Ballidu, Western Australia

Infobox Australian Place | type = town
name = Ballidu


caption =
lga = Shire of Wongan-Ballidu
est =
postcode = 6606
elevation= 312
pop = 82
pop_footnotes = (2006 census) [Census 2006 AUS|id=SSC53091|name=Ballidu (State Suburb)|quick=on|accessdate=2007-03-12]
dist1 = 217 | dir1 = NE | location1 = Perth
dist2 = 34 | dir2 = N | location2 = Wongan Hills
fedgov = O'Connor
stategov = Central Wheatbelt
state = wacoord|-30.596|116.772|type:city(82)_region:AU-WA_scale:50000|format=dms|display=title

Ballidu is a town located in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, about convert|217|km|mi|0 north of Perth. Ballidu is also convert|34|km|mi|0 north of the town of Wongan Hills which, along with a few other small towns such as Cadoux and Bindi Bindi make up the Shire of Wongan-Ballidu.

History

The name Ballidu is a hybrid name, coming from "balli", a Noongar Aboriginal word meaning "on this side" or "in this direction", and "Duli" after a nearby rockhole. The townsite was gazetted in 1914, with street names of the original settlers. [LandInfo WA|c|B|2008-03-12] A primary school opened in the town on 4 September 1922, moving into permanent premises in 1924.

Population

Ballidu has a population of less than 100 people and consists of Ballidu Primary School, the local Art Gallery, a hall, a few shops for groceries and essentials and several farming supply stores. As Ballidu is a farming region, over the years (as the size of the surrounding farms has increased), the town has become smaller and smaller. Currently there are approximately 23 students attending the local primary school, with others attending school at surrounding towns.

Community Events

Each year the Shire of Wongan-Ballidu along with the surrounding communities hosts the annual 'Bike-it to Ballidu' which consists of teams from the primary school along with adults cycling from Wongan Hills in turn to Ballidu. The whole ride is approximately 34 km and starts from the Wongan Hills visitor centre ending in Alpha Street, Ballidu. After the ride there is a celebration in Alpha Park in which awards are presented. The last competition was held on 14 March 2008.

References