Cherbourg
- Location:
- Wide Bay Burnett, 6 km from Murgon and 280 km northwest of Brisbane.
- Area:
- 31.6 square km
- Population:
- 1,241 - derived from 40 different groups, including Wakka Wakka and Western Wakka Wakka (traditional owners) and descendants of people brought from other parts of Queensland under past government policies.
History of settlement
Cherbourg, formerly known as Barambah, is the third largest Aboriginal community in Queensland. It was founded in 1901 as an Aboriginal reserve when 7000 acres of the Cherbourg selection were set aside by the Queensland State Government. In 1905 more than 100 Aboriginal people from 13 different tribes were forcibly relocated to Barambah, by the Protector of Aborigines. By 1934 the population was more than 900 people and representing 28 different linguistic groups.
Barambah was renamed in 1931 as Cherbourg. Aboriginal people at Barambah were required to clear the area by hand and the early conditions in the community were so harsh that most people continued to live off the land and reside in bush humpies.
In the 1930s the Government provided rations for the inhabitants and began to construct proper accommodation in the Cherbourg township. The size of the settlement has steadily increased with ventures in agriculture, beef cattle and joinery becoming increasingly successful. The community celebrated its Centenary in 2004. Cherbourg became independent in 1986 when the Queensland State Government issued the community with a Deed of Grant in Trust.
Cherbourg based community services include: hospital, health service, women’s and children’s shelters, primary school and TAFE College. Law and order is supported by a police presence of 7 officers, community police employed by Cherbourg Council, a youth justice service and a community justice group. Another 19 – 22 police are stationed in nearby Murgon. State Government funding also supports emergency relief, family support and youth services, child care and school holiday activities, family violence support and early intervention programs, and programs to alleviate drug and alcohol misuse.
Last updated: 30 June 2008.