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Moorooka, Queensland

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Coordinates: 27°32′09″S 153°01′28″E / 27.5358°S 153.0244°E / -27.5358; 153.0244 (Moorooka (centre of suburb))
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Moorooka
Suburb
Hughes Centre and Toohey Forest, from Beaudesert Road
Hughes Centre and Toohey Forest, from Beaudesert Road
Moorooka is located in Queensland
Moorooka
Moorooka
Map
Interactive map of Moorooka
Coordinates: 27°32′09″S 153°01′28″E / 27.5358°S 153.0244°E / -27.5358; 153.0244 (Moorooka (centre of suburb))
CountryAustralia
StateQueensland
CityBrisbane
LGA
Location
Government
 • State electorates
 • Federal division
Area
 • Total
4.1 km2 (1.6 sq mi)
Population
 • Total10,783 (2021 census)[3]
 • Density2,630/km2 (6,810/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+10:00 (AEST)
Postcode
4105
Suburbs around Moorooka
Yeerongpilly Annerley Tarragindi
Yeerongpilly Moorooka Tarragindi
Rocklea Rocklea Salisbury

Moorooka (/məˈruːkʌ/ mə-ROO-kuh) is a southern suburb in the City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.[4] In the 2021 census, Moorooka had a population of 10,783 people.[3]

Geography

[edit]

Moorooka is 9.0 kilometres (5.6 mi) by road south of Brisbane's central business district.

Ipswich Road enters the suburb from the north (Annerley) and exits to the south-west (Rocklea). Beaudesert Road splits from Ipswich Road within the suburb and exits to the south (Rocklea).[5]

The Gold Coast railway line passes along part of the western boundary of the suburb, which is serviced by the Moorooka railway station (27°32′08″S 153°00′50″E / 27.5356°S 153.0139°E / -27.5356; 153.0139 (Moorooka railway station)).[6][5]

The neighbourhood of Moorvale is located around the intersection of Beaudesert Road and Mayfield Road (27°31′58″S 153°01′29″E / 27.5328°S 153.0248°E / -27.5328; 153.0248 (Moorvale).[7]

The suburb has mixed uses - large areas, particularly in the elevated eastern side of the suburb are residential. The lower, western side of the suburb is dominated by retail, particularly motor vehicle dealerships along Ipswich Road, known popularly throughout Brisbane as the "Magic Mile of Motors".[8]

History

[edit]
Moorooka Park subdivision map, 1889

The word Moorooka is an Indigenous word, possibly meaning iron bark or nose.[4]

The suburb was founded as a stop-over for journeys from Brisbane south (Logan and Albert river valleys) and south-west (Ipswich and beyond). A section of the suburb's eastern boundary lies adjacent to Toohey Forest Park.[citation needed]

In April 1884, "Fairmount Estate"[9] made up of 128 allotments was advertised to be auctioned by E. Hooker & Son. The Estate covered an area of Moorooka. The classified advertisement for the auction states for sale were '128 choice allotments, being re-subdivisions of subdivisions 1, 2 and 7 of Portion 158, Parish of Yeerongpilly'. Fairmount Estate was described as having, 'close proximity to the city', timber and permanent water 'close at hand', 'splendid quality' soil for gardening, 'no gullies to till up', a 'railway line passing the Estate, which will in a short time be open for traffic', a 'state school close', and a 'Grocer, Draper, Butcher, Baker, Blacksmith, and others already established in business in the locality of the Estate'.[10]

In March 1889, auctioneer W.J. Hooker sold a suburban subdivision called "Moorooka Park Estate", consisting of 329 allotments bounded by Ipswich Road, Spencer Street (now Gainsborough Street), Logan Road (now Beaudesert Road), Johnson Street (now Dinmore Street) and Keats Street.[11] The subdivision was close to the Moorooka railway station (on the western side of Ipswich Road) and was described as having good soil and elevated sites with "no swamps, no gullies, no broken land".[12]

In May 1889, "Moorooka Railway Station Estate", consisting of 82 allotments was advertised to be auctioned by Arthur Martin & Co. A map advertising the auction states the Estate was bounded by Ipswich Road and Yeronga Road (now Fairfield Road).[13] The classified advertisement for the auction states for sale were '80 choice allotments, being part of Portion 125, Parish Yerongpilly'. "Moorooka Railway Station Estate" was described as 'the position is admirable, being only five miles by rail from the city, where train stops every few minutes in the day', and 'takes in a wide scope of most interesting and charming rural and suburban views'.[14]

In June 1920, "Grand View Estate", consisting of 42 allotments was advertised to be auctioned by Cameron Bros and R.G. Watson. A map advertising the auction states the Estate was 'right at the top of the hill within 7 minutes of the Railway Station.[15] The classified advertisement for the auction states for sale were '40 magnificent allotments' which were described as 'adjoining the residence of Thomas Tonks, Esq.'[16]

In July 1927, auctioneers W. Small & Co sold a suburban subdivision called "Dora Vale Estate", consisting of 83 allotments of 24 to 48 perches on Vale Street, Dora Street, Clyde Street and Sinclair and bounded by Main Street (now Gainsborough Street) to the south and Beaudesert Road to the west. The allotments were described as "high and dry and commanding excellent views" and were convenient to the train, tram and bus services with promises that Ipswich Road and Beaudesert Road would soon be sealed with bitumen.[17] Also in July 1927, Clacher Brothers in conjunction with M.J. Trotter sold the "Hollywood Estate", consisting of 24 allotments on the south side of Forrest Street bounded by Fairy Street to the west and an unnamed proposed street (now Vale Street) to the east.[18][19] In August 1927, the Queensland Development Company sold the "Mayfield Gardens Estate, consisting of 490 allotments (474 residential and 16 commercial) centred around Vendale Avenue and bounded to the west by Beaudesert Road, to the south by Mayfield Road and to the east by Tarragindi Road.[20][21]

Moorooka State School opened on 28 January 1929.[22][23][24]

St Brendan's Catholic Primary School was established on 28 January 1929 by the Sisters of St Joseph.[23][25]


In 1931, the Annerley Church of Christ commenced outreach in Moorooka, following from the establishment of a Bible school in Clifton Hill in the home of Mr P. Ryan in February 1929. Land was purchased at 108 Beaudesert Road (27°31′50″S 153°01′27″E / 27.5305°S 153.0241°E / -27.5305; 153.0241 (Moorooka Church of Christ)) and a church was erected by volunteers held on two successive Saturdays in May 1931,[26][27][28] with the church holding its first service on 26 July 1931 with an official opening on Friday 31 July 1931.[29] Initially financially supported by the Annerley church, the Moorooka church became independent in 1933.[30] Since at least 2016, the church has been renamed as the Rising Sun International Church.[31]

Trams ran along Beaudesert Road, thence along Ipswich Road to the Brisbane CBD. The tram service to Moorooka commenced in 1937. The service commenced at the Brisbane CBD and then went along Ipswich Road and Beaudesert Road.[32][33]

In August 1937, auctioneers F.G. Pearce sold a suburban subdivision called Coniston Park Estate, consisting of 96 allotments, bounded by Beaudesert Road, Bracken Street, Margaret Street (now Medina Street) and Sherley Street. The estate was adjacent to Moorooka State School and the Moorooka tram terminus and provided "extensive views with every convenience" including electric light, mains water and gas.[34][35]

Moorooka has traditionally hosted a working class population stemming from its history as a manufacturing hub during World War II. The southern part of Moorooka bordering Salisbury was the location of government built returned servicemen housing.[36][37]

Moorooka State Infants School opened on 27 January 1959; it closed on 11 July 1983.[22]

St Mary the Virgin Anglican Church was dedicated on 6 December 1959 by Archbishop Reginald Halse. Its closure on 5 April 1998 was approved by Assistant Bishop Ron Williams.[38]

In 1968, the Brisbane City Council built and opened The Moorooka Bowls Club, which then hosted Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to the 1982 Commonwealth Games. The original bowls club went into receivership in 2019. In 2022 the building's tender was awarded to the not-for-profit organisation The Third Place Group, in order to establish a community space that all Moorookans could enjoy.[39]

The Brisbane City Archives (a collection of local historical records dating back to 1859) was established at Moorooka.[40]

Between the early and mid-2000's, Moorooka saw newer arrivals of African settlers from South Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia. The suburb has been the familiar home of the African diaspora and is known as the "Little Africa" of Brisbane.[41][42]

Demographics

[edit]

In the 2016 census, the population of Moorooka was 10,368, 50.1% female and 49.9% male. The median age of the Moorooka population was 35 years of age, three years below the Australian median of 38. 67.7% of people living in Moorooka were born in Australia, compared to the national average of 66.7%. The other top responses for country of birth were New Zealand (3.0%), England (2.6%), India (2.5%), Vietnam (1.0%), Iran (0.8%). 74.2% of people spoke only English at home; the next most popular languages were 1.4% Vietnamese, 1.1% Spanish, 1.1% Punjabi, 1.0% Mandarin, 0.9% Greek.[43]

In the 2021 census, Moorooka had a population of 10,783 people.[3]

Heritage listings

[edit]
Heritage building at Moorooka State School, 2015

Moorooka has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Education

[edit]

Moorooka State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at Sherley Street (27°32′09″S 153°01′26″E / 27.5357°S 153.0239°E / -27.5357; 153.0239 (Moorooka State School)).[45][46] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 341 students with 34 teachers (25 full-time equivalent) and 24 non-teaching staff (17 full-time equivalent).[47] It includes a special education program.[45] It has a strong multi-cultural community and hosts an annual Festival in July.

St Brendan's Primary School is a Catholic primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at Hawtree Street (27°32′15″S 153°01′09″E / 27.5374°S 153.0192°E / -27.5374; 153.0192 (St Brendan's Primary School)).[45][48] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 80 students with 15 teachers (10 full-time equivalent) and 13 non-teaching staff (5 full-time equivalent).[47]

There are no secondary schools in Moorooka. The nearest government secondary school is Yeronga State High School in Yeronga to the north.[5]

Moorooka Central shopping centre, 2020

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Moorooka Ward". Brisbane City Council. Archived from the original on 12 March 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  2. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Moorooka (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. Edit this at Wikidata
  3. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Moorooka (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023. Edit this at Wikidata
  4. ^ a b "Moorooka – suburb in City of Brisbane (entry 52600)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  5. ^ a b c "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  6. ^ "Moorooka – railway station in the City of Brisbane (entry 22744)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  7. ^ Gregory's Street Directory of Brisbane and Suburbs and Metropolitan Road Guide (11 ed.). 1975. pp. Map 43.
  8. ^ Plesser, Bimini (27 February 2025). "What Brisbane, South East Qld suburbs are most famous for". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  9. ^ "Fairmount Estate map". hdl:10462/deriv/412003. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  10. ^ "Auction Sales". Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  11. ^ "Moorooka Park". 1889. hdl:10462/deriv/264344. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  12. ^ "Advertising". The Telegraph. No. 5, 111. Queensland, Australia. 28 February 1889. p. 3. Retrieved 30 April 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ "Plan of Moorooka Railway Station Estate". State Library of Queensland. 1889. hdl:10462/deriv/280860. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  14. ^ "Classified Advertising". The Brisbane Courier. Queensland, Australia. 8 May 1889. p. 8. Retrieved 28 May 2020 – via Trove.
  15. ^ "Grand View Estate, Moorooka". State Library of Queensland. 1920. hdl:10462/deriv/427741. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  16. ^ "Advertising". The Telegraph. Queensland, Australia. 12 June 1920. p. 18. Retrieved 28 May 2020 – via Trove.
  17. ^ "Advertising". The Brisbane Courier. No. 21, 669. Queensland, Australia. 9 July 1927. p. 31. Retrieved 30 April 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  18. ^ "Hollywood Estate, Moorooka". 1927. hdl:10462/deriv/253898. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  19. ^ "Advertising". The Telegraph. No. 17, 034. Queensland, Australia. 8 July 1927. p. 20 (SECOND EDITION). Retrieved 30 April 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  20. ^ "Mayfield Gardens Estate, Moorooka". 1927. hdl:10462/deriv/253875. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  21. ^ "Advertising". Truth. No. 1430. Queensland, Australia. 14 August 1927. p. 11. Retrieved 30 April 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  22. ^ a b "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  23. ^ a b Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  24. ^ "Moorooka State School History". Education Queensland. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  25. ^ "Religious Education Program 2016" (PDF). St Brendan's Catholic Primary School. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  26. ^ "CHURCH OF CHRIST". The Brisbane Courier. No. 22, 881. Queensland, Australia. 30 May 1931. p. 5. Archived from the original on 1 June 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  27. ^ "Topical Brevities 'TWIXT SOBS AND TEARS". Daily Standard. No. 5733. Queensland, Australia. 1 June 1931. p. 16. Archived from the original on 1 June 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  28. ^ "PICTORIAL RECORD OF WEEK-END EVENTS". The Telegraph. No. 18, 247. Queensland, Australia. 1 June 1931. p. 10 (FIRST EDITION). Archived from the original on 1 June 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  29. ^ "NEW CHURCH AT MOOROOKA". The Brisbane Courier. No. 22, 937. Queensland, Australia. 4 August 1931. p. 17. Archived from the original on 1 June 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  30. ^ Haigh, George; Churches of Christ in Queensland (1983), Churches of Christ in Queensland : 100 years venturing in faith, Historical Committee, Conference of Churches of Christ in Queensland, pp. 118, 128–130, ISBN 978-0-909116-38-5
  31. ^ "Rising Sun International Church". Churches Australia. Archived from the original on 1 June 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  32. ^ Morwood, J.E. (February 1970). "History of electric tramways in Brisbane" (PDF). Brisbane Tramway Museum. p. 4. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  33. ^ "Brisbane Tramways: Their history and development". Queensland Omnibus & Coach Society Inc. 26 December 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  34. ^ "Advertising". The Courier-mail. No. 1192. Queensland, Australia. 26 June 1937. p. 24. Retrieved 30 April 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  35. ^ James, H.T. (1937). "Coniston Park Estate, Moorooka Heights" (Map). hdl:10462/deriv/252821. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  36. ^ "Moorooka War Workers Housing Estate". Anzac Square & Memorial Galleries. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  37. ^ "New Salisbury War Industries Heritage Trail: Exploring Brisbane's Wartime History". Moorooka News. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  38. ^ Anglican Church of Southern Queensland. "Closed Churches". Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  39. ^ "About The Clubhouse Moorooka". Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  40. ^ Terri Begley; Jessica Hinchliffe (2 March 2017). "Inside the Brisbane City Archives: Revealing the city's hidden treasures". Australia: ABC News. Archived from the original on 2 March 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  41. ^ "Moorooka Is South Brisbane's Little Africa". Moorooka News. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  42. ^ "Little Africa". www.weekendnotes.com. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  43. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Moorooka (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018. Edit this at Wikidata
  44. ^ "Moorooka State School (entry 602861)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  45. ^ a b c "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  46. ^ "Moorooka State School". Archived from the original on 16 August 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  47. ^ a b "ACARA School Profile 2017". Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  48. ^ "St Brendan's Primary School". Archived from the original on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
[edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Moorooka, Queensland.
  • "Moorooka". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland.
  • "Moorooka". Our Brisbane. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007.
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