Godwin Beach, Queensland

Godwin Beach is a coastal rural locality in the City of Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia.[2] In the 2021 census, Godwin Beach had a population of 487 people.[1]

Godwin Beach
Queensland
Godwin Beach is located in Queensland
Godwin Beach
Godwin Beach
Map
Coordinates27°05′09″S 153°06′05″E / 27.0858°S 153.1013°E / -27.0858; 153.1013 (Godwin Beach (centre of locality))
Population487 (2021 census)[1]
 • Density128.2/km2 (332/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4511
Area3.8 km2 (1.5 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)City of Moreton Bay
State electorate(s)Pumicestone
Federal division(s)Longman
Suburbs around Godwin Beach:
Ningi Ningi Sandstone Point
Beachmere Godwin Beach Sandstone Point
Beachmere Moreton Bay Moreton Bay

Geography

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The locality is bounded to the south and south-east by Deception Bay, a side bay of Moreton Bay. There is a narrow sandy beach, also called Godwin Beach, along the residential areas near The Esplanade in the south-east of the locality, but otherwise the coastline is a mangrove forest.[3][4][5][6]

The land use in the locality is mixed. In the west and south-west of the locality are reservoirs and mangrove wetlands. There is grazing on native vegetation in the centre of the locality. The north parts of the locality is rural residential housing with larger land parcels, while the area near The Esplanade is also residential but with smaller suburban lots.[7]

History

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The locality is named after Charles Godwin who owned a fish cannery by the beach from 1897 to 1907. In January 1911 the steamer Eastern was stranded on the Salamander Bank (27°04′01″S 153°19′01″E / 27.067°S 153.317°E / -27.067; 153.317 (Salamander Bank)),[8] 2.5 miles (4.0 km) north-west of Bulwer on Moreton Island, and barrels of oil had drifted off into the sea. Godwin was employed to salvage these barrels and transport them to Brisbane. While doing so, on 20 February 1911 he was thrown from his boat in rough seas off Toorbul Point and he drowned.[2][9][10][11]

Beachmere Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses was built in 1992.[12]

Circa 1999, a monument commemorating Godwin was erected on the beachfront.[13][14]

Demographics

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In the 2011 census, Godwin Beach recorded a population of 444 people, 49.1% female and 50.9% male.[15] The median age of the Godwin Beach population was 41 years, 4 years above the national median of 37. 77.3% of people living in Godwin Beach were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were England 7%, New Zealand 5.4%, Cambodia 0.7%, Hong Kong 0.7%, Germany 0.7%. 92.3% of people spoke only English at home; the next most common languages were 1.1% Thai, 0.9% Tagalog, 0.9% German, 0.9% Greek, 0% Gaelic (Scotland).[15]

In the 2016 census, Godwin Beach had a population of 462 people.[16]

In the 2021 census, Godwin Beach had a population of 487 people.[1]

Education

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There are no schools in Godwin Beach. The nearest government primary and secondary schools are Bribie Island State School and Bribie Island State High School, both in Bongaree on Bribie Island to the east.[17]

Amenities

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Godwin Beach Esplanade Park provides beach access, play equipment, barbeque and fitness equipment (27°05′08″S 153°06′49″E / 27.08553°S 153.113682°E / -27.08553; 153.113682 (Godwin Beach Esplanade Park)).[18][19]

The Beachmere Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses is at 470 Bestmann Road (27°04′44″S 153°06′07″E / 27.078994°S 153.102°E / -27.078994; 153.102 (Beachmere Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses)).[12]

Attractions

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There is a memorial to Charles Godwin along the beachfront.[20]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Godwin Beach (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.  
  2. ^ a b "Godwin Beach – locality in Moreton Bay Region (entry 50068)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  3. ^ "Layers: Locality; Mountains and ranges; Contours; Watercourses; Bays". Queensland Globe. Queensland Government. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  4. ^ "Layers: Locality; Protected areas and forests; Land use". Queensland Globe. Queensland Government. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  5. ^ "The beach at Godwin Beach". Google Street View. May 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Mangrove forest, Godwin Beach". Google Street View. May 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  7. ^ "Layers: Locality; Protected areas and forests; Land use; Land parcel". Queensland Globe. Queensland Government. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Salamander Bank – marine bank (entry 29443)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  9. ^ "EASTERN AGROUND". The Brisbane Courier. No. 16, 550. Queensland, Australia. 26 January 1911. p. 5. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ "A Drowning Accident". The Brisbane Courier. No. 16, 573. Queensland, Australia. 22 February 1911. p. 4. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ "Recent Drowning Fatality,". The Brisbane Courier. No. 16, 578. Queensland, Australia. 28 February 1911. p. 7. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ a b Blake, Thom. "Beachmere Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses". Queensland Religious Places. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  13. ^ Unknown, Unveiling Charles Godwin memorial plaque, Godwin Beach, ca 1999, archived from the original on 21 May 2022, retrieved 29 November 2019
  14. ^ Unknown, Commemorative plaque for Charles Godwin, Godwin Beach foreshore, ca 2000, archived from the original on 21 May 2022, retrieved 29 November 2019
  15. ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Godwin Beach (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 11 March 2014.  
  16. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Godwin Beach (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.  
  17. ^ "Layers: Locality; Schools and school catchments". Queensland Globe. Queensland Government. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  18. ^ "Godwin Beach Esplanade". Moreton Bay City Council. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  19. ^ "Godwin Beach Esplanade Park". Google Street View. May 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  20. ^ Unknown, Unveiling Charles Godwin memorial plaque, Godwin Beach, ca 1999, archived from the original on 21 May 2022, retrieved 29 November 2019
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