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The Moama Story

Moama has had a chequered history. When the settlement began in 1845, it was known as Maiden’s Punt, named after James Maiden – punt owner, station manager, publican and post master. Three years later the village area was surveyed and lots were put up for sale when the town was renamed Moama, in 1851.

Situated on the main cattle route from Southern New South Wales to the gold fields at Bendigo in the 1950’s, the settlement became a cattle market and crossing place and big deals took place across the bar of Maiden’s Junction Inn. There were great celebrations in the small town in 1943 when Captain William Randell, the first person to travel upstream from Goolwa, arrived in the paddle-steamer, “Mary Ann”. The trip was the forerunner of the boat building industry and river trade that was to bolster Moama’s fortunes in years to come. Moama declined when the cattle market crashed in the late 1850’s though competition from Echuca, a short way downstream was partly to blame.

The little settlement hung on and in the 1860’s, police barracks, a school, post and telegraph office were established giving an air of permanency to the township. Unfortunately the feeling of stability was dispelled by disastrous floods that occurred in 1870 when almost every building in Moama was inundated or submerged by flood-waters.

The township of Moama was gradually rebuilt on higher ground further east near its present position, and when the Deniliquin to Moama railway line and the iron bridge were constructed between 1976-78, the township settled down to a slow but steady growth and expansion.

This was helped by many selectors who took up land to the North of Moama from 1862. Their wheat crops were sent to Palmer’s Flour Mill in Meninya Street after 1880, and a larger grain shed was constructed in 1889 (where the Moama Bowling club is today), to store grain for the mill. Coach builders, black smiths, boot-makers, carpenters, stock agents, storekeepers, and other businesses that made up a township at that time became firmly established. Moama Agriculture show was held annually and organisations and clubs were in full swing. Most religious denominations were in evidence – along with many hotels.

By 1880 Moama had a population of 700 and a district of 1000. It was proclaimed a Municipality with two wards on 30th December 1890. The first Council meeting was held on 16th March, 1891. Known at first as the Council of Municipality of Moama in February 1907. Moama retained this status until 1953 when the municipality became part of the Shire of Murry.

Appreciation to Judy Hearn, author of “Galleries of Pink Galahs”, for supplying this article.