The Dysart area was first explored by German born Ludwig Leichhardt. Leichhardt arrived in Australia in 1842 at the age of 29. In passing through the Broadsound Shire, Leichhardt erected on top of Campbell’s peak a small cairn of stones, approximately 14km west of where the town of Dysart now stands; this can still be seen.

 

It was Leichhardt who first made reference to coal deposits in Central Queensland. Leichhardt noted in his journals that he had observed “beds of coal indistinguishable from those on the Hunter at Newcastle,” close to Blackwater’s current location.  European settlers made their way into the area in the 1860s, establishing pastoral runs.  Beef cattle farming has continued to be a major industry in the region for over 150 years.

The Parish of Dysart was noted by the Queensland Government Lands Office in the 1890’s. Dysart was built to service Saraji Mine (1974*), the Harrow Creek Trial Colliery (1978*), and Norwich Park Mine (1979*), by the then Utah Development Company.   Construction of the first domestic houses began in July 1973, with Dysart’s first house being built at 17 Shannon Crescent.  By the end of the year Dysart had a population of 55.      

With Barry Casey as the first ‘headmaster’, the Dysart State School opened on 21st May 1973 with 27 pupils across seven primary classes.

By 1975, Dysart covered 810 hectares and contained 274 homes, catering for a population of 1,190. The Garden Plaza shopping centre opened in 1977 – previous to this, a group of portable dongas served as the temporary ‘shopping centre’.

 

With the approval to proceed with Norwich Park Mine, approximately 13 million dollars was spent to expand the facilities and infrastructure in Dysart, to upgrade the existing Shire road from Dysart to Norwich from dirt to bitumen, and to extend the railway line from Saraji Mine to Norwich Park Mine.  To upgrade Dysart, additional housing, water supplies, underwater stormwater drains, kerbing and channelling, sewerage systems, bitumen roads and electric power were provided. 

 

In 1981, the population of Dysart reached 4000.  The Dysart State High School was officially opened in 1982 with 314 pupils enrolled. The highest enrolment figure the school has had is 470 students. 

 

In the early days, married employees were housed in Dysart, while up to 150 single men lived on site in the Single Men’s Quarters.             According to the 2006 Australian Bureau of Statistics census, Dysart had a population of 3,326, with 42.5% of the population female and 57.50% male.  In 2008, Dysart’s population was 4569.

 

Harrow Creek Trial Colliery (1978 – 1987) and Norwich Park Mine (1979 – 2012) have both since ceased operations, with Norwich Park Mine playing an important role in the growth and development of the Dysart Community throughout its 33 years of production. 

 

In 2008 Lake Vermont Coal Mine commenced operations 20km north of Dysart. BMA’s Saraji Mine continues to operate and shares the milestone achievement of 40 Years with the Dysart Community. 

 

Today, families and individuals reside in Dysart, either in houses or at the Single Person’s Village (SPV).  Dysart remains a strong grain and cattle area with close ties to mining.  A tight knit community, Dysart celebrates the individuals, enterprise and local groups which have contributed to its progress and rich history. 

 

Coincidently, Dysart shares its name with the town of Dysart in Scotland, also a coal mining area.

 

 

 

*These dates recognise each mines first year of production.