Shire of Quilpie
# Shire of Quilpie

The Shire of Quilpie is a local government area in South West Queensland, Australia. It covers an area of 67,415 square kilometres (26,029 sq mi), and its administrative centre is the town of Quilpie.

The dominant industry is grazing. Opal fields are also worked within the shire.

In June 2018, the Shire of Quilpie had a population of 790, having fallen by -3.5 per cent over the preceding year, the second fastest decline in the state.

## History

Margany (also known as Marganj, Mardigan, Marukanji, Maranganji) is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken by the Margany people. The Margany language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of the Quilpie Shire, taking in Quilpie, Cheepie and Beechal extending towards Eulo and Thargomindah, as well as the properties of Dynevor Downs and Ardoch.

The Shire was created on 17 July 1930 from parts of the Shires of Barcoo, Murweh and Paroo and part of the abolished Shire of Adavale and all of the abolished Shire of Bulloo. However, on 4 July 1931, the Shire of Bulloo was re-instated.

## Chairmen and mayors

### Chairmen

* 1930-1933 H. J. Pegler

### Mayors

* 1997–2012: P. David Edwards
* 2012–present: Stuart Alexander Mackenzie

## Towns and localities

The Shire of Quilpie includes the following settlements:

* Quilpie
* Adavale
* Cheepie
* Eromanga
* Toompine

## Amenities

Quilpie Shire Council operates a public library at Quilpie.

## Population

| Year | Population |
| - | - |
| 1933 | 1,965 |
| 1947 | 1,931 |
| 1954 | 2,387 |
| 1961 | 2,534 |
| 1966 | 2,051 |
| 1971 | 1,685 |
| 1976 | 1,440 |
| 1981 | 1,430 |
| 1986 | 1,490 |
| 1991 | 1,406 |
| 1996 | 1,402 |
| 2001 | 1,175 |
| 2006 | 986 |
| 2016 | 813 |
| 2021 | 698 |

## Notable people from Quilpie

* Vaughan Johnson, Queensland state politician
* Ewen Jones, Australian federal politician
* Professor Don Markwell, social scientist and educational leader
* Sandy McPhie, former Queensland state politician
* Justine Saunders, late Australian actor
