Wandoan

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Wandoan
Queensland
Gain silos, Wandoan, 2014.JPG
Grain silos in 2014
Wandoan is located in Queensland
Wandoan
Wandoan
Coordinates Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Population 665 (2011 census)[1]
Postcode(s) 4419
Location
LGA(s) Western Downs Region
State electorate(s) Callide
Federal Division(s) Flynn
Localities around Wandoan:
Grosmount Grosmount Roche Creek
Bundi Wandoan Roche Creek
Woleebee Woleebee Guluguba

Wandoan /ˈwɒnd.ən/ is a town and locality in the Western Downs Region, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] It is on the Leichhardt Highway about halfway between Taroom and Miles and is the centre for the local cattle industry. At the 2011 census, Wandoan had a population of 665.[1]

History

War memorial, Wandoan, 2014

The beginnings of the Wandoan township can be traced back to 1853 when 'Juandah' Station was established at this location in 1849. When Herbert Salway and Percival Sydney Francis Stephen first tendered for a huge area of land: Juandah of 23,000 acres (9,300 ha) and two other runs Coringa of 21,000 acres (8,500 ha) and Cherwondah of 19,200 acres (7,800 ha). This area, defined in accordance with the 1847 Orders-in-Council, falls far short of the actual size of the holding, which has been estimated at 449 square miles (1,160 km2)—five and a half times as much. The aggregation of these three runs became known as Juandah and records show Percival Stephen was living on Juandah before August 1849. A wayside hotel was built there in the 1890s, and by the end of the nineteenth century the hotel was well established and a township was formed.

The railway to Miles opened on 16 December 1914.

Juandah was named Wandoan in 1926 to avoid confusion with Jundah near Longreach.

After World War II, land around Wandoan was used for soldier settlements through ballots in the 1950s.[4]

The Wandoan War Memorial is in front of the Community Culture Centre on Henderson Street and commemorates Australians who served in all wars. There are plaques for individual wars on the wall behind the memorial. The monument was dedicated on 25 April (Anzac Day) 1993.[5][6]

Economy

The town's economy is traditionally based on agriculture, including wheat, sorgum and cattle. The townscale is visually dominated by the grain silos near the railway station. However, mining for coal and gas are growing industries, increasing the population and facilities in Wandoan.[4]

Tourism

Visitor information centre and windmill, Wandoan, 2014

The following are features of interest in Wandoan:[7]

  • the local Heritage Trail leads to 23 points of interest, including the Juandah site and the Waterloo Plains Environmental Park with its lakes, picnic areas and water birds
  • the 'Wandoan Windmill' at the town entrance on the Highway across from a colourful mural painted on the town's main water tank.
  • a mural depicting local history in the Community Cultural Centre on a huge piece of local sandstone.
  • the Wandoan Races: horse racing meetings held once or twice every year.
  • Wandoan Unlicensed Airport is 1.2 kilometres (0.75 mi) away.

The Wandoan Information Centre on Royd Street provides information for visitors. It is housed in a former railway station building and is easily spotted by the large windmill beside it.[8]

School

Opening of the new Juandah State School, 1918

Juandah Provisional School opened on 30 October 1911. It became a State School on 1 March 1915 and was renamed Wandoan State School in 1924.[9][10]

Amenities

Community Cultural Centre, Wandoan, 2014

Wandoan Community Cultural Centre is located on Henderson Road (Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.). It is operated by the Western Downs Regional Council and offer a library and a public hall used for meetings and entertainment.[11][12]

Services

Wandoan has the following services:[13]

  • Ambulance service, doctor, out-patients clinic, veterinary surgeon
  • Fire brigade, police station
  • tank water, town water, TV reception – v.a.s.t[clarification needed] only, normal alternating current (ac) power
  • Railway station (closed, no longer used), coach bus service (three services per week), full vehicle service
  • Chemist, hotel/motel, official post office, mail collected daily

Climate

The temperature varies between 21 °C (70 °F) – 34 °C (93 °F) in summer and 5 °C (41 °F) – 22 °C (72 °F) in winter.[14]

Population

Year Population Notes
2001 401 [15]
2006 386 [16]
2011 655 [1]

Notable people

  • Darren Lockyer, Australia, Queensland and Brisbane rugby league captain grew up in Wandoan.[17]

References

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External links

Media related to Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. at Wikimedia Commons