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Information for:
Goondiwindi
Location
Goondiwindi is on the Queensland-New South Wales border, 358 km south-west of Brisbane
Population
7583
Language
Kamilaroi, Bigambul, English
About Goondiwindi
The explorer, Alan Cunningham, came across the Macintyre River during an expedition in 1827. He named the river after Captain Peter MacIntyre of the Hunter River.
Three grazing properties joined at a spot near where the town now stands. They were Callandoon, Umbercollie and Old Goondiwindi, all settled between 1838 and 1846.
Goondiwindi Regional Council began business on 15 March 2008 with the merger of the Goondiwindi Town Council and Waggamba Shire Council.
The name Goondiwindi comes from the Aboriginal word “Goonawinna” from the Bigambul Aboriginal people which means “the resting place of the birds”. This name was first given by the Aborigines to a spot near the present site of the Goondiwindi Hospital.
Before the Macintyre River was weired, the river was little more than a chain of waterholes connected only in good seasons. These waterholes were favourite resting places for hundreds of wild birds.
Goondiwindi is the major commercial hub for the local agricultural and pastoral industries. The area produces cotton, grain, wool, beef, lamb and pork for domestic and overseas markets.
Community services
Community services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Goondiwindi include:
- Care Goondiwindi: phone 07 4670 0700
- Hunter New England Area Health Service: phone 02 6767 7700
- Goolburri Health Advancement Corporation: phone 07 4632 0338
- Goolburri Regional Housing Company Ltd: phone 07 4669 8865
More information
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Last reviewed: 21 January 2009
