Regional Timeline
The longterm Aboriginal presence in the local area is confirmed by artefact finds eg in Pallara, Ellen Grove, Carole Park and Wacol.
- 1823: John Oxley climbed Termination Hill at Wacol on his trip of discovery up the Brisbane River.
- 1843: Lands Commissioner Dr Stephen Simpson established his Border Police Station at the junction of the Brisbane River and Woogaroo Creek, Wacol.
- 1854: Dr Simpson moved to his Wolston House, now a National Trust Property.
- 1866: Cobb and Co took over the coach run along Ipswich Road to Brisbane.
- 1876: Henry Farley selected Archerfield Station (6760 acres). It covered much of the region.
- 1876: Ipswich – Brisbane railway opened, with a “stopping place” at what became Darra
- 1880s: Michael “Stumpy” Durack lived at Archerfield House (in Homestead Park, Forest Lake)
- 1899: Brittains Brickworks opens at Darra (now Boral)
- 1916: Darra blossomed with the new Cement Works, State School and Oates sub-divisions.
- 1932: Richlands – first buyers moved into the 4 acre bush blocks that form the core of Richlands
- 1940s: Thousands of US and Allied service personnel were stationed in Darra, Richlands and Wacol during World War II.
- 1940s: Carole Park, Doolandella, Pallara, Ellen Grove – initiated by WT Anderson and RP Spinks.
- 1946: Serviceton – Hock Davis’ vision for a planned returned servicemen’s settlement began.
- 1949: Wacol Migrant Camp – (part of the original US Army camp) opened. Until 1987 it received thousands of migrants and refugees, who have had a huge cultural influence on the region.
- 1953: Inala – The Housing Commission took over Serviceton and the satellite settlement was renamed.
- 1963: Queensland National Trust formed – largely to save Wolston House
- 1974: floods – Pallara and Carole Park schools become evacuation centres
- 1979: Brisbane’s first electric train terminates at Darra
- 1981: Willawong dump’s toxic dangers revealed in senate enquiry
- 1991: The Forest Lake development begins, bringing 20,000 new families to the district.
- 1997: Willawong toxic waste dump closed, remediation begins.
- 1998: QCL factory at Darra closed after 84 years
- 2005: Wacol Army Camp sold; Nashos Heritage Precinct opened
- 2008: Richlands Railway Station – continues the urbanisation of the district
- 2009: Queensland celebrates 150 years; Pallara State School 50th; Inala West SS closed
- 2010: Richlands State School closed
- 2010: John Oxley’s Termination Hill gazetted
- 2011: January floods
- 2013: Forest Lake creeks named for noted locals Scott and Spinks
- 2014: Pooh Corner Environment Centre opened in Wacol.