Bendemeer, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BendemeerNew South Wales |
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The two bridges across the Macdonald River at Bendemeer
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 Bendemeer
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 485 (2006 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 2355 |
| Elevation | 815 m (2,674 ft) |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Tamworth Regional Council |
| County | Inglis |
| State electorate(s) |
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| Federal Division(s) | New England |
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Bendemeer is a small village in the New England area of New South Wales, Australia. It is home to about 485 people. The village is located right where the New England and Oxley Highways meet. It sits by the Macdonald River.
Contents
History of Bendemeer
Early Days and First Settlers
The first people to live on this land were Indigenous Australians from the Kamilaroi group. European settlers arrived in 1834. They set up a sheep farm near a river crossing. This area later became known as the Macdonald River.
By 1851, a small village had grown around the farm. It was called McDonald River at first.
How Bendemeer Got Its Name
In 1854, the village was given a new name: Bendemeer. This name comes from a line in a poem written in 1817 by Thomas Moore. The poem, called Lalla-Rookh, mentions a "bower of roses by Bendemeer's stream."
Moore was thinking of a stream near an old city called Persepolis in what is now Iran. The word "bendemeer" roughly means "embankment of a local ruler" in Persian. A local farmer, Thomas Perry, suggested the name. His grandfather knew both Thomas Moore and the first New South Wales Surveyor General, Thomas Mitchell.
Famous Events in Bendemeer
In 1864, a famous Australian bushranger, Captain Thunderbolt, carried out one of his first robberies here. He stopped the mail delivery that was passing through Bendemeer.
The first bridge over the Macdonald River was built in 1874. A newer steel and timber bridge opened in 1905. Today, a modern concrete bridge is used to cross the river in the village. Some old bridges and the cemetery in Bendemeer are listed as important historical sites.
Getting Around Bendemeer
Tamworth Buslines offers a bus service that connects Bendemeer to the larger town of Tamworth. This helps people travel between the two places.
People of Bendemeer
Most people in Bendemeer are Christian (83%) and were born in Australia (90%). The average age of people living here is 41 years old. This is a bit older than the average age across Australia. About one-third of Bendemeer residents are over 55 years old.
What Bendemeer Does
Local Businesses and Activities
Bendemeer is a central place for local farmers who raise sheep and cattle. The village also hosts fun events like arts festivals and craft markets. Every three years, they have a special event called a "Tractor Muster."
The town has useful services for its residents and visitors. These include a general shop, a hotel with a restaurant, and a place for caravans and camping. There are also Catholic and Presbyterian churches.
Education and Technology
The Bendemeer Public School teaches about 33 students. This school gets extra money each year from a program that helps schools in disadvantaged areas. This funding is managed by the Department of Education.
On September 10, 2012, Bendemeer became one of the first villages in Australia to get fast internet. This was through the National Broadband Network, offering dedicated wireless broadband services.
