Ellalong, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids EllalongCessnock, New South Wales |
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Ellalong Lagoon
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 Ellalong
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 1,098 (2016 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 2325 |
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10) |
| • Summer (DST) | AEDT (UTC+11) |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | City of Cessnock |
| Region | Hunter |
| County | Northumberland |
| Parish | Ellalong |
| State electorate(s) | Cessnock |
| Federal Division(s) | Hunter |
Ellalong, also known as 'The Jewel of the Mountain', is a small town in New South Wales, Australia. It is located in the Hunter Region, right at the bottom of the Watagan Mountains.
Nearby towns include Pelton, Paxton, Congewai, and Quorrobolong. In 2016, a census showed that 1098 people lived in Ellalong.
Contents
Ellalong's Past: A Look at History
Ellalong has an interesting history, especially with its school and hotel.
Ellalong Public School: Learning Through Time
The Ellalong Public School first opened its doors in June 1863. However, it closed just a few months later in December of the same year. Luckily, the school reopened in 1868, giving local children a place to learn.
Ellalong Hotel: A Mining Era Landmark
The Ellalong Hotel was built in 1924. This happened during a time when mining was very popular in the area. The hotel became an important spot for the community.
Who Lives in Ellalong?
The 2016 Census collected information about the people living in Ellalong.
Population Facts and Figures
In 2016, there were 1,098 people living in Ellalong. Most people, about 83.3%, were born in Australia. Also, 90.9% of people spoke only English at home.
Religious Beliefs and Age in Ellalong
When it came to religion, the most common answers were:
- No Religion: 30.7%
- Anglican: 28.8%
- Catholic: 15.4%
The average age of people in Ellalong was 39 years old. There were slightly more females (560) than males (535) living in the town.
Ellalong Lagoon: A Place of Mystery and Nature
The village of Ellalong is home to a large lagoon. This lagoon is very important to Aboriginal culture and has a famous local story.
The Myth of Catch-a-boy Swamp
The Ellalong Lagoon is also known as Catch-a-boy Swamp. There's a mythical story that a Bunyip, a creature from Aboriginal legends, once lived there. The story says the Bunyip took a young boy who was playing in the lagoon. Parents used this story to warn their children about the dangers of playing too close to the water. Even though locals knew the myth, many still swam in the swamp during summer. They would often try to scare each other with Bunyip stories!
The Lagoon's Changing Beauty
When the lagoon is full, it looks very beautiful. However, during dry periods or droughts, it can completely dry up. You can see the Quorrobolong Creek part of the swamp from the front of the Ellalong Hotel. From there, you can also enjoy views of the Watagan Mountains.
Ellalong's Big Shake: The 1994 Earthquake
Ellalong was the center of a strong earthquake in 1994.
What Happened During the Earthquake?
On August 6, 1994, an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.4 hit the area. Ellalong was where the earthquake started. Five people in the wider Hunter region were hurt, and about 1000 homes were damaged. This earthquake was the biggest in the region since the Newcastle earthquake in 1989.
