Meridan Plains, Queensland

Geography

Meridan Plains is 8 km west-northwest of Caloundra. A large portion of the western boundary follows the Mooloolah River, while a small section aligns with the Bruce Highway. Caloundra Road passes through from west to south-east.

History

Meridan Plains is named either using a corruption of a Kabi language word meaning place of kangaroos or dingoes, or after the birthplace of John Westaway in Devonshire, England.[[File:Queensland State Archives 1869 Westaways cattle property Meridan Plains Caloundra January 1956.png|thumb|left|Westaway's cattle property "Meridan Plains"]] In early 1861 the tender of Edmund Lander was accepted, by the Commissioner for Crown Lands, for the 25 sqmi pastoral run of Mooloolah Plains in the Wide Bay and Burnett District. A year later the lease was transferred to John Westaway.

Lander went on to select 80 acre in 1869 on the main coach road between Brisbane and Gympie at the Mooloolah Bridge. On this property the Mooloolah Post Office was conducted.

A postal receiving office was established at Mooloolah Plains in charge of Mr. W. H. Westaway in 1874, and in 1890 the office's name was changed to Meridan.

Pacific Lutheran College opened on 26 September 2001.

The primary campus of Meridan State College opened on 1 January 2006, junior secondary in 2008 and the senior secondary campus in 2010.

On 14 June 2019 the boundaries of the localities of Bells Creek and Meridan Plains were reduced to create the new localities of Banya, Corbould Park, Gagalba and Nirimba to accommodate future suburban growth in the Caloundra South Priority Development Area.

Demographics

In the , Meridan Plains had a population of 3,675 people.

In the , Meridan Plains had a population of 4,589 people.

Education

Meridan State College is a government primary and secondary (Prep-12) school for boys and girls at 214 Parklands Boulevard (). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 2,711 students with 194 teachers (182 full-time equivalent) and 94 non-teaching staff (64 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program.

Pacific Lutheran College is a private primary and secondary (Prep-12) school for boys and girls at Woodlands Boulevard (). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 948 students with 75 teachers (69 full-time equivalent) and 60 non-teaching staff (45 full-time equivalent).

References

References

1. {{cite QPN. 50398. Meridan Plains. locality in Sunshine Coast Region
2. "Meridan Plains".
3. (2010). "Little Mountain – Caloundra West – Meridan Plains – Bells Creek".
4. Heap, E G B.A.. (1966). "In the Wake of the Raftsmen. A Survey of Early Settlement in the Maroochy District up to the Passing of the Crown Lands Alienation Act, 1868. (Part III)".
5. "Westaway Family Collection".
6. (23 March 1861). "Classified Advertising". [[The Moreton Bay Courier]].
7. (8 April 1862). "TRANSFER OF RUNS.". [[The Courier (Brisbane)]].
8. (8 September 1869). "CROWN LAND SELECTIONS.". [[The Brisbane Courier]].
9. (11 March 1874). "Advertising". [[The Telegraph (Brisbane)]].
10. (14 May 1874). "MELBOURNE.". [[The Telegraph (Brisbane)]].
11. (22 November 1890). "Current News.". [[The Queenslander]].
12. "Queensland schools past and present". [[Queensland Family History Society]].
13. {{Cite QldSchool
14. (11 October 2019). "Recent place name decisions".
15. (22 February 2019). "Proposed locality boundaries: Banya, Bells Creek, Corbould Park, Gagalba, Meridan Plains, Nirimba". [[Queensland Government]].
16. (14 June 2019). "Locality boundaries of Banya, Bells Creek, Corbould Park, Gagalba, Meridan Plains, Nirimba". [[Queensland Government]].
17. {{Cite QPN. 50399. Banya. locality in the Sunshine Coast Region
18. {{Cite QPN. 50400. Corbould Park. locality in the Sunshine Coast Region
19. {{Cite QPN. 50401. Gagalba. locality in the Sunshine Coast Region
20. {{Cite QPN. 50402. Nirimba. locality in the Sunshine Coast Region
21. {{Census 2016 AUS
22. {{Census 2021 AUS
23. (9 July 2018). "State and non-state school details". [[Queensland Government]].
24. (2022-03-18). "Meridan State College".
25. "ACARA School Profile 2017".
26. "Pacific Lutheran College".