Neville, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids NevilleNew South Wales |
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Neville Hotel, July 2024
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 Neville
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 229 (2021 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 2799 |
| Elevation | 940 m (3,084 ft) |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Blayney Shire |
| County | Bathurst County |
| State electorate(s) | Bathurst |
| Federal Division(s) | Calare |
Neville is a small village in the south-east of New South Wales, Australia. It is part of the Blayney Shire. Neville is about 60 km south-west of Bathurst. It is also about 16 km south-east of Mandurama. The village sits 940 metres above sea level. About 100 people live there.
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A Glimpse into Neville's Past
European settlers started living in this area after Bathurst was founded in 1815. The exact date is not fully clear. The village had a few different names before it became Neville in 1888.
How Neville Got Its Name
Before being called Neville, the area was known by other names. These included "No-one Swamp" or "Number One Swamp," named after the creek nearby. It was also called Macquarie for a time. This name honored Lachlan Macquarie, an early governor of New South Wales. Later, it was called "Mount Macquarie," which is still the name of a nearby mountain.
The Old Lachlan Road
Neville might have been a stop for stagecoaches long ago. These coaches traveled on a direct road from Rockley to Cowra. The area where Cowra is now was once called "The Lachlan." The road connecting Rockley to "The Lachlan" was known as "The Old Lachlan Road." You can still find parts of this old road near Rockley, south of Woodstock, and in Neville.
Exploring Neville's Historic Buildings
Many old buildings in Neville were built when the village was called Mount Macquarie. The local school was built in 1858 and is still used by students today.
Churches and Community Spaces
Several churches were built in the late 1800s. The Uniting Church still holds services a few times each year. The small Presbyterian church can be used for special events. Another old church, the former Church of England building, has been turned into a home. A public hall was built in 1890. It is still used for community and private events today. A Federal Store was also built sometime after the hall.
The Neville Hotel
There is also a hotel in Neville. The current hotel was built in 1929. This happened after the first Neville Hotel was destroyed in a fire. Many homes in the village also date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Neville Today: What to See and Do
Neville has some interesting places to visit today. The Valley Store of H.H. May was once a busy shop. It sold music, pianos, seeds, and farming tools in the 1880s. Now, this building is home to the Golden Era Piano Museum.
Visiting Neville
The Neville Siding was started in 1987 by Ted and Betty Wilson. It offers a place for visitors to stay. A railway line goes through Blayney, making it possible to visit the area. Roads also connect Neville to bigger towns. These include the historic towns of Carcoar and Cowra to the south.
You can reach Neville by driving on a road from Carcoar over Mount Macquarie. This mountain is partly surrounded by the Neville State Pine Forest. From the top of Mount Macquarie, Neville looks very pretty. The forest reaches almost to the peak. Sometimes in winter, the view from the mountain is covered in snow.
