Goondi Hill is a semi-urban

locality Locality may refer to: * Locality (association), an association of community regeneration organizations in England * Locality (linguistics) * Locality (settlement) * Suburbs and localities (Australia), in which a locality is a geographic subdivis ...

in the Cassowary Coast Region,

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

, Australia. In the , Goondi Hill had a population of 510 people.

Geography

Goondi Hill is bounded by Bamboo Creek and North Bamboo Creek to the south and south-west. The land is flat, mostly below above sea level. Immediately west of Innisfail, it has some residential overflow from Innisfail including a

retirement village A retirement community is a residential community or housing complex designed for older adults who are generally able to care for themselves; however, assistance from home care agencies is allowed in some communities, and activities and socializ ...

in the north of the locality. In the south of the locality the land use is predominantly agricultural, mostly growing

sugarcane Sugarcane or sugar cane is a species of (often hybrid) tall, Perennial plant, perennial grass (in the genus ''Saccharum'', tribe Andropogoneae) that is used for sugar Sugar industry, production. The plants are 2–6 m (6–20 ft) tall with ...

. Most of the locality contains various civic amenities, such as the race course, the golf course and the showground. The Bruce Highway enters the locality from the east (along Edith Street, Innisfail) and exits to the west (along Palmerston Drive, Goondi Bend). The North Coast railway line enters the locality from the south ( Mighell) and exits the locality to the north-west (Goondi Bend / Cullinane) with Innisfail railway station within the locality ().

History

The name ''Goondi'' is believed to be an Aboriginal word meaning '' elbow,'' referring to the bend in the

South Johnstone River The Johnstone River, comprising the North Johnstone River and the South Johnstone River, is a river system located in Far North Queensland, Far North and North Queensland, North Queensland, Australia. The headwaters of the river system rise ...

''.'' In June 1912 there was a meeting that resulted in the creation of the Johnstone River Agricultural Association with the intention to hold their first agricultural show that same year. The first show was held on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 October 1912 in recreation ground (now Callender Park) with exhibits in the Shire Hall and the Oddfellows Hall. In 1935 the show needed more space and the present showgrounds were established with purpose-built buildings and a show ring. The show was held annually apart from 1942 and 1942 when, due to

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

, the army was using the showground. In 1986 many of the showgound's buildings were badly damaged by

Cyclone Winifred Severe Tropical Cyclone Winifred was the worst tropical cyclone to make landfall in northern Queensland and the first since Althea in 1971 to inflict significant damage on the northeastern coast of Australia. The sixth named storm of the 1985– ...

with further damage sustained during Cyclone Larry in 2006. In 2002 the show introduced a banana packing competition which was very popular. In the , Goondi Hill had a population of 510 people.

Education

There are no schools in Goondi Hill. The nearest primary schools are Goondi State School in neighbouring Goondi Bend to the west and Innisfail State School in neighbouring Innisfail to the east. The nearest government secondary school is Innisfail State College in Innisfail Estate to the east. Catholic primary and secondary schooling is available in Innisfail.

Amenities

All accessible from the Bruce Highway are the following amenities: * Innisfail Showground () * Innisfail Racecourse () * Innisfail Golf Course ()

References

{{Cassowary Coast Region Cassowary Coast Region Localities in Queensland