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Goombungee, Queensland facts for kids

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Goombungee
Queensland
Kingsthorpe Haden Road Goombungee.jpg
Blooming Jacaranda trees on Kingsthorpe Haden Road, 2014
Goombungee is located in Queensland
Goombungee
Goombungee
Location in Queensland
Population 1,066 (2021 census)
 • Density 13.953/km2 (36.14/sq mi)
Postcode(s) 4354
Area 76.4 km2 (29.5 sq mi)
Time zone AEST (UTC+10:00)
LGA(s) Toowoomba Region
Region Darling Downs
County Aubigny
Parish Goombungee
State electorate(s) Condamine
Federal Division(s) Groom
Localities around Goombungee:
Kilbirnie Haden Bergen
Highland Plains Goombungee Douglas
Silverleigh Boodua Muniganeen

Goombungee is a small country town in Queensland, Australia. It is part of the Toowoomba Region. In 2021, about 1,066 people lived in Goombungee. It's a peaceful place with a rich history and a strong community spirit.

Goombungee's Location

Goombungee is located about 35 kilometers north-west of Toowoomba. It sits in an area called the Darling Downs. The main road through town is Kingsthorpe Haden Road, also known as Mocatta Street.

Local Neighborhoods

Goombungee has three smaller areas within it, which used to be railway stops. Their names come from Aboriginal words:

  • Kudo was named in 1910. It means "white ants" or "termites".
  • Nara was also named in 1910. This name means "duck".
  • Weelu was named in 1912. It means "stone plover", which is a type of bird.

Roads in Goombungee

The Pechey-Maclagan Road goes through Goombungee from east to west. The Kingsthorpe-Haden Road runs from south to north. These roads help connect Goombungee to nearby towns and areas.

Goombungee's History

StateLibQld 1 123487 Workers and visitors outside the Goombungee Co-op Dairy Coy, Ltd., Goombungee, Queensland, ca. 1905
Goombungee Co-op Dairy Company, circa 1905

The name Goombungee comes from an Aboriginal word. It might be a changed version of goubunga or gonbunga. A person named Charles William Pitts first used this name in 1854 for a large farm.

Goombungee has had a post office since 1895. Before that, it was a "receiving office" from 1878.

Early Schools

Local families wanted a school for their children in 1880. Goombungee Provisional School opened on November 1, 1881. It started in a small wooden building. The first teacher was Mrs. Annie McLeod Rowland.

As more students joined, the school needed a bigger building. A new one opened in 1887, and the school became Goombungee State School. Another new school building was built in 1933.

Community Churches

Several churches have been important parts of Goombungee's history:

  • St Matthew's Lutheran Church opened in October 1890.
  • St Colman's Catholic Church, Goombungee, 1903
    St Colman's Catholic Church, 1903

St Colman's Catholic Church opened on April 20, 1902.

  • The Goombungee Congregational Church was finished in July 1903.
  • Goombungee Methodist Church officially opened on October 7, 1903.
  • St Mark's Anglican Church opened on April 30, 1908.
  • The Assembly of God church was built by volunteers and opened in 1956. It is now called Goombungee Christian Church.
  • Goombungee Wesleyan Methodist Church started in 1981.

Goombungee-Haden Cemetery

In 1889, land was set aside for a cemetery. However, the ground was too hard to dig. So, a new cemetery area was chosen in 1894. The first burial there was a 10-month-old baby girl in July 1894. This cemetery is used by people from both Goombungee and Haden.

Goombungee War Memorial

Goombungee War Memorial
Goombungee War Memorial

The Goombungee War Memorial was revealed in December 1920. It honors those who served in wars. It is located where Mocatta Street and Hartwig Street meet.

Goombungee Today

In 2003, Goombungee got a main water supply. This was a big improvement for the town.

Education in Goombungee

Goombungee State School, 2023
Goombungee State School, 2023

Goombungee State School is a primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It is located on Mocatta Street. In 2018, about 115 students attended the school.

For high school, students travel to nearby towns. The closest secondary schools are in Crows Nest, Highfields, and Oakey.

Town Facilities

Goombungee has several important facilities for its residents:

  • Goombungee police station
    Goombungee police station, 2014

The Goombungee Police Station helps keep the community safe.

  • The Goombungee Fire Station and SES Facility are ready to help in emergencies.
  • There is also a Goombungee Rural Fire Station.
  • Goombungee Haden Cemetery, 2006
    Goombungee Haden Cemetery, 2006

The Goombungee Haden Cemetery is located on Cemetery Road.

Community Amenities

  • St Matthew's Lutheran Church Goombungee
    St Matthew's Lutheran Church, 2014

The Goombungee Library is run by the Toowoomba Regional Council. It is open three days a week.

  • The Goombungee branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association (CWA) has a meeting place.
  • St. Colmans Church Goombungee
    St Colman's Catholic Church, 2014

The town has several churches, including St Matthew's Lutheran Church, St Colman's Catholic Church, St Mark's Anglican Church, Goombungee Wesleyan Methodist Church, and Goombungee Christian Church.

  • The Goombungee Showgrounds are used for local events.
  • There are several parks, like Norm Wockner Park, Pioneer Park, Bottle Tree Park, and the Sports and Recreation Reserve.
  • The Goombungee Golf Club has an 18-hole golf course.

Fun Events in Goombungee

Goombungee hosts some exciting events each year:

  • Jacaranda Day: Every November, the town celebrates Jacaranda Day. This festival celebrates the town's history and the beautiful blooming jacaranda and silky oak trees.
  • Goombungee-Haden Show: An annual show is held each autumn at the Showgrounds.
  • Goombungee Rodeo: The rodeo takes place at the Showgrounds on the first Saturday in November.

Local Attractions

Goombungee has some unique attractions:

  • There is a special ironman statue at the southern entrance to town. It reminds people of a "Rural Ironman and Ironwoman" competition that used to be held there.
  • You can also visit a historic museum and an art gallery in Goombungee.

Awards for Goombungee

Goombungee has won the Queensland Tidy Towns award four times! These awards were won in 1975/76, 1976/77, 1980/81, and 1981/82. This shows how much the community cares about keeping their town neat and tidy.

Images for kids

  • Kingsthorpe Haden Road Goombungee

    Blooming Jacaranda trees on Kingsthorpe Haden Road, 2014

  • StateLibQld 1 123487 Workers and visitors outside the Goombungee Co-op Dairy Coy, Ltd., Goombungee, Queensland, ca. 1905

    Goombungee Co-op Dairy Company, circa 1905

  • St Colman's Catholic Church, Goombungee, 1903

    St Colman's Catholic Church, 1903

  • Goombungee War Memorial

    Goombungee War Memorial

  • Goombungee State School, 2023

    Goombungee State School, 2023

  • Goombungee police station

    Goombungee police station, 2014

  • Goombungee Haden Cemetery, 2006

    Goombungee Haden Cemetery, 2006

  • St Matthew's Lutheran Church Goombungee

    St Matthew's Lutheran Church, 2014

  • St. Colmans Church Goombungee

    St Colman's Catholic Church, 2014

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