Boyne Valley (Queensland) - Closer Settlement

Closer Settlement

Closer settlement began when the large leasehold runs were resumed and broken into smaller leases. Properties such as Glengarry, Box Vale, Nevertire, and Newry were created.

With the turn of the century and the opening of the railway came the teamsters and the timber industry. Horse and bullock teams hauled pine and hardwood to the rail heads at Boynedale, Weitalaba, Nagoorin, Littlemore, Builyan and Many Peaks supplying Mount Morgan mines with the props for their underground mines.

The 21-year leases expired on the cattle stations of Ubobo, Hybla, Melrose, Degalgil and Cluden in 1920 when they were all resumed for the Ubobo Soldier Settlement. They were surveyed into small blocks and offered to returned service personnel. The settlers came from every walk of life from shop assistant, to plantation manager, to champion Scottish ploughman. Cottages were built and the dairy and agricultural industries begun. Cotton and potato growing were introduced. Tobacco was grown with some success. But times were hard and the small blocks unviable. Disillusioned many left within the first five years.

The depression, falling prices and World War II forced further departures. The properties were sold and amalgamated to make larger holdings again. Lands with river frontage were retained for agricultural purposes; the others reverted to their former purpose, cattle grazing.