Coolamon, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids CoolamonNew South Wales |
|
|---|---|
Coolamon seen as entering from the Wagga Wagga Road
|
|
 Coolamon
Location in New South Wales
|
|
| Population | 2,275 (2021 census) |
| • Density | 570/km2 (1,500/sq mi) |
| Established | 3 October 1881 |
| Postcode(s) | 2701 |
| Elevation | 290 m (951 ft) |
| Area | 4 km2 (1.5 sq mi) |
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) |
| • Summer (DST) | AEDT (UTC+11:00) |
| Location |
|
| LGA(s) | Coolamon Shire Council |
| Region | Riverina |
| County | Bourke |
| Parish | Kindra |
| State electorate(s) | Cootamundra |
| Federal Division(s) | Riverina |
Coolamon is a town located in the Riverina area of south-west New South Wales, Australia. It's about 40 kilometres (25 miles) north-west of Wagga Wagga and 506 kilometres (314 miles) south-west of Sydney. The town sits on a railway line that connects Junee and Narrandera. In 2021, Coolamon had a population of 2,275 people. It's also the main centre for the local government area called Coolamon Shire.
Contents
Coolamon's Story
Where the Name Comes From
The name Coolamon comes from an Aboriginal word. It means a special wooden dish shaped like a bowl. Aboriginal people used these dishes for many things. Around the town, you can find thousands of natural dips in the ground. These dips are called Coolamon Holes because they fill up with water.
Early Days
Before European settlers arrived, the land where Coolamon is now was home to the Wiradjuri Aboriginal people. In 1848, a man named Mr. J. Atkinson was the first European to settle here. The town was officially mapped out in 1881, just before the railway arrived. The local post office changed its name a few times before finally becoming "Coolamon" in November 1881.
Coolamon During World War 1
When World War 1 began, an important Australian leader was in Coolamon. His name was Andrew Fisher, and he was the leader of the opposition party. He received a message saying that the United Kingdom had declared war on Germany. Mr. Fisher then told the people of Coolamon that Australia would support Britain completely. He famously said, "to the last man and the last shilling." This important statement was first made right here in Coolamon.
Special Places in Coolamon
Coolamon has several places that are important because of their history. These are called "heritage listed" sites. One very special place is the Up-To-Date Store. It's so important that it's listed on the NSW State Heritage Register. This means it has special meaning for all of New South Wales.
Other local heritage sites include:
- The Shire Offices
- The Court House and Police Station
- The old Post Office
- The former Fire Station
- The Railway Station and the Station Master's House
- The Catholic, Anglican, and Uniting Churches
- The RSL Building, which is now a museum
- The Coolamon Hotel
Coolamon Today
Coolamon is in a part of New South Wales known as the "wheat belt." This means it's a big area for growing wheat. Coolamon is one of the top places in the state for producing wheat and chaff (which is dried grass used for animal feed). Farmers here also raise turkeys and sheep for their wool. The lambs from this area are known for being very good quality.
A big business in town is Coolamon Steelworks. They make large machines called chaser bins, which are used on farms to move grain.
The town's main street is wide and has been restored. It still has a charming old-fashioned feel with its fancy iron verandahs and awnings. You can find shops selling unique items, antique stores, and a nice coffee lounge. There's also a modern bakery and cafe. The Up-to-Date Store is a must-see. It has a very old and unique system for sending cash around the store using a "cash ball railway." It might be the only one still working!
In 2017, a small cheese factory opened on the main street. It's a fun place for tourists to visit and watch cheese being made. You can also buy different kinds of hard and soft cheeses made right there.
Coolamon also has active community groups like Rotary and Lions Clubs. These groups help the community. You can also visit Kindra State Forest near Coolamon.
Sports in Coolamon
The most popular sport in Coolamon is Australian rules football. This area is special because Australian rules football is very popular here, even though most of New South Wales prefers rugby league. The town's team is called the Coolamon Rovers Football and Netball Club. They are also known as the Coolamon Grasshoppers and play in the Riverina Football League.
Coolamon also has a junior rugby league club called the Coolamon Raiders. They play in the Group 9 Junior Rugby League competition.
For other sports, Coolamon has an 18-hole sand green golf course. There's also a modern 10-rink bowling green, four synthetic tennis courts, and four touch football fields. These are all part of the Coolamon Sports and Recreation Club.
Coolamon Railway Station
The Coolamon railway station first opened in 1881. It was originally called Cowabbie Road, then Coleman, before finally being named Coolamon in 1895. The railway was very important for the town. It made it much easier to send local farm products to markets far away.
Today, Coolamon is served by a train service called the New South Wales Xplorer. This train runs twice a week between Sydney and Griffith. There's also a bus service that connects Wagga Wagga to Griffith, stopping in Coolamon.
