Mount Chalmers, Queensland


Mount Chalmers is a town and locality in the Shire of Livingstone, Queensland, Australia.

History

Gold was found in Mount Chalmers in 1860 but gold mining did not commence in the area until 1869. It was named after Mr Chambers who established a battery. In 1899 copper mining commenced.
A provisional school opened on 23 January 1901; it was proclaimed Mount Chalmers State School in 1909.
In 1908 the Yeppoon railway line was established from Sleipners Junction on the North Rockhampton to Emu Park railway line and then through to Yeppoon railway station. Mount Chalmers railway station served the town.
In 1911, the census recorded a population of 1181. However, the mining ended in 1914 and people moved away; the 1921 census showed the population had fallen to 95 people.
The Yeppoon railway line ceased passenger services in 1978 and closed completely in 2004.
The school was mothballed on 31 December 2005 and its closure finalised on 31 December 2006. In 2014 the Livingstone Shire Council purchased the site for $230,000 for use by the local community. It is located at 18 School Street.
In the 2011 census, Mount Chalmers had a population of 216 people.

Amenities

The Mount Chalmers Community History Centre operates from the old school site. The old school also has a library run by volunteers and supported by the Livingstone Shire Council.