# Lyra, Queensland

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Lyra is a rural locality in the Southern Downs Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Lyra had a population of 35 people.

## Geography

The western and central part of the locality is relatively flat but the eastern part of the locality consists of foothills of the Great Dividing Range.
Accommodation Creek flows down from the range from the south-east (Wyberba) and exits to the north-west (Ballandean). Bald Rock Creek flows down from the range from the north-east (Ballandean) and becomes a tributary of Accommodation Creek at 28°49′40″S 151°51′46″E﻿ / ﻿28.8277°S 151.8627°E﻿ / -28.8277; 151.8627﻿ (Bald Rock Creek (mouth)). Doctors Creek flows down from the range from the west (Girraween) and becomes a tributary of Bald Rock Creek at 28°49′29″S 151°52′49″E﻿ / ﻿28.8247°S 151.8802°E﻿ / -28.8247; 151.8802﻿ (Doctors Creek (mouth)).
The New England Highway enters the locality from the north-west (Ballandean) and exits to the south (Wyberba). The Southern railway line runs parallel immediately to the east of the highway.
There are no protected areas within Lyra, but it borders Girraween National Park to the east.The land use is a mixture of horticulture and grazing on native vegetation. There are a number of vineyards in Lyra, including those of Sirromet Wines at 115 Anderson Road (28°49′47″S 151°52′07″E﻿ / ﻿28.8297°S 151.8685°E﻿ / -28.8297; 151.8685﻿ (Sirromet Wines)).

## History

The extension of the Southern railway line from Stanthorpe to Wallangarra was completed on 14 February 1887 with the district being served by Lyra railway station (28°49′47″S 151°51′18″E﻿ / ﻿28.8297°S 151.8550°E﻿ / -28.8297; 151.8550﻿ (Lyra railway station)), which was named by the Queensland Railway Department after the constellation Lyra. The locality takes its name from the railway station.
The Sacred Heart Catholic Church opened in 1908.
Lyra State School opened on 7 November 1929 with an enrolment of 10 students under head teacher Kathleen May O'Donohue. The school site was donated by Evan Hindmarsh. The school building was relocated from the former Applevale State School while the school furniture came from the former Somme State School. The school closed on 19 June 1966, with the students being transferred to Ballandean State School. The school was on the western side of the New England Highway, opposite the railway station (approx 28°49′47″S 151°51′15″E﻿ / ﻿28.82985°S 151.85429°E﻿ / -28.82985; 151.85429﻿ (Lyra State School (former))).

## Demographics

In the 2016 census, Lyra had a population of 53 people.
In the 2021 census, Lyra had a population of 35 people.

## Education

There are no schools in Lyra. The nearest government primary school is Ballandean State School in neighbouring Ballandean to the north-west. The nearest government secondary school is Stanthorpe State High School in Stanthorpe to the north. There is a Catholic primary-and-secondary school in Stanthorpe.

## Amenities

The Sacred Heart Catholic Church is at 28608 New England Highway (28°49′50″S 151°51′16″E﻿ / ﻿28.83054°S 151.85442°E﻿ / -28.83054; 151.85442﻿ (Sacred Heart Catholic Church)). It is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba.