Ballidu, Western Australia

Ballidu is a town in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, about 217km north of Perth. Ballidu is also 34km north of the town of Wongan Hills which, along with a few other small towns such as Cadoux and Bindi Bindi make up the Shire of Wongan-Ballidu.HistoryThe name Ballidu is a hybrid name, coming from "balli", a Noongar Aboriginal word meaning "on this side" or "in this direction", and "Duli" after a nearby rockhole. The townsite was gazetted in 1914, with street names of the original settlers. A primary school opened in the town on 4 September 1922, moving into permanent premises in 1924. The streets in Ballidu are named after varieties of wheat.The bulk wheat bins in town opened in 1940.PopulationBallidu has a population of less than 100 people and consists of Ballidu Primary School, the local Art Gallery, a hall, a general store for groceries and essentials. As Ballidu is a farming region, over the years (as the size of the surrounding farms has increased), the town has become smaller and smaller. Currently there are only 4 students attending the local school in 2016.Community eventsEach year the Ballidu Parents and Citizens Association hosts the annual 'Bike-it to Ballidu' which consists of teams from the primary school along with adults cycling from Wongan Hills in turn to Ballidu. The whole ride is approximately 34 km and starts from the Wongan Hills visitor centre ending in Alpha Street, Ballidu. After the ride there is a celebration in Alpha Park in which awards are presented. The last competition was held on 14 March 2008. The Contemporary Arts Society regularly hold exhibitions of local artists and other well known Australian Artists.