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Boonoonar

Origin of name: Aboriginal - flat (after nearby plains of that name)

Station opened: 30-10-1923 as unnamed public siding; 5-6-1924 named Boonoonar

Station closed: 1-3-1955

Distance from Melbourne (via Castlemaine): 326 miles 79 chains 52 links; 526.245 km

Height above Sea Level: 144 feet

The Shire of Mildura requested a siding between Nowingi and Carwarp in September 1922. There was also agitation from Nowingi and District Progress Association. The Shire was advised in January 1923 that the Commissioner's had given approval for a siding and the Progress Association was informed through Mr. F.E. Old M.L.A. in July of the precise location of the siding. Construction of the siding was approved on 20-6-1923.

Boonoonar was opened on 30-10-1923 under the supervision of Hattah, but was not named until 5-6-1924. Names proposed included Nurnurimal, Menin Road and Colignan. A passenger platform and goods loop siding were provided. The Commissioner's agreed to provide a goods platform in September 1923 and following a request by the Shire of Mildura, in September 1924, a shelter shed. The siding was extended by 550 feet at the up end by 1-2-1927 using materials recovered from the ballast siding at Yatpool from outside the boundary fence.

It was reported in 1923 that local settlers would finance a weighbridge and in September 1924 the Commissioners granted approval for the up passenger train from Mildura to stop at Boonoonar to put out parcels and perishables carried at parcel rates on Tuesday and Saturday only.

Relaying the main line with 80 pound rails had reached Boonoonar by July 1929.

The Boonoonar Progress Association was concerned with the absence of a caretaker at the siding and it was resolved at a meeting to contact the Railway Department through the local political member in June 1930. Officially, Boonoonar was worked under caretaker conditions supervised by Ouyen from August 1931.

On 3-5-1938, Boonoonar was available to be opened as an intermediate composite electric staff block post providing Nowingi was not open.

The Shire of Mildura applied to the Commissioners in 1940 for a temporary level crossing at 325 miles 13 chains near Boonoonar for 2 to 3 weeks to enable the Shire to obtain gravel on the west side of the line for roadworks on the parallel highway for the Country Roads Board. The request was not proceeded with, the Council making alternate arrangements.

Very little traffic was offering throughout its life and the Commissioner's had no hesitation in closing Boonoonar on 1-3-1955.

Boonoonar station and siding site on 12-10-1982. The down end of the loop siding diverged to the right of the picture in the immediate foreground. The platform mound can be identified by the white telephone box and mile post opposite the pepper tree. Photo: Bruce McLean