Gymbowen

History

The date and establishment of Gymbowen is unknown, however the local school was opened in 1891 and the local hotel possibly earlier. The Post office was opened in 1882 and the 1891-92 post office directory lists the following residents: {| class="wikitable" |- !Name !Occupation |- |Ah Ming, Charles |Carpenter |- |Carter, Esther |Teacher |- |Glancy, Mary |Teacher |- |Keeping, John |Blacksmith |- |Knight, William |Storekeeper |- |Lang, George |Blacksmith |- |O’Donnell Patrick |Blacksmith |- |Shannon, James |Blacksmith |} Gymbowen served as a coach changing stage and as the railway reached there by 1894 until it closed in 1986. The Gymbowen hotel was a widely patronized place of refreshment, and it is said that many stories should have been preserved for posterity. Gymbowen was the second post office in the district and the oldest survivor having opened on 1 June 1882 under the management of Mr. J. Houston. The annual postal allowance was 6 pounds (A$13.9). William H. Knight conducted the office in conjunction with the general store for many years; Leo Knight was appointed assistant on 11 December 1922 and postmaster on 1 December 1938. The post office was transferred to Arthur Henry on 21 November 1946 and following his death on 13 December 1965, to Mrs. Margaret Fish.

Most-observed species

• Australian Magpie

  Gymnorhina tibicen (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  1,106
• Spyridium furculentum W.R.Barker & Kellermann

  Spyridium furculentum W.R.Barker & Kellermann · Magnoliopsida
  1,020
• New Holland Honeyeater

  Phylidonyris novaehollandiae (Latham, 1790) · Aves
  834
• Gray Shrikethrush

  Colluricincla harmonica (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  747
• Galah

  Eolophus roseicapilla (Vieillot, 1817) · Aves
  715
• White-plumed Honeyeater

  Ptilotula penicillata (Gould, 1837) · Aves
  636
• Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

  Cacatua galerita (Latham, 1790) · Aves
  612
• Willie-wagtail

  Rhipidura leucophrys (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  611