Universities[link]

Bond University in Robina

The state's first university, the University of Queensland was established in 1909. It was moved to St Lucia in 1945, where it remains today. The University of Queensland ranks amongst the top 100 universities in several global rankings.

James Cook University was setup in 1970 to become the first tertiary education institution in North Queensland. Griffith University was established in the Brisbane suburb of Nathan in 1971. Bond University was established in 1987 as a not-for-profit university, the first of its type in Queensland and is located at Robina on the Gold Coast. In the Brisbane central business district at Gardens Point the Queensland University of Technology was opened in 1989.

In the following decades the Central Queensland University, University of Southern Queensland and the University of the Sunshine Coast were established. The Australian Catholic University also operates a campus in Brisbane.

Sports[link]

The Brisbane Broncos are one of the most successful teams in the National Rugby League competition

The Queensland Bulls take part in Australia's domestic cricket tournaments

The state of Queensland is represented in all of Australia's national sporting competitions and is also host to a number of domestic and international sporting events. The most popular winter and summer team sports are Rugby league, Rugby union and cricket, respectively. Rugby league football's annual State of Origin series is a major event in the Queensland sporting calendar, with the Queensland Maroons in 2011 winning a record sixth series in a row. The Brisbane Broncos are the state's most successful team of any sport, having won 3 premierships in the NRL rugby league era and 6 in total during their 23 year existence.

Queensland's dominance is not restricted to rugby league. The early part of this decade saw the AFL's Brisbane Lions claim a hat-trick of premierships between 2001–2003 inclusive, and coming so close to a record-equalling fourth, whilst recently Brisbane Roar FC won its first A-League title in March 2011, the culmination of a season of long dominance in which it has not lost since September last year. Just four years after being branded "the joke of rugby", the Queensland Reds won its first Super Rugby title in July 2011. The Queensland Firebirds were also an outstanding team in 2011, going undefeated in the Netball ANZ Championship to win the Grand Final.

Swimming is also a popular sport in Queensland, with a majority of Australian team members and international medalists hailing from the state. At the 2008 Summer Olympics, Queensland swimmers won all six of Australia's gold medals, all swimmers on Australia's three female (finals) relays teams were from Queensland, two of which won gold.

Major professional teams include:

• Australian Football: Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast Suns
• Basketball: Townsville Crocodiles, Cairns Taipans and the Gold Coast Blaze
• Cricket: Queensland Bulls, Brisbane Heat
• Football (soccer): Brisbane Roar, North Queensland Fury (no longer in the A-League) and Gold Coast United
• Netball: Queensland Firebirds
• Rugby League:
  • Representative: Queensland Maroons
  • Clubs: Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans and the North Queensland Cowboys
  • State Competition: Queensland Cup
• Rugby Union: Queensland Reds

Events include:

• Gold Coast Indy 300
• State of Origin
• Queensland 400
• Quicksilver Pro and Roxy Pro

See also[link]

	Geography portal
	Oceania portal
	Commonwealth realms portal
	Australia portal
	Queensland portal

• Queensland Council of Unions
• Queensland Day
• Queensland Expatriate Awards
• Queensland State Archives
• 2010–2011 Queensland floods
• United Nations Association of Australia (Queensland) Community Award

Lists:

• Governor of Queensland
• Premier of Queensland
• List of highways in Queensland
• List of schools in Queensland
• Protected areas of Queensland
• Category:People from Queensland

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Queensland

• Government of Queensland
• Queensland State Archives
• [1]

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