Koonoona, South Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids KoonoonaSouth Australia |
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 Koonoona
Location in South Australia
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| Postcode(s) | 5417 | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Regional Council of Goyder | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Stuart | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Grey | ||||||||||||||
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| Footnotes | Coordinates | ||||||||||||||
Koonoona is a small rural area located in the Mid North region of South Australia. It is part of the Regional Council of Goyder, which helps manage local services. This area became an official locality in August 2000. Before that, it was already known by its local name for a long time. Koonoona is found in the northwestern part of a larger survey area called the Hundred of Apoinga.
Contents
The History of Koonoona
Koonoona has a rich past, starting with its original inhabitants and its important farming heritage.
Early People of Koonoona
Long before European settlers arrived, the land around Koonoona was home to the Ngadjuri people. They are the traditional owners and caretakers of this country. Their history and culture are deeply connected to this region.
How Koonoona Got Its Name
The name Koonoona comes from the famous Koonoona Station. This was a large farm and a special place for breeding Merino sheep. It was started in 1863 by two people named Walter Duffield and T. S. Porter.
Koonoona Station's Importance
Koonoona Station quickly became very well-known. In 1929, people called it "one of the oldest estates" in the area. It was especially famous for its high-quality Merino sheep. By 1933, it was even called "one of the most important" Merino breeding farms in all of Australia. This shows how important farming and sheep breeding were to the region's development.
Koonoona's School Days
Like many small communities, Koonoona had its own school to educate local children.
The Provisional School
The Koonoona Provisional School first opened its doors in 1894. A "provisional" school was often a smaller school set up in new or remote areas. In 1903, it became a "half-time" school, meaning it shared a teacher with another nearby school, Gum Creek. This often meant the teacher would spend part of the week at each school. The school served the community for many years before closing in 1915.
