St George is a genteel town, whereas Roma is a bustling town, full of energy and activity. It has a population of around 7000 people. Roma was named after the wife of Sir George Bowan, Queensland's first Governor, around 1867.
The original people who lived here were the Mandandanji who lived here for thousands of years before European settlers came to the area. They managed and lived off the dry woodland and grassland plains, and maintained a deep connection with the local landscape and water sources.
Roma is part of the wider area of Maranoa, which is also a river west of Roma, and which also flows into the Darling/Murray River basin.
The Bungil Creek which runs through the town is part of the Balonne River catchment area. This creek can rise quickly and cause local flooding, and in 2010, 2011 and 2012 there was considerable widespread flooding from the creek.
The primary underground water resource in southern and inland Queensland is the Great Artesian Basin. It is one of the largest ground water basins in the world and provides fresh water to Roma, Charleville, Toowoomba as well as for agriculture and stock. And I can imagine the cotton farms tap into this water source too.
The underground water resource also lies under parts of the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales and it naturally rises up in many springs. The problem is the underground water is a finite resource and much has been wasted over the years with poorly constructed bores, for example, and can become salty. Since 2019 there has been a tighter management of the underground water usage.
Other interesting aspects of all the underground water are the thermal springs that abound in various areas, with a large number of them around including Moree, Lightening Ridge, St George and Cunnumulla, to name just a few. Unfortunately we forgot to bring our swim suits, although we have been to the pool in Lightning Ridge which was a little too hot for comfort.
The bottle tree, native to this area, abounds in Roma, and I believe more than 2000 were planted along the streets. 93 of them were planted between 1918 and 1920 to honour the soldiers killed in World War 1.
I find them fascinating.
I don't think this is a hotel anymore, but it is a lovely old building.
Golders clothing store, where Walter bought his shorts, and I resisted buying a blouse for $100. This shop had all the country style clothing you may need here, all very pricey but also of a very high standard. Lots of hats and boots.
And tomorrow looks to be another lovely sunny day here.
Walter enjoyed his lunch outside the bakery. A hamburger for him and a quiche and salad for me. He is not having a post lunch nap in this photograph!
The main street of Roma, which was bustling earlier on, but quiet after lunch. Walter bought a pair of tracksuit bottoms and a pair of shorts, and I found a lovely jumper for $20. Then I bought two blouses in Vinnies (charity shop). The temperature today reached 25 degrees and we mostly had winter gear with us.
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