Bunnaloo, New South Wales

Bunnaloo is a village community in the central southern part of the Riverina and situated about 37km west from Mathoura and 45km south west of Deniliquin. In 2006, Bunnaloo had a population of 126.HistoryThe area that is now known as Bunnaloo originally was split between two properties: the Cobram Station and Perricoota. In 1899, a crown lease on part of the Perricoota land expired and the New South Wales Government split a paddock into six 700 acre homestead farms to be sold in 1901. Further subdividing of the Cobram Estate land allowed for more residents to move to the area.The first Post Office in Bunnaloo was run from the home of a Mrs Hawkins, replacing the weekly mail run from Mathoura by Syd Larcombe. In 1924 a new railway line was laid, with Bunnaloo homing a new station. This allowed for easy transport of wheat or stock (previously it had to be carted 18 miles to Mathoura).In 1926, Victor Hicks built a store in Bunnaloo. The Post Office was moved here, becoming the first official Bunnaloo Post Office (until its closure in 1974).EducationIn 1919 the parents of Bunnaloo purchased and moved a building from Womboota to a property to be used as a school. This was run by subsidised teachers prior to government teachers being supplied. For the school's final years it was again run by subsidised teachers. In 1927, the school was closed and the building sold to parents of the town of Walliston.Bunnaloo Public School opened in 1928 and is still running (despite closing from 1944 to 1951 due to WWII). Currently, it has approx. 50 students attending. Students in Years K to 6 attend from all around the area. The current principal is Darren Devereux.