Curious about a suburb that balances city access with bayside tranquility? That’s Wynnum West. Let’s uncover its story. Wynnum West, a post World War II suburb, officially became its own suburb in 1975. It sits 13 km east of Brisbane’s central business district.
Did you know Wynnum West was once adrift from rail transport? The railway line looped through Lindum and Wynnum North. Lindum is now included in Wynnum West. Imagine rural families sending their children to Wynnum West primary school when it opened in 1922. There were only 57 pupils. Iona College started next to Lindum State School 35 years later. Its first classes were held in an old farmhouse on 32 acres.
In 1949, Wynnum West had few businesses. There were two grocers. A joinery works existed too. So did a mixed business and the Rex Service Station. Lindum had a couple of dairies. Poultry farms were there plus a Baptist church.
Consider how the Baptist community grew. The Wynnum district became its main center. Retail growth faced limits in Wynnum Central. This led to the opening of Wynnum Plaza in 1980. It’s opposite Wynnum West school. The Plaza boasts a discount department store. Two supermarkets anchor it along with nearly 60 other shops.
Wynnum West’s population has steadily increased. In 1954, it was 387. By 1961, it jumped to 4268. The population reached 7769 in 1976. It then climbed to 8784 in 1991. In 2001, Wynnum West had 10,547 residents. The count was 10,754 in 2006. By 2011, it reached 11,745. The 2021 census recorded 12,790 people in Wynnum West.
Wynnum West got its name from Wynnum. Wynnum comes from the Kabi language word “winnam”. Winnam means the pandanus tree.
Picture Lindum Camp. It was a large Jagera and Quandamooka campsite. Until the 1890s, it stood near Sibley’s Road and Fordel Street. It overlooked Bombarpin lagoon. It became the only Aboriginal fishing reserve in southern Brisbane.
European settlement began in the 1860s. Agriculture and viticulture dominated land use. Aboriginal people from Lindum Camp worked alongside the newcomers. Significant development didn’t occur until after the war.
Reflect on Lindum Methodist Sunday School. It opened in 1914. It was in a barn near the Lindum railway station. Lindum Baptist Church followed in 1920. Wynnum West Mission Baptist Church opened in 1926.
Lindum State School opened in 1954. It closed in 2010. It joined with Wynnum Central and Wynnum North State Schools. They created the new Wynnum State School. Iona College acquired the Lindum State School site.
Lindum Methodist Church officially opened in 1956. The Australian Holiness Church donated the small building. It was relocated to Sibley’s Road. In 1990, the congregation joined Bayside Uniting Church. Services continued until 2013. The building needed repairs and was closed. Wesley Mission Queensland built Asher House on the land. Asher House supports young people with acquired brain injuries.
Consider Iona College. It was established in 1958. The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate founded it. Archbishop James Duhig provided the North Road site. Father Tim Long, the first principal, transformed the derelict farmhouse into a school in just four months.
Lindum became a neighborhood in Wynnum West in 1975. The Lindum railway station gave Lindum its name. It was named in 1899 after Edward Kelk’s residence. Kelk called his property “Lindum-Mere”. That’s the Roman name for Lincoln, England.
Brisbane Bayside State College opened in 2010. It was previously Wynnum North State High School.
Wynnum West. It’s a suburb where history and community intertwine. A place offering a balanced lifestyle so close to the bay.