Coolamon, New South Wales
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Coolamon New South Wales |
|
 Main Street of Coolamon looking south |
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| Population: | 1,264 (2001 census) |
| Postcode: | 2701 |
| Elevation: | 290 m (951 ft) |
| Location: |
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| LGA: | Coolamon Shire Council |
| County: | Bourke |
| State District: | Murrumbidgee |
Coolamon is a town in the south-west of New South Wales, Australia and is located 40 km north of Wagga Wagga and 506 km south-west of Sydney via the Hume and Sturt Highways. It is situated on the railway line between Junee and Narrandera. Coolamon had a population of 1,264 at the 2001 census[1] and is 253 m above sea level. It is the administrative and service centre for the local government area which bears its name, Coolamon Shire.
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[edit] History
The original land where Coolamon now stands, prior to European settlement, was occupied by the Kamilaroi and/or Wiradjuri Aborigines.
A property "Coleman" was first settled there by a Mr J. Atkinson in 1848. The town was surveyed prior to the coming of the railway and the railway station opened in 1881. Firstly called Cowabbie Road, the station name was very shortly after changed to Coleman and finally the name Coolamon was settled on in 1895. The coming of the railway allowed greater ease in transporting the area's products to distant markets.
[edit] Modern Coolamon
The name of Coolamon comes from the Aboriginal word for a basin-shaped wooden dish made and used by Australian Aborigines.[2] In the area around the town are thousands of naturally occurring indentations in the ground called Coolamon Holes which fill with water.
Coolamon is in the wheat belt of New South Wales and is a leading state producer of wheat and chaff. Wheat was first grown in the area in the 1850s. As well turkeys and wool are produced and the area is noted for the quality and plumpness of its lambs. A notable sight around about are the traditional sheaf haystacks which dot the local flat, clay countryside.
The town's broad main street, which has been restored, retains much of its old world charm with its wrought-iron verandahs and awnings. Various bric-a-brac and antique shops and a modern bakery decorated in a country style invite passing tourists to explore the town.
[edit] References
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (9 March 2006). Coolamon (Urban Centre/Locality). 2001 Census QuickStats. Retrieved on 2007-06-30.
- ^ The Macquarie Dictionary 1985 Edition - Macquarie Library Pty Ltd
[edit] External links
| Preceding station | CountryLink | Following station | ||
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towards Griffith
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CountryLink Southern
Griffith Xplorer
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towards Sydney
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