Lake Cargelligo, New South Wales

Lake Cargelligo
New South Wales

Main street
Lake Cargelligo
Population: 1,146(2006 Census)[1]
Postcode: 2672
Location:
LGA: Lachlan Shire
State District: Murrumbidgee
Federal Division: Parkes

Lake Cargelligo ( /ˌleɪk kɑrˈdʒɛlɨɡoʊ/, locally [ˌlæɪk kaːˈdʒeləɡəʉ])[2] is a town in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia, on Lake Cargelligo. It is in Lachlan Shire. At the 2006 census, Lake Cargelligo had a population of 1,146 people.[1] Its name is said to be a corruption of the Aboriginal word 'Kartjellakoo' meaning 'he had a coolamon'. A coolamon is a shallow wooden dish. Alternatively it is derived from Wiradhuri and Ngiyambaa 'gajal' for water container with suffix 'lugu' for 'her' or 'his'[3]. In 2001 it had an indigenous population of 220 (18.0%) and a foreign born population of 45 (3.7%)[4]. The explorers, John Oxley and George Evans, followed the Lachlan River down to Lake Cargelligo in 1817.

Transport

The railway from Cootamundra to Wyalong was extended to Lake Cargelligo in 1917.[5] The railway station opened as 'Cargelligo' in 1917 and was renamed 'Lake Cargelligo' in 1919. Rail-motor passenger services operated to the town until 1983.[6]. Since then the railway link has been used for cargo transport, especially for bulk grain which the surrounding farms cultivate. It also has a strong World War I background and ANZAC heritage.

The lake

As its name would suggest, the town of Lake Cargelligo is situated on a lake fed by the Lachlan River through Lake Curlew. The lake was originally named Regent's Lake by the explorer John Oxley after the prince regent of England at the time. The lake was the primary water source for the early mining town, and has continued to remain an integral source of water for Lake Cargelligo's inhabitants. These days the lake serves recreational uses as well, most commonly boating and water skiing, which is a large part of the town's tourism industry.

After many years of drought, it was reported in early 2010 that the lake ran dry for the first time since 1902.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Lake Cargelligo (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=UCL145400&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 25 October 2009. 
  2. ^ Macquarie Dictionary, Fourth Edition (2005). Melbourne, The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd. ISBN 1-876429-14-3
  3. ^ "Lake Cargelligo". Geographical Names Board of New South Wales. http://www.gnb.nsw.gov.au/name_search/extract?id=anqwWyKmMn. Retrieved 2006-10-28. 
  4. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (19 November 2002). "Community Profile Series : Lake Cargelligo (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2001 Census of Population and Housing. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/ProductSelect?newproducttype=Community+Profiles&collection=Census&period=2001&areacode=UCL145400&breadcrumb=LP&currentaction=201&action=401. Retrieved 2007-06-30. 
  5. ^ Lake Cargelligi Railway Station. NSWrail.net. Accessed 4 April 2008.
  6. ^ Banger, C. The Intercapital Daylight, 1956-1991 Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, Vol 52 No. 764. June 2001
  7. ^ http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2010/s2801903.htm ABC 7.30 Report 26 Jan 2010

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