Karoonda, South Australia

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Karoonda South Australia
Main Street of Karoonda
Population:	514^[1] (2006)
Postcode:	5307
LGA:	District Council of Karoonda East Murray
State District:	Hammond
Federal Division:	Barker

Karoonda grows big sheep like this concrete one

Karoonda is in the middle of the Murray Mallee region of South Australia at geographic coordinates 35°05′S, 139°53′E (60 km northeast of Murray Bridge). Karoonda takes its name from the Aboriginal word for "winter camp".

It was founded on wheat growing early in the 20th century (proclaimed on 11 December 1913), but the cleared land is also suitable for raising merino sheep. The Karoonda Development Group instigated and built this larger-than-life sculpture of a Merino ram in the park in the main street to emphasise this. There are even seats with rams heads dotted around the town. A number of other agricultural and horticultural industries are now also represented in the district. Each year the Karoonda Farm Fair is held, a two day event attracting over 10,000 visitors to the town.

Railways were built in 1911-1914 to open up the mallee, and Karoonda was a junction with branch lines to Waikerie and Peebinga, both were closed in 1990, but the line from Tailem Bend to Loxton remains open and was converted from broad gauge to standard gauge.

Karoonda briefly shot to international fame in 1930 when a meteorite fell to earth just to the east of the town on the night of 25 November.

Karoonda Area School was the first area school in South Australia.

Karoonda is in the District Council of Karoonda East Murray, the state electorate of Hammond and the federal Division of Barker.

Pioneer Park on East Terrace is being developed as a Malleelands Pioneer Railways and farm museum, with displays of harvest machinery , plows, railway rolling stock and facilities already in place. The Nature Trail & Bush Walk is adjacent.

[edit] Surrounding communities

	North: Perponda & Bowhill
West: Wynarka, Tailem Bend & Murray Bridge	Karoonda	East: Lowaldie, Borrika, Sandalwood & Marama
	South: Sherlock & Yumali	South-East: Lameroo

[edit] Photo Gallery

Post Office	General Store	ABB Silos	Old Railway Station
Police Memorial, Railway Tce	Lions Pioneer Park	Painting at Parking Bay	Memorial Gates at the Oval
Obelisk	Obelisk	Area School	Area School
Oval	Institute	Hospital	Karoonda Pub
"All Hallows" Anglican Church	St Finian's Catholic Church	St Johns Lutheran Church	Uniting Church
Op-Shop	Ambulance Station	CFS Station	Police Station