Moama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids MoamaNew South Wales |
|
|---|---|
Main street looking north
|
|
 Moama
Location in New South Wales
|
|
| Population | 7,213 (2021 census) |
| Established | 1851 |
| Postcode(s) | 2731 |
| Elevation | 99 m (325 ft) |
| Location |
|
| LGA(s) | Murray River Council |
| County | Cadell |
| State electorate(s) | Murray |
| Federal Division(s) | Farrer |
Moama is a town in the Murray region of southern New South Wales, Australia. It is part of the Murray River Council area. The town sits right across the Murray River from Echuca, a larger town in Victoria. A bridge connects Moama to Echuca. In 2016, Moama had about 5,620 people living there.
Contents
Moama's Story
Maiden's Punt: The Beginning
Moama started as a small settlement in the mid-1840s. A man named James Maiden founded it. It was a place where people and goods would stop before crossing the Murray River. They used a special boat called a punt to get across.
James Maiden arrived in the area in 1840. He saw a chance to start a business. He built a punt and brought it to the Murray River. The spot where he put his punt became known as Maiden's Punt. In 1847, Maiden opened a wooden pub called the Junction Inn.
Another punt, owned by Isaac White, operated nearby. But James Maiden's punt was more popular.
The Town of Moama is Born
People wanted to buy land at Maiden's Punt. So, the Government of New South Wales decided to create a town there. They named it Moama. This name comes from a local Aboriginal word. It means "burial ground." The town of Moama was officially announced on December 16, 1851. The post office opened in 1855. It was called Maiden's Punt until 1857.
In 1855, James Maiden bought some land in the new town. He sold his pub, the Junction Inn, but bought it back a year later. He wanted to make the hotel even better. He planned to use his old house as extra rooms for visitors.
From the 1860s, paddlesteamers became very important. They helped transport goods along the river. This made both Moama and Echuca grow a lot. Echuca became bigger because it had a large wharf. It was also closer to Melbourne.
In 1865, someone described Moama as having "a few straggling houses of wood or brick." By then, a pontoon bridge connected Moama and Echuca. It was too narrow for big carts, but people used it for sheep and horses.
Moama still has some cool old buildings from the 1880s. These include the Moama Court House and the old police sergeant's house. There's also a former bank building.
Who Lives in Moama?
Based on the 2021 Census:
- Moama had 7,213 people.
- About 48.5% were boys and men, and 51.5% were girls and women.
- 3.9% of the people were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
- Most people (85%) were born in Australia.
- Many people have English (43%) or Australian (41.8%) family backgrounds.
- Most people (68.2%) follow a Christian religion. The biggest groups are Catholic (31.2%) and Anglican (22.3%).
- About 25.5% of people said they had no religion.
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1921 | 713 | — |
| 1933 | 779 | +9.3% |
| 1947 | 662 | −15.0% |
| 1954 | — | |
| 1961 | — | |
| 1966 | 342 | — |
| 1971 | 1,126 | +229.2% |
| 1976 | 1,202 | +6.7% |
| 1981 | 1,507 | +25.4% |
| 1986 | 1,924 | +27.7% |
| 1991 | 2,263 | +17.6% |
| 1996 | 2,469 | +9.1% |
| 2001 | 2,818 | +14.1% |
| 2006 | 3,331 | +18.2% |
| 2011 | 4,198 | +26.0% |
| 2016 | 5,620 | +33.9% |
| 2021 | 6,654 | +18.4% |
| Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics data. | ||
Special Places in Moama
Moama has some places that are important for their history. These are called heritage-listed sites. One of them is the Moama Historic Precinct on Hunt Street.
What Moama Has to Offer
Moama has about 3,700 people living there all the time. But this number grows a lot during holidays. It also gets very busy during the Southern 80 Water Ski race in February.
The town has its own public primary school, Moama Public School. There is also an Anglican secondary school called Moama Anglican Grammar School.
Moama has five full-time police officers. They work at the Moama Police Station. There are also volunteer firefighters and a State Emergency Service (SES) team. Ambulance services come from Echuca.
Moama has been growing a lot recently. Many people from Melbourne are moving there for a "tree change." This means they want to live in a quieter, more natural area. New shops, sports areas, and homes are being built. Just outside Moama, you can find the "Heartland" Speedway.
The Murray River Border
The border for New South Wales includes the Murray River itself. It goes up to the top of the riverbank on the Victorian side. The NSW Waterways Authority helps keep the river safe. They make sure boats are used responsibly. Police officers from Moama also patrol the Murray River in their police boat.
Fun Things to Do in Moama
In the 1980s, many visitors came to Moama from Melbourne. This was because New South Wales had different gambling laws. Moama had poker machines in its entertainment places. Even though Victoria later allowed poker machines, they are still a big reason tourists visit Moama.
Moama is home to the Rich River Golf Club. It has a 36-hole golf course that meets international standards. The Moama Bowling Club is also very popular for lawn bowls. Both places have hosted big national competitions.
The town also has many hotels, caravan parks, resorts, and houseboats to rent. You can also visit local wineries.
In June 2008, a large fire happened at the Moama Bowling Club. It caused about $3 million in damage.
Famous People from Moama
- Isaiah Firebrace: He won The X Factor Australia in 2016. He also represented Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. He grew up in Moama.
- James Rogers: He was born in Moama in 1875. He fought in the Second Boer War and received the Victoria Cross. This is a very brave award.
- May Robson: She was an American actress. Her career lasted for 59 years, from 1883 to 1942. She was born in Moama in 1858.
- Lachie Schultz: An Australian rules footballer.
- Todd Murphy: An Australian International Cricketer.
