Bowraville, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BowravilleNew South Wales |
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 Bowraville
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 1,157 (2021 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 2449 |
| Elevation | 24.8 m (81 ft) |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Nambucca Valley Council |
| County | Raleigh |
| State electorate(s) | Oxley |
| Federal Division(s) | Cowper |
Bowraville is a small town located in the beautiful Mid North Coast area of New South Wales, Australia. It's nestled in the Nambucca Valley and is known for its interesting history and charming attractions.
Many people visit Bowraville to explore its folk museum, a war museum, a historic theatre, and other old buildings. Even though Bowraville has faced some challenges, it was recognized for its cultural heritage and community efforts in 2011, winning an award in the Tidy Towns competition!
Contents
Discovering Bowraville's Past
Long, long ago, for thousands of years, the Gumbaynggirr and Ngaku Indigenous people lived in the Bowraville area. Today, about 15% of the people living here are Indigenous Australians. The Gumbaynggirr people's traditional lands stretched across a large part of the Mid North Coast, from the Nambucca River all the way to the Clarence River and out to the Pacific Ocean. Before Europeans arrived, this area was mostly thick, green rainforest.
The name "Bowra" comes from the Gumbaynggirr word Bawrrung. This word might mean 'cabbage tree palm', 'bullrout fish', 'scrub turkey', or 'bald head'. The 'ville' part was added in the 1870s. This was done to avoid confusing Bowraville with another town called Bowral in the Southern Highlands.
In March 1841, a man named Clement Hodgkinson explored the Nambucca and Bellinger Rivers. He was the first European to meet the local Aboriginal communities. The town of Bowraville started to grow in the 1850s and 1860s.
The town officially became a gazetted town in 1870, and the Bowraville Post Office opened on August 1, 1870. It quickly became the main hub of the Nambucca Valley. At first, its main industries were timber and dairy farming. Bowraville even became home to the Nambucca Shire Council offices. However, from the 1960s onwards, Bowraville became less popular and faced some economic challenges.
Timber Industry: The Early Days
When white settlers first arrived, they were mostly timber-getters, meaning they cut down trees for wood. The first timber-getter in the area was Mr. William Scott, after whom Scotts Head is named. The most popular tree to cut was the red cedar, but now there are very few left. Hoop pine was also a popular choice. Like many Australian timber towns from that time, Bowraville grew quickly for several decades. By the 1870s, it had two hotels, several shops, a blacksmith, a tailor, a post office, a school, and many churches.
Farming and New Ideas
By the 1880s, the area was also important for dairy farming and raising pigs. The timber industry started to slow down in the early 1900s because there weren't as many trees left. Many jobs were lost as the timber industry declined. However, farming has changed and grown beyond just dairy. Now, people also raise beef cattle. The area has also started growing new things like macadamia nuts, avocados, and organic vegetables. Some people are even trying agroforestry (combining farming and trees) and raising alpacas!
The town stayed pretty much the same throughout the 1900s. But by the 1980s, people started moving to this part of New South Wales looking for a better lifestyle. You can see this change in places like the old theatre on the main street, which has been beautifully restored.
The Historic Bowraville Theatre
The Bowraville Theatre is a popular spot for visitors to the Mid North Coast hinterland. It was built in 1940 as a movie theatre. For many years, it was left empty and run-down. But now, it's a lively place where local theatre groups, writers, and choirs perform. It also still shows movies! The local community worked hard, volunteering their time and raising money, to bring the theatre back to life.
The restored lobby opened at the end of 2002. On Friday, August 29, 2003, the theatre officially reopened its doors. The Indigenous community celebrated with a special smoking ceremony and a welcome dance.
When it was first built, like many businesses in country towns back then, the theatre had unfair rules for Aboriginal people. They had to buy their tickets separately, use a different side entrance, and sit in less comfortable seats below a dividing wall. They were only allowed in after the movie had already started. Because of these unfair rules, the theatre was a stop on the 1965 Freedom Ride. This was when students from the University of Sydney traveled around regional NSW to show how racism affected Aboriginal people.
Who Lives in Bowraville?
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1954 | 1,047 | — |
| 1961 | 1,003 | −4.2% |
| 1966 | 883 | −12.0% |
| 1971 | 845 | −4.3% |
| 1976 | 801 | −5.2% |
| 1981 | 848 | +5.9% |
| 1986 | 1,024 | +20.8% |
| 1991 | 963 | −6.0% |
| 1996 | 933 | −3.1% |
| 2001 | 954 | +2.3% |
| 2006 | 976 | +2.3% |
| 2011 | 1,090 | +11.7% |
| 2016 | 950 | −12.8% |
| 2021 | 941 | −0.9% |
| Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics data. | ||
According to the 2016 Australian census, the average age of people in Bowraville is 45. The town has a population of 1,122 people. About 14.8% of residents are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, and their average age is 21. Bowraville also has more residents aged 65 and older compared to the average.
Most residents, about 84.6%, were born in Australia. This is higher than the national average. After Australia, the most common countries of birth are England (3.3%), New Zealand (1.4%), and Germany (0.6%). Also, 75.3% of residents reported that both of their parents were born in Australia. About 90.0% of people in Bowraville speak only English at home.
The main religious groups in Bowraville are Anglican (22.7%), Catholic (21.7%), and Uniting Church (5.7%). About 26.8% of residents reported having no religion.
Local Media
Radio Stations
- hit (105.5 & 105.1)
- Triple M (2MC-FM 106.7 & 2CS-FM 106.3)
- Triple J (91.5 & 96.3)
- 2NVR FM (105.9)
2NVR 105.9FM is the Nambucca Valley's community radio station. It focuses on news and events for the communities of Macksville, Bowraville, Nambucca Heads, and the surrounding areas.
Newspapers
- Midcoast Observer
- Hibiscus Happynings
- Guardian News
- Coffs Coast Advocate
Famous People from Bowraville
Bowraville has been home to several notable people, especially in sports and entertainment:
- Rower George Elias was born in Bowraville.
- Greg Inglis, a famous rugby player, started his career here.
- Billie McKay, a winner of MasterChef Australia, was born in Bowraville.
- Les Murdoch, an artist, lives in Bowraville.
- Rugby player Nathan Smith was born in Bowraville.
- Tasman Keith, an Australian rapper, was born in Bowraville.
