Junee, New South Wales

Infobox Australian Place | type = town
name = Junee
state = nsw


caption = Location of Junee in New South Wales
lga = Junee Shire Council
postcode = 2663
est = 1860s
pop = formatnum:3744
pop_footnotes= census 2006 AUS|id=UCL142000|name=Junee (Urban Centre/Locality)|accessdate=|quick=on]
elevation= 280
maxtemp = 22.9
mintemp = 5.0
rainfall = 522.2
county = Clarendon
stategov = Murrumbidgee
fedgov = Riverina
timezone = AEST
utc = +10
timezone-dst= AEDT
utc-dst = +11
dist1 = 40
location1= Wagga Wagga
dist2 = 220
location2= Canberra
dist3 = 470
location3= Sydney

Junee is a small town in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. It lies on the Olympic Way and the main southern railway line, 40 km north-east of Wagga Wagga, southwest of Cootamundra, approximately 470 km south-west of Sydney and 220 km northwest of Canberra. It has a population of formatnum:3744.

Its name originates from the local Aboriginal phrase "speak to me".

History

A pastoral lease after this area of Wiradjuri lands was colonised by Europeans, Junee grew as a town during the gold rushes that took place in the area from mid-1860 to mid-1880. It became prosperous from the early 1880s when the main railway line from Sydney (NSW capital) to Melbourne (capital of Victoria) was built through Junee. This proved a boon to local agricultural producers who could now easily trade in both of these markets.

The railway defined the character of Junee for nearly 100 years. Evidence of this exists in hotels and railway buildings that are still faithfully maintained in accordance with architectural standards of their day. While the railway still contributes to the local economy, its contribution has reduced since the 1970s. Many locals credit AJJ (John) Thompson, appointed as town clerk in 1970, as the "Father of Modern Junee" for his vision of the town's future and for taking the hard decisions that were needed to keep the town alive.

This period saw Junee accept that income from the railways was on the decline and that growth was going to come from diverse areas. Land was allocated for new development and housing with assistance from the State Government. Local producers were encouraged to diversify and increase the quality of their produce. New businesses were sought for the town. As a result, Junee is now known for its lamb and high quality crops of wheat, canola, oats, barley and triticale. A manufacturing sector has also evolved with emphasis on steel engineering, meat processing and organic flour. It is also the location of the Junee Correctional Centre.

Housing development has increased steadily and community facilities have matured and developed to make Junee a sought after lifestyle choice and tourist destination of the Riverina District.

Rugby league player, Laurie Daley was born and recruited from Junee, by the Canberra Raiders while playing in the Group 9 Rugby League for the local Junee team. He was later to captain New South Wales and Australia.cite web
url = http://rl1908.com/rugby-league/Laurie-Daley.htm
title = Laurie Daley - His Debut Season
publisher = RL1908.com
accessdate = 2007-02-09] Michael Dobson, who is the current Canberra Raiders halfback was also born and raised in Junee. Michael was first picked up by Canberra, before moving to England for a short and successful stint. Michael rejoined the Raiders at the beginning of the 2007 season.

Attractions

* Junee Licorice & Chocolate Factory
* Junee Roundhouse - Rail & Transport Museum
* Monte Cristo - Historic Homestead
* Junee Historical Museum
* Junee Wetlands
* Bethungra Rail Spiral
* Crestwood Lavender Farm
* Junee Historic Railway Station
* Kaybunda Lavender Farm

ee also

* Jail Break Inn Fire

References

* [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/AS/2/Junee.html FallingRain Map - elevation = 299m]

External links

* [http://www.junee.nsw.gov.au/ Junee Shire Council]
* [http://www.greengroveorganics.com/ Junee Licorice & Chocolate factory]
* [http://www.rhta-junee.org.au/ Junee Roundhouse - Railway Museum]
* [http://www.juneemagic.com/junee/links.html Junee Links Webpage]