Lyra is a rural locality in the Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] In the 2021 census, Lyra had a population of 35 people.[1]

Lyra
Queensland
Rural views (cows and wallabies), Lyra, 2015
Lyra is located in Queensland
Lyra
Lyra
Coordinates28°49′54″S 151°51′54″E / 28.8316°S 151.8650°E / -28.8316; 151.8650 (Lyra (centre of locality))
Population35 (2021 census)[1]
 • Density2.73/km2 (7.08/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4382
Area12.8 km2 (4.9 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)Southern Downs Region
State electorate(s)Southern Downs
Federal division(s)Maranoa
Suburbs around Lyra:
Ballandean Ballandean Ballandean
Ballandean Lyra Girraween
Ballandean Wyberba Wyberba

Geography

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The western and central part of the locality is relatively flat but the eastern part of the locality consists of foothills of the Great Dividing Range.[3]

Accommodation Creek flows down from the range from the south-east (Wyberba) and exits to the north-west (Ballandean). Bald Rock Creek flows down from the range from the north-east (Ballandean) and becomes a tributary of Accommodation Creek at 28°49′40″S 151°51′46″E / 28.8277°S 151.8627°E / -28.8277; 151.8627 (Bald Rock Creek (mouth)).[4] Doctors Creek flows down from the range from the west (Girraween) and becomes a tributary of Bald Rock Creek at 28°49′29″S 151°52′49″E / 28.8247°S 151.8802°E / -28.8247; 151.8802 (Doctors Creek (mouth)).[5]

The New England Highway enters the locality from the north-west (Ballandean) and exits to the south (Wyberba). The Southern railway line runs parallel immediately to the east of the highway; there is no longer a railway station within Lyra.[5]

The land use is a mixture of horticulture and grazing on native vegetation.[3] There are a number of vineyards in Lyra, including those of Sirromet Wines at 115 Anderson Road (28°49′47″S 151°52′07″E / 28.8297°S 151.8685°E / -28.8297; 151.8685 (Sirromet Wines)).[6] There are no protected areas within Lyra, but it borders Girraween National Park to the east.[3]

History

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The extension of the Southern railway line from Stanthorpe to Wallangarra was completed on 14 February 1887 with the district being served by Lyra railway station (28°49′47″S 151°51′18″E / 28.8297°S 151.8550°E / -28.8297; 151.8550 (Lyra railway station)), which was named by the Queensland Railway Department after the constellation Lyra.[7][8] The locality takes its name from the railway station.[2]

Lyra State School opened on 7 November 1929 with an enrolment of 10 students under head teacher Kathleen May O'Donohue. The school site was donated by Evan Hindmarsh. The school building was relocated from the former Applevale State School while the school furniture came from the former Somme State School. The school closed on 19 June 1966, with the students being transferred to Ballandean State School.[9][10]

Demographics

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In the 2016 census, Lyra had a population of 53 people.[11]

In the 2021 census, Lyra had a population of 35 people.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Lyra (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.  
  2. ^ a b "Lyra – locality in Southern Downs Region (entry 45949)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  4. ^ "Bald Rock Creek – watercourse in Southern Downs Regional (entry 1336)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Doctors Creek – watercourse in Southern Downs Regional (entry 10250)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  6. ^ "Sirromet Wines". Google Maps. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  7. ^ "Lyra – railway station in the Southern Downs Region (entry 20314)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  8. ^ "SKETCHER". The Queenslander. Queensland, Australia. 11 April 1914. p. 8. Retrieved 14 June 2020 – via Trove.
  9. ^ Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  10. ^ "Agency ID 6338, Lyra State School". Queensland State Archives. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  11. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Lyra (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.  
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