Kembla Grange, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kembla GrangeWollongong, New South Wales |
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 Kembla Grange
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 252 (2016 census) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2526 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 9 m (30 ft) | ||||||||||||||
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| LGA(s) | City of Wollongong | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Shellharbour | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Whitlam | ||||||||||||||
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Kembla Grange is a small suburb located west of Berkeley. It is part of the City of Wollongong in New South Wales, Australia. In 2016, about 252 people lived here.
Kembla Grange is known for its important sports venues. These include the Kembla Grange Racecourse and its own railway station.
Contents
History of Kembla Grange
Kembla Grange gets its name from nearby Mount Kembla. People believe "Kembla" is an Aboriginal word meaning "wild game hunting".
Early Days and Farming
The area was first known as Dunlop Vale. This name came from John Dunlop Vale. In 1829, Governor Ralph Darling asked Surveyor Knapp to map out land. He created 10 plots of 100 acres each for war veterans.
In 1840, a person named Gerard Gerard gave the area its current name, "Kembla Grange". During the same time, it became a very important place for dairy farming. Farmers here raised cows and produced milk.
Railway and Stations
In the late 1800s, a railway line was built through Kembla Grange. This made it easier for people and goods to travel. A railway station opened in 1890. The station's platform was even listed in train timetables.
Speedway Racing in Kembla Grange
On August 26, 1962, the Kembla Grange Speedway opened. It was a track where different types of racing took place. These included sprint cars, sedans, and stock cars. The speedway also hosted motorcycle speedway events. It was the site of the New South Wales Individual Speedway Championship twice, in 1962 and 1963. The speedway track closed down on June 3, 1983.
Horse Racing at Kembla Grange Racecourse
The Kembla Grange Racecourse opened on December 18, 1976. It is right next to where the old speedway track was. The Illawarra Turf Club was formed and held its very first horse race meeting here. Today, it remains a popular spot for horse racing events.
