| Dirranbandi Queensland |
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 Dirranbandi |
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  Dirranbandi
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| Population: | 437 [1] |
| Postcode: | 4486 |
| Coordinates: | 28°35′S 148°14′E / 28.583°S 148.233°ECoordinates: 28°35′S 148°14′E / 28.583°S 148.233°E |
| Location: | |
| LGA: | Balonne Shire |
| State District: | Warrego |
| Federal Division: | Maranoa |
Dirranbandi is a town in south-western Queensland, Australia, located in the Shire of Balonne. It is said by some to be an Aboriginal word meaning "swamp abounding in frogs and waterfowl". Although this is possible there is no evidence in any of the region's languages to suggest that this is the case. The name appears to be derived from a Yuwaaliyaay dialect placename Dhurrunbandaay. It is said to be to do with dhurrun.gal ("hairy caterpillars") and baanda-y ("move in Indian file"). There is also a word dhirrinbaa (a Yuwaalaraay dialect noun), meaning "bad weather camp, on high ground." Possibly from dhirrin ("high ground") and -baa ("place of, time of").
It sits on the Castlereagh Highway and the Balonne River. The railway reached Dirranbandi on 22 May, 1913[2]. Dirranbandi had the honour of being the destination for the last Mail Train to operate in Australia[2]. At the 2006 census, Dirranbandi had a population of 437.[1]
It is notable for the population increase each year as seasonal workers come to work on the extensive cotton fields. Due to the low annual rainfall, irrigation is used extensively. Dirranbandi is close to Cubbie Station, the largest privately owned cotton property in the southern hemisphere.
The Culgoa Floodplain National Park is nearby.
Dirranbandi is located on the traditional lands of the Kooma people. However people in Dirranbandi recognise themselves as Kamilaroi.[citation needed]
References
- ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Dirranbandi (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=UCL317600&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
- ^ a b The Last of the Mail Trains Winney, Ken Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, July, 1990 pp155-166
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