Timeline – Central-west Queensland

1901-1950 | 1951-2001

1901 Australia becomes a nation and Qld, previously a colony, is now a state.

Masonic Lodge completed in Barcaldine.

1902 The Longreach News begins publication.

1903 Tambo Shire Council meets for the first time.

1904 Telephone exchange opens in Longreach.

Tambo Post Office opens.

Boulia Gun Club formed.

1905 Roy Dunn's goat sets a jumping record of 3'6" (106.7cm) in Blackall.

1906 Sisters of Mercy establish the convent school in Winton.

New courthouse in Boulia completed.

Blackall Wool Scour built.

1907 First artesian bore sunk in Julia Creek on the railway reserve.

Barcaldine's swimming pool completed.

1908 Railway arrives in Julia Creek, eliminating the Cobb & Co station.

New Barcaldine Court House opened.

1910 The Rev Hulton-Sams, known as the "Fighting Parson", arrives in Longreach.

1911 One-room school built in Julia Creek.

The telephone comes to the Tambo district.

1912 Governor Sir William McGregor, left, visits Boulia.

New Tambo hospital completed.

1913 Aramac to Barcaldine Tramway opens.

Open-air picture theatre opens in Winton.

1914 Thomson Bridge near Muttaburra completed.

1915 First motorised passenger service to Tambo and Augathella.

1917 Lightning causes bushfire near Boulia, killing several men.

1919 McGinness and Fysh, the eventual founders of Qantas, drive through Longreach while mapping the route for the London to Melbourne air race.

1920 Qantas formed in Winton with a woolstore for its first hangar.

First Anzac Day parade held in Boulia.

Mary Maternity Cockeril first baby born in Boulia's new maternity ward.

1921 Winton Shire Council provides Qantas with land for an airstrip, right.

Cobb & Co era ends in Tambo.

McGinness and Fysh visit Tambo on promotional tour.

1922 First Qantas passenger flight arrives in Longreach and Winton en route for Cloncurry.

The Longreach News ceases publication and is replaced by The Longreach Leader.

Last mail run from Boulia by packhorse made by J. Jones.

First airmail delivery to Tambo.

1925 Rivoli Picture Theatre built in Tambo.

1927 Dr Spalding the first Flying Doctor to visit Boulia.

Three people killed in Qantas plane crash at Tambo.

Boulia Dance Hall opens.

1928 Bert Hinkler visits Winton.

Winton to Longreach rail link opens.

1931 Radio station 4WH opens in Longreach.

1932 Two die when Urandangi Federal Hotel in Boulia burns down.

1939 380 Blackall residents answer the call to arms for World War II.

1942 US Air Force base opens in Longreach.

1946 Fire destroys Winton's North Gregory Hotel for the third time.

Duke and Duchess of Gloucester visit Blackall.

1947 First passenger bus service to Tambo.

1948 Kathleen Parr House, the QWCA student hostel, opens in Tambo.

1901-1950 | 1951-2001

Timeline compiled by Lesley Jenkins