Bungunya is located immediately north of the Macintyre River, which is the border between Queensland and New South Wales. The Weir River flows from east to west through the northern part of the locality. Other creeks flow from east to west through other parts of the locality. All of these rivers and creeks ultimately flow into the Barwon River in New South Wales.[5]
The land is very flat, approximately 180 metres above sea level, and is extensively developed for agriculture.[5]
History
The name Bungunya is allegedly an Aboriginal word, meaning a high or safe living place. The language and dialect is unknown but it may be an imported name from Victoria.[2]
Gamilaraay (Gamilaroi, Kamilaroi, Comilroy) is a language from South-West Queensland and North-West New South Wales. The Gamilaraay language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of the Balonne Shire Council, including the towns of Dirranbandi, Thallon, Talwood and Bungunya as well as the border towns of Mungindi and Boomi extending to Moree, Tamworth and Coonabarabran in NSW.[8]
Bungunya Provisional School opened on a half-time basis in 1916, sharing the teacher with Glengower Provisional School. It became a full-time school in 1918 and a state school soon after.[9]
Bungunya was once a busy railway centre from which thousands of bales of wool were transported from local sheep stations following the shearing season.[10]
Demographics
In the 2011 census, the locality of Bungunya had a population of 189 people.[11]
In the 2016 census, the locality of Bungunya had a population of 75 people.[12]
In the 2021 census, the locality of Bungunya had a population of 62 people.[1]
Education
Bungunya State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at George Street (28°25′37″S149°39′16″E / 28.4270°S 149.6545°E / -28.4270; 149.6545 (Bungunya State School)).[13][14] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 22 students with 3 teachers (2 full-time equivalent) and 6 non-teaching staff (2 full-time equivalent).[15] In 2023, the school had an enrolment of 17 students.[16] As at 2024, the school was open, but, as it had no students enrolled, it was not operational.[17]
There are no secondary schools in Bungunya nor nearby. The options are distance education and boarding school.[18]
Gallery
Watering facility, Meandarra Rd, Bungunya, circa 1954
Barwon Highway westbound, east of Bungunya turn-off (2021).
^"BUNGUNYA SIDING". The Week. Vol. XCIV, no. 2, 432. Brisbane. 4 August 1922. p. 17. Retrieved 15 January 2017 – via National Library of Australia.Download