Hill Top Provisional School opened on 20 March 1893. On 1 January 1909, it became Hill Top State School. From 1914 to 1915 it operated as a half-time school with Mulga State School (meaning the two schools shared a single teacher). In 1936, it was renamed Boonarga State School. It closed in June 1954. It was located on the Warrego Highway (26°47′27″S150°42′27″E / 26.7909°S 150.7075°E / -26.7909; 150.7075 (Boonarga State School (former))).
The Cactoblastis Memorial Hall was built to celebrate the eradiction of the prickly pear in the Boonarga area through the introduction of the cactoblastis moth. Prickly pear had spread so extensively through the area that it was often not possible to walk or ride through it. The hall was built by local builder Mr Jack Schloss at a cost of £435 and was officially opened in February 1936 by Godfrey Morgan, Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly. A gala ball was held to mark the occasion.
Demographics
In the 2016 census, Boonarga had a population of 36 people.
In the 2021 census, Boonarga had a population of 37 people.
There are no schools in Boonarga. The nearest government primary schools are Brigalow State School in neighbouring Brigalow to the south-east and Chinchilla State School in neighbouring Chinchilla to the north-west. The nearest government secondary school is Chinchilla State High School in Chinchilla.
^"A SURVEY & SOME OPINIONS". The Sydney Mail. Vol. XLVIII, no. 1241. New South Wales, Australia. 8 January 1936. p. 6. Retrieved 25 December 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^"SCIENCE WAGES WAR ON". Sunday Mail. No. 323. Queensland, Australia. 28 June 1936. p. 27. Retrieved 25 December 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^"AUSTRALIANA". The World's News. No. 1795. New South Wales, Australia. 6 May 1936. p. 12. Retrieved 25 December 2022 – via National Library of Australia.