Gilgandra, New South Wales

Gilgandra New South Wales
The main street of Gilgandra
Gilgandra
Population:	2,679[1]
Established:	1888
Postcode:	2827
Coordinates:	31°42′S 148°40′E / 31.7°S 148.667°E / -31.7; 148.667Coordinates: 31°42′S 148°40′E / 31.7°S 148.667°E / -31.7; 148.667
Elevation:	282 m (925 ft)
Location:	460 km (286 mi) from Sydney 66 km (41 mi) from Dubbo
LGA:	Shire of Gilgandra
State District:	Barwon
Federal Division:	Parkes
Mean Max Temp Mean Min Temp Annual Rainfall 24.7 °C 76 °F 9.9 °C 50 °F 557.2 mm 21.9 in

Gilgandra, a town and Local Government Area (see Gilgandra Shire Council) in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the junction of the Newell Highway, Oxley Highway and Castlereagh Highway and can be reached in about six hours by car from Sydney, and lies on the Castlereagh River. Like Coonabarabran, Gilgandra can be considered to be a gateway to the Warrumbungles National Park. At the 2006 census, Gilgandra had a population of 2,679 people.^[1] The name is derived from an Aboriginal word meaning 'long waterhole' and may be related to fact that town stands on Castlereagh River.^[2]

History

The town was proclaimed in 1888 and the first town blocks were sold in 1889. The area had been previously settled and Gilgandra’s first Post Office was established in 1867 and in 1881 a local school opened, and the first court hearing in the Gilgandra court house was in 1884. The shire was constituted in 1906.

During World War I, a recruitment march to Sydney began in Gilgandra. The march was known as the 'Cooee March', after the distinct call of "cooee" they shouted at each town along their journey to attract recruits. Twenty-six men left Gilgandra on 10 October 1915. They were feted at each town on the route and recruitment meetings were held. By the time they reached Sydney just over one month later on 12 November, the numbers had swelled to 263 recruits.^[3][4]

Geography

The geography of Gilgandra is very flat. The soil is composed mostly of sand, making it very porous and difficult to grow certain plants. The weather is hot and dry, reaching over 40°C for consecutive days during summer. In winter the temperature can reach as low as -2°C with large frosts leaving snow like blankets on the ground. During 1955, Gilgandra was flooded. This caused havoc throughout the small town. Fortunately, no one was killed but damage left behind was massive. In recent years, the town has suffered badly from drought.

Other Major Buildings

There is a hospital, and medical centres. Recently in 2009, a new Supa IGA supermarket was opened. A tavern, cafe, plaza and public toilets are also under development whilst the town is already host to many cafes, another supermarket (5 Star), museums, gift shops, 2 Chinese restaraunts, various clothes stores including Target and several hotels.

Sport

The Gilgandra Panthers play in the Castlereagh Cup rugby league competition. There is also a junior rugby league and netball club which plays in the group 14 competition. The town is also home to a soccer club, swimming club, touch football and has local tennis competitions and a gym. Gilgandra hosts the Windmill Carnival every year. This basketball event attracts many teams from all over the state. Little Athletics is another popular sport among the youth of Gilgandra. The annual Gift again draws vistors to the town.

Gilgandra also has its own cricket competition called the ABC Shield which has 2 Gilgandra teams, Biddon-Tooraweenah, Warren, Coonamble and Gular teams playing in it. Gilgandra representative cricket takes part in the Brewery Shield competition,Country Plate knockout and the A.S Gordon Shield which they are currently preimers of,from the 2008-09 season. Gilgandra also has its very own Junior Cricket Assosciation, with representative teams in the 12's, 14's and 16's competing in intertown competitions regularly. Gilgandra won the Dick Penberthy Shield under 16's competition in 2001-02 season and have been in the semi final every year after. Cricket remains a strong part of sport in Gilgandra and remains to be the number sport played in the town.

Radio Station

Gilgandra has one radio station; 98.9 War FM. This is a volunteer run radio station with various different shows running. These include old music, modern music and sport segments. The news is also played every hour.

Notable people

Donald Frederick Gregory O'Connor (born 1958), Australian cricketer who played for the Tasmanian Tigers and the Southern Redbacks. William Thomas Hitchen, Organised a successful recruiting march from Gilgandra to Sydney in late 1915.

References

• "Gilgandra". Gazetteer of Australia online. Geoscience Australia, Australian Government. http://www.ga.gov.au/bin/gazd01?rec=51910. 

due to open late 2009.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Gilgandra, New South Wales

• "Gilgandra " District History". Gilgandra Shire Council (www.gilgandra.nsw.gov.au). 2004. http://www.gilgandra.nsw.gov.au/history.htm. Retrieved 2006-02-27.