DALBY, QUEENSLAND

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An important service centre on Myall Creek in the heart of the Darling Downs. The area's rich volcanic soil supports wheat, cotton, sunflowers, sorghum, millet and barley crops. Other forms of farming also abound, including stud cattle, sheep, pigs and angora goats.
Location: 216 km north-west of Brisbane; 342 m above sea-level.
Origin of name: named after Dalby on the Isle of Man although, in recent times, a disgruntled local alderman, tired of taking on the burden of the local citizens, decided the name should be an acronym for 'Do a little bit yourself!'
Brief history: The town's main historic attraction is 'The Crossing' where the camp of Henry Dennis was established in 1841 on what would eventually become the township of Dalby. Dennis was seeking out land on behalf of his wealthy employer Charles Coxen. The camp became a regular stopping place for squatters, stockmen, shearers, fencers and teamsters passed through. Dalby was declared a township in 1854 and became a municipality in 1863. The railway arrived in 1868 and the town became an important railhead. Unlike other parts of Queensland where closer settlement began in the 1860s, it wasn't until after 1945 as a result of soldier resettlement schemes that the land stranglehold by the pastoralists around Dalby was broken.
Natural features: Myall Creek; Bunya Mountains; Southwood National Park
Built features: St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church (1921); Thomas Jack Park.
Heritage features: 'The Crossing'; 'Randwick' - a fine example of 'Queenslander' timber architecture; Pioneer Park Museum