Gilgai, New South Wales

Gilgai is a village, with a population of 289 (2006) and 1095 in the Gilgai (State Suburb), [Census 2006 AUS | id = SSC16099 | name = Gilgai (State Suburb) | quick = on | accessdate=2008-05-12] on the Northern Tablelands region of New South Wales, Australia The village is situated 10km south of Inverell, New South Wales on Thunderbolts Way and is in the Inverell Shire Council area. The name Gilgai is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘waterhole’.

The area around Gilgai is dotted with mine shafts that are unique in Australia. They are known as ‘concertina shafts’ because the seams of tin bearing ore were in a zigzag pattern and were mined accordingly. The precious stones found here include sapphires, rubies and some diamonds.

Wine grapes were grown here in 1849 by Charles Wyndham [Readers Digest Guide to Australian Places, Readers Digest, Sydney] and re-introduced in 1968. Agriculture is the main industry in the area with beef cattle production and a wine the main products.

Gilgai has a public school which was built in 1878 from bricks baked on the site. [Readers Digest Guide to Australian Places, Readers Digest, Sydney] There is also a general store, rural supplies store, Anglican Church, Salvation Army Church, community hall and tennis complex.

References

“Inverell Shire Information”, c.1981