Hill Top Provisional School opened on 20 March 1893. On 1 January 1909, it became Hill Top State School. From 1914 to 1915 it operated as a half-time school with Mulga State School (meaning the two schools shared a single teacher). In 1936, it was renamed Boonarga State School. It closed in June 1954.[5] It was located on the Warrego Highway (26°47′27″S150°42′27″E / 26.7909°S 150.7075°E / -26.7909; 150.7075 (Boonarga State School (former))).[6][7][3]
The Cactoblastis Memorial Hall was built to celebrate the eradiction of the prickly pear in the Boonarga area through the introduction of the cactoblastis moth.[8] Prickly pear had spread so extensively through the area that it was often not possible to walk or ride through it.[9][10] The hall was built by local builder Mr Jack Schloss at a cost of £435 and was officially opened in February 1936 by Godfrey Morgan, Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.[11][12] A gala ball was held to mark the occasion.[13][14]
Demographics
In the 2016 census, Boonarga had a population of 36 people.[15]
In the 2021 census, Boonarga had a population of 37 people.[1]
There are no schools in Boonarga. The nearest government primary schools are Brigalow State School in neighbouring Brigalow to the south-east and Chinchilla State School in neighbouring Chinchilla to the north-west. The nearest government secondary school is Chinchilla State High School in Chinchilla.[3]
^"A SURVEY & SOME OPINIONS". The Sydney Mail. Vol. XLVIII, no. 1241. New South Wales, Australia. 8 January 1936. p. 6. Retrieved 25 December 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^"SCIENCE WAGES WAR ON". Sunday Mail. No. 323. Queensland, Australia. 28 June 1936. p. 27. Retrieved 25 December 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^"AUSTRALIANA". The World's News. No. 1795. New South Wales, Australia. 6 May 1936. p. 12. Retrieved 25 December 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
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