Toomelah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids ToomelahNew South Wales |
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 Toomelah
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 205 (2016 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 2409 |
| Elevation | 230 m (755 ft) |
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| LGA(s) | Moree Plains Shire |
| State electorate(s) | Northern Tablelands |
| Federal Division(s) | Parkes |
Toomelah is an Aboriginal Australian community located in the far north of inland New South Wales, Australia. It was once known as Toomelah Aboriginal Mission or Toomelah Station.
Contents
Where is Toomelah?
Toomelah is found north of Moree right on the MacIntyre River. It is also close to the town of Goondiwindi, which is just across the border in Queensland. This community is part of the Boggabilla area within the Moree Plains Shire.
Toomelah's History
The Toomelah Aboriginal Station was first set up in 1897. It was called the Euraba Aboriginal Reserve back then. The NSW Government's Aboriginal Protection Board created it. The original site was near Whalan Creek, but it often flooded and didn't have good drinking water.
In 1925, people from Euraba and another reserve at Terry Hie Hie moved to a new spot. This new place was named Toomelah, but today we call it 'Old Toomelah'. In 1938, the water supply at 'Old Toomelah' failed. So, the community moved again to its current location. This spot is where the Dumaresq River and the Macintyre River meet, about 10 km south-east of Boggabilla.
Early Days at Euraba
The Euraba Aboriginal Reserve started with a few huts and shelters by Whalan Creek. In 1912, a school was built there. About 100 people lived under the care of a government manager. They received basic food supplies each week. Aboriginal men from the reserve worked for local farmers. They helped with shearing sheep, general farm work, and gathering animals. Sometimes, the men from Euraba also performed traditional corroborees and played rugby league in nearby towns.
Three Aboriginal men from Euraba bravely joined the army in WWI. Charles Bird, George Bennett, and Jack Stacy fought in Europe and the Middle East. They all came home safely and were celebrated as heroes. Their welcome ceremonies were held in both English and the Gamilaraay language. During the influenza pandemic of 1918-1920, many people on the reserve became sick. The manager and his wife were the only ones who could care for them, as there were no medical facilities nearby.
Life at Old Toomelah
By 1925, the Euraba site was not working well, so residents moved to a new place. This new settlement, between Boomi and Boggabilla, was named Toomelah. Today, it is known as Old Toomelah. Local farmers asked for a special fence to keep dogs out of the area.
Around 200 to 250 Aboriginal people lived at Old Toomelah. In 1936, many children got a serious eye infection called conjunctivitis. They were treated in tents outside Moree hospital. Their parents had to stay away to stop the infection from spreading to others.
Toomelah Today
In 1937, there was a plan to move the Toomelah reserve to the Macintyre River banks. People in Goondiwindi worried about their water supply and protested. The Queensland Health department also formally objected. However, the protests were not successful. About 200 Aboriginal people moved to the new site in 1938. Because of this, the Goondiwindi hospital would not allow Aboriginal people to be general patients.
Several Toomelah residents joined the army in the early 1940s to serve in WWII. By the 1970s, many people knew about the crowded conditions and lack of basic services in Toomelah. In 1987, public attention grew when an incident in Goondiwindi led to investigations. These investigations showed that Toomelah had no household water, no proper sewage system, and poor housing. There was also little access to medical care, high rates of poor nutrition, and 80% of people did not have jobs.
After a report by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission in 1987, people were very concerned about the poor conditions. Steps were then taken to improve the water supply and housing in Toomelah. In 2011, a drama film called Toomelah, directed by Ivan Sen, was released. In 2017, a special unit of the Australian Army worked in Toomelah for six months. They helped fix roads and the community hall.
Important People from Toomelah
- Flight Sergeant Leonard Waters was the first Aboriginal air-force pilot. He was the only Aboriginal pilot allowed to serve in World War II. He was born at the Euraba Aboriginal Reserve and spent some of his childhood at 'Old Toomelah'.
- Madeline McGrady was an important Aboriginal film-maker.
- Singer and songwriter Roger Knox is from Toomelah.
- In 1994, the Toomelah Tigers rugby league team won the Aboriginal NSW Koori Knockout. They beat La Perouse in the final game.
Toomelah Country Women’s Association
The first Aboriginal branch of the Country Women's Association (CWA) was started in 1956. It was set up by Una Armstrong from the Queensland CWA. This branch was at Boggabilla Aboriginal Station and was called Toomelah Country Women's Association. Even though it was in New South Wales, people from Queensland helped support it. This was because Queensland's own rules did not allow Aboriginal women to join their organisation. The Gwydir CWA reported that "the Queensland folk have taken it under their kindly wing and have promised to help in every way." The Toomelah CWA was unique in New South Wales until 1959. Then, it was suggested that another branch be formed in the Kempsey area.
Images for kids
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A sign welcoming visitors to Toomelah.
