Proserpine () is a town and locality in the Whitsunday Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Proserpine had a population of 3,614 people.
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Geography
Proserpine is situated on the Bruce Highway.
Proserpine is located on the North Coast line with Proserpine railway station located in Hinschen Street in the town centre.
The town is located along the banks of the Proserpine River and is immediately surrounded by floodplains used for growing sugarcane and grazing.
Proserpine is locally governed by Whitsunday Regional Council, a product of amalgamation of the former Shire of Whitsunday with the former Shire of Bowen. Proserpine is situated within the Queensland electorate of Whitsunday, and the federal electorate of Dawson.
History
The Gia people are the traditional custodians of the Proserpine area. Giya (also known as Kia) is a language of North Queensland. The Giya language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of the Whitsunday Regional Council, particularly the towns of Bowen and Proserpine.
It has been claimed that George Elphinstone Dalrymple named the Proserpine River on an expedition in 1859, but has also been claimed that the first use of the name was in August 1861 when the Emmerson family applied for a tenure over the Proserpine Creek run. The name Proserpine derives from the Roman goddess Proserpina, who also appears in Greek mythology as Persephone.
The first British colonists arrived in the early 1860s with Daniel Emmerson forming the Proserpine pastoral station. Frederick Bode and William Dangar took up land at Bromby Park and Goorganga Creek, while Charles Bradley and James Colling established properties along the Gregory River.
In 1866, Inspectors John Marlow and John Isley of the Native Police, a government funded paramilitary organisation, conducted patrols through the Proserpine area. Following a large number of cattle being killed by Aboriginal people, the native police dispersed around six "large mobs" of Aboriginal people during this mission. Marlow used Daniel Emmerson's property for his stock-yard and bought horses from him.
The Crystal Brook Sugar Company was formed in 1882 and established a sugar industry in the region a year later. A sugar mill was built and the labouring on the plantation was performed by imported South Sea Islanders. In 1893 the plantation, which was located at Glen Isla close to the present Proserpine township, was closed and smaller sugar farms run by white owner-operators were established.
Proserpine Lower Provisional School opened on 16 August 1897. In 1904, it was renamed Proserpine Provisional School, becoming Proserpine State School on 15 March 1906. In 1937, the school was expanded to include a High Top to offer secondary schooling beyond Year 8. In 1946, the Windermere school building at Cannon Valley was relocated to Proserpine State School which was expanding to offer secondary schooling.
Demographics
In the 2016 census, the locality of Proserpine had a population of 3,562 people.
In the 2021 census, the locality of Proserpine had a population of 3,614 people.
Heritage listings
Heritage-listed sites include:
Proserpine Hospital, Herbert Street
St Paul's Anglican Church, Main Street
Economy
The towns main industries are sugar production and the services industry. A sugar mill was established in 1897 and Proserpine Sugar Mill is now recognised as one of the most modern sugar mills in the world. The town also functions as an important regional service centre for the Whitsunday area. Government, health, education, retail and community services provide a significant proportion of local employment. Major institutions and employers include the Queensland Government, Queensland Health, the Catholic Diocese of Townsville, Whitsunday Regional Council and aged-care providers. Proserpine also contains a range of retail, professional, construction, transport and other service businesses serving both the town’s population and surrounding rural areas.
Education
Proserpine State School is a government primary (Early Childhood to Year 6) school for boys and girls at 33 Renwick Road (20.4090°S 148.5823°E / -20.4090; 148.5823 (Proserpine State School)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 565 students with 45 teachers (41 full-time equivalent) and 25 non-teaching staff (19 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program.
St Catherine's Catholic College is a Catholic primary and secondary (Kindergarten to Year 12) school for boys and girls at 96 Renwick Road (20.4105°S 148.5899°E / -20.4105; 148.5899 (St Catherine's Catholic College)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 623 students with 59 teachers (52 full-time equivalent) and 60 non-teaching staff (38 full-time equivalent).
Proserpine State High School is a government secondary (7–12) school for boys and girls at 4 Ruge Street (20.4059°S 148.5818°E / -20.4059; 148.5818 (Proserpine State High School)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 1,062 students with 91 teachers (88 full-time equivalent) and 47 non-teaching staff (32 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program.
Facilities
The Proserpine Hospital in Taylor St is the primary health service for the Whitsunday Region .
Amenities
The Proserpine Entertainment Centre is at 14 Main Street. In March 2022, it reopened after being rebuilt following damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Debbie in March 2017.
The Proserpine Library is at 12 Main Street (20.40208°S 148.58013°E / -20.40208; 148.58013 (Proserpine Library)).
Climate
Similar to nearby Mackay, Proserpine has a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cwa) bordering on a tropical savanna climate (Köppen: Aw). The town experiences hot, very rainy summers and pleasant, dry winters.
Notable people
Paul Bowman, Australian professional rugby league player, Queensland Origin representative and former captain of the North Queensland Cowboys.
Alan Dufty, Australian former professional wheelchair racer.
Sam Faust, Australian professional rugby league player.
Andrew Fraser, Queensland State Politician.
Max Grosskreutz, Australian speedway rider.
Billy Sing, Australian sniper during the Gallipoli Campaign of World War I
Travis Waddell, Australian professional rugby league footballer, plays for Newcastle Knights