Oakey, Queensland

Oakey is a rural town situated in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia. It is situated 160km west of the state capital, Brisbane, and 29km west of the regional city of Toowoomba. At the 2011 census, Oakey recorded a population of 4,529.HistoryOakey and the creek around which the town is located, were named for the river oaks that dominate the banks of the creek. The town was surveyed in 1868, with the first sale being 28 June 1870. Originally named Oaky, the spelling of Oakey was officially adopted in August 1940. The area was first settled in the early 1840s when pastoralists moved into the area and found the land to be suitable for grazing. The building of the Western railway line through the area prompted the growth of a township to service the pastoral community. Growth of the town was slow, however featured some enterprising ventures, including a short-lived meatworks near the town, which planned to tin and export kangaroo and wallaby under the marketing name 'Australian Game'. The enterprise was unsuccessful and closed down in 1876.In 1859, the Jondaryan Woolshed was built to the west of the town to service the rapidly growing wool industry. The first shearing took place in 1861. The railway reached Oakey and Jondaryan in 1867. Oakey Creek Post Office opened on 1 June 1869. It was renamed Oakey by 1878. The Jondaryan pastoral station dominated the area, encompassing over 400000acre. The Woolshed was responsible for over 200,000 head of sheep and could cater for in excess of 50 shearers working simultaneously. Following World War I, the homestead landholding was reduced and separated to allow for soldier re-settlement programs.