people due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Border crossing points were either closed or had a Queensland Police checkpoint to allow entry to only those people with an appropriate permit. The border crossing point on the Koomalah Road at Dirranbandi was closed. Education Dirranbandi P-10 State School is a government primary and secondary (Prep-10) school for boys and girls at Jane Street (). In 2015, the school had 73 students with 12 teachers (11 full-time equivalent). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 65 students with 13 teachers (11 full-time equivalent) and 13 non-teaching staff (9 full-time equivalent). Facilities Dirranbandi has a hospital, civic centre, swimming pool, park and showground. Balonne Shire Council operates a library on the Castlereagh Highway inside the Rural Transaction Centre. The Dirranbandi branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association has its rooms at 22 Kirby Street (). St Therese's Catholic Church is at 42 Kirby Street (); it is part of the parish of St Patrick's Parish headquartered in St George. St Mark's Anglican Church is at 55 Moore Street (). Dirranbandi Uniting Church meet at the Anglican Church in Moore Street. It is part of the Uniting Church in Australia. Dirranbandi Aerodrome is located at the western end of Moore Street (). It is operated by the Balonne Shire Council. It has a sealed runway with lights. Popular culture Australian author Robert G Barrett's main character Les Norton hails from Dirranbandi. Slim Dusty sang about being the Dirranbandi Dandy in the song Cunnamulla Fella, which he co-wrote with Stan Coster. Notable residents Tom Dancey (1888–1957), a local stockman and Indigenous Australian, won Australia's most famous footrace, the Stawell Gift in 1910. It is indicated the £1000 prize money was kept by his handlers and he only got the trophy. A monument was dedicated to him in April 2011. Brigadier General William Grant (1870–1939) post-WW1 bought land in the area. He was involved in the Australian Light Horse. Artwork commemorates Dirranbandi's contributions to the Light Horse in terms of men and horses. Actor Ray Meagher grew up near Dirranbandi. He is best known for playing Alf Stewart on soap opera Home and Away, and credits one of his character's catchphrases "Stone the flamin' crows!" to Dick Backhouse who was a stock and station agent in town. Gallery References Further reading External links Towns in Queensland Shire of Balonne 1885 establishments in Australia Populated places established