CANUNGRA SCHOOLS

The first school in the Canungra valley opened at Wonglepong in 1884 - Caningera No 423.

It closed in 1893 due to a lack of pupils and reopened as Caningera Lower No 836 in 1898.

When the railway came through in approximately 1915 it changed to match the station - Wangalpong.

In 1928 it was changed to Wonglepong until it closed in 1935.

The first school in the Canungra township opened on 21 January 1889 in the township’s School of Arts Hall, a recreation building across Canungra Creek.

Minor flooding in the creek would mean neither the teacher, nor the pupils could attend.

In 19000, the build- ing was moved into town near where the Canungra School of Arts is today.

In 1901, the Education Department bought approximately five acres from Mrs Duncan on Finch Road and a ‘proper’ school was erected.

This school was extended when required as the population in the town and adjacent valleys developed. During the 1940s there were two one teacher schools in the Coomera Valley - Witheren and Flying Fox.

There were many students who rode horses to and from school each day - the school yard having a horse paddock.

When the Army camped on the Coomera River the children of permanent staff were brought in by bus - as were children from the Wonglepong area.

The memorial located at Henry Franklin Family Park, Wonglepong, marks the site of the first Caningera School and is dedicated to those who contributed to the foundation of the School, and the students from Benobble, Tabragalba, Boyland and Wonglepong. Source: monumentaustralia.org.au

In 1962, Canungra State School had outgrown its five acres and the Education Department built a new school on the site of the Ca- nungra Railway Station, which closed in 1955 after the line closed.

Intersection Upgrade

I know many residents will welcome the recent announcement by the Minister for Transport and Main Roads of funding to support a safety upgrade to the intersection of Beaudesert Beenleigh Road and Mundoolun Connection Road.

The $5.6 million expenditure is for an upgrade to traffic signals, speed reduction and associated signage on intersection approaches, installation of warning signage and an upgrade to school bus connectivity to ensure improved safety for at this interchange.

Planning is underway and construction to commence by 2024.

Get The Facts

This easily accessible page on the Council website - www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/get-the-facts provides residents with the real story behind issues impacting our region, for example flood restoration works progress and court judgements.

It is easy to view various social media platforms, but comments do not always reflect the facts.

Let’s Talk

Don’t forget to register to the online community consultation portal, Let’s Talk Scenic Rim, so you are kept updated on upcoming consultation topics.

The next one is the Draft Budget 2023-24, which will be made available from 5 April for viewing and comment. Let’s Talk can be accessed via https://letstalk.scenicrim.qld.gov.au

Draft Budget Consultation

Let’s Talk Scenic Rim is only one of the consultation modes available to residents and for those who prefer, there will be three community consultation sessions. These will be at Boonah Cultural Centre on

Thursday 20 April from 5.30pm to 7pm, The Centre Beaudesert on Wednesday 26 April from 5.30pm to 7pm and Tamborine Mountain State School on Thursday 27 April from 5.30pm to 7pm. Your views are important so that we can work together for a prosperous and sustainable future for the Scenic Rim.

1080 Baiting Program

The Baiting program is scheduled for April 18, 19 and 20 2023 and residents already registered as part of the program will have received a baiting pack advising of recent legislative updates.

If you are new to the region or have not baited before please contact Council on 55405111 or email mail@scenicrim.qld.gov. au marking it attention Regulatory Services Business Support.

Water Community Consultation

It was pleasing to have this recent consultation with the Canungra community at an early stage of low rainfall and for SeqWater to advise of some future options for water supply that they are currently investigating. If you missed the sessions please contact Urban Utilities on Let’s Talk Water accessible from the website urbanutilities.cam.au.

Contact Me

Due to Easter, I won’t be at Canungra Library on the second Saturday of April, however I am always available to residents by telephone on 5540 5111 or 0407 630 052 or by email virginia.w@scenicrim.qld.gov.au