Gerogery facts for kids
Quick facts for kids GerogeryNew South Wales |
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The National Trust listed station master's house
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 Gerogery
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 979 (2006 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 2642 |
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| LGA(s) | Greater Hume Shire |
| County | Goulburn |
| State electorate(s) | Albury |
| Federal Division(s) | Farrer |
Gerogery (pronounced "jə-ROJ-ər-ee") is a small town in the Murray region of New South Wales, Australia. It was built on land that originally belonged to the Wiradjuri people. The town is part of the Greater Hume Shire local government area. It sits on the main railway line that connects Sydney and Melbourne, and also where it crosses the Olympic Highway. Gerogery is a hub for the local farming community. It has a mild climate and is near the Great Yambla Range, known for its unique Tabletop and Sugar Loaf ridges. In 2006, about 979 people lived in Gerogery.
Contents
History
A Look Back in Time
Gerogery is located on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people. The name "Gerogery" is thought to come from a Wiradjuri word for magpies, which are very common in the area.
When European settlers arrived, they cleared many trees. They started planting wheat and raising sheep and cattle. Gerogery was one of the furthest places where German immigrants settled along the Murray River in the 1800s.
Bushrangers and the Past
In the 1860s, a famous bushranger named Mad Dan Morgan was active here. He once held up a man named Sam Watson in Gerogery East. Morgan had a secret hideout called "Morgan's Place" in the Yambla Range. This hideout was used between his hold-ups in other areas.
Town Growth and Changes
The Gerogery Post Office first opened on April 15, 1875.
When the Sydney Great Southern Railway arrived in 1880, Gerogery became a temporary end-point for the line. This railway caused the town's center to move from its original spot (now Gerogery West) to be closer to the train line. The old station master's house is a beautiful two-story building. It is so important that it is listed by the National Trust. The original train station was removed in the 1980s.
A one-teacher government school was set up near the railway line in 1884. This was part of a plan by the New South Wales government. They wanted to offer education to everyone, not just through religious schools.
Not far from Gerogery, on the way to Walla Walla, there is a peak of rocks. This spot was used as a meeting place and lookout. It helped to break the shearers' strike of 1891.
The Gerogery Commemoration Hall was built in the 1920s. Many events and meetings have taken place here. This includes gatherings for the monthly Country Women's Association branch.
The Gerogery Pub was popular with people from Albury. It was about 20 kilometers (12 miles) away and on a stock route. People could use a special rule to get an alcoholic drink on Sundays when other places were closed.
In the 1950s, Gerogery grew bigger because of the Korean War wool boom. It had a few general stores. By the late 1960s, this had shrunk to just one store that also served as the post office. Later, Gerogery became a "dormitory suburb" of Albury. This means many people lived in Gerogery but traveled to Albury for work or shopping.
Ancient Discoveries
In the 1960s, Aboriginal stone tools were found a few kilometers north-west of the town. These tools show that people lived here a very long time ago.
Today, Gerogery West is home to the Kimberley Park Welsh Pony Stud. In 2013, Al Jeda Arabians also made Gerogery their home base.
Heritage Listings
Gerogery has some places that are important to its history. These are called heritage-listed sites. One of them is:
- Main Southern railway: Gerogery railway station
Railway
The railway line at Gerogery has a special section called a crossing loop. This allows trains to pass each other. There are plans to add a second track between Gerogery and Tabletop. This new section will be about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) long. It will let trains traveling in opposite directions pass without slowing down or stopping.
In 2001, there was a serious accident at a railway crossing on Bells Road. Because of this, the crossing was replaced with a bridge called the Five Mates Bridge. This made the area much safer.
Sports and Recreation
The Gerogery Football Club was started in 1903. They had a very successful period in the early 1930s. They won the 1930 Central Hume Football Association championship. Then, they won four championships in a row in the Hume Football League from 1933 to 1936. The club stopped playing in 1949.
Gerogery also used to have a rugby league team. They played in the Group 13 Rugby League competition.
Tourist Attractions
If you visit Gerogery, you might enjoy seeing some of its interesting buildings. These include the old station master's house, the Gerogery Pub, and the Commemoration Hall. The Gerogery Doll Museum is also a popular place to visit.
2009 Bushfire
On December 17, 2009, a large bushfire started near Walla Walla. Strong winds, blowing at about 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph), quickly spread the fire. It traveled 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) in less than an hour. The fire burned about 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) of farmland between Glenellen and Gerogery.
The New South Wales Rural Fire Service reported that many sheds, crops, cars, and four homes were destroyed. The local tennis courts also burned down. Part of the Olympic Highway had to be closed. More than 50 fire trucks were sent to the Gerogery area to fight the blaze.
The Greater Hume Shire Council provided money to help landowners. This money helped them replace about 300 kilometers (186 miles) of fences. It also helped clear away fallen trees and other debris caused by the fire.
