Kandos, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids KandosNew South Wales |
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 Kandos
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 1,263 (2021 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 2848 |
| Elevation | 650 m (2,133 ft) |
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| LGA(s) | Mid-Western Regional Council |
| State electorate(s) | Bathurst |
| Federal Division(s) | Hunter |
Kandos is a friendly small town in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. It's part of the Mid-Western Regional Council. The land around Kandos is the traditional home of the Dabee tribe, who are part of the Wiradjuri people.
The town is located near Cumber Melon Mountain. This mountain's name comes from the Aboriginal name Combamolang. Kandos works closely with its nearby town, Rylstone, which is only 6 kilometres away. In 2021, about 1263 people lived in Kandos.
Contents
History of Kandos
How Kandos Became a Town
Kandos started as a "company town" in the early 1900s. In 1913, a company called NSW Cement Lime and Coal Company was formed. Their goal was to build a cement factory. They bought 100 acres of land from a local farmer to build both the factory and the town.
Building the factory took about three years. They brought limestone from a nearby quarry using an aerial ropeway. Coal and shale were mined close by. They also built dams, railway lines, a train station, and power plants. Cement production started in 1916.
The first machinery for the factory was ordered from Germany. But because of World War I, it got stuck in Africa! So, the company's manager had to travel to America and England to order new equipment.
Naming the Town and Streets
Kandos was first called Candos. It's believed this name was an acronym, using the first letters of company officials' names. In 1915, the Post Master General changed the name to Kandos. This was because "Candos" sounded too much like "Chandos" in South Australia.
Many streets in Kandos are named after the important people who helped start the company. For example, Angus Avenue is named after James Angus, the chairman. White Crescent is named after Hunter White, a local landowner.
Early Businesses and Hotels
The first land sale in Kandos happened in 1915. People bought land for homes and businesses. A local landowner, Hunter White, paid a very high price for land to build a hotel. The company put a special rule on the land titles. This rule stopped anyone else from building another hotel.
However, in 1926, a second hotel called the Railway Hotel was finally allowed. It was built on different land that wasn't affected by the company's rule.
Kandos and Other Industries
For a while, it looked like Kandos might have another big industry: copper mining. A company tried to build a copper refinery in Kandos. It even reused parts from another copper refinery. The smelting part of the plant started working in 1919.
But the copper refinery never fully opened. The main copper mine it relied on closed due to an underground fire. So, the copper plant in Kandos was sold off in 1925.
A 20th-Century Town
Kandos is special because it's a 20th-century town. Most towns in New South Wales were started in the 1800s. Kandos began as a private village owned by the cement company. In 1918, it became an official urban area. Then, the Rylstone Shire Council took over its management.
Many buildings in Kandos were built after 1915. Some have interesting designs. The Kandos Museum, which used to be a church, has a Californian Mission style. St Dominic's Convent was built in the Spanish Mission style. Kandos was also one of the first places in Australia to have concrete electricity poles!
Kandos Helped Build New South Wales
Kandos is known as "the town that made the cement that made your town." This means the cement from Kandos was used in many important projects across New South Wales. It helped build roads, bridges, and reservoirs.
Kandos cement was even used for famous structures like the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It also helped build parts of Sydney's underground railway and the Sydney Opera House.
Migrants Helped Kandos Grow
Many people from other countries helped Kandos become what it is today. The first leaders of the cement company were migrants. In the 1920s, many migrants opened businesses and worked for the company.
In the 1950s and 1960s, about 400 new migrants, often refugees, came to Kandos. They came from places like Poland, Italy, Greece, and Ukraine. Today, migrants from the Middle East and Asia also contribute to the town. A clock in the main street was given by a group of migrants in 1958.
Population of Kandos
In 2021, there were 1263 people living in Kandos. Most people (77.6%) were born in Australia. Also, 84.5% of people spoke only English at home. For religion, the most common answers were No Religion (29.6%), Anglican (26.9%), and Catholic (19.3%).
Economy and Jobs
Changes in Industry
The big cement factory in Kandos closed in September 2011. Another major industry in the area was coal mining. The Charbon coal mine also closed in 2014 and 2015.
New Job Opportunities
Even with the old industries closing, new job opportunities are appearing nearby. Within an hour's drive, you can find jobs in:
- Coal mines near Lithgow and Mudgee.
- The Crudine Ridge Wind Farm near Ilford.
- The Lue Silver Mine near Lue.
Other Local Jobs
Kandos and Rylstone offer other types of jobs:
- Health: Rylstone Hospital, health services, aged care, pharmacy, and doctors.
- Education: Kandos High School, two primary schools, and a pre-school.
- Hospitality: Clubs, hotels, motels, and cafes.
The local IGA supermarket is larger than average. It has a deli, coffee bar, and fresh food. It's open seven days a week. More and more, people are also working from home in Kandos and sometimes travel to the city for work.
Unique Shops
Kandos has some special shops:
- A community shop where profits go back to the town.
- Unique stores like Kosmos and Thistle, and Ad Hoc furniture.
- Local artists and craftspeople, including Aboriginal artists, potters, a goldsmith, and a blacksmith.
Transport in Kandos
Road Travel
Kandos is about a three-hour drive from Sydney. You can also reach it from Newcastle via the Bylong Valley Way. It's less than an hour's drive from three bigger towns: Mudgee, Lithgow, and Bathurst. Kandos has two petrol stations and a charging station for electric cars.
Train and Coach Services
Kandos is on a railway line that used to carry passengers. The Kandos train station opened in 1915. Passenger trains stopped running in 1985. Since then, daily coach services have connected Kandos to Lithgow and Mudgee.
In 2017, the NSW Government announced money to fix the 8-kilometre railway line between Kandos and Rylstone. In 2018, the Kandos Rylstone Heritage Rail officially opened. A special train even hauled carriages from Lithgow!
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Air Travel
The Rylstone Aerodrome Airpark is nearby. It's a place where people own their own land lots and share in keeping up the common areas.
Tourism and Fun Things to Do
Places to Visit
Ganguddy Dunns Swamp is a popular spot in the Wollemi National Park. It's a recreation area and lake. The cement company created the lake by building a weir on the Cudgegong River. This provided water for the cement works and the town. You can enjoy bushwalking, picnics, camping, and see Aboriginal art. It's also great for fishing and kayaking. About 40,000 people visit each year.
Kandos Museum used to be a Methodist Church. It's built in a Spanish Mission style and is a listed heritage site. The museum has a large collection of items, photos, and information about the area's history, including its industries, social life, and war history. There's also an electric vehicle charging station here. The Kandos Museum is also the local tourist information center.
Local Events
Cementa is a big art festival that happens every two years. It lasts for four days. Over 60 artists from cities and regional areas come together. They show off video art, installations, sound art, performances, and other artworks. These are displayed in different places around the town.
CWA Kandos Gardens Fair is another event that happens every two years. It's a weekend event where you can visit up to 12 beautiful town and country gardens in Kandos, Rylstone, and the surrounding areas. There's entertainment, demonstrations, talks, stalls, and food in the gardens.
Kandos Street Machine and Hot Rod Show is an annual car show, similar to Summernats. It started in 1999 and is held around Australia Day. The goal is to create a relaxed and family-friendly car show.
The Rylstone Kandos Show is held every year in February at the Rylstone Showground.
Streetfeast is an annual long lunch held in the main street of Rylstone in early November. You can find stalls, shops, and eateries with local produce, wines, art, and crafts.
Facilities in Kandos
Henbury Golf Course is a challenging 18-hole golf course. It was designed in the 1930s by two famous golf architects. There are also tennis courts and a putting green.
Kandos and District Memorial Olympic Swimming Pool is a clean, heated, and private swimming pool. It has a covered paddling pool for children. There's also a modern amenities block and a tuck shop.
Kandos Skate Park is located right next to the swimming pool.
Coomber Park in Angus Avenue and Rotary Park on Ilford Road have playgrounds for kids, picnic areas, and toilets. Other parks with play equipment include Darton Park and a park on the corner of Noyes and Fleming Streets.
KRRfm 98.7 is a local community radio station. Volunteers run it, broadcasting many different programs. They entertain and share local news and events with listeners.
Community Capers is a monthly newsletter for the Rylstone-Kandos area. It's published by KRRfm and provides information about local news and events.
Education and Churches
Schools in the Area
- Kandos High School
- Kandos Public School
- Rylstone Kandos Preschool
- Rylstone Public School
Churches in Kandos
- St Lawrence's Anglican Church (corner Angus Avenue and Jaques Street)
- St Dominic's Catholic Church (Dangar Avenue)
- One Life Church (corner Dunn and Noyes Streets)
