Goondiwindi

Goondiwindi
Queensland

Statue of Gunsynd, The Goondiwindi Grey
Goondiwindi
Coordinates 28°33′0″S 150°19′0″E / 28.55000°S 150.31667°E / -28.55000; 150.31667Coordinates: 28°33′0″S 150°19′0″E / 28.55000°S 150.31667°E / -28.55000; 150.31667
Population 5,629 (2006 census)[1]
Established 20 October 1888
Postcode(s) 4390
Elevation 217.2 m (713 ft)
Location
LGA(s) Goondiwindi Region
State electorate(s) Southern Downs
Federal Division(s) Maranoa
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
26.7 °C
80 °F		 12.8 °C
55 °F		 611.2 mm
24.1 in

Goondiwindi /ɡʌndəˈwɪndi/[2] is an Australian town of approximately 5,629 people.[1] The town has an annual population growth of 1.4 percent. The name Goondiwindi derives from an Aboriginal word meaning "the resting place of the birds".

History

Major flooding affected the town in 1921

Gundiwindi Post Office opened by 1860. It was renamed Goondiwindi by 1861.[3]

Goondiwindi State School opened on 1 September 1864.[4]

Goondiwindi was first proclaimed a municipality on 20 October 1888. The town boundaries have not altered to this day, and before Federation the town served as a border crossing between Queensland and New South Wales.[5] The customs house from that era is now a museum.

Goondiwindi East Provisional School opened on 4 July 1898, becoming Goondiwindi East State School in 1909. The school closed about 1914, reopening again in 1920. It finally closed in 1947.[4]

Goondiwindi West Provisional School opened in 1900, becoming Goondiwindi West State School on 1 January 1909. It closed about 1950.[4]

Goondiwindi North Provisional School opened in 1901, becoming Goondiwindi North State School on 1 January 1909. It closed due to low student numbers about 1911 but reopened on 24 November 1913 as the Moogoon Road State School. The school closed again due to low student numbers in 1925, but reopened in 1931. It finally closed about 1939.[4]

St Mary's Convent and School, 1924

St Mary's Catholic School opened in 1911 operated by the Sisters of Mercy providing for boarding and day students through Years 1 to 7.[4] In 1965, the school added a secondary department to extend the schooling to Year 10 but the secondary department was closed in 1972. The Sisters operated the school until December 1983, after which lay teachers were employed.[6]

The Goondiwindi War Memorial was originally located in Herbert Street and was dedicated on 21 September 1922 by the Queensland Governor, Matthew Nathan. The gates were unveiled in April 1949.[7]

Goondiwindi State High School opened on 28 January 1964.[8]

The most famous resident of Goondiwindi was Gunsynd, a Thoroughbred race horse known as "The Goondiwindi Grey" Guided by Tim Lowe, in the late 1960s and early 1970s Gunsynd had 29 wins including the 1971 Epsom Handicap and the 1972 Cox Plate and came third in the 1972 Melbourne Cup. The name "Gunsynd" came from Goondiwindi Syndicate (Gun=Goondiwindi, Synd=Syndicate). There is a statue of Gunsynd in the town centre.[9]

Another school, the Goondiwindi Christian Education Centre, opened in 1991 but closed on 13 December 1996.[4]

The Border Rivers Christian College was established in 2015, as a primary and secondary school (P-12) although only P-8 schooling was available in its first year, with Years 9 to 12 classes commencing each successive year.[10][11] The school commenced using the buildings of the former Goondiwindi Christian Education Centre at 111 Calladoon Street.[12]

Heritage listings

Goondiwindi Civic Centre, 2012

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

Geography

Goondiwindi is on the MacIntyre River in Queensland near the New South Wales border, 350 kilometres (220 mi) south west of the Queensland state capital, Brisbane. The twin town of Boggabilla is nearby, on the New South Wales side of the border. Most of the area surrounding the town is farmland.

Climate

Climate data for Goondiwindi
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 41.3
(106.3)		 44.5
(112.1)		 42.4
(108.3)		 38.2
(100.8)		 34.0
(93.2)		 31.2
(88.2)		 29.4
(84.9)		 34.3
(93.7)		 36.7
(98.1)		 40.4
(104.7)		 43.9
(111)		 45.2
(113.4)		 45.2
(113.4)
Average high °C (°F) 34.1
(93.4)		 33.1
(91.6)		 30.9
(87.6)		 26.9
(80.4)		 22.3
(72.1)		 18.8
(65.8)		 17.9
(64.2)		 20.0
(68)		 23.9
(75)		 28.0
(82.4)		 31.4
(88.5)		 33.6
(92.5)		 26.7
(80.1)
Average low °C (°F) 19.9
(67.8)		 19.5
(67.1)		 17.4
(63.3)		 13.2
(55.8)		 9.1
(48.4)		 6.1
(43)		 4.8
(40.6)		 6.0
(42.8)		 9.2
(48.6)		 13.3
(55.9)		 16.6
(61.9)		 18.8
(65.8)		 12.8
(55)
Record low °C (°F) 9.6
(49.3)		 6.1
(43)		 4.7
(40.5)		 1.8
(35.2)		 −2.8
(27)		 −5.6
(21.9)		 −5.9
(21.4)		 −3.3
(26.1)		 −2.2
(28)		 1.1
(34)		 4.4
(39.9)		 7.8
(46)		 −5.6
(21.9)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 78.5
(3.091)		 69.0
(2.717)		 59.5
(2.343)		 38.7
(1.524)		 42.9
(1.689)		 40.3
(1.587)		 41.9
(1.65)		 33.1
(1.303)		 39.0
(1.535)		 38.7
(1.524)		 59.8
(2.354)		 69.8
(2.748)		 611.2
(24.065)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2mm) 7.3 6.2 5.5 4.3 4.8 5.3 5.6 5.0 5.0 6.3 6.3 7.1 68.7
Source: Bureau of Meteorology[17]

Transport

Marshall Street, circa 1945

The town is a major transport nexus between the southern states and Queensland. The Newell, Leichhardt, Gore, Cunningham, Barwon and Bruxner Highways all merge at Goondiwindi or close by. The town is the administrative centre for the Goondiwindi Region. Goondiwindi is a popular stopping point for interstate travellers, and has several motels and restaurants.[18]

Education

Goondiwindi State School is a co-educational government primary school (P-6) at 34 George Street. In 2016, the school had an enrolment of 514 students with 45 teachers (37 full-time equivalent) and 23 non-teaching staff (18 full-time equivalent).[19]

Goondiwindi State High School is a co-educational government secondary school (7-12) at 3 Sandhurst Street. In 2016, the school had an enrolment of 526 students with 53 teachers (49 full-time equivalent) with 29 non-teaching staff (20 equivalent).[20]

St Mary's Parish School is a co-educational Roman Catholic primary and middle school (P-8) at 26 Brisbane Street. In 2017, the school has an enrolment of 395 students.[21]

The Border Rivers Christian College at 111 Callandoon Street is a co-educational non-denominational primary and secondary Christian school. In 2017, the school is moving to purpose-built premises in Lilly Street, which are expected to included boarding facilities.[12]

These schools are well-established, have solid community ties, and contribute to the community and surrounding areas. Goondiwindi State High School won the 2006 Showcase award, given to schools which display excellence in all areas.

Retailers

Goondiwindi has many large retailers including Coles, a Mitre 10 Home & Trade, Betta Home Living, The Reject Shop, Repco and a Foodworks (Goondiwindi Co Op).

Farming

Goondiwindi is a centre for agriculture, producing a diverse range of crops and fibres including wool and beef, cotton, sorghum, corn, wheat, barley and chickpeas. Average annual rainfall for this region is 525 millimetres (20.7 in). Goondiwindi is well known for its dry season but still lasting in with lots of crops

Attractions

War Memorial Park Monument

Goondiwindi hosts the Natural Heritage and Water Park. The development of the Park is a result of the closure of nearby[22] Boobera Lagoon to power boats.[23] The Lagoon had been a favourite spot for waterskiing for the local area and was the only suitable waterbody for the purpose. The Goondiwindi Town Council petitioned the Federal Government, which responded (through Environment Australia) by funding the National Heritage & Water Park, to make available skiing and boating facilities and to provide a focal point for tourism and recreation in the town and district.

The 210 ha recreational water park opened in early 2004, and offers activities for all ages. The purpose built 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) water channel allows water sports such as waterskiing, wakeboarding, canoeing and boating. It is home to a varied bird life; it provides picnic and swimming areas.[24] Remedial work was performed in 2008 to seal leaks, which caused the lagoon to be dry for a period.[25]

The Goondiwindi Botanic Garden of the Western Woodlands on the western side of the town features 25 hectares of species native to the Upper Darling Basin. It is unique in that plants are displayed in communities merging into each other as occurs in nature. With the first plantings in 1986, many of the upper storey large trees are approaching maturity, and the focus is now on mid and lower storey plantings.

The Garden has an extensive Eremophila collection. Some 22 plant communities feature endemic species such as brigalow (Acacia harpophylla), belah (Casuarina cristata), Chinchilla white gum (Eucalyptus argophloia), ooline (Cadellia pentastylis), ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon) and gidyea (Acacia aneura). The planting program is supported by an on-site propagation facility comprising a glass house, heater-mister unit, large shade house and storage container.

Owned and run by the community for the community, the Garden features an island surrounded by a deep lake. An outdoor stage in a tranquil bushland setting is used for performances and social events such as weddings and christenings. Frequent use is made of the shelter sheds and barbeques. The Garden is also the home of the Goondiwindi Dragon Boat Club, and the lake is used by the Goondiwindi Triathlon Club for kids' mini tris and the iconic Hell of the West when river conditions are not suitable for the swim leg.

Goondiwindi has an active sporting community, with rugby union, rugby league, cricket, golf, tennis, Australian football, netball, swimming etc. The town built a large indoor gymnasium for use by the general public and school groups. A major sports highlight is the annual "Hell Of The West" triathlon, in February, which sees entrants from across the country.

Boobera Lagoon is a permanent water hole to the west of the town. Bendidee National Park is located a short drive to the north east of the town.

Public Facilities

Customs House Museum, 2012

Goondiwindi has a range of facilities open to the general public; these include Goondiwindi Waggamba community cultural centre, swimming pool, art gallery, heritage listed custom house museum and a public library.[26]

Media

Goondiwindi's weekly newspaper is the Goondiwindi Argus.[27] There are several radio stations, including Now FM 88.7, 2VM 89.5,ABC Local Radio,92.7, Rebel FM 96.3, Breeze FM 98.7, Tourist Radio 88FM.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Goondiwindi (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  2. ↑ Macquarie Dictionary, Fourth Edition (2005). Melbourne, The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd. ISBN 1-876429-14-3
  3. ↑ Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  5. ↑ "Goondiwindi". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  6. ↑ "A Brief History". St Mary's Parish School. Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  7. ↑ "Goondiwindi War Memorial". Monument Australia. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  8. ↑ "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  9. ↑ Gunsynd 'The Goondiwindi Grey'
  10. ↑ "About". Border Rivers Christian College. Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  11. ↑ Cobb, Grace (29 July 2015). "A boarding School for Goondiwindi". Goondiwindi Argus. Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  12. 1 2 Schmack, Naomi (1 November 2016). "Border Rivers Christian College building site underway". Goondiwindi Argus. Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  13. ↑ "Goondiwindi War Memorial (entry 600532)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  14. ↑ "Goondiwindi Civic Centre (entry 600531)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  15. ↑ "Customs House Museum (entry 600530)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  16. ↑ "Wyaga Homestead (entry 600940)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  17. ↑ "GOONDIWINDI POST OFFICE". Climate statistics for Australian locations. Bureau of Meteorology. March 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  18. ↑ Welcome to Goondiwindi & District
  19. ↑ "2016 School Annual Report". Goondiwindi State School. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  20. ↑ "2016 School Annual Report" (PDF). Goondiwindi State High School. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  21. ↑ "St Mary's Parish School". Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  22. ↑ The lagoon is some 20 km west of Goondiwindi.
  23. ↑ Banning of powered craft on the Lagoon was done to better preserve artifacts or evidences of indigenous culture.
  24. ↑ Goondiwindi Regional Council
  25. ↑ Report, SMK Consultants pty ltd, to Goondiwindi Regional Council, October 2009
  26. ↑ "Goondiwindi". Centre for the Government of Queensland. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
  27. ↑ The Goondiwindi argus, Goondiwindi Argus, 1882, ISSN 1836-1943
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