Wombat, New South Wales

Coordinates: 34°25′30″S 148°14′31″E / 34.42500°S 148.24194°E / -34.42500; 148.24194
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Wombat
New South Wales
Wombat Hotel, trading continuously since 1877
Wombat is located in New South Wales
Wombat
Wombat
Coordinates34°25′30″S 148°14′31″E / 34.42500°S 148.24194°E / -34.42500; 148.24194
Population225 (2016 census)[1]
Established1865
Postcode(s)2587
Location
LGA(s)Hilltops Council
State electorate(s)Cootamundra
Federal division(s)Hume

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.

History[edit]

The 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]

  1. ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Wombat (state suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 31 March 2018. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ Phoenix Auctions History. "Post Office List". Phoenix Auctions. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  3. ^ "Church Jubilee". The Young Witness. New South Wales, Australia. 21 July 1923. p. 2. Retrieved 24 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ Nairn, Bede, "Lazzarini, Carlo Camillo (1880–1952)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 24 May 2022
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ "Advertising". The Burrangong Argus. New South Wales, Australia. 5 January 1910. p. 2. Retrieved 24 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "Wombat Soldiers' Memorial". The Young Witness. New South Wales, Australia. 26 July 1923. p. 2. Retrieved 24 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ "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[edit]

Media related to Wombat, New South Wales at Wikimedia Commons