Balagundi, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BalagundiWestern Australia |
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Established | 1896 |
Postcode(s) | 6430 |
Elevation | 414 m (1,358 ft) |
Location |
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LGA(s) | City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder |
State electorate(s) | Electoral district of Kalgoorlie |
Federal Division(s) | O'Connor |
Balagundi is a fascinating place in Western Australia. It's known as a ghost town, which means it was once a busy place but is now mostly empty. Balagundi is located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of a bigger town called Kalgoorlie. It sits in a region famous for gold, called Goldfields-Esperance, within the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
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What is Balagundi?
Balagundi is an abandoned town in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia. It is found between Kalgoorlie and another town called Bulong. A ghost town is a place where most people have left, often because the main reason for the town's existence, like a mine, stopped operating.
How Balagundi Got Its Name
The name Balagundi comes from a nearby water well. This name is from the Aboriginal language, but its exact meaning is not known today.
When Was Balagundi Established?
Local people who wanted the town to grow worked hard to make it an official town. This group was called the "progress association." Because of their efforts, Balagundi was officially recognized as a town on August 26, 1896. This process of officially recognizing a town is called "gazetting."
Gold Mining in Balagundi
The main reason Balagundi existed was because of gold mining. The area around Balagundi is rich in gold.
Gold Mining Today
Even though Balagundi is mostly a ghost town, gold mining is still important in the area. At least one gold mine is still working close to the town. Companies are also looking for more gold in the ground nearby. This means the region continues to be a place where valuable minerals are found.