Reids Flat is a historic village, originally known as Numby, in regional New South Wales located within Hilltops Council.
| Reids Flat New South Wales | |||||||||||||||
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  Reids Flat | |||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 34°07′57″S 149°01′02″E / 34.13250°S 149.01722°E | ||||||||||||||
| Population | 85 (SAL 2021)[1] | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2586 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 407 m (1,335 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | |||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Hilltops Council | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Goulburn | ||||||||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Hume | ||||||||||||||
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At the 2021 census the population of Reids Flat was 85,[2] unchanged from the 2016 census.[3]
Location
editThe town is sited on the south bank of the Lachlan River, approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) southeast of Wyangala, in Hilltops Council, in the South West Slopes region of New South Wales, hidden in the Great Dividing Range. It is graced by grandiorite geomorphology and sits on lay lines.
History
editThere is a rich indigenous dreaming associated with the valley along with a lively bushranger history. Active bushrangers in the area during the early 1860s included Jack Peisley and Frank Gardiner, who often sought refuge at the farm of William Fogg. Caves within the surrounding rocky mountains provided excellent hiding places for the bushrangers – it was claimed that girlfriends and wives would hang white washing on the lines in the valley when the coast was clear.
The village, originally known as Numby, was officially renamed Reid's Flat in 1929.[4]
Wool production
editLocal merino sheep wool production is amongst the finest in the world, with the majority of 15 micron fleece pre-sold to the Italian fashion market. Prices received per bale frequently fetch world record prices ( references) and these wool providers have been farming in the district for over a century.
Facilities
editThe village – a quiet residential area – does not have any commercial establishments within its boundaries; the nearest shop is located 22 kilometres (14 mi) away, in the town of Bigga. It does, however, possess a public hall, a showground, and a council rubbish dump. The Reids Flat Public School was officially closed on 17 December 2014.[5]
References
edit- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Reids Flat (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
- ^ "2021 Reids Flat, Census All persons QuickStats". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Reids Flat". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
- ^ "ALTERATION OF THE NAME OF THE VILLAGE OF NUMBY TO REID'S FLAT". Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales. No. 146. New South Wales, Australia. 15 November 1929. p. 4660. Retrieved 20 April 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Recess, closure and amalgamations of schools". NSW Teachers Federation. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
