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Virginia

History of Brisbane's Virginia

Virginia's history has been compiled as part of the BRISbites community history project.

Aboriginal history

The Jagera and Turrbal groups occupied land in the Brisbane and Ipswich areas. The exact boundaries are not known, however, the Turrbal generally occupied the area north of the Brisbane River. Both groups had closely related languages, which are classified as belonging to the larger Yaggera language group.

The Virginia area has a rich indigenous history. Evidence of Aboriginal occupation can be found in a bora ring at Nudgee Waterhole and in sites of special importance at Dinah Island, near Boondall Wetlands. Aboriginal tribes from as far as Northern NSW travelled to the Bunya Mountains stopping at nearby Zillmann’s Waterholes on their way.

Urban development

Virginia was named after the Virginia Brick (later Pipe) Company, which was founded in 1897, near the Virginia Railway Station, which opened in 1888. Water for the brickworks was drawn from a waterhole nearby called ‘the pump hole’, which was also used by the community as a swimming spot.

The Meadfoot Estate was created in 1887, and the Newtown Estate in 1889, however, the Virginia Park Estate established in the 1920s could offer its residents a motor bus service from the Clayfield Tram Terminus to Virginia every hour.

In 1923 electricity was installed in the streets of Virginia and Northgate. The brickworks ceased operations in the 1970's.

Notable residents

In 1928 Jack and Bert Roach cleared the area for the Virginia Golf Course, whilst Mr D A Crawford a Main Roads Engineer, who later became Commissioner for Main Roads and Foundation President, drew up plans for a 9 Hole Course. The Club employed Jack Hall in 1931 and he remained with them for the next 45 years, eventually becoming the Head Greenkeeper. The Club was expanded with the purchase in 1958 of a further 72.5 acres of ground, which adjoined the course. A course architect integrated the existing 18 Holes with additional holes giving a 27 Hole Layout. Jack Hall had the honour of striking the first ball on the new course.

Goss road is named after a local Family who ran a dairy in the area. The family home stood on the corner of Goss Road and Sandagte Road, Virginia.

The Stegman family (brother Vince and sister Dolly) had a shop near Virginia Railway Station until quite recently (2001). Recently (2003) the shop was demolished. Vince was a familiar sight around Virginia in his old truck in which he carted beautiful displays of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Ken Mackay, a Queensland cricketer, was raised in the area and a park is named after him at Toombul.

Landmarks

The Virginia Presbyterian Church began services in 1911 in a wooden shed until a timber church was built. Builders, G.A.Sommerville & Sons, constructed a new church and the foundation stone was laid in 1959. A feature of the church on the corner of Sandgate road and Gympie Street is an illuminated cross on the face of the tower at the front of the church.

The Virginia State School was opened on 31 January 1920 with a total of 169 students. A huge storm damaged the building and students studied under canvas, or in the Virginia Presbyterian Church, until a new school was completed in 1924.

Reference: BRISbites, 2000

More Virginia information

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