- Cootamundra
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Cootamundra
New South Wales
Cootamundra Post Office
CootamundraPopulation: 5,566[1] Established: 1861 Postcode: 2590 Elevation: 318 m (1,043 ft) Location: LGA: Cootamundra Shire County: Harden State District: Burrinjuck Federal Division: Hume Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 22.3 °C
72 °F8.4 °C
47 °F626.1 mm
24.6 inCootamundra is a town and Local Government Area in the South West Slopes region of New South Wales, Australia and within the Riverina. At the 2006 census, Cootamundra had a population of 5,566.[1] It is located on the Olympic Highway at the point where it crosses the Muttama Creek, between Junee and Cowra. Although it is by passed by the Hume Highway, its railway station is on the Main Southern line, part of the Melbourne-to-Sydney line.
Sir Donald Bradman AC, Australian cricketer universally regarded as the greatest batsman of all time was born in Cootamundra. The town pride in this fact is displayed in general signage and marketing material and the home where The Don was born is a fully restored visitor site open to the public 7 days per week.
Cootamundra is the home of the Cootamundra Wattle (Acacia baileyana). Every year there is a large 'Wattle Time' Festival (which happens when the wattle starts to bloom) with an art show and festivities.
Contents
History
Birthplace of Sir Donald Bradman
The land where Cootamundra now stands is a part of the Wiradjuri tribal lands, and the name Cootamundra is probably derived from the Wiradjuri word guudhamang, meaning "turtle".[2]
Main Street of CootamundraCootamundra was incorporated as a township on 9 August 1861, and the first settlers bought their lots in early 1862. Like many other towns in the Riverina, it was originally populated by those attracted by the gold rush of the 1860s, but became a quiet yet prosperous agricultural community after the local deposits were exhausted.
Timeline of Cootamundra
- 1847 - Cootamundra Run, a large stock run, is the first colonist settlement in the area.
- 1861 - The site of Cootamundry is published in the NSW Government Gazette
- 1862 - Gold mining commences at the nearby Muttama Reef mine.
- 1864 - The first church (Anglican) and post office are established.
- 1875 - The first school in the district opens
- 1877 - Cootamundra's railway connection opens on November 1.
- 1884 - Cootamundra is first gazetted as a municipality
- 1896 - Cootamundra Cycling Club formed by the Mayor's wife, Alex Johnson.
- 1908 - Donald Bradman (later Sir Donald Bradman) is born in Cootamundra.
- 1942 - On December 3, the corvette HMAS Cootamundra, named for the town, is launched.
- 1982 - In November 1982, the aviation company Masling Industries was formed. This was restructured in June 1993 after the unfortunate death of the owner.
Transport
The local railway station is located on the Main Southern railway line, with passengers served by the CountryLink XPT services on their way between Melbourne and Sydney. Regional Rail Logistics operates a containerised freight service from Junee to Sydney stopping in the town,[3] with interstate freight trains also passing through.
Aerial view of CootamundraReferences
- ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Cootamundra (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=UCL122000&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 2008-03-22.
- ^ McNicol, Sally; Hosking, Dianne (1994). "Wiradjuri". Macquarie Aboriginal Words. Sydney: Macquarie Library. pp. 97.
- ^ "New rail service a boost for Riverina". The Daily Advertiser. www.dailyadvertiser.com.au. 11/12/2008. http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/new-rail-service-a-boost-for-riverina/1383756.aspx. Retrieved 2009-01-08.
External links
- Cootamundra Shire Council
- Cootamundra - New Country Living
- Heartland: the regeneration of rural place
- Cootamundra Domestic Training Home for Aboriginal Girls
Preceding station CountryLink Following station JuneeCountryLink Southern Griffith Xplorer
Melbourne XPTHardentowards SydneyCoordinates: 34°38′30″S 148°01′30″E / 34.64167°S 148.025°E
Categories:- Towns in New South Wales
- Australian Aboriginal placenames
- Towns in the Riverina
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