Gilgai, New South Wales

This article is about the town. For the landform, see Gilgai.
Gilgai
New South Wales
Thunderbolts Way
Gilgai is located in New South Wales
Gilgai
Gilgai
Coordinates29°51′0″S 151°7′12″E / 29.85000°S 151.12000°E / -29.85000; 151.12000
Population289 (2006 census)[1]
Postcode(s)2360
Location10 km (6 mi) S of Inverell
LGA(s)Inverell Shire
State electorate(s)Northern Tablelands
Federal division(s)New England

Gilgai is a town in the Northern Tablelands region of New South Wales, Australia. The village is situated 10 km south of Inverell, New South Wales, on Thunderbolts Way, and is in Inverell Shire. At the 2006 census, Gilgai had a population of 289 people.[1] The name Gilgai is an Aboriginal word meaning 'waterhole'.[2]

The area around Gilgai is dotted with mine shafts that are unique in Australia. They are known as 'concertina shafts' because the seams of tin bearing ore were in a zigzag pattern and were mined accordingly. The precious stones found here include sapphires, rubies, and some diamonds.

Wine grapes were first grown here in 1849 by Charles Wyndham[3] and re-introduced in 1968. Agriculture is the main industry in the area, with beef cattle production and wine being the main products. Gilgai has a public school which was built in 1878 from bricks baked on-site.[3] There is also a general store, rural supplies store, Anglican Church, Salvation Army Church, community hall and tennis complex. Gilgai Post Office opened on 16 November 1879.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Gilgai (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 24 September 2009.
  2. ^ "Gilgai". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales. Retrieved 24 September 2009. Edit this at Wikidata
  3. ^ a b Reader's Digest Guide to Australian Places, Reader's Digest, Sydney
  4. ^ Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
  • "Inverell Shire Information", c.1981