Banyo is a northern suburb in the City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Banyo had a population of 6,105 people.
It is a community split between residential and industrial land usage, the latter being attracted by the accessibility of local transport, including the Gateway Motorway.
Originally inhabited by the native Turrbal tribe, the area became known as Clapham Junction once the suburb was settled by Europeans in 1849. It was not until 1897 when it officially adopted the name Banyo, an Aboriginal word which means a hill or ridge. The name was chosen by the Secretary for Railways James Dickson, and was also given to the Banyo railway station. The hill that it was named after no longer exists, having been quarried for the construction of Eagle Farm Airport during World War II.
Nudgee State School opened on 28 June 1875 on Nudgee Road on the western side of Nudgee Road, just south of the junction with Tufnell Road on land donated by Isaac Stuckey (present day address approx 936 Nudgee Road, 27°23′15″S 153°05′11″E / 27.3875°S 153.0863°E). By 1924 frequent flooding of the school building and growth in the local population led to new school buildings being erected at 453 Earnshaw Road (27°22′39″S 153°05′06″E / 27.3774°S 153.0849°E). On 31 December 2002 it was closed as part of an amalgamated with Banyo State High School to form Earnshaw State College, which opened in January 2003 from the site of the former high school. "A" Block of the former state school is listed on the Brisbane Heritage Register. The Nudgee State School website was archived.
In June 1884, approximately 600 allotments of "Clapham Junction Estate" were advertised to be auctioned by James R. Dickson & Company, auctioneers. The map advertising the auction states the Estate has magnificent view of the bay, and is located on the Sandgate Line between Toombul and Nudgee Stations.
In January 1888, the "Croydon Estate" made up of approximately 362 allotments was advertised to be auctioned by James R. Dickson & Company, auctioneers. The map advertising the auction states the Estate adjoins "Clapham Junction Estate" and is close to Sandgate Railway Station.
In 1918, local Anglicans purchased a block of land for £240. St Oswald's Anglican Church was dedicated on 17 February 1929 by Archbishop Gerald Sharp. The church hall was built in 1946.
On Saturday 14 March 1925, the Banyo Memorial School of Arts was officially opened by the Queensland Governor, Matthew Nathan. It was at the junction of St Vincents Road and Royal Parade. Inside there was a World War I Honour Board and a photo of the deceased Mrs Emma Purchase who had instigated the movement to construct the School of Arts. Another Honour Board was installed after World War II. By the 1990s the hall was in a dilapidated condition and in May 1988 a public meeting voted to demolish the hall, which took place in October 1988 and the land was sold in 2001. Funds from the sale were used to build a bandstand in Banyo Memorial Park in 2013.
Baptist services commenced in the Banyo School of Arts in March 1925. In October 1928, Arthur Hartley donated a 50-perch (1,300 m) piece of land to construct a Baptist church. The Banyo Baptist Church was officially opened on Saturday 6 December 1930. It was 30 by 21 feet (9.1 by 6.4 m) and capable of seating about 120 people. The church is highset timber with an iron roof and has a room underneath which is 21 by 12 feet (6.4 by 3.7 m). The current Baptist Church was built on the same site in 1967.
In January 1927, 102 allotments of the "Northgate Extension Estate" were advertised to be auctioned by Edward S. Crawford & Co., property salesmen, in conjunction with John Coleman, auctioneer. The map advertising the auction states the Estate has salubrious sea breezes with the Sandgate to Brisbane bus service that passes handy to the estate and 68 passenger trains daily.
In September 1927, a plan of the "Purdy Estate" was drawn up by Ernest C. Henzell and W. Carlyle Henzell, Land Agents. The map advertising the land sale shows the land allotments near Banyo Station.
In September 1928, the "Robinson's Paddock Estate" made up of 81 allotments was advertised to be auctioned by Isles, Love, & Co. Limited, auctioneers. The map advertising the auction states the Estate is handy to the station, schools, churches and stores. water and electric light pass the estate, and it is situated within a few miles of the popular sea beaches of Sandgate, Nudgee and Cribb Island.
St Pius' Catholic Primary School opened on 16 March 1947. It was operated by the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.
Banyo State High School opened on 2 February 1954 and closed on 31 December 2002. It was reopened in January 2003 as Earnshaw State College, after merging with Nudgee State School, creating a "P-12" college.
In the 2011 census, Banyo had a population of 5,607 people.
In the 2016 census, Banyo had a population of 5,868 people, 49.7% female and 50.3% male. The median age of the Banyo population was 37 years of age. 72.2% of people living in Banyo were born in Australia, compared to the national average of 66.7%; the next most common countries of birth were New Zealand 5.3%, India 3.1%, England 2.4%, Philippines 2.0%, China 0.9%. 81.8% of people spoke only English at home; the next most popular languages were 1.6% Punjabi, 1.1% Mandarin, 1.0% Hindi, 0.9% Vietnamese.
In the 2021 census, Banyo had a population of 6,105 people.
History info courtesy of Wikipedia
