Caragabal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids CaragabalNew South Wales |
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War memorial, hall, ex-bank and pub
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 Caragabal
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 214 (2011 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 2810 |
| Elevation | 232 m (761 ft) |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Weddin Shire |
| State electorate(s) | Cootamundra |
| Federal Division(s) | Hume |
Caragabal is a small village in New South Wales, Australia. It's about 413 kilometres west of Sydney. The village is located in the Weddin Shire. It sits on flat land where the Great Dividing Range meets the plains of the Central West. A creek called Barbingal Creek flows along the south side of the village after it rains. It runs next to the Mid-Western Highway.
Nearby villages include Quandialla, which is 22 kilometres to the south. Larger towns like Grenfell, Forbes, and West Wyalong are all less than an hour's drive away.
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Who Lives in Caragabal?
In 2011, a census showed that 214 people lived in the Caragabal area. This included 117 males and 97 females. This was a small increase from 199 people in 2006. Most working people (66%) in Caragabal were involved in farming. This included raising sheep, beef cattle, and growing grains.
The number of people living in Caragabal has slowly gone down over the years. For example, in 1958, 118 students attended Caragabal Public School. By 2012, only 14 students were enrolled there.
Caragabal's Past: A Brief History
The land around Caragabal originally belonged to the Wiradjuri people. European settlers first arrived in 1835. A surgeon named Andrew Gibson started large farms for grazing animals. One of these farms was later named Caragabal Station.
For the rest of the 1800s, the land was used for sheep and cattle. In the early 1900s, more people moved to the area. They started growing wheat. The village of Caragabal began in 1914 when a railway line was built. The railway opened in 1916. It helped farmers send their wheat to other places. Farmers had already gathered 124,000 bags of wheat, waiting for the train.
The Caragabal Post Office opened in 1916 but closed in 1994. By 1917, the village had two stores, a post office, and the Royal Hotel. Churches and a school were also built. A public hall opened in 1924 with a big dance attended by 200 people.
Today, Caragabal is still an important farming area. Farmers grow wheat, canola, oats, and barley. They also raise wool, lambs, and beef cattle. Large storage buildings for grain are a big part of the town's look.
Sports and Fun in Caragabal
Caragabal has a history of sports! In 1926, a women's hockey team was formed. The village also had strong cricket teams for many years. A rugby league team started in 1926 too. However, since the 1970s, rugby union has become more popular. Many men from Caragabal play for the Grenfell Panthers team.
In recent years, the Caragabal community has started holding fun annual sheep races. In 2009, the local lawn bowling club and golf club joined together. They formed the Caragabal Country Club. This club has an 18-hole golf course, a new bowling green, and tennis courts.
Images for kids
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Rail Crossing
