Mendooran facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mendooran New South Wales
Bandulla Street, the main street of Mendooran, 2017
Mendooran Location in New South Wales
Population	275 (2021 census)
Established	1834
Postcode(s)	2842
Location	75 km (47 mi) from Dubbo
LGA(s)	Warrumbungle Shire
Federal Division(s)	Parkes

Mendooran (say it like men-door-an) is a small town in central western New South Wales, Australia. It sits right next to the Castlereagh River in the Warrumbungle Shire. The town is about 271 metres above sea level. It is 348 kilometres west of Sydney and 75 kilometres from Dubbo. In 2021, Mendooran had 275 people living there. The Castlereagh Highway goes through the town, changing its name to Bandulla Street in the middle.

Discovering Mendooran's Past

Early Days and First Visitors

Long ago, the Wiradjuri people lived in this area. They were the first inhabitants. In 1815, a European surveyor named John Evans came close to Mendooran. Two years later, John Oxley's group explored the area. They were on one of the first trips into inland Australia.

How Mendooran Got Its Name

People believe the town's name comes from a local Aboriginal leader. His name might have been "Mundo" or "Mundoo." Over time, farms grew in the area. They started growing crops like lucerne and wheat. They also raised sheep.

Growing into a Town

The small village began to grow in the 1860s. It was near a bridge over the Castlereagh River. By 1866, about 24 people lived there. The village was first called Mundooran. But when the railway arrived around 1915, the name changed to Mendooran.

Important Buildings and Changes

The John Bull Inn was built in the 1860s. It served people travelling through. A bridge was built over the Castlereagh River in 1869. This helped the town grow even more. In 1881, the town was properly planned out. A school, police station, and courthouse were built. Later, a law called the Robertson Land Act helped more people settle in the area. It broke up larger land areas into smaller farms.

Community Life and Challenges

Mendooran has an annual agricultural show. It also hosts a Raceday Festival every September. This event makes the town much busier. In 2019, Mendooran faced a big problem. It had severe water shortages. The town was put on the highest level of water restrictions. This showed how important water is for everyone. Mendooran also used to have a rugby league team. They were called the Mendooran Tigers.

Mendooran in Poetry

The town is even mentioned in a famous poem! Banjo Paterson wrote 'The Travelling Post Office' in 1894. He called the town "Mundooran" in his poem. Today, Mendooran is still a small and quiet place. It's a good spot to stop if you are heading to the Warrumbungles.

Fun Things to Do and Places to Stay

Cycling the Central West Bike Trail

Since 2022, the Central West Bike Trail has become very popular. Mendooran is one of the towns on this route. This amazing cycling trail is about 400 kilometres long. It connects bigger towns like Mudgee, Dubbo, and Wellington. It also includes smaller towns like Gulgong, Dunedoo, Mendooran, and Ballimore. It's a must-do ride for many cyclists!

Where to Stay in Mendooran

Accommodation in Mendooran is available, but there are not many options.

• The Royal Hotel: This is the main gathering spot in town. It offers clean rooms and simple country food. It's a typical friendly pub in a small country town. The people are welcoming, and the showers are hot.
• Free Campsite: Next to The Castlereagh River, there's a free campsite. It's run by the local council. It doesn't have electricity, but it has basic toilets. You need to bring all your own camping gear. This spot is popular during school holidays.
• Cosy Comfort Cottage: This place is very popular with cyclists. It has great facilities for up to 10 people.

People Who Made a Mark

Many talented people have come from Mendooran. Here are a few:

• Ron Quinton - A very successful jockey and horse trainer.
• Gaye Chapman - An artist who has won many awards. She is known for her paintings and illustrations.
• Katrina Gibbs - A champion high jumper. She won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in 1978. She was also an Australian National High Jump Champion.
• Gail Neall - A gold medal-winning swimmer. She won at the 1972 Olympics in record time. She taught at Mendooran Central School in the 1970s.
• Emeritus Professor Stephen Dinham OAM - An international expert in education. He taught at Mendooran Central School from 1976 to 1981.