who was murdered while exploring the Brisbane Valley in 1830. In July 1941, a Lutheran church was opened. Dairying slowed from the 1960s onwards, which has eventually led to the decline of the town's importance as a major rural centre. At the 2006 census, Esk had a population of 1,166. The Esk Library opened in 2009. The Caboonbah Homestead was destroyed by fire on 10 May 2009. During the 2010–11 Queensland floods, the centre of Esk was flooded when Redbank Creek burst its banks for the first time in recorded history. In the 2011 census, Esk had a population of 1,755 people. Heritage listings Esk has a number of heritage-listed sites, including: Ipswich Street (): Esk War Memorial Ipswich Street: St Agnes Anglical Church and Rectory Ipswich Street: St Andrews Presbyterian Church Economy The small town serves as a centre for a rich farming area. Education Esk State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 49 East Street (). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 172 students with 15 teachers (13 full-time equivalent) and 9 non-teaching staff (6 full-time equivalent). As there is no high school in Esk, students from the Esk State School typically attend Toogoolawah State High School in Toogoolawah, Lockyer District High School in Gatton or Lowood State High School in Lowood or private schools in and around Ipswich. Amenities The Somerset Regional Council operates a public library at 19 Heap Street. Esk township is also serviced by a local Hospital and racecourse and plans are underway for a retirement village. The Esk branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at 5 Heap Street. Esk Uniting Church is at 78 Ipswich Street (). It is part of the Brisbane Valley Uniting Church. Esk Post Office is at 97 Ipswich Street (). Attractions Nearby attractions include Lake Somerset and Lake Wivenhoe, both lakes created by dams which provide a number of camping areas with facilities and opportunities for water-based recreational activities including boating, canoeing, fishing and skiing and Ravensbourne and Crows Nest National Parks. The historic Bellevue Homestead is located in the area. Also close by are the peaks Glen Rock and Mount Esk. Media Esk is serviced by a Christian radio station on FM 87.6 MHz. Notable people from Esk Douglas Berry (1907–1957), butcher and Liberal MP in the 1950s Roderic Dallas (1891–1918), First World War fighter ace The