Oman Ama (sometimes written as Oman-ama and Omanama) is a rural locality in the Goondiwindi Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] In the 2021 census, Oman Ama had a population of 31 people.[1]

Oman Ama
Queensland
BP Petrol Station, just south of the Cunningham Highway, 2019
Oman Ama is located in Queensland
Oman Ama
Oman Ama
Coordinates28°25′19″S 151°20′07″E / 28.42194°S 151.33528°E / -28.42194; 151.33528 (Oman Ama (centre of locality))
Population31 (2021 census)[1]
 • Density0.1696/km2 (0.439/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4352
Area182.8 km2 (70.6 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)Goondiwindi Region
State electorate(s)Southern Downs
Federal division(s)Maranoa
Suburbs around Oman Ama:
Mosquito Creek Gore Gore
Coolmunda Oman Ama Terrica
Greenup Warroo Terrica

Geography

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South Western railway line at Oman Ama, 2019

The Cunningham Highway passes through the locality from the north-east (Gore) to the west (Coolmunda). The South Western railway line runs loosely parallel and almost immediately south of the highway with the area being served by the Oman-ama railway station (28°23′50″S 151°17′35″E / 28.3972°S 151.2931°E / -28.3972; 151.2931 (Oman-Ama railway station)).[3]

History

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The name Oman Ama is an Aboriginal name meaning "caught by the tail".[4]

Brigalow Gully Provisional School opened circa 1896. On 1 January 1909 it became Brigalow Gully State School. In 1913 it was renamed Oman-ama State School. The school closed circa 1935.[5] The school was located to the north of the Oman-ama railway station on the Cunningham Highway (28°23′46″S 151°17′45″E / 28.3962°S 151.2958°E / -28.3962; 151.2958 (Oman-ama State School (former))).[6]

St David's Anglican Church was dedicated on 31 July 1905.[7] It closed in 1972 but reopened on 28 July 1985. Its final closure on 30 July 2002 was approved by Assistant Bishop Nolan.[8] In 2006, the church building was relocated to 330 Preston Boundary Road, Preston, where it is used as a wedding chapel.[9]

In 2015-2016 Oman Ama was one of six communities being considered as Australia's first permanent nuclear waste disposal facility. The other sites were Sallys Flat (New South Wales), Hale (Northern Territory) and three sites in South Australia: Cortlinye, Pinkawillinie and Barndioota. While some residents were open to the idea, many were opposed.[10]

Demographics

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In the 2016 census, Oman Ama had a population of 38 people.[11]

In the 2021 census, Oman Ama had a population of 31 people.[1]

Education

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There are no schools in Oman Ama. The nearest school is Inglewood State School in Inglewood to the west which offers schooling from Prep to Year 10. Oman Ama is outside of any school district offering Years 11 and 12 schooling, the nearest being in Warwick to the north-east, Stanthorpe to the south-west and Goondiwindi to the west. Distance education or boarding school are other options.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Oman Ama (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.  
  2. ^ "Oman Ama – locality in Goondiwindi Region (entry 49281)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  4. ^ "NOMENCLATURE OF QUEENSLAND.—231". The Courier-mail. No. 881. Queensland, Australia. 26 June 1936. p. 12. Retrieved 20 December 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  6. ^ "Parish of Bodumba" (Map). Queensland Government. 1926. Archived from the original on 31 August 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Dedication Anniversary At Omanama". Warwick Daily News. No. 9360. Queensland, Australia. 5 August 1949. p. 3. Archived from the original on 26 December 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "Closed Churches". Anglican Church of Southern Queensland. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  9. ^ "Preston Peak Chapel, Wedding Venue Toowoomba,". Preston Chapel and Manor. Archived from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  10. ^ Creighton, Drew (4 January 2016). "Oman Ama residents reject proposal for nuclear waste disposal site". Brisbane Times. Archived from the original on 31 August 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  11. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Oman Ama (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.  
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