Clermont is a town and a locality in the Isaac Region, Queensland, Australia. Clermont is a major hub for the large coal mines in the region as well as serving agricultural holdings. In the, Clermont had a population of 3,031 people, but its boundaries have subsequently changed.
Gangalu is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken on Gangula country. The Gangula language region includes the towns of Clermont and Springsure extending south towards the Dawson River. Ludwig Leichhardt was the first European to pass through the Clermont area in 1845, but it was the discovery of gold in 1861 that was responsible for the establishment of the town, close to what was Babbinburra clan land. The town reserve was proclaimed on 25 March 1864, although a gold field was declared in the area in 1862. Clermont is named after Clermont-Ferrand in France; Clermont-Ferrand was the ancestral home of Oscar de Satge, one of the first European graziers who owned the Wolfang Downs pastoral run. Theresa Creek Post Office opened by 1863, was replaced by Coppermines Post Office at the end of 1863 and Clermont Post Office in 1864. Clermont State School opened on 27 August 1867. Copper was discovered soon after. In the 1880s up to 4000 Chinese people were resident in Clermont, mining for gold and copper. This led to racial riots and the Chinese were removed from the region in 1888. The decorated soldier Billy Sing was born in Clermont in 1886 of a Chinese father and English mother. The railway was extended north from Emerald to Clermont in February 1884. However, no passenger trains are available to or from Clermont. The town was originally established on low-lying ground next to a lagoon or billabong, but flooding was always a problem, with four substantial floods occurring between 1864 and 1896. St Joseph's School as being one of the first owners of the Paris café in Clermont. John and Marouli Faros took over the Café in the 1930s. It operated until 1992. The Clermont public library was opened in 1962. On 27 January 1959 a secondary department was added, Clermont State School providing secondary education. That arrangement ceased with the opening of Clermont State High School on 29 January 1990. Mistake Creek State School opened in the former locality of Mistake Creek in 24 January 1983. At the 2011 census, Clermont had a population of 2,177. On 17 May 2019, it was decided to discontinue the locality of Mistake Creek and absorb its land into the neighbouring localities of Clermont, Laglan, Frankfield and Peak Vale.
is currently operating the Clermont Mine, located north west of Clermont. When the mine reaches full capacity it will produce up to 12.2 million tonnes of thermal coal for international markets. Clermont Mine delivered its first conveyor of coal in April 2010. Clermont also hosted another larger coal mine; Blair Athol coal mine, located north west of Clermont. The mine supplied customers in Asia and Europe with up to 12 million tonnes of thermal coal per annum. The coal deposit was originally discovered on the site in 1864 and was first mined in 1890. Between 1920 and 1945 coal was mined with an underground method, which is still visible today. The most recent open cut operation started in 1984. Blair Athol Mine was closed on 26 November 2012 after it completely mined out. Its stockpile and train facilities will be used by the Clermont Mine.
Education
Clermont State School is a government primary school for boys and girls at Hetherington Street. In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 237 students with 20 teachers and 12 non-teaching staff. Clermont State High School is a government secondary school for boys and girls at 1 Kitchener Street. In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 182 students with 20 teachers and 15 non-teaching staff. St Joseph's Catholic Primary School is a Catholic primary school for boys and girls at 50 Box Street. In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 106 students with 10 teachers and 6 non-teaching staff. Mistake Creek State School is a government primary school for boys and girls at 6652 Alpha Road. In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 14 students with 2 teachers and 2 non-teaching staff. This school is within the former locality of Mistake Creek, which was discontinued and absorbed into neighbouring localities in May 2019; the school is now within the enlarged boundaries of the locality of Clermont.
