Green Swamp - 3D view [1]
There have been many refernces to the Green Swamp in Munbilla in the past - Captain Logan and his journey to Mount French in June 1867. [2]
June 9. — They resumed their journey at 8 a.m., and for eight miles they passed through country superior to that traversed on the previous day. Then they came to a large swamp several miles in extent. This would be the Green Swamp to the west of Mun-billa. This swamp is famous for blue waterliles, and its bird life — black swans, pelicans, pacanas (which walk on the large leaves of the waterlilies) and many other interesting birds may be seen on its waters. They skirted the swamp for some miles and then crossed it and proceeded up the left bank of the Warrill Creek in the direction of Mt. French.
Local and general news (24-01-1891) - describing the after effects of rain with the Green Swamp resembling 'a lake'.
Up Cooohin and Boonah way, a heavy downfall occurred on Thursday last, and we were given to understand that yesterday morning the country in the vicinity of the Green Swamp and Munbilla was covered with water indeed, our informant described it as looking "like an immense lake."
Farming references during the sale of the Fassifern Estate - 22-01-1906 [3]
A farming population with productive holdings have long been resident in the neighbourhood, and the proximity to the well-known Green Swamp Reserve, upon which thousands of cattle, it is stated, were pastured during the great drought, should emphasise its value and insure the prospects of sale.
THe Normanby Shire Council during January 1918 apporached the Queensland Government opposing the sale of the Green Swamp reserve. The government was proposing setting up two Soldier settlments (post WW1). [4]
A deputation from the Normanby Shire Council, comprising Councillors W. Harsant and M Fischer, and Mr J. F. Theaker (clerk), was introduced by Mr E. T. Bell, M.L.A., to the Minister for Lands (Mr J. M. Hunter) yesterday to place matters before him regarding the reserve known as the Green Swamp in the vicinity of Harrisville and Munbilla. This is an area of 100 odd acres, on which there is excellent permanent water, and a proportion of land suitable for grazing and cultivation purposes, although subject largely to inundation in flood time. For many years the reserve has been used for watering stock, and has also served us a common grazing area for the surrounding district. It is now proposed by the Government to take almost the whole of the land and utilise it as two soldier settlements.
Green Swamp - news articles 1891 to 1945
William Horton had owned/leased much of the Green Swamp (portion 366 was leased). [5]
Description and Situation of Land. Portions 365 and 367 and subdivisions 1 and 3 of portion 177, county of Churchill, parish of Fassifern.
The green Swamp area was originally located in portion numbers 176, 180A, 180B and 180C - they have since been updated to 371 and 372, 365, 366 and 367. Mooroo Ougee Lagoon resides in portion 372.
Green Swamp - maps 1900 and 1963 [6] and [7]
Green Swamp - topographical map 1927 [8]
Green Swamp - aerial maps 1944 and 1959 [9] [10]
Sometime between 1944 and 1959, as depicted by the aerial maps above, the Green Swamp disappeared - all that is left now is Mooroo Ougee Lagoon, a perennial waterhole in the north of the locality. Kents Lagoon had been channelled away from the Green swamp.
- [1] Bing 3D view (TomTom - OpenStreetMaps)
- [2] Fassifern Guardian article Wednesday 31-10-1945
- [3] Brisbane Courier article Saturday 13-01-1906
- [4] Brisbane Courier article Saturday 19-01-1918
- [5] Brisbane Coutier article Monday 06-10-1930
- [6] Cadastral Map 40 chain - Parish of Fassifern - sheet 2 (1963).
- [7] Cadastral Map 40 chain - Moreton - sheet 24 south (1900).
- [8] Topographical Map, 1 mile, military line colour - Flinders (1927).
- [9] MAP 1539-519 KD-1050 Run 3, 28/04/1944 Aerial Map
- [10] Q890-101 Run 4, 31/05/1959 Aerial Map, (QLD) Dept. of Natural Resources and Water