Junee, New South Wales
Encyclopedia
Junee is a medium sized town in the Riverina
region of New South Wales
, Australia
. The town's prosperity and mixed services economy is based on a combination of agriculture, rail transport, light industry and government services, and in particular correctional services. In 2006 Junee's official population stood at .
Another theory is that it is an Aboriginal word "Choo-nee" meaning "frog".
people are the traditional owners of the local area prior to European settlement. Leopold de Salis (1816-1898)
, pastoralist and later politician was one of the principal squatters to open up the Riverina region to agriculture. He established the 'Jewnee' pastoral run in the 1840s. A post office opened in 1862 and a village called 'Jewnee' was gazetted in 1863 on the wool road to Sydney. That same year, Ben Hall and his bushranging gang raided the village.
In 1866 Junee's population was recorded as twelve but the discovery of reef and alluvial gold during the 1860s triggered a gold rush. The main sites - Old Junee
(to the west), Junee Reefs
(to the north) and Illabo
(to the north-east) - were mined until the 1880s.
By the mid 1870s with the southward expansion of the railway in New South Wales, the main railway line between Sydney (NSW
capital) and Melbourne
(capital of Victoria
) passed 8 kilometres (5 mi) east of the town. Junee Post Office was renamed Old Junee in 1881 when the town of Junee was relocated nearer to Junee Junction (Junee railway station). Junee Railway Station Post Office opened on 6 July 1878, was renamed Junee Junction in 1881 and later still, Junee in 1893.
Junee became one of the most important railway centres in the state after the construction there of railway repair facilities including the Junee Roundhouse. Local government was established in 1886 and a courthouse was built in 1890. The railway defined the character of Junee for almost 100 years and the renewed prosperity is evidenced by various hotel
s and railway facilities. Today these buildings are still faithfully maintained in accordance with architectural standards of their day.
In May 1901, the Duke and Duchess of York arrived in Junee as part of their tour of the British Empire.
The advent of rail transport provided the impetus for Junee's second economic boom providing local agricultural
producers with very affordable direct access to both markets in Sydney and Melbourne. In 1952 the largest wheat terminal in the Southern Hemisphere was constructed at Junee.
By the early 1970s, Junee's business leaders were faced with a rail based economy in decline. Many locals credit AJJ (John) Thompson, appointed as town clerk in 1970, as the "Father of Modern Junee" for his vision of the town's future and for taking the hard decisions that were needed to reinvigorate the township. With financial assistance sourced from the State Government
, land was allocated for new housing developments and new businesses were enticed to move to the town. Local producers were encouraged to diversify into new products.
Almost forty years on Junee is known for its lamb
and high quality crops of wheat
, canola
, oat
s, barley
and triticale
. A manufacturing sector has also evolved with emphasis on steel
engineering, meat processing and organic flour
. It is also the location of the Junee Correctional Centre
. Housing development has increased steadily and community facilities have matured and developed to make Junee a sought after lifestyle and tourist destination in the Riverina
District.
Junee visitors and residents are served by the CountryLink
XPT services on their way between Melbourne and Sydney. The local Council maintains an online tourism map including local places of interest. Rail transport makes an important contribution to the local economy with Regional Rail Logistics
operating a containerised freight service that delivers various goods from Junee to Sydney, with interstate freight trains also passing through the town.
player, Laurie Daley
was born and recruited from Junee, by the Canberra Raiders
while playing in the Group 9 Rugby League
for the local Junee team. He was later to captain New South Wales
and Australia.
Michael Dobson, who is the current Canberra Raiders halfback was also born and raised in Junee. Michael was first picked up by Canberra, before moving to England for a short and successful stint. Michael rejoined the Raiders at the beginning of the 2007 season.
Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist also lived here for a short time in his childhood.
Australian Rugby League
commentator Ray Warren
also comes from Junee. Liberal Party
member of the Senate, Bill Heffernan
, who represents the state of New South Wales, was born in Junee.
In addition HMAS Junee
(J362/M362), one of 60 Bathurst class corvettes constructed during World War II was named in recognition of the town. It entered active service in 1945 and was later used as a training ship until it was deccommissioned in 1957.
Former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Bernie Fraser (economist) was born on 27 February 1941 in Junee and attended local schools.
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...
region of 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...
. The town's prosperity and mixed services economy is based on a combination of agriculture, rail transport, light industry and government services, and in particular correctional services. In 2006 Junee's official population stood at .
Place name
One theory is that word Junee which originates from the Aboriginal word 'Jewnee' means "speak to me".Another theory is that it is an Aboriginal word "Choo-nee" meaning "frog".
History
The WiradjuriWiradjuri
The Wiradjuri are an Indigenous Australian group of central New South Wales.In the 21st century, major Wiradjuri groups live in Condobolin, Peak Hill, Narrandera and Griffith...
people are the traditional owners of the local area prior to European settlement. Leopold de Salis (1816-1898)
Cuppacumbalong Homestead
Cuppacumbalong is an historic homestead located near the southern outskirts of Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. It is also the name of a former sheep and cattle grazing property that surrounded the homestead near the junction of the Murrumbidgee and Gudgenby Rivers. The word...
, pastoralist and later politician was one of the principal squatters to open up the Riverina region to agriculture. He established the 'Jewnee' pastoral run in the 1840s. A post office opened in 1862 and a village called 'Jewnee' was gazetted in 1863 on the wool road to Sydney. That same year, Ben Hall and his bushranging gang raided the village.
Old Junee, New South Wales
Old Junee is a town community in the central east part of the Riverina and situated about 9 kilometres north west from Junee and 32 kilometres east from Marrar.thumb|200px|left|[[Silos]] at Old Junee...
(to the west), Junee Reefs
Junee Reefs, New South Wales
Junee Reefs is a locality in the south east part of the Riverina. It is situated by road, about 19 kilometres north from Old Junee and 19 kilometres south from Sebastopol. At the 2006 census, Junee Reefs had a population of 136 people....
(to the north) and Illabo
Illabo, New South Wales
Illabo is a locality in the South West Slopes part of the Riverina and situated about 13 kilometres southwest of Bethungra and 16 km northeast of Junee. At the 2006 census, Illabo had a population of 190 people. Illabo Post Office opened on 1 July 1879. A railway station on the Main...
(to the north-east) - were mined until the 1880s.
By the mid 1870s with the southward expansion of the railway in New South Wales, the main railway line between Sydney (NSW
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...
capital) and 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...
(capital 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....
) passed 8 kilometres (5 mi) east of the town. Junee Post Office was renamed Old Junee in 1881 when the town of Junee was relocated nearer to Junee Junction (Junee railway station). Junee Railway Station Post Office opened on 6 July 1878, was renamed Junee Junction in 1881 and later still, Junee in 1893.
Junee became one of the most important railway centres in the state after the construction there of railway repair facilities including the Junee Roundhouse. Local government was established in 1886 and a courthouse was built in 1890. The railway defined the character of Junee for almost 100 years and the renewed prosperity is evidenced by various hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
s and railway facilities. Today these buildings are still faithfully maintained in accordance with architectural standards of their day.
In May 1901, the Duke and Duchess of York arrived in Junee as part of their tour of the British Empire.
The advent of rail transport provided the impetus for Junee's second economic boom providing local agricultural
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
producers with very affordable direct access to both markets in Sydney and Melbourne. In 1952 the largest wheat terminal in the Southern Hemisphere was constructed at Junee.
Local economy
Government of New South Wales
The form of the Government of New South Wales is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1856, although it has been amended many times since then...
, land was allocated for new housing developments and new businesses were enticed to move to the town. Local producers were encouraged to diversify into new products.
Almost forty years on Junee is known for its lamb
Domestic sheep
Sheep are quadrupedal, ruminant mammals typically kept as livestock. Like all ruminants, sheep are members of the order Artiodactyla, the even-toed ungulates. Although the name "sheep" applies to many species in the genus Ovis, in everyday usage it almost always refers to Ovis aries...
and high quality crops of wheat
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
, canola
Canola
Canola refers to a cultivar of either Rapeseed or Field Mustard . Its seeds are used to produce edible oil suitable for consumption by humans and livestock. The oil is also suitable for use as biodiesel.Originally, Canola was bred naturally from rapeseed in Canada by Keith Downey and Baldur R...
, oat
Oat
The common oat is a species of cereal grain grown for its seed, which is known by the same name . While oats are suitable for human consumption as oatmeal and rolled oats, one of the most common uses is as livestock feed...
s, barley
Barley
Barley is a major cereal grain, a member of the grass family. It serves as a major animal fodder, as a base malt for beer and certain distilled beverages, and as a component of various health foods...
and triticale
Triticale
Triticale is a hybrid of wheat and rye first bred in laboratories during the late 19th century. The grain was originally bred in Scotland and Sweden. Commercially available triticale is almost always a second generation hybrid, i.e., a cross between two kinds of primary triticales...
. A manufacturing sector has also evolved with emphasis on steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
engineering, meat processing and organic flour
Flour
Flour is a powder which is made by grinding cereal grains, other seeds or roots . It is the main ingredient of bread, which is a staple food for many cultures, making the availability of adequate supplies of flour a major economic and political issue at various times throughout history...
. It is also the location of the Junee Correctional Centre
Junee Correctional Centre
Junee Correctional Centre is a medium security Australian male prison located at Junee, 40 km from Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.The prison was opened on 19 March 1993...
. Housing development has increased steadily and community facilities have matured and developed to make Junee a sought after lifestyle and tourist destination in the Riverina
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.
Junee visitors and residents are served by the CountryLink
CountryLink
CountryLink is the operator of passenger rail services in country New South Wales, Australia and into Queensland and Victoria. It is an operating brand of the Rail Corporation New South Wales, a government-owned entity...
XPT services on their way between Melbourne and Sydney. The local Council maintains an online tourism map including local places of interest. Rail transport makes an important contribution to the local economy with Regional Rail Logistics
Regional Rail Logistics
Regional Rail Logistics is a rail freight operator based in New South Wales, Australia. They operate containerised freight services three days a week between the Riverina towns of Junee and Cootamundra to Port Botany in Sydney, using rolling stock of Melbourne rail operator El Zorro.The first RRL...
operating a containerised freight service that delivers various goods from Junee to Sydney, with interstate freight trains also passing through the town.
Notable people
Rugby leagueRugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
player, Laurie Daley
Laurie Daley
Laurie Daley OA is an Australian rugby league football commentator and former player of Indigenous Australian descent. He represented Australia on 26 occasions and has since been named as one of the nation's finest players of the 20th century...
was born and recruited from Junee, by the Canberra Raiders
Canberra Raiders
The Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the national capital city of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. They have competed in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership since 1982...
while playing in the Group 9 Rugby League
Group 9 Rugby League
Group 9 is a rugby league competition based around the surrounding areas of Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. The competition is played in five grades, these being the under 16s , the under 18s , women's league-tag, Reserve Grade and the XXXX Gold Group 9 First Grade.-History:Group 9 Rugby League was...
for the local Junee team. He was later to captain New South Wales
New South Wales Rugby League team
The New South Wales rugby league team has represented the Australian state of New South Wales in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1907. Administered by the New South Wales Rugby League, the team competes in the annual State of Origin series against arch-rivals, the...
and Australia.
Michael Dobson, who is the current Canberra Raiders halfback was also born and raised in Junee. Michael was first picked up by Canberra, before moving to England for a short and successful stint. Michael rejoined the Raiders at the beginning of the 2007 season.
Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist also lived here for a short time in his childhood.
Australian Rugby League
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
commentator Ray Warren
Ray Warren
Ray "Rabbits" Warren in Junee, New South Wales is an Australian sports commentator, most famous for his coverage of televised professional rugby league matches on the Nine Network. On occasion he is referred to as "The Voice of Rugby League". Ray also calls the action for Australian swimming team...
also comes from Junee. Liberal Party
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
member of the Senate, Bill Heffernan
Bill Heffernan
William Daniel Heffernan, more commonly known as Bill Heffernan, , Australian politician, has been a Liberal Party member of the Senate, representing the state of New South Wales, since September 1996.-Early life:...
, who represents the state of New South Wales, was born in Junee.
In addition HMAS Junee
HMAS Junee
HMAS Junee , named for the town of Junee, New South Wales, was one of 60 Bathurst class corvettes constructed during World War II, and one of 36 initially manned and commissioned solely by the Royal Australian Navy .-Construction:...
(J362/M362), one of 60 Bathurst class corvettes constructed during World War II was named in recognition of the town. It entered active service in 1945 and was later used as a training ship until it was deccommissioned in 1957.
Former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Bernie Fraser (economist) was born on 27 February 1941 in Junee and attended local schools.
Attractions
- Junee Licorice & Chocolate Factory
- Junee Roundhouse - Rail & Transport Museum
- Monte Cristo - Historic HomesteadMonte Cristo HomesteadMonte Christo Homestead is a historic Australian property located in the town of Junee, New South Wales. Constructed by local pioneer Christopher William Crawley in 1885, it is a double-story late-Victorian manor standing on a hill overlooking the town....
- Junee Historical Museum
- Junee Wetlands
- Kaybunda Lavender Farm Old JuneeOld Junee, New South WalesOld Junee is a town community in the central east part of the Riverina and situated about 9 kilometres north west from Junee and 32 kilometres east from Marrar.thumb|200px|left|[[Silos]] at Old Junee...
- Ray Warren Statue