Moama, New South Wales
Encyclopedia
Moama is a town in the Riverina
district of southern New South Wales
, Australia
, in the Murray Shire Local Government Area. The town is directly across the Murray River
from the larger tourist town of Echuca
in the neighbouring state of Victoria
, to which it is connected by a bridge
. At the 2006 census
, Moama had a population of 3,331.
During this early period Maiden's punt operated in opposition to another punt, owned by Isaac White, which was worked from the southern bank at Campaspe Junction (now Echuca). However, it was Maiden's punt that captured most of the business.
At a land sale in August 1855 James Maiden purchased ten of the thirty lots sold. Maiden sold the Junction Inn to Jeremiah Rolfe in 1855, but the next year he re-purchased it. When applying for a license he told the Bench of Magistrates he "intended to conduct it in a very superior manner with reduction of charges". Maiden also intended expanding the hotel, utilising the brick house that was his former residence as accommodation "for the use of gentlemen and their families to and from Melbourne".
The growth of the paddlesteamer as a means for transporting cargo from the 1860s onwards saw both Moama and Echuca grow substantially. Echuca's large wharf and its relatively short distance to Melbourne
saw it overshadow its cross-border neighbour.
A traveller passing through Moama in mid-1865 described the township thus: “Here are erected a few straggling houses of wood or brick”. By that stage Moama and Echuca were connected by a pontoon bridge, which, though too narrow for drays or coaches, was used for crossing sheep and horses.
Moama retains some impressive historical buildings (circa 1880's), namely the Moama Court House on Francis Street, the former New South Wales Police Force Sergeants official residence in Chanter Street, and the former Bank of New South Wales adjacent to the railway lines on Meninya Street.
Moama currently has a permanent population of about 3700, although this swells significantly during holiday periods and the Southern 80 Water Ski race, held in February.
The town has its own New South Wales State primary school - Moama Public School, an Anglican secondary college - "Moama Anglican Grammar School". It also has five full-time New South Wales Police Officers stationed at Moama Police Station adjacent to the Moama Court House on Francis Street; a New South Wales Rural Fire Service Station on Perricoota Road staffed by Volunteer Fire Fighters, a New South Wales Fire Brigade Station staffed by retained NSWFB personnel and a New South Wales State Emergency Service situated in the Moama Industrial area. Ambulance services are provided by the Rural Ambulance Service of Victoria, stationed in Echuca. The NSW Maritime and Roads and Traffic Authority
are situated on Meninya Street, opposite the former Bank of New South Wales and adjacent to the Moama Sound Shell and the recently constructed War Memorial.
The town has recently undergone a massive resurgence in people moving from Melbourne seeking a "tree change". The Murray Shire Council has approved new developments in retail, sporting and residential sub divisions. Located just outside of Moama is the "Heartland" Speedway
.
Moama is also home to the Rich River Golf Club, an international-standard 36-hole golf course, and the Moama Bowling Club (lawn bowls). Both venues have hosted significant national tournaments and competitions. The town also possesses a moderately large number of hotels, caravan parks, resorts, rented houseboats and wineries.
A significant fire occurred at the Moama Bowling Club in June 2008, with an estimated damage bill of $3 million AUS.
during the Boer War
and was awarded the Victoria Cross
, was born in Moama in 1875.
Riverina
The Riverina is an agricultural region of south-western New South Wales , Australia. The Riverina is distinguished from other Australian regions by the combination of flat plains, warm to hot climate and an ample supply of water for irrigation. This combination has allowed the Riverina to develop...
district of southern New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, in the Murray Shire Local Government Area. The town is directly across the Murray River
Murray River
The Murray River is Australia's longest river. At in length, the Murray rises in the Australian Alps, draining the western side of Australia's highest mountains and, for most of its length, meanders across Australia's inland plains, forming the border between New South Wales and Victoria as it...
from the larger tourist town of Echuca
Echuca, Victoria
Echuca is a town located on the banks of the Murray River and Campaspe river in Victoria, Australia. The Border town Moama is on the northern side of the Murray river in New South Wales. It is the administrative centre and largest settlement in the Shire of Campaspe...
in the neighbouring state of Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, to which it is connected by a bridge
Murray River crossings
The Murray River in south-eastern Australia has been a significant barrier to land-based travel and trade. This article lists and briefly describes all of the recognised crossing points. Many of these had also developed as river ports for transport of goods along the Murray...
. At the 2006 census
Census in Australia
The Australian census is administered once every five years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The most recent census was conducted on 9 August 2011; the next will be conducted in 2016. Prior to the introduction of regular censuses in 1961, they had also been run in 1901, 1911, 1921, 1933,...
, Moama had a population of 3,331.
Maiden's Punt
The settlement where Moama now stands was founded by James Maiden in the mid 1840s, beginning as a stopping-point for stock and cargo waiting to cross the Murray River by punt. Maiden arrived in the district in 1840; he had been hired to caretake Jeffries' station about 40 kilometres (24.9 mi) from the junction of the Campaspe River and the Murray River. He recognised a business opportunity and travelled to Seymour where he built a punt, which he then transported back to the Murray. The locality where the punt was placed on the river became known as Maiden's Punt. Maiden built a wooden public house, the Junction Inn, for which he obtained a licence in 1847.During this early period Maiden's punt operated in opposition to another punt, owned by Isaac White, which was worked from the southern bank at Campaspe Junction (now Echuca). However, it was Maiden's punt that captured most of the business.
Moama
A demand for land at Maiden's Punt prompted the New South Wales Government to lay out a township there, named Moama. The name is derived from a local indigenous word meaning 'burial ground'. Moama township was gazetted on 16 December 1851. The Post Office opened on 1 January 1855 and was known as Maiden's Punt until 1857.At a land sale in August 1855 James Maiden purchased ten of the thirty lots sold. Maiden sold the Junction Inn to Jeremiah Rolfe in 1855, but the next year he re-purchased it. When applying for a license he told the Bench of Magistrates he "intended to conduct it in a very superior manner with reduction of charges". Maiden also intended expanding the hotel, utilising the brick house that was his former residence as accommodation "for the use of gentlemen and their families to and from Melbourne".
The growth of the paddlesteamer as a means for transporting cargo from the 1860s onwards saw both Moama and Echuca grow substantially. Echuca's large wharf and its relatively short distance to Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
saw it overshadow its cross-border neighbour.
A traveller passing through Moama in mid-1865 described the township thus: “Here are erected a few straggling houses of wood or brick”. By that stage Moama and Echuca were connected by a pontoon bridge, which, though too narrow for drays or coaches, was used for crossing sheep and horses.
Moama retains some impressive historical buildings (circa 1880's), namely the Moama Court House on Francis Street, the former New South Wales Police Force Sergeants official residence in Chanter Street, and the former Bank of New South Wales adjacent to the railway lines on Meninya Street.
Facilities
The town has its own New South Wales State primary school - Moama Public School, an Anglican secondary college - "Moama Anglican Grammar School". It also has five full-time New South Wales Police Officers stationed at Moama Police Station adjacent to the Moama Court House on Francis Street; a New South Wales Rural Fire Service Station on Perricoota Road staffed by Volunteer Fire Fighters, a New South Wales Fire Brigade Station staffed by retained NSWFB personnel and a New South Wales State Emergency Service situated in the Moama Industrial area. Ambulance services are provided by the Rural Ambulance Service of Victoria, stationed in Echuca. The NSW Maritime and Roads and Traffic Authority
Roads and Traffic Authority
The Roads and Traffic Authority is a former New South Wales government agency that was responsible for major road infrastructure, licensing of drivers, and registration of motor vehicles. The RTA directly managed State roads and provided funding to local councils for regional and local roads...
are situated on Meninya Street, opposite the former Bank of New South Wales and adjacent to the Moama Sound Shell and the recently constructed War Memorial.
The town has recently undergone a massive resurgence in people moving from Melbourne seeking a "tree change". The Murray Shire Council has approved new developments in retail, sporting and residential sub divisions. Located just outside of Moama is the "Heartland" Speedway
Oval track
Oval track racing, also known as oval racing, is a form of closed-circuit automobile racing that is contested on an oval-shaped track. An oval track differs from a road course in that the layout resembles an oval with turns in only one direction, almost universally left...
.
The Murray River border
The State of New South Wales takes in the Murray River up to the high water mark on the Victorian side. The NSW Waterways Authority is a self-funding regulatory authority to ensure the safe and environmentally responsible use of NSW waterways including the Murray by all boat operators. New South Wales Police Force members attached to the Moama Police Station also patrol the Murray River in NSW Police Launch "Moama".Tourism
During the 1980s Moama received thousands of visitors each week from Melbourne, due to New South Wales' more liberal gambling laws and the presence of poker machines in some of Moama's entertainment venues. The legalisation of poker machines in Victoria killed off these day tours, although poker machines are still a significant tourist drawcard in the town.Moama is also home to the Rich River Golf Club, an international-standard 36-hole golf course, and the Moama Bowling Club (lawn bowls). Both venues have hosted significant national tournaments and competitions. The town also possesses a moderately large number of hotels, caravan parks, resorts, rented houseboats and wineries.
A significant fire occurred at the Moama Bowling Club in June 2008, with an estimated damage bill of $3 million AUS.
James Rogers, VC
James Rogers, who served in South AfricaSouth Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
during the Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
and was awarded the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, was born in Moama in 1875.