Boggabri (/ˈbɒɡəbraɪ/ BOG-ə-bry)[2] is a small town in north-eastern New South Wales, Australia. It is part of Narrabri Shire and lies between Gunnedah and Narrabri on the Kamilaroi Highway. At the 2021 census, the town had a population of 885 people.[1]
| Boggabri New South Wales | |
|---|---|
.JPG) Court House | |
  Boggabri | |
| Coordinates | 30°42′S 150°02′E / 30.700°S 150.033°E |
| Population | 885 (2021 census)[1] |
| Established | 1850s |
| Postcode(s) | 2382 |
| Elevation | 251 m (823 ft) |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | |
| County | Pottinger |
| State electorate(s) | Barwon |
| Federal division(s) | New England, Parkes |
.JPG)
History
editThe original town site was 20 km (12 mi) south and settled in the 1830s but was relocated after a flood washed it away in the 1850s.[3] Boggabri comes from Gamilaraay bagaaybaraay, literally "having creeks".[4] It is likely a reference to the Namoi River, which passes through Boggabri.
It was officially proclaimed a town in 1862; being named after an Aboriginal Chief.[5]
Attractions
editBoggabri's main tourist attraction is Gin's Leap. Its name derives from the story of an Aboriginal girl who was promised to an elder of her tribe, the Kamilaroi, and ran away with a young man from a neighbouring tribe. The couple were pursued and, seeing no escape, jumped from the cliff to their deaths.[6]
Dripping Rock is another natural attraction featuring water that seeps through sedimentary rock and drips down a 50 m (160 ft) high wall. The water cascades down into a rock pool below after good rain creating a local waterfall.[7]
Thunder-bolts Cave is another attraction.[5]
Education
editThere are two primary schools in Boggabri: Boggabri Public School and Sacred Heart Primary School.
Medical Services
editThe town is also home to the Boggabri John Prior Health Service and Prior House Frail Aged Care Home, both named after resident Dr John Prior OAM (1922–2014),[8] who served as the community's sole doctor for half a century and is believed to be New South Wales' longest serving GP.[9]
Transport
editBoggabri railway station is situated on the Mungindi line, 515 km from Sydney.[10] The station opened in 1882 consists of a station building on a single side platform, a passing loop and small goods yard.[11] Currently a single daily Xplorer diesel railmotor operating between Sydney and Moree serves the station.[12]
Notable Alumni
editThe churchman Roland St John MBE and his barrister brother Edward St John QC MP were born at Boggabri when their father was Anglican rector there.
The local rugby league team is the Boggabri Kangaroos, who play in the Group 4 Rugby League.In 1946, Boggabri's rugby league club player, Trevor Eather, was selected to play for the Australian national team.[13]
Mahla Pearlman AO (2 June 1937 – 2 December 2011) was the first woman to become chief judge of any jurisdiction within the NSW legal system. She was born at Boggabri to a local farming family, the Pearlmans. Her grandfather Abraham Pearlman had come to Boggabri as a shopkeeper, becoming a farmer in 1905 on the acquisition of the property Herzlton.
Population
edit| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1954 | 1,378 | — |
| 1961 | 1,256 | −8.9% |
| 1966 | 1,199 | −4.5% |
| 1971 | 1,067 | −11.0% |
| 1976 | 973 | −8.8% |
| 1981 | 1,023 | +5.1% |
| 1986 | 967 | −5.5% |
| 1991 | 958 | −0.9% |
| 1996 | 875 | −8.7% |
| 2001 | 803 | −8.2% |
| 2006 | 901 | +12.2% |
| 2011 | 866 | −3.9% |
| 2016 | 856 | −1.2% |
| 2021 | 885 | +3.4% |
| Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics data.[14][15] | ||
According to the 2021 census of population, there were 885 people in Boggabri.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 13.2% of the population.
- 85.6% of people were born in Australia and 87.5% of people spoke only English at home.
- The most common responses for religion were Anglican 34.0%, No Religion 21.8% and Catholic 18.8%.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Boggabri (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Macquarie Dictionary, Fourth Edition (2005). Melbourne, The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd. ISBN 1-876429-14-3
- ^ "Boggabri". Narrabri Shore Council. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
- ^ "Boggabri". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
- ^ a b Boon, Robert (1991). The Concise Encyclopedia of Australia and New Zealand. Vol. 1 (10th ed.). Sydney: Horwitz Grahame Pty Limited. p. 211. ISBN 0 7255 2236 4.
- ^ "Gins Leap". Narrabri Shire Council. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
- ^ "Dripping Rock". Narrabri Shire Council. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
- ^ "Country doctor with a heart of gold". The Sydney Morning Herald. 9 April 2014.
- ^ "Long-serving Boggabri GP remembered". Australian Community Media - Fairfax Media. 6 February 2014.
- ^ Boggabri Railway Station. NSWrail.net. Accessed 1 April 2008.
- ^ "Boggabri Railway Station | NSW Environment & Heritage". www.environment.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
- ^ "North West timetable". NSW TrainLink. 7 September 2019.
- ^ "Captain Out of Test Team". The Courier-Mail (1933–1954). Brisbane, Qld. 17 July 1946.
- ^ "Statistics by Catalogue Number". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "Search Census data". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
External links
edit
Media related to Boggabri, New South Wales at Wikimedia Commons
- Boggabri Information Guide
- Kamilaroi Highway
- Visit Narrabri
- Boggabri website and directory
- Boggabri Business Chamber
Boggabri travel guide from Wikivoyage