Carinda

Carinda New South Wales
Carinda
Coordinates	30°28′0″S 147°41′0″E / 30.46667°S 147.68333°ECoordinates: 30°28′0″S 147°41′0″E / 30.46667°S 147.68333°E
Population	194 (2006 census)[1]
Postcode(s)	2831
Location	651 km (405 mi) NW of Sydney 276 km (171 mi) NW of Dubbo 70 km (43 mi) SW of Walgett
LGA(s)	Walgett Shire
State electorate(s)	Barwon
Federal Division(s)	Parkes

Carinda is a town in the far north of New South Wales, Australia. The town is in the Walgett Shire local government area. In 2006, the town had a population of 194.^[1]

The name of the town is derived from an Aboriginal word meaning 'you carry'.^[2]

History

In 1818 John Oxley and George Evans arrived north or Warren and attempted to come down the Macquarie River. Unseasonal rains and swollen rivers overflowing into marsh country soon turned them back, confirming their conviction that there was an inland sea. For ten years the mystery of the inland sea remained unsolved. When Charles Sturt ventured into the interior in 1828-29 he endeavoured to verify Oxley's findings. However, it became evident that there was no inland sea, and that all the inland rivers did flow into the Darling River.

Settlers came into the Carinda District in the mid 1800s settling along the waterways.

Thomas McNamara acquired 16,000 acres (6,500 ha) of land which became Carinda Station. He built a dwelling on the nearby Marthaguy Creek where he ran a hotel and a store around which a small village grew. It is believed the name Carinda is derived from an early 'run' west of the present town called 'Currundy.' In 1908 the Carinda Bore was sunk, enabling people to move away from the creek. A second settlement, known as the "Top End", grew up where present-day Carinda is situated.

Present day

The population of Carinda has decreased significantly in the past 8 years and now stands at around 194. The general store which also served as a post office and café closed down in August 2014, and post office duties have since been taken up by the local service station.

The town was used as a filming location for the video for singer David Bowie's 1983 single Let's Dance, centering on the Carinda Hotel.^[3] The connection to Bowie has been proposed for plans to revitalize the town.^[4]

In addition to the hotel, there is a 12 hole golf course with a golf club that operates on Friday and Saturday nights.

Carinda's biggest event of the year is its picnic race meeting held each July.

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Carinda (State Suburb)". 2006 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2009.
2. "Carinda". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales. Retrieved 28 June 2009.
3. Bowie at the bar: How Let's Dance put an outback pub in the spotlight ABC News 12 January 2016
4. "Let's Dance: How Bowie played the outback". BBC News. 18 March 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2014.