Braidwood, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BraidwoodNew South Wales |
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The Braidwood Courthouse, built in 1901
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 Braidwood
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 1,720 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2622 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 643 m (2,110 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Queanbeyan–Palerang Regional Council | ||||||||||||||
| Region | Southern Tablelands | ||||||||||||||
| County | St Vincent | ||||||||||||||
| Parish | Braidwood | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Monaro | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Eden-Monaro | ||||||||||||||
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Braidwood is a historic town in the Southern Tablelands area of New South Wales, Australia. It is part of the Queanbeyan–Palerang Regional Council. The town is located on the Kings Highway, which connects Canberra to Batemans Bay.
Braidwood is about 200 kilometres southwest of Sydney. It is also 60 kilometres inland from the coast. The town is 55 kilometres east of Canberra. Braidwood serves the local area, which is known for raising sheep and cattle. It also has forestry operations.
Contents
First Peoples' History
Braidwood is located on the traditional lands of the Yuin Nation. Specifically, it is on Walbanga Country. The Walbanga People speak dialects of the Thurga (Durga/Dhurga) language.
Traditional Walbanga Life
The Walbanga People used to rely on many plants from the tablelands. These included yam daisy tubers and wattle-seeds. They also ate orchid tubers. From September to May, they enjoyed fish and crayfish. Possums and larger grazing animals were hunted all year round.
The Walbanga People and nearby groups made yearly trips. In December and January, they went to the Bogong Mountains. They also visited the Snowy Mountains. There, they would roast and eat bogong moths.
Changes After European Arrival
The lives of the Walbanga People changed greatly in the 1820s. This was when Europeans first arrived and settled. Reports show that water, fish, and native animals became scarce. These were very important for the First Nations' diet.
By 1850, the traditional way of life for the Walbanga People faced huge challenges. Important ceremonies, meetings, and gatherings also stopped in the area.
Seeking Their Land
In 1872, First Nations' Peoples from the south coast and highlands met. They had a large ceremonial gathering in the Braidwood goldfields. They also discussed ways to get their land back.
After the meeting, 62 people approached a local police officer. Their leaders were 'Jack Bawn and Alick'. They asked for his help. The officer, Martin Brennan, wrote down their request. Jack Bawn said, "We have come to you to ask the Government to do something for us... We want some land we can truly call our own. A place where we can settle down, and where our elders can feel at home."
On March 29, 1873, Brennan sent a detailed report to the government. It explained the group's experiences and hopes. Soon after, he was told to set aside 40 acres of Crown Land. This land was to be an Aboriginal Reserve, wherever Jack Bawn wanted it.
However, Jack Bawn and his people could not use the land. White farmers nearby were hostile. But they kept asking Brennan to push the authorities for the land. Brennan wrote that the First Nations' Peoples of the Braidwood area always wanted their own land. They wanted to "cultivate [it] unmolested for the use of themselves and their families." It would also be a place where Aboriginal people from nearby could meet for ceremonies and games.
European Settlement History
European explorers first came to the Braidwood area in 1822. Europeans began settling here in the 1820s. The town was officially planned in 1839. It was built near the start of the Shoalhaven River. Convicts helped build many of the early structures. Some of these buildings are still standing today.
Dr. Thomas Braidwood Wilson
The town was named after Dr. Thomas Braidwood Wilson. He was a doctor who supervised ships bringing convicts to New South Wales. He also brought convicts to Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania).
Dr. Wilson first received land in Van Diemen's Land in 1824. He traded it for land near Lake George in 1825. He also received 2,560 acres (about 10 square kilometres) in the "new country." This land was on two creeks that flow into the Shoalhaven River.
In 1833, part of Wilson's land was taken for a future village. He received more land to the east as a trade. He eventually owned over 12,000 acres in the area. Dr. Wilson and his family moved to the district in late 1836. He became an important community leader. He even helped build the first courthouse in 1837–38.
In 1840, Wilson asked the government to build a road. This road would go from Braidwood to Jervis Bay. It would help ship wool to Sydney faster and cheaper. He helped supply materials and workers for the Braidwood to Nerriga part of the road.
Wilson faced financial trouble due to a drought and a tough economy. He died in November 1843. His land was sold to John Coghill. Coghill then owned all the land around the town. He built the famous house Bedervale. Before he died, Wilson bought land just north of Braidwood. He was buried on this land, on a hill overlooking the town.
A memorial and a large pine tree mark Wilson's grave. From there, you can see views of the town. The path to the grave is no longer open to the public.
Australia's First Royal Commission
Braidwood was the focus of Australia's first Royal Commission in 1867. A Royal Commission is a special inquiry set up by the government. This one looked into the actions of police officers in the area. It investigated if police were helping or ignoring bushrangers. The inquiry found some cases of bad conduct. It also found that the police superintendent had not controlled his officers properly.
Gold Discovery
Gold was found in Braidwood in 1851. For the next 20 years, the area's population grew to about 10,000 people. Food and supplies for the gold miners came from as far away as the Canberra region. This period of wealth lasted for several years. During this time, many important buildings were constructed, including banks and hotels.
Braidwood in the 20th Century
Braidwood used to be the main town for the Tallaganda local government area. Now, it is part of the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council. The local newspaper is called the Braidwood Times.
For much of the 20th century, Braidwood was a quiet rural town. Not many new buildings were constructed. Because of this, the town kept much of its original look and old buildings. On March 30, 2006, the town and its surroundings were added to the NSW State Heritage Register. This means they are protected for their historical importance.
Braidwood is about 40 kilometres from both Bungendore and Tarago railway stations. NSW TrainLink offers train services from these stations to Canberra and Sydney. You can also connect to other parts of the state. Murray's coach services run daily between Bateman's Bay and Canberra, stopping in Braidwood.
Heritage-Listed Places
Braidwood has several places that are listed for their historical importance. These include:
- Braidwood and Its Setting (the whole town and its surroundings)
- Monkitee Street: Bedervale (a historic house)
- Wallace Street: Braidwood District Historical Society Museum (a museum about the area's history)
- Wallace Street: Mill Complex (old mill buildings)
- 119 Wallace Street: Albion Hotel (a historic hotel)
Climate
Braidwood has an oceanic climate. This means it has mild to warm summers. Winters are cold with frequent frost in the mornings. Because Braidwood is on the eastern side of the Great Dividing Range and near the Tasman Sea, its summer temperatures are usually cooler than nearby towns like Bungendore. Braidwood also gets more moist easterly winds, making it wetter. Warm summer days are often cooled by afternoon breezes from the east.
Population
In the 2021 census, Braidwood had a population of 1,720 people. Most people (78.0%) were born in Australia. Also, 85.9% of people only spoke English at home. When asked about religion, the most common answers were No Religion (40.5%), Catholic (21.0%), and Anglican (16.6%).
Media and Communications
Braidwood has a local newspaper called the Braidwood Times. It is owned by Australian Community Media.
The town also has a community radio station, 2BRW. It is known as 'Braidwood Community Radio' and can be heard on 88.9 FM. For commercial radio, Braidwood is in the Goulburn broadcast area. You can hear 2GN on 1368 AM and Eagle FM on 93.5 FM. These stations have studios in Goulburn.
Braidwood is in the Southern NSW television licence area. TV stations broadcast from a tower on Mount Gillamatong, which is next to the town.
Famous People from Braidwood
Some notable people who have lived in Braidwood include:
- Deuchar Gordon, an Australian farmer and leader of the Australian Club
- Judith Wright, a famous Australian poet, conservationist, and Aboriginal rights supporter
- John Chapman, an Army Officer
- James Fraser, the first Australian-born Commissioner of Railways
See also
In Spanish: Braidwood (Nueva Gales del Sur) para niños
