Bonalbo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BonalboNew South Wales |
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The police station, general store and post office
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 Bonalbo
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 371 (2016 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 2469 |
| Elevation | 171 m (561 ft) |
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Kyogle Council |
| State electorate(s) | Lismore |
| Federal Division(s) | Page |
Bonalbo is a small village in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia. It is about 815 km north of Sydney. The village is part of the Kyogle Council area.
The Gidhabal people, who are part of the Bundjalung nation, are the traditional owners of the land around Bonalbo. The name Bonalbo comes from the Gidabal language. It means "bloodwood trees."
Contents
Exploring Bonalbo's History
Early European Settlement
John Donald McLean was the first European to settle in the Bonalbo area. He was a Scotsman who moved his sheep there in 1841. He settled on a property called 'Bunalbo' or Duck Creek. Later, he became a very important land owner and even the treasurer of Queensland. He sold his land to the Robertson family in 1853.
The Robertson Land Acts of 1861 allowed smaller landowners, called free selectors, to take up land. However, it wasn't until 1887 that the first free selector, Donald McIntyre, arrived. At this time, people who cut down cedar trees also moved into the area.
How Bonalbo Village Grew
The town of Bonalbo later grew on land owned by McIntyre. But a difficult economic time in the 1890s caused many settlers to leave, including McIntyre. He sold his land to Paddy McNamee.
New settlers came in the 1900s. McNamee showed that the land was good for farming. Sawmills also opened nearby. By 1910, about 100 settlers lived in the area. The land was heavily forested, and there were no roads. Land was bought from McNamee, and the town was officially started in 1911. McNamee built the butcher's shop, hotel, and billiard room. He might have also built the post office and town hall.
Bonalbo's Economy and People
Proposed Railway Line
In the 1920s, there were plans to build a railway line. This line would have connected Casino to Bonalbo. However, construction stopped because of the Second World War.
Past Industries in Bonalbo
Historically, Bonalbo's economy relied on two main industries. These were dairy farming and the timber industry. However, both the sawmill and the milk factory have been closed for many years now.
Who Lives in Bonalbo?
In the 2016 Census, there were 371 people living in Bonalbo. Most people, about 74.6%, were born in Australia. Also, 84.5% of people spoke only English at home. The most common answer for religion was "No Religion," at 28.9%.
What Can You Find in Bonalbo?
Bonalbo is a very nice small town. It has many facilities that are good for people who are retired. The village has a hospital and an ambulance station. There is also a chemist, a supermarket, and a newsagency with a service station.
You can find a pub with motel rooms in Bonalbo. There is also a bowling and recreation club. This club has a challenging nine-hole golf course and tennis courts. All these places are close to the town centre, so you can walk to them easily.
Famous People from Bonalbo
Jacqui Lawrence is a famous athlete. She won an Olympic Silver medal in slalom kayaking at the 2008 Summer Olympics. She went to Bonalbo Central School when she was younger.
Celebrating Working Dogs
In April 2017, a bronze statue of a working dog was revealed in Bonalbo. This statue shows that Bonalbo is where working dog trials first started. These trials, using cattle, began at the Bonalbo Show in 1950. The statue also honors the important role working dogs play in country life. They are both workers and loyal friends. The community, businesses, and government helped pay for the statue.
