Illabo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids IllaboNew South Wales |
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Entering Illabo
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 Illabo
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 144 (2016 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 2590 |
| Elevation | 279 m (915 ft) |
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| LGA(s) | Junee Shire |
| County | Clarendon |
| State electorate(s) | Cootamundra |
| Federal Division(s) | Riverina |
Illabo (say it like ILL-a-boh) is a small place in the South West Slopes area of New South Wales, Australia. It's part of the Riverina region. You can find it about 13 kilometers southwest of Bethungra. It is also about 16 kilometers northeast of Junee. In 2016, a count showed that 144 people lived in Illabo.
Contents
Illabo's Past
Illabo has a history that goes back to the late 1800s. It started as a small community.
Early Days and Services
The Illabo Post Office first opened its doors on July 1, 1879. This was an important step for the community. It helped people send and receive letters and packages. A train station also served the town for many years. It was part of the Main South railway. Trains stopped here from 1878 until the 1970s. Even though the station is gone, a large building called a grain silo is still used today. A grain silo is a tall structure used to store grain, like wheat, before it's moved to other places.
What Does "Illabo" Mean?
The name "Illabo" has an interesting story. Some people say it comes from an Aboriginal word that means "where." Other people think it's a shorter version of the word "billabong." A billabong is a small lake or pond that forms when a river changes its path.
Famous People from Illabo
Illabo has been home to some well-known people. These residents made their mark in different fields.
George Main: Horse Racing Legend
George Main was a very important person in horse racing. He was the chairman of the Australian Jockey Club. This club helps organize horse races. George and his wife, Mary, owned a large farm called "Retreat" in Illabo. On their farm, they raised racehorses and sheep. A famous horse race, the George Main Stakes, was named after him.
Jean Main and Clive Caldwell: A War Hero's Home
George Main's daughter, Jean Main, married Clive Caldwell in 1940. Clive Caldwell was a famous Australian fighter pilot during World War II. He was known as "Killer Caldwell" and became a true hero across Australia. After the war, Jean and Clive lived in Illabo for several years.
Hugh Main: Politician and Horse Breeder
Hugh Main was George Main's brother. He also bred horses, just like George. However, Hugh was even more famous for being a local politician. He was a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for New South Wales from 1920 to 1938. An MLA is a person elected by the public to represent them in the state government. Hugh owned a farm next to "Retreat," which was sometimes called "Retreat East."
