Curlewis, New South Wales

Curlewis is a parish and a rural village on the Kamilaroi Highway, 16 kilometres south of Gunnedah, New South Wales in Australia. The village boundaries are in the Gunnedah Shire local government area of the North West Slopes portion of the New England region.

Curlewis
New South Wales
Commercial Hotel
Curlewis is located in New South Wales
Curlewis
Curlewis
Coordinates31°07′S 150°16′E
Population779 (2021 census)[1]
Established1890
Postcode(s)2381
Elevation247 m (810 ft)
Location
LGA(s)Gunnedah Shire
CountyPottinger
State electorate(s)Tamworth
Federal division(s)Parkes

History

Curlewis was founded by Henry Thomas Pike, a sawmiller from Norfolk who became the mayor of Gunnedah.[2]

In 1909, the railway station opened as a stop on the Mungindi branch line, but has since closed.[3] The station building was demolished in May 2013 after the roof was damaged by a storm earlier that year.[4] Livestock sales commenced in 1919 in Curlewis and were, for many years, held in alternate weeks at Gunnedah and Curlewis until improvements to the Gunnedah saleyards, eclipsed Curlewis's yardings and led to the yard’s closure.[2]

The lack of a nearby river has contributed to Curlewis having persistent water problems and water shortage. In 1950, the council had to de-silt an old earthen dam and erect a tank from which Curlewis residents could draw water. Reticulated water was connected to Curlewis in 1972.[2]

Population

In 2023 Curlewis had a resident population of 779 people, 52.8% male and 47.2% female. 26% of the population had Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background, compared with 3.2% in Australia. The most common form of employment for residents was coal mining (10.5%).[1]

Curlewis now has a hotel, a public school (with 89 pupils enrolled),[5] a general store, grain silo, police station, sports ground,a Hall,Rural Fire Service,Sport and recreation centre,RV Park and a Bus Station.

The Curlewis area is home to a large koala population and they may be seen on local farms, in the woodlands and village.[6]

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Curlewis (L)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  2. Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to Australian Places. Sydney, NSW: Reader's Digest. 1993. p. 140. ISBN 0-86438-399-1.
  3. "Mungindi line". NSW Rail. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  4. "Railway Station demolished". Namoi Valley Independent. Australian Community Media. 16 May 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  5. "Curlewis Public School". Going to a Public School. New South Wales Department of Education and Training. Archived from the original on 4 October 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  6. "Gunnedah - Fast Facts". SMH Traveller. Fairfax Media. 19 November 2008. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
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