Mendooran, New South Wales

Mendooran is a small town adjacent to the Castlereagh River in the Warrumbungle Shire of central western New South Wales, Australia. The town lies at an altitude of 271 metres above sea level, 348 kilometres west of Sydney, 75 kilometres from Dubbo and 71 kilometres southeast of Coonabarabran. At the 2011 census, Mendooran had a population of 302 people.^[1] The Castlereagh Highway also runs through the town, changing its name to Bandulla Street in the centre.

History

The district was inhabited by the Wiradjuri tribe before white settlement. The first European to visit the area was surveyor John Evans who came as close as 10 kilometres from Mendooran in 1815. Two years later it was John Oxley's group that passed through the area while conducting one of the first inland expeditions. It is believed that the name derived from that of a local Aboriginal tribal leader named either "Mundo" or "Mundoo". Lucerne, wheat and sheep were established on the station in later years.

The small village grew in the 1860s on the old station near the bridge which passed over the Castlereagh River. As at 1866 there were 24 residents recorded in the area. The village was called Mundooran until the arrival of the railway around 1915 when the name was changed to Mendooran.

The John Bull Inn was erected to serve the passing traffic of the 1860s. A bridge was erected over the Castlereagh River in 1869 which increased the road traffic and contributed to local development. The town was laid out in 1881 with a school, police station and courthouse being built.

The Robertson Land Act of 1893 broke up the larger squatting runs and closer settlement then came about.

Mendooran hosts an annual agricultural show.

Attractions

Mendooran Free Rest Area

Along the Castlereagh River, nestled amongst large gum trees, there is a public rest area that has free cold water showers and toilet facilities. Close by is a small village called Merrygoen which was used to film some of a popular ABC mini-series, The Leaving of Liverpool which starred Australian actor John Hargreaves, who was a school teacher at Mendooran Central School, in the early 60's.

The Town of Murals

Murals are the main attraction of Mendooran. Local artist Karin Thurston has painted most of these amazing features.

Prospects for bushwalking are excellent but there are not any facilities.

Mendooran Golf Club

The Mendooran Golf Club is a 9 hole course situated within and surrounding the racecourse. The Mendooran Open Amateur event is played annually in early May.

References