Townsville boasts a superb climate with more than eight hours of sunshine each day. On average, Townsville experiences 320 days of sunshine each year.
|
Townsville
has a culturally diverse population of around 140,000 and a sound economy built
upon mining, manufacturing, industry, the defence forces, tourism and
transportation. This, together with
the concentration of education, administrative, cultural, commercial and
industrial services has ensured that Townsville is, and will remain, both the
largest provincial city in Queensland and the Capital of North Queensland.
At
the time of the 1996 Census, the City of Townsville covers 1,865.5 square
kilometres and the City of Thuringowa is spread over 1860.5 square kilometres,
giving a regional total of 3,726 square kilometres.
|
 |
HISTORY
On
Wednesday 6th June 1770, Captain James Cook in the Endeavour sighted
land on the north east coast of Australia. This land was sheltered by a point and bay; Cape Cleveland and Cleveland
Bay respectively. The island, which
affected the ship’s compass, he called Magnetic Island. In 1864, a Scot, John Melton Black founded a northern port in Cleveland
Bay. It was named Townsville after
Robert Towns, a Sydney Businessman and Member of Parliament who sponsored the
venture. Since 1864, Townsville has
functioned as a frontier town and port, a supply center in the gold rush days,
administrative head quarters, base for Army, Navy and Air Force troops, a
commercial and industrial complex, a processing and shipping outlet for mineral
and agriculture of the region, and a major education and tourist center.
On
16 September 1901, the Australian flag was officially raised for the first time
in Australia in Flinders Street, by the Commonwealth Governor General Lord
Hopetown (a plaque commemorating the event is on display in Northtown, Flinders
Mall). In 1902 Townsville was
proclaimed a City under the new Queensland Local Government Act. By 1914, for its fifty years celebration, Townsville was a city of
17,000, which then grew to 26,000 in 1924 when the North-South railway line was
completed.
During
the World War II, Townsville became a major Pacific base, accommodating up to
100,000 Australian, American and other allied servicemen. Townsville features
prominently in the history of the battle of the Coral Sea and received close
surveillance from Japanese flying boats. Partly
as a result of its strategic position on the North Australian coastline. Townsville has grown to a place of great importance in Australia’s
Defence capacity of both the Army and Air Force.
|
The
1950’s witnessed the establishment of the North Australian Cement Company and
the Copper Refinery and thus began a period of rapid expansion. The population in 1956 was 45,000 when the Local Government boundaries
between Townsville and Thuringowa were extended to their present line.
Tertiary
education was a dominant issue in the 1960’s. A University College was established in 1961, which later became the
James Cook University of North Queensland.
|
The
construction of State and Federal Government Administration Centers in 1985 and
1986, cemented Townsville as a major centre for public administration and
services (including Defence) employing approximately 36% of industry work force.
EDUCATION
IN THE TWIN CITIES
Townsville
is well provided for in pre-school, primary, secondary and tertiary level
education.
Most
of Queensland schools are not zoned or capped and parents may choose the primary
or secondary school that they wish their children to attend. In Townsville, that is the case, (one primary school has been capped and
zoned). Attendance at school is compulsory in Queensland for children between
the ages of 6-15 years.
Children
starting at a State, Catholic or Independent primary school must turn 6 years of
age in their 1st year of school in another state there may be some
exceptions to this regulation. Pre-school attendance may commence in the year
prior to enrolment in primary school.
After
having made your choice of school, telephone the school and make an appointment
with the principal to enrol your child. Because
of the differences in curricula standards, content, teaching methods and
subjects offered to students by different State education systems, the placement
of a child can be a difficult task.
Try
to provide the new school with as much relevant information about your child as
you can.
The
principal/guidance officer can use this information to help place your child in
the appropriate year level. The
teacher can use it to gain a quick understanding of your child’s level and to
be made aware of the content and methods that have been taught.
Be
honest about your child’s abilities. Keep
in contact with the teacher during the settling in period. (2 months), so that any problems can be discussed, thus easing the
transition for your child.
KINDERGARTENS
Kindergartens
provide early childhood education on a sessional basis for children 3-5 years.
Some are community managed, some independent and some affiliated with the
Creche and Kindergarten Association.
PRE-SCHOOLS
– PRIVATE
Pre-schools
provide non-compulsory education for children, the year before Year 1. Children
4-5 years can be catered for at most Centres Based Long Day Care Centres,
Independent and Community managed kindergartens, those affiliated with the
Creche and Kindergarten Assoc. and also at some Catholic and Independent
schools.
PRE-SCHOOLS
– STATE
State
pre-school centres are part of State primary schools and are located usually in
the same grounds. Groups of up to
25 children may attend either 5 morning sessions or 5 afternoon sessions a week.
Hours of attendance are 9am – 11.30am or 12.30pm – 3pm.
Pre-schools
are non-compulsory. Pre-school
teachers, with the assistance of parents, provide a wide range of activities and
experiences to develop in 4-5year old children the skills, abilities and
knowledge to make a smooth transition from the home to school.
Children
who have reached 4 years of age by the last day of December are eligible to be
enrolled in pre-school in the following January. Younger children who have been enrolled in school in another
state may be exempted from this rule.
A
child’s name may be entered on the official pre-school waiting list during the
year in which the child turns 3. Proof
of date of birth is required.
PRIMARY
SCHOOLS
Primary
School children must begin school in the year they turn 6. Younger children,
enrolled in schools in other states, may be exempted from this rule. The school year runs from the end of January to mid- December.
Most
primary schools are co-educational and parents may enrol pupils in the school of
their choice. A balanced
curriculum, common to primary schools, consists of language, maths, science,
social studies, religious education, music, art, human relationships and health
and physical education. Opportunities
are also given for children to take part in environmental studies, outdoor
activities, sport, languages other than English and computer skills. To enrol a pupil entering Year 1, proof of the date of birth shall be
required.
Where
there is a transfer from one school to another within the state, parents must
obtain a certificate of transfer from the school attended.
When
moving to another State any relevant information, such as school reports and
recent samples of written work, will assist staff of the new school to place the
pupil in the correct year level. Enrolments
can be made the week preceding the start of the school year.
SECONDARY
SCHOOLS
Children
must attend school up until 15 years of age therefore Years 8-10 are compulsory
school years.
Government
high schools are co-educational and provide secondary education for students in
Years 8-12. Progression at the end
of year 7 to at primary school to Year 8 in secondary school is automatic and
usually occurs when the child is 12-13 years.
All
Year 12 students are able to sit for the Queensland Core Skills Test; however,
students who want a TEST must take this test if they want a place for tertiary
entrance.
The
QCS Test is reported on a 5-point scale. It
is directly related to elements of the Queensland Senior curriculum. Modes of assessment include multiple choice, short answer questions and
writing tasks.
All
students have a right to receive schooling within a state education system.
The Queensland Department of Education makes a commitment to educate all
children in the State. However,
some students in schools may require extra support. E.g. provision of curriculum
options and specialist staff.
Parents
who have children with an impairment – physical, intellectual, visual or
hearing, or who have multi-impairments or learning difficulties should contact
the Assistant Co-ordinator, Social Justice with the view of gaining appropriate
placement for the child.
COST
OF LIVING
The
cost of living in Townsville is 1 per cent higher than Brisbane, as found in the
All Goods Index of Retail Prices in Regional Centres. Salaried employees with dependents located in Townsville,
will receive a fortnightly locality allowance to assist with living expenses.
Purchase price for residential property in Townsville on average ranges
from $130,000 to $200,000 for a
three bedroom brick veneer house.
SOME
USEFUL WEBSITES
|
 |
