Cootamundra

Cootamundra New South Wales
Cootamundra Post Office
Cootamundra
Population:	5,566
Established:	1861
Postcode:	2590
Elevation:	318 m (1,043 ft)
Location:	390 km (242 mi) from Sydney 161 km (100 mi) from Canberra
LGA:	Cootamundra Shire
County:	Harden
State electorate:	Burrinjuck
Federal Division:	Hume
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 22.3 °C 72 °F 8.4 °C 47 °F 626.1 mm 24.6 in

Cootamundra is a town and Local Government Area in the South West Slopes region of New South Wales, Australia and within the Riverina. At the 2006 census, Cootamundra had a population of 5,566. It is located on the Olympic Highway at the point where it crosses the Muttama Creek, between Junee and Cowra. Although it is by passed by the Hume Highway, its railway station is on the Main Southern line, part of the Melbourne-to-Sydney line.

Sir Donald Bradman AC, Australian cricketer universally regarded as the greatest batsman of all time was born in Cootamundra. The town pride in this fact is displayed in general signage and marketing material and the home where The Don was born is a fully restored visitor site open to the public 7 days per week.

Cootamundra is the home of the Cootamundra Wattle (Acacia baileyana). Every year there is a large 'Wattle Time' Festival (which happens when the wattle starts to bloom) with an art show and festivities.

History

Birthplace of Sir Donald Bradman

The traditional owners of Cootamundra are considered to be the Wiradjuri, with the name probably deriving from their word guudhamang for "turtle".

Main Street of Cootamundra

Cootamundra was incorporated as a township on 9 August 1861, and the first settlers bought their lots in early 1862. Like many other towns in the Riverina, it was originally populated by those attracted by the gold rush of the 1860s, but became a quiet yet prosperous agricultural community after the local deposits were exhausted.^{[citation needed]}

Timeline of Cootamundra

• 1847 - Cootamundra Run, a large stock run, is the first colonist settlement in the area.
• 1861 - The site of Cootamundry is published in the NSW Government Gazette
• 1862 - Gold mining commences at the nearby Muttama Reef mine.
• 1864 - The first church (Anglican) and post office are established.
• 1875 - The first school in the district opens
• 1877 - Cootamundra's railway connection opens on 1 November.
• 1884 - Cootamundra is first gazetted as a municipality
• 1896 - Cootamundra Cycling Club formed by the Mayor's wife, Alex Johnson.
• 1908 - Donald Bradman (later Sir Donald Bradman) is born in Cootamundra.
• 1942 - On 3 December, the corvette HMAS Cootamundra, named for the town, is launched.
• 1956 - Cootamundra's rugby league football club's Bill Marsh is first selected to play for the Australian national team.
• 1982 - In November 1982, the aviation company Masling Industries was formed. This was restructured in June 1993 after the unfortunate death of the owner.

Transport

The local railway station is located on the Main Southern railway line, with passengers served by the CountryLink XPT services on their way between Melbourne and Sydney. Regional Rail Logistics operates a containerised freight service from Junee to Sydney stopping in the town, with interstate freight trains also passing through.

Aerial view of Cootamundra

External links

• Cootamundra Shire Council
• Cootamundra - New Country Living

Preceding station		CountryLink		Following station
Junee towards Griffith or Melbourne	CountryLink Southern Griffith Xplorer Melbourne XPT			Harden towards Sydney