Brewarrina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BrewarrinaNew South Wales |
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Town sign from eastern approach (2021)
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 Brewarrina
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 1,143 (2016 census) | ||||||||
| Established | 1863 | ||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2839 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 115 m (377 ft) | ||||||||
| Location | |||||||||
| LGA(s) | Brewarrina Shire | ||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Barwon | ||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Parkes | ||||||||
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Brewarrina (pronounced 'bree-warren-ah') is a town in north-west New South Wales, Australia. It sits on the banks of the Barwon River. The town is often called "Bre" by locals.
The name Brewarrina comes from 'burru waranha'. This is a name from the Weilwan language. It can mean "Acacia clumps" or "place where wild gooseberry grows". Brewarrina is about 96 km east of Bourke. It is also 787 km from Sydney. In 2016, about 1,143 people lived in Brewarrina. Other small towns nearby include Goodooga and Gongolgon.
Contents
History of Brewarrina
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Brewarrina is on the traditional lands of the Muruwari, Ngemba, Weilwan, and Yuwaalaraay peoples. This area has a very long Indigenous Australian history. It was once a meeting place for thousands of people.
British settlers arrived in the early 1840s. They set up large farms called holdings. For example, William and Nelson Lawson started Walcha. Henry Cox started Quantambone. These early settlers were important families who owned a lot of land.
In 1859, a sad event called the Hospital Creek Massacre happened. Many Aboriginal people died during this time. A memorial has been put up by the local Aboriginal Land Council to remember this event.
The town was first known as "Walcha Hut". Later, its name changed to "Brewarrina".
In 1859, a riverboat named Gemini reached Brewarrina. This showed that the town could be a port. By the early 1860s, Brewarrina was the furthest point on the Darling River that boats could reach. This made it a port for shipping wool to Adelaide. The town was officially planned in 1861 and became a town on April 28, 1863.
A paddle steamer called Wandering Jew was built in 1866. It was lost in a fire on the Barwon River in 1914. This boat was an important part of Brewarrina's river history.
The 1870s were a busy time for Brewarrina. The courthouse was built in 1871. The telegraph arrived in 1873, allowing faster communication. Two hotels, two stores, and a bank opened. A public school also opened in 1875. This growth was helped by Cobb and Co, a coach service company. Many coaches passed through Brewarrina, bringing more people to the town.
The Barwon Bridge opened in 1888. Before this, people crossed the river using a punt or pontoon. The bridge helped send wool trade towards Sydney instead of Adelaide. It is a special bridge because it is one of only two lift bridges from that time left in New South Wales.
In 1901, a railway line opened, connecting Brewarrina to Byrock. This line closed in 1974. The local telephone exchange started in 1913.
The Brewarrina Ngemba Billabong has a strong cultural history. From 1876 to 1967, it was the Brewarrina Aboriginal Mission. This was a place where local Aboriginal people were made to live. The land had been taken for farming. This mission was the first of its kind set up by the Aborigines Protection Board. Today, the entire area is a listed heritage site.
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1921 | 665 | — |
| 1933 | 804 | +20.9% |
| 1947 | 838 | +4.2% |
| 1954 | 905 | +8.0% |
| 1961 | 1,225 | +35.4% |
| 1966 | 1,282 | +4.7% |
| 1971 | 1,445 | +12.7% |
| 1976 | 1,386 | −4.1% |
| 1981 | 1,236 | −10.8% |
| 1986 | 1,166 | −5.7% |
| 1991 | 1,168 | +0.2% |
| 1996 | 1,113 | −4.7% |
| 2001 | 1,197 | +7.5% |
| 2006 | 1,121 | −6.3% |
| 2011 | 923 | −17.7% |
| 2016 | 851 | −7.8% |
| 2021 | 743 | −12.7% |
| Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics data. | ||
Heritage Listings
Brewarrina has important historical sites. These places are protected because of their special history:
- Brewarrina Aboriginal Fish Traps
- The Old Mission Road: Brewarrina Aboriginal Mission Site
Ancient Aboriginal Fish Traps
The most important feature of Brewarrina is its fish traps. These are known as Baiame's Ngunnhu in the local Aboriginal language. It is believed that the Ngemba, Wonkamurra, Wailwan, and Gomolaroi peoples have used and cared for these traps for thousands of years. Some people believe they are the oldest human-made structures in the world.
The traps are made of river stones. These stones are arranged to create small channels. These channels guide fish into small areas where they can be easily caught. The traps form a complex system of linked weirs and ponds. They stretch along 500 meters of the river. They work well at different water levels and can be changed for different seasons. People use their knowledge of fish and the environment to catch the most fish.
The Brewarrina Ngemba Billabong is a protected area. It was declared an Indigenous Protected Area in 2010. Because fish were always available, Brewarrina was a major meeting place for different Aboriginal groups in eastern Australia before Europeans arrived.
Climate
Brewarrina has a hot, semi-arid climate. This means it has very hot summers, often over 40°C. Winters are cool to mild. It is generally dry all year. The highest temperature ever recorded was 48.9°C in December 1912. The lowest was -4.1°C in July 1997. The average rainfall each year is about 412.2 mm.
| Climate data for Brewarrina Hospital (29º58'S 146º53'E, 115 m AMSL) (1991–2020, extremes 1911–2024) | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 48.3 (118.9) |
47.2 (117.0) |
43.9 (111.0) |
38.3 (100.9) |
35.0 (95.0) |
29.4 (84.9) |
31.2 (88.2) |
35.6 (96.1) |
39.0 (102.2) |
43.9 (111.0) |
46.0 (114.8) |
48.9 (120.0) |
48.9 (120.0) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 36.3 (97.3) |
34.9 (94.8) |
32.1 (89.8) |
27.8 (82.0) |
22.6 (72.7) |
19.0 (66.2) |
18.7 (65.7) |
21.1 (70.0) |
25.4 (77.7) |
29.4 (84.9) |
32.3 (90.1) |
34.7 (94.5) |
27.9 (82.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 21.9 (71.4) |
21.1 (70.0) |
18.0 (64.4) |
13.3 (55.9) |
8.9 (48.0) |
6.3 (43.3) |
4.7 (40.5) |
5.4 (41.7) |
9.2 (48.6) |
13.4 (56.1) |
17.1 (62.8) |
19.6 (67.3) |
13.2 (55.8) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 10.4 (50.7) |
9.5 (49.1) |
7.0 (44.6) |
1.4 (34.5) |
−0.8 (30.6) |
−2.8 (27.0) |
−4.2 (24.4) |
−2.1 (28.2) |
−0.1 (31.8) |
3.9 (39.0) |
5.4 (41.7) |
9.0 (48.2) |
−4.2 (24.4) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 41.9 (1.65) |
38.5 (1.52) |
41.4 (1.63) |
27.3 (1.07) |
30.8 (1.21) |
31.1 (1.22) |
22.7 (0.89) |
16.4 (0.65) |
23.3 (0.92) |
27.1 (1.07) |
43.7 (1.72) |
50.0 (1.97) |
394.2 (15.52) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 4.3 | 3.8 | 3.4 | 2.2 | 2.8 | 3.5 | 3.2 | 2.3 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 4.6 | 4.0 | 40.9 |
| Average afternoon relative humidity (%) | 31 | 35 | 32 | 33 | 42 | 50 | 45 | 35 | 30 | 26 | 29 | 27 | 35 |
| Average dew point °C (°F) | 12.2 (54.0) |
13.4 (56.1) |
10.7 (51.3) |
7.8 (46.0) |
7.2 (45.0) |
6.6 (43.9) |
4.5 (40.1) |
2.9 (37.2) |
3.4 (38.1) |
4.4 (39.9) |
7.8 (46.0) |
8.8 (47.8) |
7.5 (45.4) |
| Source: Bureau of Meteorology | |||||||||||||
Weather Radar Station
A weather radar station was built near the local airport in 2020. This helps provide better weather forecasts for the area. It is especially useful for farmers.
Sport and Recreation
People in Brewarrina enjoy many sports. The town has a local rugby union club called the Brewarrina Brumbies. There are also several rugby league teams. Some local players have even played in the top national league. These include Alby Carr, Ron Gibbs, Les Biles, Isaac Gordon, and Ashley Gordon.
Netball is played every week, with over 12 teams in the local competition. The Brewarrina Golf Club is known for its well-kept green golf course. Other popular sports are lawn bowls, shooting, tennis, and swimming. The river is used for swimming and water skiing in summer. There is also a skate park near the town centre.
The Brewarrina Circus Skills Training Project started in 2004. This program teaches local kids circus acts. It has given some kids the chance to travel across Australia. One girl even traveled to South Africa to perform. This program helps kids attend school more often.
Events
Brewarrina hosts one of the most famous rodeos in western New South Wales. The Brewarrina Show and Rodeo Society holds an annual rodeo. This event brings many people to the town.
The Brewarrina Races are an important horse racing event. They are usually held in May. There are big prizes, fashion competitions, and other fun activities.
In recent years, Brewarrina has also hosted the Brewarrina Field Day. This event started after a long drought. It gives people from the area a fun day out. It features over 70 stalls, animal exhibits, and carnival rides. There are also dog jumping trials and food stalls.
The Bre Big Fish is an annual fishing competition. It takes place over the June long weekend. Many fishing, hunting, and camping fans come to the area for this event.
In the past, Brewarrina had a "Festival of the Fisheries." This celebrated the town's Aboriginal and European history. It also hosted a unique "Surfboat Classic." Unfortunately, these events have not been held recently.
In April 2013, Brewarrina celebrated its 150th birthday. It was made a town in 1863. The celebration was a week-long festival. It included a race meeting, the Bre Big Fish competition, a street parade, and fireworks. There were also sports matches and historical exhibits.
Notable Citizens
Brewarrina is home to many talented people:
- Jimmie Barker: The first Indigenous author to have a book published.
- Mervyn Bishop: A famous news and documentary photographer. He won an award in 1971.
- Essie Coffey: A community worker, singer, actor, and filmmaker. She helped start the Western Aboriginal Legal Service.
- Ron Gibbs: An Australian rugby league player from the 1980s and 1990s.
- Ashley Gordon: An Australian rugby league player from the 1990s.
- Isaac Gordon: An Australian rugby league player from the 2010s.
- Leo Schofield: A restaurant critic and arts festival director.
- Albert George Henry Why (Alby Carr): An Australian rugby league player.
Education
Brewarrina has several schools and learning centres:
- Gainmara Birrilee Preschool
- Brewarrina Central School (for students from Kindergarten to Year 12)
- St Patrick's Catholic School (for students from Kindergarten to Year 6)
- TAFE Western, Brewarrina College (for vocational training)
Gallery
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Bridge over the Barwon River in flood (2021)
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Eastern levee bank (2021)
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Levee wall beside Barwon River (2021)
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Bathurst Street main street, Hotel Brewarrina on the right (2008)
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Bathurst Street, looking south-west (2021)
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Anglican Christ Church, Young Street (2021)
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Saint Patrick's Catholic Church (2021)
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Hotel Brewarrina public hotel (2021)
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Royal Hotel public hotel (2021)
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Brewarrina Aboriginal Medical Service centre, Sandon Street, intersecting Bourke Street (2021)
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Hospital (2021)
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Court house (2021)
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Australia Post office (2021)
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NSW Police Force station (2021)
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Fire station (2021)
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Country Women's Association rest room (2021)
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Returned and Services League hall (2021)
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Art work in town park on Bridge Street (2021)
