Berserker, Queensland


Berserker is a suburb of Rockhampton in the Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia, situated about six kilometres north east of the central business district.

Geography

The eastern boundary is aligned with Frenchmans Creek and the western boundary follows Moores Creek.
In the northeast of the suburb is the Stockland Rockhampton shopping centre. North Rockhampton State High School and Berserker Street State School are also in the suburb.

History

The suburb was named after the Berserker Range, which, in turn, was named by Rockhampton pioneer pastoralist Charles Archer after the Norse warrior "Baresark", who fought without armour in the Norwegian sagas. Although born in Scotland, the Archer family lived for many years in Larvik, Norway and members of the family moved between Queensland and Norway throughout their lives.
St Mary's Catholic Primary School was opened on 1900 by the Sisters of Mercy but was initially known as the North Rockhampton Roman Catholic School or St Francis' School. Initially the school operated from St Mary's Church then on Lakes Creek Road. In 1905, the school moved to the corner of Nobbs Street and Charles Street. In 1921 the school became known as St Mary's, possibly linked to the move of St Mary's Church to Nobbs Street. In 1976 the first lay principal, Ron Rosentreter, was appointed.
Berserker State School opened in 1917 but was renamed later in the year to Berserker Street State School. In 1956 North Rockhampton State High School was opened in Berseker. On 18 February 1957, a separate Berserker Street Infants State School was opened but it was closed on 1 July 1994.
Frenchville Sports Club was established in 1948. Despite the name, it is located at 105 Clifton Street in Beserker.
The current North Rockhampton library was opened in 1971 with major refurbishment in 2011 followed by a minor refurbishment in 2015.
At the 2011 census, Berserker had a population of 7,179.

Education

Berserker Street State School is a co-educational government primary school in Berserker Street. In 2015, it had an enrolment of 490 students with 38 teachers.
North Rockhampton State High School is a co-educational government secondary school in Berserker Street. In 2015, it had an enrolment of 966 students with 82 teachers.

Facilities

The Rockhampton Regional Council operates a public library in Berserker at 154 Berserker Street.

Heritage listings

Berserker has a number of heritage-listed sites, including: