Dirranbandi, Queensland Explained

Type:town
Dirranbandi
State:qld
Coordinates:-28.5833°N 148.2277°W
Pop:610
Established:1885
Postcode:4486
Area:8250.4
Timezone:AEST
Utc:+10:00
Elevation:173
Dist1:95.4
Dir1:SW
Location1:St George
Dist2:456
Dir2:WSW
Location2:Toowoomba
Dist3:585
Dir3:WSW
Location3:Brisbane
Lga:Balonne Shire
Stategov:Warrego
Fedgov:Maranoa
Near-N:St George
Near-Ne:Thallon
Near-E:Mungindi
Near-Se:Collarenebri (NSW)
Near-S:Lightning Ridge (NSW)
Near-Sw:Angledool (NSW)
Near-W:Hebel
Near-Nw:Bollon

Dirranbandi is a rural town and locality in the Shire of Balonne, Queensland, Australia.[1] [2] The locality is on the border of Queensland with New South Wales. In the, the locality of Dirranbandi had a population of 610 people.

Geography

Dirranbandi is on the Castlereagh Highway and the Balonne River. It is notable for the population variations each year as seasonal workers come to work on the extensive cotton fields. Due to the low annual rainfall, irrigation is used extensively.

History

Gamilaraay (also known as Gamilaroi, Kamilaroi, Comilroy) is an Aboriginal language from south-west Queensland and north-west New South Wales. The Gamilaraay language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of the Balonne Shire Council, including the towns of Dirranbandi, Thallon, Talwood and Bungunya as well as the border towns of Mungindi and Boomi extending to Moree, Tamworth and Coonabarabran in NSW.[3]

Yuwaalaraay (also known as Yuwalyai, Euahlayi, Yuwaaliyaay, Gamilaraay, Kamilaroi, Yuwaaliyaayi) is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken on Yuwaalaraay country. The Yuwaalaraay language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of the Shire of Balonne, including the town of Dirranbandi as well as the border town of Hebel extending to Walgett and Collarenebri in New South Wales.[4]

Yuwaalayaay (also known as Yuwalyai, Euahlayi, Yuwaaliyaay, Gamilaraay, Kamilaroi, Yuwaaliyaayi) is an Australian Aboriginal language spoken on Yuwaalayaay country. It is closely related to the Gamilaraay and Yuwaalaraay languages. The Yuwaalayaay language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of the Shire of Balonne, including the town of Dirranbandi as well as the border town of Goodooga extending to Walgett and the Narran Lakes in New South Wales.[5]

The town reserve was surveyed in March 1885 by surveyor Claudius Buchanan Whish. He is believed to have named the town using an Aboriginal word, meaning either broken forest country or chorus of frogs at night.[6] The name may be derived from a Yuwaaliyaay dialect placename, Dhurrunbandaay, relating to dhurrun.gal ("hairy caterpillars") and baanda-y ("move in single file").

One hundred housing allotments were first set aside, followed by land for a police station, a state school, and post office.[7]

Dirranbandi Provisional School opened on 9 June 1902,[8] but closed in April 1905. It reopened on 20 January 1908 and became Dirranbandi State School on 1 January 1909. On 29 January 1963, a secondary department to Year 10 was added.

The South Western railway reached Dirranbandi on 22 May 1913.[9] The town was served by the Dirranbandi railway station in Railway Street .[10] Kundilam railway station served the rural areas 10km (10miles) to the east of the town . The name Kundilam is an Aboriginal word meaning scrub berry. On 28 June 1917 Kundilam railway renamed Bonathorne railway station, named after the adjacent Bonathorne pastoral station of Alfred Allen Moore (the Bonathorne pastoral station still exists as at 8 May 2020).[11] [12] Noondoo railway station was approx 20km (10miles) east of the town ; it was named by the Queensland Railways Department on 29 October eafter the Noondoo pastoral station which in turn is an Aboriginal name either for the spring near the homestead or the shrub growing near the spring.[13] Hawkston railway station was located approximately 30km (20miles) east of the town .[14]

The Catholic church in Dirranbandi was expected to be opened by Archbishop James Duhig on Sunday 25 April 1926,[15] but it was not until 13 May 1928 that he was able to officially open St. Therese's Catholic Church.[16]

In September 1934 Mr. A. Clayton was contracted to build an Anglican church in Dirranbandi to the design of Brisbane architect, S. W. Prior. It was intended to be serviced by the Bush Brotherhood.[17] [18] By February 1935 it was open for services,[19] but it was not until Saturday 15 February 1936 that Bishop Horace Dixon was able to come to Dirranbandi dedicate the church as St Mark's Anglican Church.[20] [21]

Dirranbandi had the honour of being the destination for the last mail train to operate in Australia. The Thallon-to-Dirranbandi section of the line was closed on 2 September 2010.[22]

The Culgoa Floodplain National Park lies 130km (80miles) to the south-west.[23] The town experienced serious flooding in February–March 2010 and January 2011.[24]

During 2020 and 2021, the Queensland borders were closed to most people due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Border crossing points were either closed or had a Queensland Police checkpoint to allow entry to only those people with an appropriate permit. The border crossing point on the Koomalah Road at Dirranbandi was closed.[25] [26]

Demographics

At the, Dirranbandi had a population of 711.

In the, Dirranbandi had a population of 640 people. 79.9% of people were born in Australia and 85.2% of people spoke only English at home. The most common responses for religion were Catholic 29.3%, Anglican 26.5%, and No Religion 14.8%.

In the, the locality of Dirranbandi had a population of 610 people.

Education

Dirranbandi P-10 State School is a government primary and secondary (Prep-10) school for boys and girls at Jane Street (-28.577°N 148.23°W).[27] [28] In 2015, the school had 73 students with 12 teachers (11 full-time equivalent).[29] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 65 students with 13 teachers (11 full-time equivalent) and 13 non-teaching staff (9 full-time equivalent).[30]

For secondary education to Year 12, the nearest government school is St George State High School in neighbouring St George to the north-west, but, given the distance, distance education and boarding school would be other options.

Facilities

Dirranbandi has a hospital, civic centre, swimming pool, park and showground.[31]

Balonne Shire Council operates a library on the Castlereagh Highway inside the Rural Transaction Centre.[32] [33]

The Dirranbandi branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association has its rooms at 22 Kirby Street .[34]

St Therese's Catholic Church is at 42 Kirby Street ; it is part of the parish of St Patrick's Parish headquartered in St George.[35] [36] St Mark's Anglican Church is at 55 Moore Street .[37]

Dirranbandi Uniting Church meet at the Anglican Church in Moore Street. It is part of the Uniting Church in Australia.[38]

Dirranbandi Aerodrome is located at the western end of Moore Street . It is operated by the Balonne Shire Council. It has a 1000abbr=NaNabbr= sealed runway with lights.[39]

Popular culture

Slim Dusty sang about being the Dirranbandi Dandy in the song "Cunnamulla Fella", which he co-wrote with Stan Coster.[40]

Roger G. Barrett's popular "You Wouldn't be Dead for Quids" book series featured Les Norton as the lead character, who was born and bred in Dirranbandi.

Notable people

Tom Dancey (1888–1957), a local stockman and Indigenous Australian, won Australia's most famous footrace, the Stawell Gift in 1910.[41] It is indicated the £1000 prize money was kept by his handlers and he only got the trophy.[42]

Brigadier General William Grant (1870–1939) post-World War I bought land in the area. He was involved in the Australian Light Horse. Artwork commemorates Dirranbandi's contributions to the Light Horse in terms of men and horses.[43]

Actor Ray Meagher grew up near Dirranbandi. He is best known for playing Alf Stewart on soap opera Home and Away, and credits one of his character's catchphrases "Stone the flamin' crows!" to Dick Backhouse who was a stock and station agent in town.[44]

External links

Notes and References

  1. 25 January 2020.
  2. 25 January 2020.
  3. Web site: Indigenous Language map of Queensland. State Library of Queensland. 21 January 2020. 2 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200902091436/https://maps.slq.qld.gov.au/iyil/view/9?embed=true. live.
  4. Yuwaalaraay. Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map. 23 January 2020.
  5. Yuwaalayaay. Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map. 23 January 2020.
  6. Centre for the Government of Queensland, Dirranbandi, http://queenslandplaces.com.au/dirranbandi, retrieved 9 June 2011.
  7. Book: Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to Australian Places. 1993. Reader's Digest. Sydney, NSW. 0-86438-399-1. 492.
  8. 8 May 2020.
  9. The Last of the Mail Trains. Winney. Ken. Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin. July 1990 . 155–166.
  10. 8 May 2020.
  11. 8 May 2020.
  12. News: 29 June 1917. Name of Station Changed.. 9. The Brisbane Courier. Queensland, Australia. 8 May 2020. Trove. 24 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124035747/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20189882. live.
  13. 8 May 2020.
  14. 8 May 2020.
  15. News: 15 April 1926. Opening of the Catholic Church at Dirranbandi.. XX. 2. Balonne Beacon. 15. Queensland, Australia. National Library of Australia. 15 September 2021. 24 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124035747/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/215764332. live.
  16. News: 14 May 1928. NATIONAL FUND.. 13. The Brisbane Courier. 21,933. Queensland, Australia. National Library of Australia. 15 September 2021. 24 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124035749/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/21286403. live.
  17. News: 16 August 1934. Advertising. 30. 4. Balonne Beacon. 34. Queensland, Australia. National Library of Australia. 15 September 2021. 24 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124035748/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/213902464. live.
  18. News: 28 September 1934. NEW CHURCH FOR DIRRANBANDI. 23. The Courier-mail. 339. Queensland, Australia. National Library of Australia. 15 September 2021. 24 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124035745/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/35639316. live.
  19. News: 28 February 1935. CHRIST CHURCH, ST. GEORGE. Dirranbandi.. 31. 3. Balonne Beacon. 9. Queensland, Australia. National Library of Australia. 15 September 2021. 24 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124035806/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/213905775. live.
  20. News: 18 February 1936. Country News. 5. The Courier-mail. 771. Queensland, Australia. National Library of Australia. 15 September 2021. 24 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124035753/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/36781419. live.
  21. News: 6 February 1936. Advertising. 32. 4. Balonne Beacon. 6. Queensland, Australia. National Library of Australia. 15 September 2021. 24 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220124035755/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/213761618. live.
  22. News: 22 July 2010. End of an era at Thallon. 1. Balonne Beacon. Back on Track. 1 August 2023. 1 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230801204044/https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4158.0%7CRail%3A. live.
  23. Web site: Queensland Government. Department of Environment and Resource Management. Culgoa Floodplain National Park. 2011-06-09 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110402021309/http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/culgoa-floodplain/index.html . 2 April 2011.
  24. News: Brisbane Times. Dan. Nancarrow. From inland town to island town. 4 January 2011. 9 June 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110516033252/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/weather/from-inland-town-to-island-town-20110103-19dnt.html. 16 May 2011. live.
  25. Web site: 19 December 2021. Road Status Update for South West. usurped. https://web.archive.org/web/20211218232704/https://data.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/htmlreports/district-South_West.html. 18 December 2021. 19 December 2021. Department of Transport and Main Roads.
  26. Web site: 2020-04-03. Queensland border restrictions in South West. usurped. https://web.archive.org/web/20211218232801/https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/southwest/2020/04/03/queensland-border-restrictions-in-south-west/. 18 December 2021. 2021-12-18. South West. Queensland Police.
  27. Web site: 9 July 2018. State and non-state school details. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065959/https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997. 21 November 2018. 21 November 2018. Queensland Government.
  28. Web site: 2022-05-03 . Dirranbandi P-10 State School . 2023-08-01 . Dirranbandi P-10 State School. 19 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230519144247/https://dirranbandiss.eq.edu.au/ . live .
  29. Web site: 2015 School Annual Report. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20161107221140/https://dirranbass.eq.edu.au/Supportandresources/Formsanddocuments/Annual%20reports/SAR%202015.pdf. 7 November 2016. 7 November 2016. Dirranbandi State School.
  30. Web site: ACARA School Profile 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122010027/http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0. 22 November 2018. 22 November 2018.
  31. Web site: Dirranbandi . Balonne Shire Council . 13 November 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131113013846/http://www.balonne.qld.gov.au/residentinfo/publicfacilities/index.shtml . 13 November 2013 . dead .
  32. Web site: Library location and hours. Balonne Shire Council. 8 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171023214916/http://www.balonne.qld.gov.au/library-locations. 23 October 2017. live.
  33. Web site: Dirranbandi Library. Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. 29 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170202033511/http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/networking/directory-of-public-libraries/branches/balonne/dirranbandi_library2. 2 February 2017. live.
  34. Web site: Branch locations. Queensland Country Women's Association. https://web.archive.org/web/20181226010724/http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/. 26 December 2018. live. 26 December 2018.
  35. Web site: St Therese's Church, Dirranbandi. Roman Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba. 26 July 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200508113550/https://www.twb.catholic.org.au/church/st-thersas-church-dirranbandi/. 2020-05-08. 2020-05-08.
  36. Web site: St Therese's Catholic Church. live. 2021-09-15. Churches Australia. 15 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210915033754/https://www.churchesaustralia.org/list-of-churches/denominations/catholic/directory/4207-st-thereseand#39;s-catholic-church.
  37. Web site: St Mark's Anglican Church. live. 2021-09-15. Churches Australia. 15 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210915022333/https://www.churchesaustralia.org/list-of-churches/locations/queensland/all-towns/directory/4208-st-markand#39;s-anglican-church.
  38. Web site: Find a Church. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201024234524/https://ucaqld.com.au/find-a-church/. 24 October 2020. 22 November 2020. Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod.
  39. Web site: Aerodromes. Balonne Shire Council. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200508124102/https://www.balonne.qld.gov.au/community/facilities/aerodromes. 8 May 2020. 2020-05-08.
  40. Web site: Slim Dusty – Cunnamulla Feller . TotalTabs Aussie . 13 May 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140513141540/http://aussie.totaltabs.com/tablature/Slim_Dusty/Cunnamulla_Feller_Chord_15456/ . 13 May 2014 . live .
  41. News: Learned to run chasing emus . Truth . 1994 . Queensland, Australia . 12 June 1938 . 19 April 2021 . 8 . National Library of Australia . 24 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220124035808/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/206136682 . live .
  42. Web site: Tom Dancey . Monument Australia . 18 April 2021 . 18 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210418145846/https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/sport/display/94954-tom-dancey . live .
  43. Web site: Beersheba Memorial . Monument Australia . 18 April 2021 . 18 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210418145846/https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/conflict/ww1/display/109969-beersheba-memorial- . live .
  44. Web site: Little Ray of Sunshine. Crothers. Andrea. 2016-02-22. Queensland Country Life. 2020-05-08. 8 May 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200508120242/https://www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au/story/3743959/little-ray-of-sunshine/. live.

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