Dirranbandi
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Dirranbandi Queensland |
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Dirranbandi
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 Dirranbandi
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| Coordinates | 28°35′0″S 148°14′0″E / 28.58333°S 148.23333°ECoordinates: 28°35′0″S 148°14′0″E / 28.58333°S 148.23333°E |
| Population | 711 (2011 census) |
| Established | 1885 |
| Postcode(s) | 4486 |
| Elevation | 173 m (568 ft) |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Balonne Shire |
| State electorate(s) | Warrego |
| Federal Division(s) | Maranoa |
Dirranbandi is a town and locality in South West Queensland, Australia, located in the Shire of Balonne. At the 2011 census, Dirranbandi had a population of 711. It sits on the Castlereagh Highway and the Balonne River. It is notable for the population variations each year as seasonal workers come to work on the extensive cotton fields. Due to the low annual rainfall, irrigation is used extensively. Cubbie Station, the largest cotton producing property in the southern hemisphere, is close to Dirranbandi.
Dirranbandi is located on the traditional lands of the Kooma people. However people in Dirranbandi recognise themselves as Kamilaroi.
The town reserve was surveyed in 1885. One hundred housing allotments were first set aside, followed by land for a police station, a state school, and post office.
Dirranbandi Provisional School opened in 1902 but closed in April 1905. It reopened on 20 January 1908 and became Dirranbandi State School on 1 January 1909. On 29 January 1963, a secondary school to Year 10 was added.
The railway reached Dirranbandi on 22 May 1913. Dirranbandi had the honour of being the destination for the last mail train to operate in Australia.
The Culgoa Floodplain National Park lies 130 kilometres (81 mi) to the south-west. The town experienced serious flooding in February–March 2010 and January 2011.
Dirranbandi is said by some to be an Aboriginal word meaning "swamp abounding in frogs and waterfowl". Although this is possible, there is no evidence in any of the region's languages to suggest that this is the case. The name may be derived from a Yuwaaliyaay dialect placename, Dhurrunbandaay, relating to dhurrun.gal ("hairy caterpillars") and baanda-y ("move in single file"). There is also a Yuwaalaraay noun, dhirrinbaa, meaning "bad weather camp, on high ground", possibly from dhirrin ("high ground") and -baa ("place of, time of").
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