Inverell

Inverell is a town in the north of New South Wales, Australia, situated on the Macintyre River. It is also the centre of Inverell Shire. Inverell is located on the Gwydir Highway on the western slopes of the Northern Tablelands. It has a temperate climate. At the 2006 census, the population of Inverell was 9,749.

History
In 1848 Alexander Campbell held the 50000 acre Inverell Station on the Macintyre River. The name derives from the name of Mr. MacIntyre's estate. The word is of Gaelic origin, and signifies "meeting place of the swans"; from "Inver a meeting place, and "Ell", a swan. The MacIntyre River and Swanbrook Creek join here. The area was also known as "Green Swamp" in the 1850s. Wheat growers, Colin and Rosanna Ross established a store there in 1853, when he asked that a town be surveyed. In 1858 this was done and in the following years the plan was approved and the first land sale was held. The municipality was proclaimed in 1872. Diamonds were discovered at Copes Creek in 1875 and were mined at Copeton from 1883-1922. Commercial sapphire mining was commenced in 1919 at Frazers Creek near Inverell. Rich alluvial deposits in streams were worked initially by hand miners but there was little recorded production up until approximately 1960. The population was 7514 (1954 census) and 8209 (1961 census). The population is now 12 000.

Industry
The Inverell district is in a fertile agricultural region which produces a wide range of crops, including wheat, wine grapes, maize and barley. There are also some mining activities with tin, sapphires, zircons and diamonds (mainly industrial) being found. Inverell is known as the ‘Sapphire City’ because of the sapphires that found throughout the local district. The area is recognised for its sapphires, contributing to a major part of Australia's sapphire production.

Copeton Dam, the district's main water supply, holds three times the capacity of Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), and is so large that when it is below 3% of its capacity during drought, it still has enough water to supply the town for up to ten years without water restrictions. The Inland Fishing Festival is held there every year.

Education
There are two primary schools in Inverell; Ross Hill School and Inverell Public School. The two local high schools are Inverell High School and Macintyre High School. Holy Trinity School is a Central Catholic School in Inverell which caters for students from Kindergarten to Year Ten.

Transport
Inverell is served by Inverell Airport.

Famous people

 * Heinrich Haussler (born 1984), Professional cyclist


 * Scott Sunderland (born 1966), Former professional cyclist
 * Steve Elkington (born 1962), professional golfer, 1995 US PGA Champion
 * Graeme Stewart (born 1950), ballet dancer, Saddlers Wells.