Cootamundra, NSW

Ratings: CP *** Surroundings ***

Golds, reds and browns....the joys of autumn!

In 1861, a village called Cootamundry was constructed. The name changed to Cootamundra in 1952 and it is widely accepted that the name came from the Wiradjuri Aboriginal word " Gooramundra". It is a thriving, friendly town and the birthplace of the cricketer, Sir Donald Bradman.

The Cootamundra Aboriginal Girls Home is now referred to as Bimbadeen, This is where Aboriginal girls, some infants, were placed after being taken from their parents under the Aborigines Protection Act of 1909 between 1911 and 1969. They were not allowed contact with their families and were trained to work as domestic servants. The well cap to the left of the building was where the girls would sometimes sit hoping for family visitors (the original well cap was destroyed). The poignant words on the replica cap are "Standing on our wishing well....wishing for family to come and take us home".