Ayr, Queensland Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Ayr
Queensland

Burdekin Hotel, Ayr, 2010

Ayr

Location in Queensland

Population

8,738 (2016 census)

• Density

300.3/km² (778/sq mi)

Established

1882

Postcode(s)

4807

Elevation

12.0 m (39 ft)

Area

29.1 km² (11.2 sq mi)

Time zone

AEST (UTC+10:00)

Location

1,273 km (791 mi) from Brisbane
88 km (55 mi) from Townsville
290 km (180 mi) from Mackay

LGA(s)

Shire of Burdekin

State electorate(s)

Burdekin

Federal Division(s)

Dawson

Mean max temp	Mean min temp	Annual rainfall
29.0 °C ^{84 °F}	17.8 °C ^{64 °F}	953.9 mm ^{37.6 in}

Localities around Ayr:
Brandon	Alva	Airdmillan
Brandon	Ayr	Airdmillan
Brandon	McDesme	Jarvisfield

Ayr is a town and locality in the Shire of Burdekin, Queensland, Australia. It is the centre of a sugarcane-growing region and the administrative centre for the Burdekin Shire Council. In the 2016 census, Ayr had a population of 8,738 people.

Geography
History
Heritage listings
Transport
Amenities
Demographics
Education
Notable people from Ayr
Images for kids
See also

Geography

Ayr is located 88 kilometres (55 mi) south of Townsville on the Bruce Highway and 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) away from the (smaller) town of Home Hill. It is 112 kilometres (70 mi) north of Bowen and 290 kilometres (180 mi) north of Mackay. Ayr is located near the delta of the Burdekin River. It is within the Burdekin Shire, which produces the most sugar cane per square kilometre in Australia utilising underground water supplies and water from the Burdekin Dam to irrigate crops when rains fail.

Alva beach, a popular area for fishing and swimming, is located 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) east of Ayr.

Ayr has a population of approximately 8,000.

History

Ayr is believed to be named after the Scottish town of Ayr, the birthplace of Queensland Premier Sir Thomas McIlwraith.

Ayr Post Office opened on 25 August 1883.

War Memorial Park arch over the gate at the Memorial Park, 1937-1938

The Ayr War Memorial Arch is the entrance to the Memorial Park and commemorates those who served in World War I. It was dedicated in November 1925 by the shire chairman, Councillor Barsby.

Heritage listings

Ayr has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

163 Queen Street: Ayr Court House
82-90 Wickham Street: Ayr State High School
145 Young Street: Burdekin Shire Council Chambers

Transport

Ayr's main street, Queen Street, is a wide two-laned street. The A1 passes through the town. A mostly two-laned highway, it is the major road of the Burdekin, linking Ayr with nearby Brandon and Home Hill.

Ayr Railway Station is the town's rail-transit stop with regular services from Brisbane to Cairns. While the town has no public transport, several bus routes pick up school children across the region.

Amenities

Ayr has the usual chain stores, including Domino's Pizza, ten pin bowling, a toyshop, cinema, six pubs, and a range of sports, electrical and fashion stores. Ayr has several banks including the Commonwealth, ANZ, Suncorp, National and Bendigo Bank.

Demographics

According to the 2016 census of Population, there were 8,281 people in the Ayr urban centre.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 7.7% of the population.
82.4% of people were born in Australia. The next most common country of birth was Italy at 2.1%.
85.4% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Italian at 2.8%.
The most common responses for religion were Catholic 37.3%, Anglican 15.7% and No Religion 15.0%.

Education

Ayr State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 141 Graham Street (19°34′44″S 147°24′02″E / 19.5790°S 147.4005°E / -19.5790; 147.4005 (Ayr State School)). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 119 students with 14 teachers (11 full-time equivalent) and 17 non-teaching staff (10 full-time equivalent).

East Ayr State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 43-73 Ross Street (19°33′48″S 147°24′59″E / 19.5634°S 147.4164°E / -19.5634; 147.4164 (East Ayr State School)). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 557 students with 47 teachers (40 full-time equivalent) and 22 non-teaching staff (15 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program.

St Francis' School is a Catholic primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 99 Edward Street (19°34′13″S 147°24′05″E / 19.5704°S 147.4014°E / -19.5704; 147.4014 (St Francis' School)). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 304 students with 20 teachers (17 full-time equivalent) and 17 non-teaching staff (11 full-time equivalent).

Burdekin Christian College is a private primary and secondary (Prep-12) school for boys and girls at 2-12 Melbourne Street (19°34′22″S 147°25′01″E / 19.5729°S 147.4170°E / -19.5729; 147.4170 (Burdekin Christian College)). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 133 students with 13 teachers (12 full-time equivalent) and 10 non-teaching staff (8 full-time equivalent).

Burdekin School is a special primary and secondary (Early Childhood-12) school for boys and girls at 159 Young Street (19°34′42″S 147°24′28″E / 19.5784°S 147.4079°E / -19.5784; 147.4079 (Burdekin School)). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 17 students with 5 teachers (4 full-time equivalent) and 11 non-teaching staff (6 full-time equivalent).

Ayr State High School is a government secondary (7-12) school for boys and girls at Cnr Edwards & Wickham Streets (19°34′37″S 147°24′35″E / 19.5770°S 147.4096°E / -19.5770; 147.4096 (Ayr State High School)). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 480 students with 46 teachers (44 full-time equivalent) and 30 non-teaching staff (23 full-time equivalent). It has a special education program.

Burdekin Catholic High School is a Catholic secondary (7-12) school for boys and girls at 45 Gibson Street (19°33′53″S 147°24′52″E / 19.5646°S 147.4145°E / -19.5646; 147.4145 (Burdekin Catholic High School)). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 436 students with 40 teachers (39 full-time equivalent) and 23 non-teaching staff (19 full-time equivalent).