Bowenville is a rural town and locality in the Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia. The town's economy rested on the rail industry and with the winding down of the railways the population declined. In the, Bowenville had a population of 250 people.
Bowen Provisional School opened on 21 June 1898. It became Bowenville State School on 1 January 1909. In September 1906 Major William Grant of the Bowenville pastoral station donated land next to the railway line on the corner of Railway Street and Cockburn Street for a Presbyterian church as well as £20 towards the building costs. John Nicholson of Blaxlands pastoral station donated a further £10. The construction of the church was completed in September 1909. The church was officially opened on Friday 22 October 1909 by Eveline Grant, wife of William Grant. The church was designed by Alexander Brown Wilson of Brisbane and built by D.A. Mever of Toowoomba. It had a cedar pulpit and leadlight windows. The first divine service was held on Sunday 24 October 1909 by Reverend George Tulloch. Bowenville Post Office opened by June 1908. In March 1916, a severe storm blew the roof off the Presbyterian church as well as damaging the Bowenville railway station and many houses. The remains of the church were auctioned off and the church rebuilt at a cost of £200 by carpenter Thomas Hodge of Dalby. Many suppliers and tradesmen donated their goods and services. The Dalby Presbyterian Church provided a new organ. On Sunday 13 August 1916 the re-built church was officially re-opened by the Reverend Richard Glaister, the principal of Emmanuel College at the University of Queensland. The Bowenville Public Hall was built in 1925. It was a popular venue for dancers as its floor was made of Crow's Ash which is very resistant to impact, making it an excellent surface for dancing. The hall was later extended with materials recycled from the public hall at Irvingdale when it closed. The hall hosts a wide variety of loca events, including meetings, classes, dances, concerts, and receptions. The local branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association met in this hall. St Luke's Anglican Church was dedicated on 30 March 1952 by Venerable Frank Knight. It had been relocated from Ducklo. It closed on 31 March 1982.
Facilities
Library services in Bowenville are provided by the Toowoomba Regional Council's mobile library service. The van visits Bowenville State School on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. The Bowenville Reserve, situated along the Oakey Creek, provides a free camping area with access to non-potable water and toilet facilities. There are also picnic areas, bins, shelters, tables, and a playground. Shore fishing, small water craft, and electric motors are permitted.
Education
Bowenville State School is a government primary school for boys and girls at Irvingdale Road. In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 15 students with 4 teachers and 5 non-teaching staff. There is no secondary school in Bowenville, but there are secondary schools in neighbouring Dalby.
