Goondiwindi Queensland
Goondiwindi
Population:	5,031 (2004)
Postcode:	4390
Coordinates:	28°33′S 150°19′E / 28.55°S 150.317°E / -28.55; 150.317Coordinates: 28°33′S 150°19′E / 28.55°S 150.317°E / -28.55; 150.317
Elevation:	217.2 m (713 ft)
Location:	358 km (222 mi) from Brisbane 246 km (153 mi) from Toowoomba 124 km (77 mi) from Moree, (NSW).
LGA:	Goondiwindi Region
State District:	Southern Downs
Federal Division:	Maranoa
Mean Max Temp Mean Min Temp Annual Rainfall 26.7 °C 80 °F 12.8 °C 55 °F 621.6 mm 24.5 in

Goondiwindi (pronounced /ɡʌndəˈwɪndi/)^[1] is an Australian town of approximately 5,023 people (Census 2004) with an annual population growth of 1.3% over the year. The name Goondiwindi derives from a local Aboriginal word meaning "the resting place of the birds".

History

Goondiwindi was first proclaimed a Municipality on 20 October 1888. The town boundaries have not altered to this day, and before Federation the town served as one of few border crossings between QLD and NSW. The customs office which was used in that era stands today and is open for tourists. The most famous resident of Goondiwindi was Gunsynd, a thoroughbred race horse known as "The Goondiwindi Grey". In the late 1960s and early 1970s Gunsynd had 29 wins including the 1971 Epsom Handicap and the 1972 Cox Plate and came third in the 1972 Melbourne Cup. The name "Gunsynd" came from Goondiwindi Syndicate (Gun= Goondiwindi, Synd= Syndicate). A statue of Gunsynd is located in a park in the town centre.^[2]

Geography

The town is situated on the MacIntyre River in Queensland near the New South Wales border, 350 kilometres (220 mi) south west of the Queensland state capital, Brisbane. The twin town of Boggabilla is located a short distance away on the New South Wales side of the border. Most of the area surrounding the town is farmland.

Transport

The town is a major transport nexus for trucks and other traffic travelling between the southern states and Queensland. The Newell, Leichhardt, Gore, Cunningham, Barwon and Bruxner Highways all merge at Goondiwindi or close by. The town is also the administrative centre for the Goondiwindi Region. Goondiwindi is also a popular stopping point for interstate travellers with an abundance of well appointed motels and restaurants.^[3]

Education

The town houses three schools, a public primary school, a private primary school and a public high school. Each of these schools are highly established, have excellent ties with the community and provides generous contributions to the community and surrounding areas. Goondiwindi State High School won the Showcase award for 2006, an award dedicated to schools displaying excellence in all areas.^{[citation needed]}

Economy

Retailers

Goondiwindi has many large retailers, including a Coles Supermarkets, and a Mitre 10 Home & Trade.

Farming

Goondiwindi is also a major centre for agricultural production with the district producing and growing a diverse range of crops and fibres. The mainstays of the local economy are anything from wool and beef production through to the growing of cotton, sorghum and corn in the summer period. The winter crop growing season sees the planting of wheat, barley and chickpeas. Average rainfall for this region is 525 millimetres (20.7 in) per annum.

Attractions

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The town of Goondiwindi also boasts a large man made water park which used to be a major tourist attraction for the locals as well as people in the surrounding districts^[4]. The park was used for water skiing, boating, swimming and general outdoor recreational pursuits, until the water all but seeped out through the bottom. There was a chance to fill it back up in mid January 2008, with about 15 metres (49 ft) of water coming down the river, but this never happened. It is still dry to this day.

Goondiwindi also boasts a very active sporting community which has active participants in such diverse sports as, rugby union, rugby league, cricket, golf, tennis, Australian football, netball, swimming etc. The Town has also recently built a large indoor gymnasium for use by the general public and school groups. One of the major sporting highlights is the annual hell of the west triathlon which is run in February of each year and is supported by competitors from all over Australia.

Boobera Lagoon is a permanent water hole to the west of the town.

Media

Goondiwindi publishes a weekly newspaper called 'The Goondiwindi Argus'.

See also

• Yelarbon

References

Queensland portal