New Italy, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids New ItalyNew South Wales |
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 New Italy
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 187 (2016 census) |
| Established | 1882 |
| Postcode(s) | 2472 |
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| LGA(s) | Richmond Valley Council |
| State electorate(s) | Clarence |
| Federal Division(s) | Page |
New Italy (Italian: Nuova Italia) is a small village in New South Wales, Australia. It is located near Woodburn in the Northern Rivers area. The busy Pacific Highway passes close by. New Italy is about 693 kilometers (430 miles) north-east of Sydney, the state capital. It is also just 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) south of Woodburn. This village is part of the Richmond Valley Shire. The main office for this area is in Casino.
Contents
The Founding Story of New Italy
The story of New Italy began in 1882. A group of Italian immigrants came from the Veneto region in northern Italy. Many of them were survivors of a difficult journey called the De Rays Expedition. They were looking for a new home and a fresh start.
Building a New Life
These Italian families bought a piece of land about 40 acres (160,000 square meters) near Woodburn. They first called their new home Cèa Venessia, which means "Little Venice". Later, it was renamed New Italy. By the mid-1880s, the community had grown. About 250 Italian people lived there. They had about 50 farms, covering more than 3,000 acres (12 square kilometers).
Farming and Community Life
New Italy became a small farming community. The settlers grew many fruits and vegetables. They also planted grape vines. They built their homes using mud bricks. They also built a church, a school, and a community hall. These buildings were made in the traditional style of northern Italy.
School and Community Growth
A school was opened in New Italy in 1885. It helped educate the children of the settlers. However, the village was in a remote area. This meant its population did not grow much. The school eventually closed in 1933 because there were not enough students.
Remembering the Pioneers
In the 1930s, a special place called the Park of Peace was created. This park was made to remember the first settlers of New Italy. It honors their hard work and courage.
Celebrating Italian Culture
Over time, people began to recognize the importance of New Italy's history. In 1989, the Bicentennial Museum was opened. This museum shares the story of Italian migration to Australia. It also displays items from the early New Italy settlement.
The Italian Pavilion
In 1988, there was a big event called the World Expo 88 in Brisbane. The Italian government had a special building there. After the Expo, they gave the contents of this building to the New Italy Centenary Committee. In May 1993, the Italian Pavilion at New Italy was opened. This Pavilion celebrates all Italian migrants. It also highlights their important contributions to Australian culture.
