Urandangi (formerly also spelled Urandangie) is an outback town in the locality of Piturie in the Shire of Boulia, Queensland, Australia.[1]
| Urandangi Queensland | |
|---|---|
 Urandangi Hotel in 2004 | |
  Urandangi | |
| Coordinates | 21.6083°S 138.3141°E |
| Established | 1885 |
| Postcode(s) | 4824 |
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Shire of Boulia |
| State electorate(s) | Gregory |
| Federal division(s) | Kennedy |
Geography
The town is located on the banks of the Georgina River in Central West Queensland, 2,007 kilometres (1,247 mi) north west of the state capital, Brisbane and 187 kilometres (116 mi) south west of the regional centre of Mount Isa.
Urandangi is in the Channel Country. All watercourses in this area are part of the Lake Eyre drainage basin,[2] and most will dry up before their water reaches Lake Eyre.[3]
The predominant land use is grazing on native vegetation.[2]
The Marmanya Aboriginal community is located in Urandangi.[4]
History
Waluwarra (also known as Warluwarra, Walugara, and Walukara) is an Australian Aboriginal language of Western Queensland. Its traditional language region is the local government area of Shire of Boulia, including Walgra Station and Wolga, from Roxborough Downs north to Carandotta Station and Urandangi on the Georgina River, on Moonah Creek to Rochedale, south-east of Pituri Creek.[5]
An unnamed township was established 2 August 1883. On 12 December 1884, it was officially named Urandangi. The name is believed to be derived Aboriginal words, uranda-ngie, meaning much gidyea.[1]
The township was a centre for travellers and drovers where a stock route crossed the Georgina River. By 1920 Urandangi had a pub, two stores, post office, police station and a dance hall.[6]
Urandangie Provisional School opened circa 1898. On 1 January 1909 it became Urandangie State School. It closed circa 1910, but reopened on 30 January 1922. It closed circa 1933.[7]
On 11 April 1994 Urandangi State School (slightly different spelling) opened.[7]
In March 2023, Urangangi was inundated with over 7 metres (23 ft) of floodwater resulting in the evacuation of the entire town. Due to the extent of the damage, it is uncertain if the town will survive.[8] In August 2023 and December 2024, the school was officially open but was not operating as there were no students enrolled.[9][10]
Facilities
In 2023 prior to the floods, Urandangi's only major facility was the Urandangi Hotel (also known as the "Dangi Pub"). It was also the town's post office, grocery store, petrol station, and Centrelink office.[11]
Education
Urandangi State School is a government primary (Early Childhood-6) school for boys and girls on the Urandangi North Road (21.5962°S 138.3359°E).[12][13] It had only 8 students enrolled in 2015.[14] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 8 students with 2 teachers and 2 non-teaching staff (1 full-time equivalent).[15] In 2022, the school had an enrolment of 12 students.[16]
There are no secondary schools in Urandangi.[2] The nearest secondary school is in Mount Isa but too far for a daily commute.[2] The Spinifex State College in Mount Isa offers boarding facilities.[17] Other boarding schools or distance education would be options.
References
External links
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