View source for Taroom

{{distinguish|Tarome, Queensland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2012}}
{{Infobox Australian place
| type                   = town
| name                   = Taroom
| state                  = qld
| image                  = View towards the north-west from Gilbert's Lookout, Taroom, 2014.jpg
| caption                = View towards the north-west from Gilbert's Lookout, 2014 
| coordinates            = {{coord|-25.8266|149.8966|type:city_region:AU-QLD|display=inline,title|name=Taroom (town centre)}}
| pushpin_map_caption    = Location in Queensland
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pop                    = 885
| pop_year               = {{CensusAU|2021}}
| pop_footnotes          = <ref name=Census2021/>
| est                    = 
| postcode               = 4420
| elevation              = 
| area                   = 0.9
| dist1                  = 128 <!-- road distances as per template instructions -->
| dir1                   = N
| location1              = [[Miles, Queensland|Miles]]
| dist2                  = 168
| dir2                   = NE
| location2              = [[Roma, Queensland|Roma]]
| dist3                  = 199
| dir3                   = SSW
| location3              = [[Biloela, Queensland|Biloela]]
| dist4                  = 338
| dir4                   = NW
| location4              = [[Toowoomba, Queensland|Toowoomba]]
| dist5                  = 465
| dir5                   = NW
| location5              = [[Brisbane]]
| lga                    = Shire of Banana
| lga2                   = Western Downs Region
| stategov               = [[Electoral district of Callide|Callide]]
| fedgov                 = [[Division of Flynn|Flynn]]
| maxtemp                = 
| mintemp                = 
| rainfall               = 
| near-n                 = [[Ghinghinda, Queensland|Ghinhinda]]<br />[[Spring Creek, Queensland (Banana Shire)|Spring Creek]]
| near-ne                = [[Glebe, Queensland|Glebe]]
| near-e                 = [[Cockatoo, Queensland|Cockatoo]]
| near-se                = [[Bungaban, Queensland|Bungaban]]
| near-s                 = [[Grosmont, Queensland|Grosmont]]
| near-sw                = [[Eurombah, Queensland|Eurombah]]
| near-w                 = [[Broadmere, Queensland|Broadmere]]<br />[[Kinnoul, Queensland|Kinnoul]]
| near-nw                = [[Gwambegwine, Queensland|Gwambegwine]]
}}
'''Taroom''' {{IPAc-en|t|ə|ˈ|r|uː|m}} is a town in the [[Shire of Banana]] and [[suburbs and localities (Australia)|locality]] split between the Shire of Banana and the [[Western Downs Region]] in [[Queensland]], Australia.<ref name=qpnt>{{cite QPN|33384|Taroom (town)|access-date=15 May 2014}}</ref><ref name=qpnl>{{cite QPN|43728|Taroom (locality)|access-date=15 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite QPN|47750|Tarooom|locality in the Western Downs Region|access-date=18 September 2017}}</ref> In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, Taroom had a population of 885 people.<ref name=Census2021>{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL32755 |name=Taroom (SAL)|accessdate=19 June 2024|quick=on}}</ref>

== Geography ==
The town is located on the [[Dawson River (Queensland)|Dawson River]] and the [[Leichhardt Highway]], {{convert|380|km|mi}} north-west of the state capital, [[Brisbane]], 300 kilometres (186 mi) west of Maryborough, {{convert|261|km|mi}} South-west of [[Rockhampton, Queensland|Rockhampton]] and {{convert|302|km|mi}} from [[Toowoomba, Queensland|Toowoomba]].<ref name="ABS2011" />

The [[Leichhardt Highway]] runs through from south to north, and the [[Roma-Taroom Road]] enters from the south-west.<ref>{{google maps|url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Taroom+QLD+4420/@-25.6995977,149.489241,10z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x6bbf358555222a4b:0x400eef17f209a70!8m2!3d-25.640556!4d149.798333!16zL20vMGdnOG55?entry=tts  |title=Taroom, Queensland |access-date=16 June 2023}}</ref>

===Climate===
{{Weather box
| width       = auto
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| collapsed   = yes
| location    = Taroom Post Office (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1957–present)
| Jan record high C = 45.3
| Feb record high C = 44.6
| Mar record high C = 42.2
| Apr record high C = 36.9
| May record high C = 34.7
| Jun record high C = 33.0
| Jul record high C = 30.0
| Aug record high C = 37.0
| Sep record high C = 41.4
| Oct record high C = 41.2
| Nov record high C = 42.8
| Dec record high C = 44.0
| year record high C = 45.3
| Jan high C = 34.7
| Feb high C = 33.5
| Mar high C = 32.4
| Apr high C = 29.3
| May high C = 25.4
| Jun high C = 22.2
| Jul high C = 22.0
| Aug high C = 24.3
| Sep high C = 28.0
| Oct high C = 30.7
| Nov high C = 32.6
| Dec high C = 33.9
| year high C = 29.1
| Jan mean C = 28.0
| Feb mean C = 27.1
| Mar mean C = 25.5
| Apr mean C = 21.8
| May mean C = 17.6
| Jun mean C = 14.6
| Jul mean C = 13.9
| Aug mean C = 15.6
| Sep mean C = 19.7
| Oct mean C = 22.9
| Nov mean C = 25.4
| Dec mean C = 27.0
| year mean C = 21.6
| Jan low C = 21.3
| Feb low C = 20.8
| Mar low C = 18.6
| Apr low C = 14.2
| May low C = 9.9
| Jun low C = 7.0
| Jul low C = 5.8
| Aug low C = 7.0
| Sep low C = 11.4
| Oct low C = 15.2
| Nov low C = 18.2
| Dec low C = 20.1
| year low C = 14.1
| Jan record low C = 12.6
| Feb record low C = 11.1
| Mar record low C = 7.2
| Apr record low C = 2.9
| May record low C = -3.3
| Jun record low C = -4.6
| Jul record low C = -5.6
| Aug record low C = -4.0
| Sep record low C = -2.8
| Oct record low C = 2.2
| Nov record low C = 5.2
| Dec record low C = 8.7
| year record low C = -5.6
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 88.7
| Feb precipitation mm = 94.5
| Mar precipitation mm = 55.1
| Apr precipitation mm = 25.9
| May precipitation mm = 24.8
| Jun precipitation mm = 33.4
| Jul precipitation mm = 18.2
| Aug precipitation mm = 26.9
| Sep precipitation mm = 34.8
| Oct precipitation mm = 61.4
| Nov precipitation mm = 60.3
| Dec precipitation mm = 91.0
| year precipitation mm = 614.9
| unit precipitation days = 1 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 5.6
| Feb precipitation days = 5.6
| Mar precipitation days = 4.0
| Apr precipitation days = 2.6
| May precipitation days = 2.8
| Jun precipitation days = 3.3
| Jul precipitation days = 2.6
| Aug precipitation days = 2.6
| Sep precipitation days = 3.3
| Oct precipitation days = 5.2
| Nov precipitation days = 5.9
| Dec precipitation days = 6.9
| year precipitation days = 50.3
| Jan dew point C = 18.1
| Feb dew point C = 18.5
| Mar dew point C = 16.5
| Apr dew point C = 13.2
| May dew point C = 10.4
| Jun dew point C = 8.2
| Jul dew point C = 6.7
| Aug dew point C = 6.5
| Sep dew point C = 9.2
| Oct dew point C = 11.8
| Nov dew point C = 14.5
| Dec dew point C = 16.8
| year dew point C = 12.5
| source 1 = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]<ref>{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/oceans/archive/arc0216/0253808/4.4/data/0-data/Region-5-WMO-Normals-9120/Australia/CSV/Taroom_94525.csv
|title = Taroom Post Office Climate Normals for 1991-2020
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|format = CSV
|access-date = 12 August 2024
|archive-date = 13 August 2024
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240813035732/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/oceans/archive/arc0216/0253808/4.4/data/0-data/Region-5-WMO-Normals-9120/Australia/CSV/Taroom_94525.csv
|url-status = live
}}</ref>
| source 2 = [[Bureau of Meteorology]]<ref>{{Cite web 
|title = Climate statistics for Australian locations 
|publisher = Bureau of Meteorology 
|access-date = 12 August 2024 
|url = http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_035070_All.shtml 
|archive-date = 13 August 2024 
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240813035732/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_035070_All.shtml 
|url-status = live 
}}</ref>
}}

==History==
[[File:Queensland State Archives 2817 Leichhardts Tree at Dawson River Taroom c 1914.png|thumb|Leichhardt's Tree at Dawson River, Taroom, circa 1914]]
[[Prussia]]n explorer [[Ludwig Leichhardt]] passed through the district in 1844, carving his initials and date on a [[Eucalyptus coolabah|coolibah tree]] that now stands in the centre of town.<ref name="qhr">{{cite QHR|15610|Leichhardt Tree|600835|accessdate=1 August 2014}}</ref>

[[File:StateLibQld 1 116816 Taroom Station, ca. 1885.jpg|thumb|Taroom cattle station, circa 1885]]
The name Taroom is said to be an [[Indigenous Australian|aboriginal]] [[Wakawaka language|Waka]] word ''tarum'' meaning ''wild lime''.<ref name=qpnt/><ref name=qpnl/>

The town was surveyed by Clarendon Stuart in 1860.<ref name="qpnt" />[[File:StateLibQld 1 203908 Taroom State School, ca. 1912.jpg|thumb|Taroom State School, circa 1912|left]]Taroom State School opened on 11 April 1871 as a primary school.<ref name="qs">{{Cite QldSchool|access-date=15 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite QSA Agency|5737|Taroom State School|16 May 2012}}</ref> In 1964, the school had a secondary department added to provide secondary education to Year 10.<ref>{{cite web|title=Taroom P-10 State School secondary department turns 50!|url=http://taroomss.eq.edu.au/wcms/index.php/50th|publisher=Taroom State School|access-date=16 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517122953/http://taroomss.eq.edu.au/wcms/index.php/50th|archive-date=17 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1883, Taroom police officer William O'Dwyer was killed after being struck in the head with a tomahawk by a man he was attempting to arrest near [[Wandoan, Queensland|Wandoan]].  The suspect was immediately shot dead by an accompanying police constable.  O'Dwyer died from his injuries thirty minutes after being struck, and was buried at Wandoan.<ref>[http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/crime/display/98866-constable-william-o%60dwyer Constable William O'Dwyer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107160032/http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/crime/display/98866-constable-william-o%60dwyer |date=7 November 2016 }}, Monument Australia website. Retrieved 7 November 2016</ref> A plaque was unveiled on 7 September 2012 by Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Wilson on a rock in front of the Taroom Police Station to commemorate O'Dwyer being killed in the line of duty.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-07/fallen-officer-recognised-120-years-on/4248748 Fallen officer recognised 120 Years On] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107170741/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-07/fallen-officer-recognised-120-years-on/4248748 |date=7 November 2016 }}, ''ABC News'', ABC online, 7 September 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2016.</ref>

[[Taroom Aboriginal Mission]] operated until 1927, when it was closed and its residents moved to [[Woorabinda, Queensland]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

In the [[1972 Taroom explosion]], three men were killed when a stationary truck carrying [[ammonium nitrate]] which had caught fire exploded on the Taroom-Bauhinia Road, north-west of Taroom. The three men included the driver and two brothers from a nearby property who had ridden up to the burning truck on motorbikes to assist with the initial fire, which was believed to have been caused by a fault with the truck's electrical system.<ref>[http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/102002031 Three die in chemical blast] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111202854/http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/102002031 |date=11 November 2016 }}, ''[[The Canberra Times]]'', 1 September 1972. Retrieved 11 November 2016.</ref> As the three men were standing near the truck, a significant explosion occurred which burnt out more than 2,000 acres of surrounding bushland, uprooted trees and left a deep crater in the ground where the burning truck had been parked.  It was reported that the explosion was so loud that it was heard in [[Moura, Queensland|Moura]] and [[Theodore, Queensland|Theodore]] with debris from the destroyed truck scattered up to two kilometres away.  A memorial to the three men was unveiled in Taroom, which led to another one being erected at the accident site in 2013.<ref>[http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/enduring-tribute-binds-community/1817592 Enduring tribute binds community] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112023519/http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/enduring-tribute-binds-community/1817592/ |date=12 November 2016 }}, Rebecca Elliot, ''Central Telegraph'', 5 April 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2016.</ref><ref>[http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2013/04/truck-explosion-memorial-unveiled.html Truck explosion memorial unveiled] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111201323/http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2013/04/truck-explosion-memorial-unveiled.html |date=11 November 2016 }}, Jacquie Mackay, ''Breakfast with Jacquie Mackay'', [[ABC Capricornia]], 4 April 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2016.</ref>

[[File:War memorial, Taroom, 2014.JPG|thumb|War memorial, Taroom, 2014]]
The Taroom War Memorial commemorates residents of [[Taroom Shire]] who served in [[World War I]], [[World War II]] and the [[Vietnam War]]. It is located at the Ludwig Leichhardt Park in Yaldwyn Street and was dedicated in about 1973.<ref>{{cite web|title=Taroom War Memorial|url=http://monumentaustralia.org.au/display/92630-taroom-war-memorial|publisher=Monument Australia|access-date=16 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517122135/http://monumentaustralia.org.au/display/92630-taroom-war-memorial|archive-date=17 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Taroom War Memorial|url=http://www.qldwarmemorials.com.au/pages/MemoDet.aspx?Memorial=Taroom%20War%20Memorial|work=Queensland War Memorial Register|publisher=[[Queensland Government]]|access-date=16 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517115450/http://www.qldwarmemorials.com.au/pages/MemoDet.aspx?Memorial=Taroom%20War%20Memorial|archive-date=17 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Taroom town hall, 2014.JPG|thumb|Taroom town hall, 2014]]
The Taroom Town Hall was built in 2004, immediately next door to the shire council chambers. It was intended to serve as a civic and recreational centre for the town and has a main auditorium that seats 300 people as well as a commercial kitchen and bar. The hall was awarded a regional commendation by the [[Royal Australian Institute of Architects]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|title=Taroom Town Hall|url=http://www.thomsonadsett.com/project/taroom-town-hall|publisher=ThomsonAdsett (architects)|access-date=16 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517154742/http://www.thomsonadsett.com/project/taroom-town-hall|archive-date=17 May 2014}}</ref>

The current Taroom Public Library opened in 1976.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/388497/SLQ_StatsBulletin1617_20171109.pdf|title=Queensland Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-2017|date=November 2017|website=Public Libraries Connect|access-date=22 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130022546/http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/388497/SLQ_StatsBulletin1617_20171109.pdf|archive-date=30 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Taroom made national news headlines in December 2014 when a man and two children were found near the town after being missing for eleven days.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-21/brisbane-man-two-sons-found-safe-in-outback-queensland/5982020 Brisbane man Steve Lonkhuyzen, two sons found safe in outback Queensland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107180827/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-21/brisbane-man-two-sons-found-safe-in-outback-queensland/5982020 |date=7 November 2016 }}, ''[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]'', ABC online, 21 December 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2016.</ref> The trio, consisting of Steve Van Lonkhuyzen and his two young sons, had departed the Brisbane suburb of [[Lota, Queensland|Lota]] on 11 December 2014 for a road journey to [[Cairns, Queensland|Cairns]] when they became stranded in [[Expedition National Park]] north-west of Taroom, after their four-wheel-drive vehicle became bogged.  The Queensland Police Service appealed to the public to help locate the father and his two sons after they were reported missing when they failed to reach Cairns as scheduled on 15 December 2014.  The last known communication from the man was a phone call made from Taroom.<ref>[http://www.chinchillanews.com.au/news/help-needed-to-find-family/2488592 Help needed to find family last seen on Darling Downs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108053736/http://www.chinchillanews.com.au/news/help-needed-to-find-family/2488592/ |date=8 November 2016 }}, ''Chinchilla News'', 18 December 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2016.</ref> A local Taroom grazier eventually located the trio on 21 December 2014 while he was searching the national park looking for them after seeing media reports about their disappearance and realising he had witnessed their vehicle enter the national park several days earlier.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-22/father-two-sons-found-in-outback-queensland-were-starving/5983658 Grazier who located father, sons stranded in outback Queensland says they were 'pretty hungry'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107180833/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-22/father-two-sons-found-in-outback-queensland-were-starving/5983658 |date=7 November 2016 }}, Marlina Whop, ''[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]'', ABC online, 22 December 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2016.</ref> It was reported they had survived by collecting rainwater and eating mouldy bread.<ref>[http://www.9news.com.au/National/2014/12/22/20/11/Remarkable-tale-of-survival-for-Queensland-family-lost-for-11-days-in-the-outback Remarkable tale of survival for Queensland family lost for 11 days in the outback] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107163529/http://www.9news.com.au/National/2014/12/22/20/11/Remarkable-tale-of-survival-for-Queensland-family-lost-for-11-days-in-the-outback |date=7 November 2016 }}, ''[[Nine News|9 News]]'', 22 December 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2016.</ref> The two boys were admitted to Taroom Hospital as a precautionary measure due to malnutrition.<ref>[http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/father-rationed-food-to-keep-sons-alive-in-outback-20141222-12cboq.html Father rationed food to keep sons alive in outback] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105055712/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/father-rationed-food-to-keep-sons-alive-in-outback-20141222-12cboq.html |date=5 January 2017 }}, Kim Stephens, ''[[Brisbane Times]]'', 22 December 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/hero-farmer-tom-wagner-just-had-to-find-missing-boys-and-father-in-outback-queensland/news-story/12bfaa09a69ee5394186d4d919017dc6 Hero farmer Tom Wagner 'just had to find' missing boys and father in outback Queensland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013044405/http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/hero-farmer-tom-wagner-just-had-to-find-missing-boys-and-father-in-outback-queensland/news-story/12bfaa09a69ee5394186d4d919017dc6 |date=13 October 2016 }}, ''[[news.com.au]]'', 23 December 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2016.</ref>

On 29 September 2018, Taroom & District Historical Society Inc and Taroom RSL Sub Branch worked together to preserve the 1973 War Memorial by moving it from Leichhardt Park to the Taroom Museum at 17 Kelman Street, Taroom (on the original site of the Taroom State School 1871-1956).{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}}

==Local government==
Taroom was part of the [[Shire of Taroom]] until the local government amalgamations of 2008 resulted in the Shire of Taroom being split with the northern part (including Taroom itself) becoming part of the [[Shire of Banana]] and the southern part becoming part of the Dalby Region, later renamed [[Western Downs Region]].

[[File:Banana Shire Council offices, Taroom, 2014.JPG|thumb|Banana Shire Council offices, Taroom, 2014]]
The [[Banana Shire Council]] has an administration office in Yaldwyn Street; this building is the former Taroom Shire Council Chambers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Contact Us|url=http://www.banana.qld.gov.au/web/guest/contact-us1|publisher=[[Banana Shire Council]]|access-date=16 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517120520/http://www.banana.qld.gov.au/web/guest/contact-us1|archive-date=17 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The last person to hold the position of Taroom Shire Council mayor, Don Stiller, was critical of the decision to place Taroom into the Banana Shire.  In 2011, he said the town would have been much better off had it been incorporated into the Western Downs Regional Council area, which concurred with previous statements by State Member for Callide [[Jeff Seeney]] who had described the decision to make Taroom a part of Banana Shire as "outrageous".<ref>[http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/stiller-merger-did-taroom-no-favours/841291 Merger did Taroom no favours] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107024243/http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/stiller-merger-did-taroom-no-favours/841291/ |date=7 November 2016 }}, Russel Guse, ''Central Telegraph'', 6 May 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2016</ref>

However, Western Downs Regional Council mayor Ray Brown did not support Don Stiller's viewpoint, stating that his priority was to deal with issues in his existing council area and was not interested in looking at any proposed changes to council boundaries that would bring Taroom into the Western Downs Regional Council area.<ref>[http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/mayor-not-interested-in-amalgamation-debate/841292 Taroom's neighbours not interested] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107022734/http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/mayor-not-interested-in-amalgamation-debate/841292/ |date=7 November 2016 }}, Russel Guse, ''Central Telegraph'', 6 May 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2016</ref>

==Education==
[[File:Taroom P-10 State School, 2014.JPG|thumb|Taroom P-10 State School, 2014]]
[[File:Taroom State School, 2024.jpg|thumb|Taroom State School, 2024]]
Taroom State School is a government primary and secondary (Prep to Year 10) school for boys and girls at Wolsey Street ({{coord|-25.6389|149.8005|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Taroom State School}}).<ref name="SchoolList2018">{{cite web |date=9 July 2018 |title=State and non-state school details |url=https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065959/https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997 |archive-date=21 November 2018 |access-date=21 November 2018 |publisher=[[Queensland Government]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Taroom State School |url=https://www.taroomss.eq.edu.au/ |access-date=21 November 2018 |archive-date=18 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318103621/https://taroomss.eq.edu.au/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 157 students with 18 teachers (16 full-time equivalent) and 11 non-teaching staff (9 full-time equivalent).<ref name="ACARA2018">{{cite web |title=ACARA School Profile 2018 |url=https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx |access-date=28 January 2020 |publisher=[[Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority]] |archive-date=27 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827085246/https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

For 94 years, Taroom also had a [[Catholic education in Australia|Catholic]] primary school called St Mary's Primary School.  However, the Catholic Education office in [[Toowoomba, Queensland|Toowoomba]] announced in April 2015 that it would be closing St Mary's School in Taroom on 26 June 2015.  The closure of St Mary's means St John's School in [[Roma, Queensland|Roma]] and St Joseph's School in [[Chinchilla, Queensland|Chinchilla]] are now the closest Catholic schools to Taroom.  The principal of St Mary's said he was not allowed to publicly comment about the matter but the executive director of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba|Catholic Education in Toowoomba]] said in a statement the decision to close the school was made with "careful consideration".<ref>[http://www.chinchillanews.com.au/news/school-closure-shocks-town/2622859 St Mary's School closure leaves parents short of option] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107012631/http://www.chinchillanews.com.au/news/school-closure-shocks-town/2622859/ |date=7 November 2016 }}, Hayden Smith, ''Chinchilla News'', 1 May 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2016.</ref>

== Facilities ==
Banana Shire Council operates a library at 24 Yaldwyn Street.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.banana.qld.gov.au/branches|title=Library: Branches & Opening hours|publisher=Banana Shire Council|access-date=8 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319163850/http://www.banana.qld.gov.au/branches|archive-date=19 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Tourism==
Taroom has a rare windmill of an unusual design located on the banks of the Dawson River. The windmill was produced by the Steel Wings Company, in North Sydney between 1907 and 1911, one of only six models ever erected. The windmills comprise a steel frame and fan which turns to the wind between a bearing at the bottom and a swivel at the top, all supported by guy-wires. Along with another example in [[Jerilderie, New South Wales|Jerilderie]] in the [[Riverina]], the fully restored windmills are the only two known working examples in the world designed so their fan is contained and spins within the fully pivoting frame.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

[[File:Memorial to John Gilbert, Gilbert's Lookout, Taroom, 2014.JPG|thumb|[[John Gilbert (naturalist)|John Gilbert]]'s memorial at Gilbert's Lookup, 2014]]
There is a lookout at the top of Kelman Street, known as Gilbert's Lookout in honour of [[John Gilbert (naturalist)|John Gilbert]], a naturalist with [[Ludwig Leichhardt]]'s 1844 expedition. There is a memorial to Gilbert at the lookout. Gilbert was killed when he was speared by an [[Aboriginal Australians|Aboriginal]] at the [[Mitchell River (Queensland)|Mitchell River]] near Dunbar, Queensland near the [[Gulf of Carpentaria]].<ref>{{cite web|title=John Gilbert|url=http://monumentaustralia.org.au/display/92623-john-gilbert|publisher=Monument Australia|access-date=16 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517132208/http://monumentaustralia.org.au/display/92623-john-gilbert|archive-date=17 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The lookout offers panoramic views of the town and surrounding countryside.<ref>{{cite web|title=Taroom|url=http://www.dawsonrivertowns.com.au/welcome-to-dawson-river-towns/taroom/|publisher=Dawson River Towns Inc|access-date=16 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517121909/http://www.dawsonrivertowns.com.au/welcome-to-dawson-river-towns/taroom/|archive-date=17 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Update inline|date=April 2025|reason=The proposal was in 2013, what was the outcome?}} In 2013, a proposal was put forward to renovate and convert the former Taroom Shire Council Chambers into a tourist attraction that would detail the life and achievements of [[Ludwig Leichhardt]].  Banana Shire councillor Vaughan Becker said the characteristics of the Leichhardt Centre would incorporate the feeling of a museum, interpretive centre, educational resource and a tribute to the explorer's achievements.  Councillor Becker met with representatives from the [[Embassy of Germany, Canberra|German Embassy]], [[Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia)|Department of Foreign Affairs]], [[Queensland Museum]] and the [[University of Queensland]] to discuss the proposal.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-29/councillor-keen-for-ludwig-leichhardt-museum/4849568 Councillor keen for Ludwig Leichhardt museum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107160539/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-29/councillor-keen-for-ludwig-leichhardt-museum/4849568 |date=7 November 2016 }}, Paul Robinson, ''ABC News'', ABC online, 29 July 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2016.</ref> [[Sue Boyce]], [[Ken O'Dowd]] and Banana Shire Council mayor Ron Carige all publicly supported the proposal.<ref>[http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/leichhardt-centre-steps-forword/1968025 Leichhardt Centre Steps Forward] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107021224/http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/leichhardt-centre-steps-forword/1968025/ |date=7 November 2016 }}, Rebecca Hafner, ''Central Telegraph'', 5 August 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2016.</ref>

==Transport==
===Coach service===
[[Greyhound Australia]] provides long-distance coach services throughout inland Queensland, including a [[Toowoomba, Queensland|Toowoomba]]-[[Rockhampton, Queensland|Rockhampton]] service that Taroom residents are able to utilise.  The Rockhampton-bound service stops in Taroom on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.busqldoutback.com.au/s/Toowoomba-to-Rockhampton.pdf|title=Toowoomba to Rockhampton|website=Bus Queensland|access-date=13 April 2020}}</ref> while the return Toowoomba-bound service stops in the town on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.busqldoutback.com.au/s/Rockhampton-to-Toowoomba.pdf|title=Rockhampton to Toowoomba|website=Bus Queensland|access-date=13 April 2020}}</ref>

===Airport===
The [[Taroom Airport]] is located 20 kilometres south-east of the town and is used by private aircraft, emergency services and the resource industry to [[Fly-in fly-out|fly workers]] in and out of the region.  In 2015, it was announced that Banana Shire Council was awarded over $124,000 in funding to upgrade the animal-proof fence at the airstrip.  At the time then-Banana Shire mayor Ron Carige said the council was negotiating with [[QGC]] hoping the company would increase their usage of the airport.  He also said an upgrade of the airport was in progress as it had become an integral part of the shire's infrastructure.<ref>[http://www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au/story/3551075/rural-airstrips-get-funding-boost 24 rural airstrips to get upgrade fund boost] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112081832/http://www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au/story/3551075/rural-airstrips-get-funding-boost/ |date=12 November 2016 }}, Andrea Crothers, ''[[Queensland Country Life]]'', 10 December 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2016</ref>

===Proposed rail link===
Unlike many towns in the district including Theodore to its north and Wandoan to its south, Taroom never managed to achieve a rail link to the town.  This was despite a long hard-fought campaign from members of the Taroom community who constantly lobbied the state government throughout the early 20th century in a bid to convince them to extend the [[Wandoan railway line]] to the town.  During the town's campaign for the railway extension, a local lobby group called the Taroom Railway League was formed.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

Delegates from Taroom met with government representatives on numerous occasions<ref>[http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/175441408 Railway to Taroom: Badly Wanted] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111203208/http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/175441408 |date=11 November 2016 }}, ''[[Telegraph (Brisbane)|The Telegraph]]'', 13 March 1913. Retrieved 11 November 2016</ref><ref>[http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20658929 West and Central System: No Present Prospect] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111195408/http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20658929 |date=11 November 2016 }}, ''[[The Courier-Mail|The Brisbane Courier]]'', 3 August 1923. Retrieved 11 November 2016</ref><ref>[http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/182196882 No New Railways: Government's Decision] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111202423/http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/182196882 |date=11 November 2016 }}, ''[[Telegraph (Brisbane)|The Telegraph]]'', 13 August 1929. Retrieved 11 November 2016</ref><ref>[http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/183410222 Taroom's railway and road requests] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111200518/http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/183410222 |date=11 November 2016 }}, ''[[Telegraph (Brisbane)|The Telegraph]]'', 13 May 1938. Retrieved 11 November 2016</ref> to discuss the issue but the proposal was consistently rebuffed by the government who reasoned that they'd find it difficult to finance despite it providing Taroom with a convenient link to Toowoomba during a time when not many people own motor vehicles and those who did found long-distance travel slow and difficult due to inferior dirt tracks over challenging terrain.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

The lack of government interest combined with the [[World War I|war]] and the infestation of invasive [[Prickly pears in Australia|Prickly Pears]] the region endured constantly stonewalled the project.<ref>[http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/183261860 Public Works Commission: Juandah to Taroom Railway; The Prickly Pear Problem] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111202425/http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/183261860 |date=11 November 2016 }}, ''[[Darling Downs Gazette]]'', 5 September 1916. Retrieved 11 November 2016</ref><ref>[http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/183256384 Juandah-Taroom Line: Adversely Reported On; Spread of Prickly Pear] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111194005/http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/183256384 |date=11 November 2016 }}, ''[[Darling Downs Gazette]]'', 8 November 1916.  Retrieved 11 November 2016</ref>

Another proposal surfaced in 1939 for a railway over the [[Carnarvon Range]] to link [[Springsure, Queensland|Springsure]] with Wandoan via [[Rolleston, Queensland|Rolleston]] and Taroom.<ref>[http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/184337992 Springsure Favours Rail To Wandoan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111201255/http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/184337992 |date=11 November 2016 }}, ''[[Telegraph (Brisbane)|The Telegraph]]'', 23 March 1939. Retrieved 11 November 2016</ref><ref>[http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/186702331 Inland Railway: Taroom to Springsure; Commission Hears Evidence] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111194312/http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/186702331 |date=11 November 2016 }}, ''[[Telegraph (Brisbane)|The Telegraph]]'', 7 June 1939. Retrieved 11 November 2016</ref>

Discussion of the railway link between Wandoan and Taroom continued into the 1940s<ref>[http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/97148847 Implementation of Abattoir Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111203009/http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/97148847 |date=11 November 2016 }}, ''[[Queensland Country Life]]'', 4 July 1946. Retrieved 11 November 2016</ref> but improved conditions of the roads, faster vehicles and the demise of many railway branch lines, the enthusiasm for the rail link to Taroom dissipated in the latter half of the 20th century.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

There is a current proposal to construct a [[Surat Basin railway]] line to connect the [[Western railway line, Queensland|Western railway line]] system at Wandoan with the [[Moura railway line]] for the transportation of coal to the [[Port of Gladstone]].  According to maps of the proposed line, it is expected to bypass Taroom in favour of a faster and shorter link between Wandoan to Banana via [[Cracow, Queensland|Cracow]].<ref>[http://statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/assessments-and-approvals/surat-basin-rail.html Surat Basin Rail Project: Project Overview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108233633/http://statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/assessments-and-approvals/surat-basin-rail.html |date=8 January 2017 }}, [[Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning]], Queensland Government. Retrieved 11 November 2016</ref>

==Flooding==
With the township situated on the banks of the [[Dawson River (Queensland)|Dawson River]], the community of Taroom experiences occasional flooding and has recorded four significant major floods since European settlement.

===1890 Flood===
Taroom's biggest flood occurred in 1890 with floodwaters reaching 8.74 metres above ground level.  The height of this flood is marked on the bottom of the [[Leichhardt Tree, Taroom|Leichhardt Tree]] in Yaldwyn Street as a reminder of the enormity of the 1890 flood.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

===1956 Flood===
The third biggest flood in Taroom was recorded in 1956 when the river peaked at 3.23 metres above ground level on 11 February 1956.  This flooding, combined with serious flooding of the Nogoa River caused high flood levels to be recorded in Rockhampton on 23 February 1956.<ref>[http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/flood/fld_history/floodsum_1950.shtml Queensland Flood Summary: 1950-1959] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107155920/http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/flood/fld_history/floodsum_1950.shtml |date=7 November 2016 }}, Bureau of Meteorology website. Retrieved 7 November 2016</ref>

===1983 Flood===
Taroom's fourth largest flood occurred in 1983 when the waters in the Dawson River rose to peak at 1.42 metres above ground level.<ref>[http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/flood/fld_history/floodsum_1980.shtml Queensland Flood Summary: 1980-1989] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107160151/http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/flood/fld_history/floodsum_1980.shtml |date=7 November 2016 }}, Bureau of Meteorology website. Retrieved 7 November 2016</ref>

===2010 Flood===
The town's second biggest flood was recorded in December 2010 during the statewide [[2010-2011 Queensland floods]] disaster when the floodwaters of the Dawson peaked on 29 December 2010 at 4.39 metres above ground level, isolating Taroom for several weeks.  The flood severely damaged the local service station<ref>[http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/true-blue-taroom-spirit-shines-on-flood-victims/743482 Taroom spirit shines in flood] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107222452/http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/true-blue-taroom-spirit-shines-on-flood-victims/743482/|date=7 November 2016}}, Russel Guse, ''Central Telegraph'', 13 January 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2016.</ref> and a couple living on a remote cattle property near Taroom were stranded on their roof for eight hours before being rescued by helicopter.<ref>[http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/taroom-rescue/743512 Couple's eight-hour rescue ordeal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107225516/http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/taroom-rescue/743512/|date=7 November 2016}}, Russel Guse, ''Central Telegraph'', 14 January 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2016.</ref>

After the floodwaters had receded, a charity event was held at the Leichhardt Hotel in Taroom to raise money for flood victims.  The event was attended by rugby league player [[Jason Hetherington]] and rugby league commentator [[Jason Costigan]].  A total of $24,000 was raised which was donated to the Taroom District Cancer and Palliative Care Group who then distributed it amongst local flood victims.<ref>[http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/taroom-raises-24000-flood-aid/765138 Taroom raises $24,000 in flood aid] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107224004/http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/taroom-raises-24000-flood-aid/765138/|date=7 November 2016}}, Russel Guse, ''Central Telegraph'', 9 February 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2016.</ref>

A Taroom resident collated photographs of the flood and included them in a book entitled ''Taroom 2010-2011: Rain, Rain, Go Away. Come Again Another Day'' with money raised from the sale of the book being donated to local flood victims.<ref>[http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/photographic-flood-book-raises-funds-for-victims/841456 Photo flood book helps victims] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107162950/http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/photographic-flood-book-raises-funds-for-victims/841456/|date=7 November 2016}}, Russel Guse, ''Central Telegraph'', 6 May 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2016</ref>

Smaller floods preceded and succeeded this major flood event when the Dawson River flooded in March 2010<ref>[http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/downpour-cuts-off-town/481793 Taroom emerges from flood] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107234057/http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/downpour-cuts-off-town/481793/|date=7 November 2016}}, Russel Guse, ''Central Telegraph'', 5 March 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/taroom-begins-flood-clean/487198 Taroom begins flood clean-up] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107164459/http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/taroom-begins-flood-clean/487198/|date=7 November 2016}}, Russel Guse, ''Central Telegraph'', 12 March 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2016.</ref> and April 2011.<ref>[http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/nervous-residents-wait-for-flood-peak-wet-causes-a/830014 Dawson River rises in Theodore] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107170015/http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/nervous-residents-wait-for-flood-peak-wet-causes-a/830014/|date=7 November 2016}}, Cameron McCrohon, ''Central Telegraph'', 26 April 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2016</ref><ref>[http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/hit-hard-twice-after-flooding-and-incorrect-web-in/841454 Incorrect web info not helpful for Taroom] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107170009/http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/hit-hard-twice-after-flooding-and-incorrect-web-in/841454/|date=7 November 2016}}, Russel Guse, ''Central Telegraph'', 6 May 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2016.</ref>

The 2010 flood also illustrated how valuable the river height recorded at Taroom is to people that live near the Dawson River further downstream, such as those living in or near towns like [[Theodore, Queensland|Theodore]], [[Moura, Queensland|Moura]], [[Baralaba, Queensland|Baralaba]] and [[Duaringa, Queensland|Duaringa]].<ref>[http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/the-perfect-storm-floods-mean-families-cut-off/729794 Theodore to be flooded for Xmas] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107232545/http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/the-perfect-storm-floods-mean-families-cut-off/729794/|date=7 November 2016}}, Russel Guse, ''Central Telegraph'', 24 December 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2016.</ref> As such, the river heights at Taroom also served as a good indication on how much floodwater was ultimately going to flow through [[Rockhampton, Queensland|Rockhampton]] as the floodwaters in the Dawson River met the already swollen [[Mackenzie River (Queensland)|Mackenzie River]] and entered the [[Fitzroy River (Queensland)|Fitzroy River]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

When the Dawson River at Taroom began reaching such great heights, eventually peaking at 10.43 metres (4.39 metres above ground level), it signalled to the authorities that a mass evacuation of Theodore was needed to be organised as the river was likely to inundate the entire town when the floodwaters from Taroom arrived.<ref>[http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/theodore-being-mass-evacuated/731676 Theodore being mass evacuated] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107231030/http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/theodore-being-mass-evacuated/731676/|date=7 November 2016}}, Russel Guse, ''Central Telegraph'', 28 December 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-12-28/residents-airlifted-from-flood-zone/1887830 Residents airlifted from flood zone] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107165203/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-12-28/residents-airlifted-from-flood-zone/1887830|date=7 November 2016}}, ABC News, ABC online, 28 December 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2016.</ref>

===Historic Flood Marker Project===
All four major floods are marked on a colour-coded flood marker pole located at the northern entrance to the town near the Steel Wing's windmill.  The colour of the individual markers correspond with the colour of the text on the information board which surrounds the pole.  The flood marker was installed after the 2010 event with funding provided as part of a Community Development and Recovery Package, which was a joint initiative between the [[Government of Australia|Australian Government]] and the [[Government of Queensland|Queensland Government]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

===River Crossings===
Providing an adequate river crossing enabling travellers on the Leichhardt Highway to cross the river at Taroom has proved challenging due to the flooding the Dawson River experiences.  In total, four bridges have been constructed across the Dawson River.  The first bridge was built in 1863.  The second bridge was opened in 1863 and the headstock and some of the original piles are still visible today.  A third bridge was constructed across the Dawson River in 1956 and still exists today.  Although it is now closed to vehicular traffic, it remains open for pedestrians and cyclists.  This bridge is also a popular spot for local fisherman to sit and cast a line into the river.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

Taroom's fourth bridge is the William Harold Copeland bridge which was opened in 1990 and named after the mayor of the [[Shire of Taroom|Taroom Shire]].  Although constructed above what is classed as normal flood level, it is still closed when major flooding occurs.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

==Events==
Every January, Taroom holds its New Year Races.<ref name=annual>{{cite web|title=Simple Pleasures: Banana Shire|url=http://www.gladstoneregion.info/Portals/3/DOCUMENTS/Brochures%20etc/Banana%20Shire%20Simple%20Pleasures%20Tour%20Visitor%20Guide.pdf|website=The Gladstone Region|publisher=Tourism Queensland|access-date=8 June 2014|page=3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715074337/http://www.gladstoneregion.info/Portals/3/DOCUMENTS/Brochures%20etc/Banana%20Shire%20Simple%20Pleasures%20Tour%20Visitor%20Guide.pdf|archive-date=15 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

In March there is the annual St Patrick's Day [[campdrafting]] competition, while the Golden Horse Shoe campdraft is held every April.<ref name=annual/>

The annual Taroom Agricultural Show is held in May.<ref name=annual/>

Taroom hosts a fishing competition each year in June at the Glebe Weir ({{coord|-25.4652|150.0337|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Glebe Weir}}).<ref name=annual/>

The [[Australian Professional Rodeo Association]] hold a rodeo every year in Taroom in July.<ref name=annual/>

In September, there is the annual Leichhardt Festival and the Spring Races.<ref name=annual/>

The Taroom [[Polocrosse]] Carnival is held annually.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

==Heritage listings==
Taroom has a number of [[heritage-listed]] sites, including:
* [[Fraser family grave site and memorial, Hornet Bank]], Hornet Bank Road, [[Eurombah, Queensland|Eurombah]]<ref>{{cite QHR|16811|Fraser family grave site and memorial, Hornet Bank|602075|access-date=6 July 2013}}</ref>
* former [[Taroom Aboriginal Settlement]], on Bundulla<ref>{{cite QHR|25109|Taroom Aboriginal Settlement (former)|602769|access-date=6 July 2013}}</ref>
* [[The Glebe Homestead]], Taroom-Cracow Road, [[Glebe, Queensland|Glebe]]<ref>{{cite QHR|16511|The Glebe Homestead|601774|access-date=6 July 2013}}</ref>
* [[Leichhardt Tree, Taroom|Leichhardt Tree]], Yaldwyn Street<ref>{{cite QHR|15610|Leichhardt Tree|600835|access-date=6 July 2013}}</ref>

==Media==
Taroom is located outside both the Rockhampton and Toowoomba television licence areas, falling within the Remote Central and Eastern Australia licence area.<ref>[http://www.acma.gov.au/licplan/defmaps/documents/maps/la_165.pdf Map of Regional Queensland TV1 licence area] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213161054/http://www.acma.gov.au/licplan/defmaps/documents/maps/la_165.pdf |date=13 February 2014 }}, [[Australian Communications and Media Authority]] website. Retrieved 7 November 2016.</ref> Taroom receives [[Imparja Television]], [[QQQ|Southern Cross Television]] and [[Central Digital Television|Ten Central]] from Central Australia via the [[Viewer Access Satellite Television]] service.<ref>[http://www.acma.gov.au/licplan/defmaps/documents/maps/la_963.pdf Map of Remote Central and Eastern Australia TV1 licence area] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213161241/http://www.acma.gov.au/licplan/defmaps/documents/maps/la_963.pdf |date=13 February 2014 }}, [[Australian Communications and Media Authority]] website.  Retrieved 7 November 2016.</ref> The local Central Queensland and Darling Downs editions of ''[[WIN News]]'' and ''[[Seven News]]'' can still be accessed along with other regional news services on the 401-420 channel range on the VAST service.<ref>[https://www.myvast.com.au/channels What channels are available on VAST?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218193311/https://www.myvast.com.au/channels |date=18 February 2017 }}, MyVAST website. Retrieved 7 November 2016.</ref>

==Popular culture==
Australian country music performer Josh Arnold has worked with members of the Taroom community on two occasions while filming music videos as part of his Small Town Culture initiative.<ref>[http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2014/02/my-entry-5.html Let's Rise Together Taroom] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110235035/http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2014/02/my-entry-5.html |date=10 November 2016 }}, David Illife, ''Breakfast with David Illife'', [[612 ABC Brisbane]], 24 February 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2016.</ref> In 2013, Arnold filmed a video in and around Taroom featuring local children in various scenes singing their school song entitled ''Let's Rise Together Taroom''.<ref>[http://crspublicity.com.au/crs-cd/171/small-town-culture-taroom-state-school Small Town Culture & Taroom State School] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110173416/http://crspublicity.com.au/crs-cd/171/small-town-culture-taroom-state-school/ |date=10 November 2016 }}, Country Radio Singles (CRS) Publicity website. Retrieved 10 November 2016.</ref> In 2016, Arnold returned to Taroom to again film local children who were incorporated into a music video alongside other school students and local residents from other parts of the Banana Shire for a song called ''Get Ready To Grab N' Go''. The production of the song and video was initiated by the Banana Shire Council for their Community Recovery Program which is aimed at keeping people in the shire prepared for times of natural disaster such as flooding and cyclones.<ref>[http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2016/09/josh-arnold-getting-banana-shire-residents-prepared-through-a-new-video.html Josh Arnold getting Banana Shire residents prepared through a new video] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110235156/http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2016/09/josh-arnold-getting-banana-shire-residents-prepared-through-a-new-video.html |date=10 November 2016 }}, Jacquie Mackay, ''Breakfast with Jacquie Mackay'', [[ABC Capricornia]], 30 September 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2016</ref><ref>[http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/josh-arnolds-grab-n-go-video-a-hit-throughout-bana/3100178 Josh Arnold's 'Grab N' Go' video a hit throughout the shire] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111000457/http://www.centraltelegraph.com.au/news/josh-arnolds-grab-n-go-video-a-hit-throughout-bana/3100178/ |date=11 November 2016 }}, Andrew Thorpe, ''Central Telegraph'', 13 October 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2016</ref>

== Demographics ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Population !! Notes
|-
| 2001 || 691 || <ref name="ABS2001">{{Census 2001 AUS|id=UCL353400 |name=Taroom (L)|accessdate=15 May 2014|quick=on}}</ref>
|-
| 2006 || 629 || <ref name="ABS2006">{{Census 2006 AUS|id=UCL353400 |name=Taroom (L)|accessdate=15 May 2014|quick=on}}</ref>
|-
| 2011 || 897 || <ref name="ABS2011">{{Census 2011 AUS|id=SSC31588 |name=Taroom(SSC)|accessdate=15 May 2014|quick=on}}</ref>
|-
| 2016 || 869 || <ref name=Census2016>{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC32782 |name=Taroom (SSC)|accessdate=31 October 2018|quick=on}}</ref>
|-
| 2021 || 885 || <ref name=Census2021>{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL32755 |name=Taroom (SAL)|accessdate=19 June 2024|quick=on}}</ref>
|}

==See also==
* [[Taroom Airport]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==

* {{Citation|author1=Clothier White, Joan|title=Brigalow billy cans and bottle trees : a bush upbringing in the Grosmont-Taroom-Wandoan area, a memoir|publication-date=2010|publisher=J. Clothier White|isbn=978-0-646-53305-6}}
* Phelps, Janet (2005), ''A Journey of 100 Years: Taroom Show Society 1905-2005,'' {{ISBN|0975050737}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://queenslandplaces.com.au/taroom University of Queensland: Queensland Places: Taroom]
*[https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-taroom-1973.jpg Town map of Taroom, 1973]

{{Banana Shire}}{{Western Downs Region}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Queensland]]
[[Category:Towns in the Darling Downs]]
[[Category:Shire of Banana]]
[[Category:Taroom]]
[[Category:Western Downs Region]]
[[Category:Localities in Queensland]]