Cooma history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Cooma is deeply rooted in the past, when the lands of the Monaro region were inhabited by the Aboriginal Ngarigo people. It is believed that the town's name derives from a local Aboriginal word that can be translated as "lake" or "open country."

European explorers first stepped onto these territories in 1823 under the leadership of Captain Mark Currie and Major John Ovens. An official land survey for the establishment of a settlement was conducted in 1849, which marked the beginning of the town's administrative existence.

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of a small settlement into an important regional centre was driven by several circumstances:

• The Gold Rush: The discovery of gold in neighbouring Kiandra in 1859–1860 became a turning point. Cooma was the only major settlement on the route to the mines, instantly becoming the main supply and rest hub for thousands of prospectors.
• Geography and Transport: Its location on the Monaro Tableland made the town the natural gateway to the Snowy Mountains. The opening of the railway connection to Sydney in 1889 definitively secured the town's economic status.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Before the commencement of massive hydroelectric projects in the 20th century, the economy of Cooma was based on agriculture. Thanks to vast pastures, sheep farming and the production of high-quality wool flourished here.

The architectural appearance of the town was formed during the Victorian era: reliable stone buildings for courts, banks, post offices, and hotels were constructed, designed to emphasize the wealth and stability of the region. Many of these historical structures have been preserved, serving as a reminder of the period of early prosperity.

• 1823: Captain Mark Currie and Major John Ovens became the first Europeans to explore the Monaro plains and reach the area of modern-day Cooma.
• 1849: Following surveying works, the settlement was officially mapped and granted village status.
• 1859: The beginning of the gold rush in neighbouring Kiandra turned Cooma into a bustling trade and transport hub, through which thousands of prospectors passed.
• 1879: The town was officially proclaimed a municipality, marking the beginning of local self-government.
• 1889: The opening of the railway link with Sydney gave a powerful impulse to the economic development of the region and simplified wool exports.
• 1949: The launch of the grand hydroelectric "Snowy Mountains Scheme". Cooma became the headquarters of the project, which forever changed the destiny of the town.
• 1950s: The region experienced a true demographic boom: thousands of migrant workers from all over the world arrived to build dams and power stations, forming a unique multicultural environment.
• 1959: To honour the centenary of local government, the famous Avenue of Flags was opened, symbolizing the multinational composition of the town's population.
• 1974: The completion of the hydroelectric complex marked the transition of the town's economy to servicing tourists and supporting agriculture.
• 2016: Cooma strengthened its administrative status by becoming the centre of the new Snowy Monaro Regional Council following the amalgamation of several shires.

Key Development Milestones of Cooma

The history of Cooma is a journey from a modest farming settlement to an industrial and tourist centre. Here are the main stages that defined the modern look of the town:

• Administrative Formation (1849): The conducting of an official survey and the approval of the settlement plan allowed for a transition from chaotic building to the structured development of the urban environment. This secured Cooma's status as an official locality.
• Trade Boom (1860s): Thanks to the gold rush in neighbouring Kiandra, Cooma transformed from a quiet village into a lively commercial hub. The first substantial stone buildings for banks and hotels appeared, forming the historical centre that tourists see today.
• Transport Breakthrough (1889): The arrival of the railway connected the isolated Monaro Tableland with Sydney. This event radically improved the region's economy, simplifying the export of wool and livestock, and ensuring a stable influx of new residents and goods.
• Industrialization (1949): The selection of Cooma as the headquarters for the "Snowy Mountains Scheme" hydroelectric complex was the main event of the 20th century for the town. This led to explosive population growth and the construction of modern housing and engineering networks.
• Cultural Transformation (1950s): Mass immigration of skilled workers from post-war Europe turned the provincial Australian town into a unique cosmopolitan centre. This influence is still felt in the gastronomy, festivals, and general way of life in the town.
• Tourism Specialization (from the 1970s): After the completion of the mega-project, the town found a new economic niche, becoming the main "gateway" to the ski resorts of New South Wales. The development of tourism infrastructure allowed for the preservation of economic stability following the departure of the construction workforce.

Architectural Evolution: From Pastures to Hydro Power

The urban development of Cooma is clearly divided into two main stages: the period of pastoral prosperity and the gold rush (19th century) and the era of the industrial boom associated with the construction of the "Snowy Mountains" hydro complex (mid-20th century). This dualism creates a unique urban landscape where solid stone structures of the Victorian era sit alongside the functional architecture of the 1950s.

Main Styles and Historical Periods

The architecture of the town reflects its transformation from a colonial settlement into an administrative centre:

• Victorian Academic Classical (1860–1890s): This style dominates the public centre of the town. Thanks to the wealth brought by the wool industry and trade, monumental public buildings were erected in Cooma, designed to demonstrate the power and stability of the British Empire.
• Neo-Gothic (19th Century): Traditionally for Australia, this style found reflection in religious architecture. Local churches with their lancet windows and stonemasonry are striking representatives of this direction.
• Australian Federation (Early 20th Century): Residential development of this period is characterized by the use of red brick, verandas with wooden decor, and tiled roofs, which was typical for the time of the federation of the Australian colonies.
• Post-war Modernism and Functionalism (from 1949): The influx of thousands of engineers and workers for the Snowy Mountains Scheme project required rapid and practical construction. Quarters of standard cottages (many of which were prefabricated) and administrative buildings in a strict, utilitarian style appeared in the town.

Iconic Buildings and Historical Districts

The appearance of Cooma is shaped by several key objects that serve as distinctive markers of time:

• Cooma Court House (1886): A magnificent example of Victorian public architecture. The building with a clock tower and massive columns, built from local granite and sandstone, remains a dominant feature of the historical centre to this day.
• Cooma Gaol: Functioning since the 1870s, this structure represents an example of utilitarian colonial architecture. The massive walls and strict forms emphasize the purpose of the facility.
• St Paul's Anglican Church: Built in the Neo-Gothic style from local stone, the church stands out for its stained glass windows and pointed architecture, characteristic of English parishes of that time.
• Lambie Street Precinct: This is the town's first residential area, declared a heritage conservation zone. Here one can see beautifully preserved cottages from the 19th and early 20th centuries, demonstrating the evolution of private housing from simple stone houses to more refined Federation-style residences.
• Snowy Hydro Headquarters: A building symbolizing the modern era of Cooma. Although it is more functional in essence, its significance for urban planning is immense, as it was around this administrative centre that the new infrastructure of the town formed in the 1950s.

Sports and Recreation

Due to its proximity to the Snowy Mountains, Cooma has become the birthplace of many outstanding athletes specializing in winter sports.

• Torah Bright: Olympic champion (2010) and silver medallist (2014) in snowboard halfpipe. Born in Cooma, she is one of the most successful Australian athletes in winter sports.
• Ben Sim: A professional cross-country skier and participant in the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver (2010). A native of the town who contributed to the popularization of skiing in Australia.
• Manuela Berchtold: A freestyle skier specializing in moguls. A participant in two Olympics (2002, 2006), she was born and raised in the region.

Literature and Art

The rugged beauty of the Monaro Tableland has inspired many creative individuals whose names are forever inscribed in the history of Australian culture.

• Andrew Barton 'Banjo' Paterson: A legendary poet and ballad author. In the late 1880s, he worked as a solicitor in a law firm in Cooma. It is believed that the local landscapes and residents inspired him to create the iconic poem "The Man from Snowy River".
• Patrick White: The only Australian Nobel Prize laureate in Literature. In the early 1930s, he worked as a "jackaroo" (farm hand) in the vicinity of Cooma. The harsh life of the region formed the basis of his first novel, "Happy Valley".
• Imants Tillers: A prominent contemporary artist known for conceptual works. He lives and works in the Cooma-Monaro region, actively using local motifs in his art.
• Carmen and Paula Duncan: Famous Australian theatre and television actresses, sisters. They were born in Cooma and achieved significant success in the national film industry.

Historical Figures

People whose professional activities defined the fate of the town in the 20th century.

• Sir William Hudson: Engineer and leader of the construction of the "Snowy Mountains Scheme" hydroelectric complex. He lived in Cooma during the project's implementation. His leadership not only ensured the success of the grandiose construction but also turned Cooma into a thriving multinational town.