St George
Postcode: 4487
St George is a town of approximately 3800 people in south-western Queensland, Australia. It is the administrative centre for the Balonne Shire Council. It was named by Major Thomas Mitchell who crossed the Balonne River on St George’s Day, 23 April 1846.
The town is a centre for cotton growing, as well as sheep and wheat. It sits on the Balonne River which is reputedly an excellent fishing site for fish such as the Murray cod.
It sits at the junction of several highways including the Castlereagh Highway, the Moonie Highway, the Carnarvon Highway and the Balonne Highway.
It gained national attention with the election of local accountant Barnaby Joyce to the Australian Senate following the 2004 federal election.
The St George show is celebrated every year over the Labour Day long weekend (weekend of the first Monday in May), although it is dying. 10 years ago people would come from all across Australia to celebrate. Everyone is encouraged to go and locals have a great time sharing stories at the bar and watching the rodeo.