Goondiwindi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids GoondiwindiQueensland |
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Statue of Gunsynd, The Goondiwindi Grey
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 Goondiwindi
Location in Queensland
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| Population | 6,355 (2016 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 7.6539/km2 (19.824/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Established | 20 October 1888 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4390 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 217.2 m (713 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 830.3 km2 (320.6 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Goondiwindi Region | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Southern Downs | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Maranoa | ||||||||||||||
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Goondiwindi is a rural town and locality in the Goondiwindi Region, Queensland, Australia. It is on the border of Queensland and New South Wales. In the 2016 census, Goondiwindi had a population of 6,355 people.
Contents
History
Gundiwindi Post Office opened by 1860. It was renamed Goondiwindi by 1861.
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. The customs house from that era is now a museum.
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.
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.
Heritage listings
Goondiwindi has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
- Marshall Street: Goondiwindi War Memorial
- 100 Marshall Street: Goondiwindi Civic Centre
- 1 McLean Street: Customs House Museum
- Millmerran Road, Wyaga: Wyaga Homestead
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) | 46.6 (115.9) |
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 (111.0) |
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 (68.0) |
23.9 (75.0) |
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 (43.0) |
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 (55.0) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 9.6 (49.3) |
6.1 (43.0) |
4.7 (40.5) |
1.8 (35.2) |
−2.8 (27.0) |
−5.6 (21.9) |
−5.9 (21.4) |
−3.3 (26.1) |
−2.2 (28.0) |
1.1 (34.0) |
4.4 (39.9) |
7.8 (46.0) |
−5.6 (21.9) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 78.5 (3.09) |
69.0 (2.72) |
59.5 (2.34) |
38.7 (1.52) |
42.9 (1.69) |
40.3 (1.59) |
41.9 (1.65) |
33.1 (1.30) |
39.0 (1.54) |
38.7 (1.52) |
59.8 (2.35) |
69.8 (2.75) |
611.2 (24.06) |
| 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 | |||||||||||||
Transport
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. Goondiwindi Airport is located north of the town off the Cunningham Highway (28°31′34″S 150°19′30″E / 28.526°S 150.325°E).
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
Goondiwindi hosts the Natural Heritage and Water Park. The development of the Park is a result of the closure of nearby Boobera Lagoon to power boats. 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. Remedial work was performed in 2008 to seal leaks, which caused the lagoon to be dry for a period.
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
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.
Sport
Goondiwindi has a rugby union team which compete in the Darling Downs Rugby Union competition, against such teams as the University of Southern Queensland Rugby Union Club, Toowoomba Rangers Rugby Union Club, Toowoomba City Rugby Club, Roma Echidnas, the Condamine Cods, the Dalby Wheatmen, the Goondiwindi Emus, the Warwick Water Rats and the University of Queensland Rugby Union Club (Gatton Campus).
The town is also host to the Goondiwindi Boars Rugby League Club that competes in the Toowoomba Rugby League, the club has produced many great talents with players going on to play in junior representative sides, the QLD and NSW Cup, NRL and International Rugby League competitions.
Education
Goondiwindi State School is a co-educational government primary school (P-6). 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). The school opened on 1 September 1864 and is one of the oldest primary schools in Queensland.
Goondiwindi State High School is a co-educational government secondary school (7-12). In 2016, the school had an enrolment of 526 students with 53 teachers (49 full-time equivalent) with 29 non-teaching staff (20 equivalent). The high school opened on 28 January 1964.
St Mary's Parish School is a co-educational Roman Catholic primary and middle school (P-10). In 2017, the school has an enrolment of 395 students.
The Border Rivers Christian College 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.
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.
Notable residents
- Luke Covell - Former NRL and International Player with New Zealand Warriors, Wests Tigers, and Cronulla Sharks.
- Gene Fairbanks - Former Super Rugby Player with the Reds, Brumbies, and Western Force.
- Gunsynd - Famous racehorse known as "The Goondiwindi Grey"
- Ethan Lowe - Former NRL Player with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and won a premiership with the North Queensland Cowboys in 2015. Lowe made his debut for the Queensland State of Origin side in 2019.
- Mark Offerdahl - Australian rugby league footballer representing the USA.
Images for kids
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St Mary's Convent and School, 1924
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Goondiwindi Civic Centre, 2012
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Customs House Museum, 2012
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