Wombat is a town in South West Slopes region of New South Wales, Australia. It is situated on the Olympic Highway, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) south-west of the regional centre of Young. It is in the local government area of Hilltops Council.
Wombat New South Wales | |
---|---|
Coordinates | 34°25′30″S 148°14′31″E / 34.42500°S 148.24194°E |
Population | 225 (2016 census)[1] |
Established | 1865 |
Postcode(s) | 2587 |
Location |
|
LGA(s) | Hilltops Council |
State electorate(s) | Cootamundra |
Federal division(s) | Hume |
History
editThe area was occupied by the indigenous Wiradjuri people for thousands of years.[citation needed]
- 1860 – Gold discovered at nearby Young. 20,000 miners converge on surrounding areas. Wombat Post Office opened on 16 July 1862.[2]
- 1865 – The village of Wombat was established. Many Chinese miners moved to the area taking plots of land.[citation needed]
- 1867 – Wombat Public School was founded in a bark hut[citation needed]
- 1873 – foundation stone of St Matthew's Church of England laid[3]
- 1875 – Roman Catholic Church built[4]
- 1877 – Wombat Hotel began trading[citation needed]
- 1880 – Carlo Lazzarini, (1880–1952), NSW politician and trade unionist was born in Wombat[5]
- 1895 – Mechanics Institute opened[6]
- 1903 – Wombat Hotel's current building constructed[citation needed]
- 1910 – Roman Catholic convent opened[7]
- 1921 – shop and post office destroyed by fire[8]
- 1923 – Wombat Soldiers' Memorial hall officially opened[9]
- 1924 – the old hall was destroyed by fire[10]
- 1950s & 1960s – The Olympic Way highway was built through[citation needed]
At the 2016 census, Wombat had a population of 225.[1]
Attractions
edit- "The Wombat Hotel", which has had a continuous liquor licence since 1877, making it the longest in New South Wales.
- "Allambie Orchard", A cherry orchard that allows people to pick their own fruit in season
- "Wombat Heights", a farm on a hill which produces jam, fruit wine and liqueurs from traditional recipes. Visitors are invited to do-it-themselves.
- "Wilkies Cottage Restaurant/Café".
- "The Old Convent Geranium Nursery", Hope St, offers many colours & varieties of miniatures of variegated, climbing and scented Pelargonium geraniums.
The highway into Wombat is graced with a statue of a wombat, made of local material, which was unveiled in 2002.
References
edit- ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Wombat (state suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
- ^ Phoenix Auctions History. "Post Office List". Phoenix Auctions. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "Church Jubilee". The Young Witness. New South Wales, Australia. 21 July 1923. p. 2. Retrieved 24 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Consecration of the Wombat Roman Catholic Church". Burrangong Argus. New South Wales, Australia. 2 June 1875. p. 2. Retrieved 24 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Nairn, Bede, "Lazzarini, Carlo Camillo (1880–1952)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 24 May 2022
- ^ "Peculiar Railway Incident". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 17, 926. New South Wales, Australia. 31 August 1895. p. 9. Retrieved 24 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Advertising". The Burrangong Argus. New South Wales, Australia. 5 January 1910. p. 2. Retrieved 24 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "The Wombat Fire". The Young Witness. New South Wales, Australia. 7 July 1921. p. 1 (Latest Edition). Retrieved 24 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Wombat Soldiers' Memorial". The Young Witness. New South Wales, Australia. 26 July 1923. p. 2. Retrieved 24 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Wombat". The Young Chronicle. Vol. 50, no. 62. New South Wales, Australia. 12 August 1924. p. 2. Retrieved 24 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
External links
editMedia related to Wombat, New South Wales at Wikimedia Commons
- Wombat Public School Website
- Wombat Progress Association History page
- Harden Shire Council Wombat Public School Web Page
- Wombat Early Settlement History