Goomeri
Goomeri (/ɡuːˈmɛri/ goo-MERR-ee) is a town and locality in the Gympie Region, Queensland, Australia.[2][3] In the 2016 census, Goomeri had a population of 664 people.[1]
Goomeri Queensland | |||||||||||||||
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Goomeri looking towards the war memorial | |||||||||||||||
Goomeri The location of Goomeri in Queensland | |||||||||||||||
Coordinates | 26°11′0″S 152°04′0″E | ||||||||||||||
Population | 664 (2016 census)[1] | ||||||||||||||
Established | 1911 | ||||||||||||||
Postcode(s) | 4601 | ||||||||||||||
Location | |||||||||||||||
LGA(s) | Gympie Region | ||||||||||||||
State electorate(s) | Nanango | ||||||||||||||
Federal Division(s) | Wide Bay | ||||||||||||||
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Geography
The town is located on the intersection of the Burnett, Bunya and Wide Bay Highways, 235 kilometres (146 mi) from the state capital, Brisbane.
History
European settlement in the Goomeri area began in 1846 with the establishment of Booubyjan Homestead and Boonara Station. Closer settlement took place in 1911 with the sale of rural allotments and town blocks.[4] Goomeri Post Office opened by June 1912 (a receiving office had been open from 1902).[5]
On 15 November 1940, the Goomeri War Memorial Clock was unveiled by the State President of the RSL, Raymond Huish.[6]
Goomeri Library opened in 1986.[7]
Tourism
With parks and a number of buildings built in the 1920s, Goomeri is a quiet place that is known for its "relaxed old world charm". Goomeri's Hall of Memory – still in use today - was built in 1926 and is now a National Trust-listed building.
The town is also well known for its gourmet food. Goomeri offers fine dining, country food, gourmet cheeses and locally grown olives to award winning pies. Goomeri is a gateway to the South Burnett wine district, with vineyards and cellar doors within proximity. Other industries in the area include beef and dairy.
The Goomeri Pumpkin Festival, held on the last Sunday in May each year, attracts up to 14,000 visitors each year. The highlight of the Pumpkin Festival is the "Great Australian Pumpkin Roll" down Policeman's Hill.
Goomeri’s information centre is situated near the windmill at Lions Park in Moore Street. Goomeri also has a hotel and art gallery.
Kinbombi Falls has a picnic area and barbecues, close to Goomeri. A walking track leads to a deep natural pool. A track skirts the top of the gorge, offering views of the area.
29 kilometres (18 mi) north of Goomeri is Springbrook Host Farm, home of the Visit Oz scheme, which provides training and work for young travelers on outback properties all over the country.
Facilities
Goomeri has a library at 35 Moore Street operated by the Gympie Regional Council.[8]
Heritage listings
Goomeri has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
- Boonara Street: Goomeri Hall of Memory[9]
- Burnett Highway: Goomeri War Memorial Clock[10]
- Goomeri Road, Barambah: Barambah Homestead[11]
Demographics
In the 2016 Census, there were 664 people in Goomeri (State Suburbs). Of these 49.4% were male and 50.6% were female. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people made up 8.7% of the population. The most common ancestries in Goomeri (State Suburbs) were Australian 34.6%, English 30.3%, Irish 7.1%, German 7.1% and Scottish 6.4% according to the data from Australian Bureau of Statistics.[1]
References
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Goomeri (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
- "Goomeri - town (entry 14271)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
- "Goomeri - locality (entry 46335)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
- Kilkivan Archived 11 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine – Goomeri tourist information
- Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- "Goomeri Memorial Clock Tower". Monument Australia. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
- "Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-17" (PDF). Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. November 2017. p. 13. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
- "Goomeri Library". plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au. State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
- "Goomeri Hall of Memory (entry 600641)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
- "Goomeri War Memorial Clock (entry 600642)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
- "Barambah Homestead (entry 600644)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 8 July 2013.