Scheyville National Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Scheyville National Park New South Wales
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
North Swamp in Longneck Lagoon
Scheyville National Park Location in New South Wales
Nearest town or city	Windsor
Established	4 April 1996 (1996-04-04)
Area	9.2 km2 (3.6 sq mi)
Managing authorities	NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service
Website	Scheyville National Park
See also	Protected areas of New South Wales

Longneck Lagoon viewed from Cattai Road

A mudflat in Longneck Lagoon

A sign on the track around Longneck Lagoon

Scheyville National Park is a special protected area near Sydney, New South Wales, in eastern Australia. It's a national park that covers about 920 hectares (that's like 2,273 football fields!). The park is about 40 kilometers northwest of central Sydney, close to the town of Windsor.

Inside the park, you'll find Longneck Lagoon, a beautiful wetland area. This park is important because it shows us a lot about Australia's history. It also protects unique plants and animals. The park was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2010.

A Journey Through Time at Scheyville

Scheyville National Park has a long and interesting past. It has been used for many different things over the years. Each use tells a story about how Australia has grown and changed.

First People of the Land

Long before Europeans arrived, the land of Scheyville National Park belonged to the Dharug people. They lived here for at least 30,000 years. The Cattai clan of the Dharug people lived around Cattai Creek and Pitt Town.

The Hawkesbury River and its smaller streams provided plenty of food. They found fish, wildlife, and edible plants. The Dharug people lived in harmony with the land.

European settlers first arrived in the area around 1794. At first, things were friendly. But soon, settlers cleared land for farms and cut down trees. This made it hard for the Dharug people to find food. Many Dharug people moved away or became sick from new diseases. By 1851, there were no Aboriginal people living in the Pitt Town area.

A Public Common and Early Farms

In 1804, a large area of land, about 5,650 hectares, was set aside. It was called the Nelson Common, later known as the Pitt Town Common. This land was for local settlers to graze their animals.

In 1893, the government took back some of this common land. They wanted to start an experimental farm called the Pitt Town Village Settlement. This farm was a cooperative, meaning people worked together. It was meant to help unemployed families during a tough economic time. Families worked the land and built community facilities. But farming here was difficult, and the settlement failed by 1896.

Helping Those in Need and Training Farmers

Even though farming was hard, the government kept trying to help people. In 1896, a Casual Labour Farm was set up. Here, unemployed people could work for a short time, earning a small wage. They collected firewood or looked after pigs.

Later, in 1905, they added dairy cows. A new plan started to train young men in farming and livestock care. This showed how the government was starting to help its citizens with social problems.

From 1911 to 1915, the farm became a training center for young British migrants. This was part of the Dreadnought scheme. These young men learned all about farming, from raising animals to using farm equipment. After their training, they would work on farms in NSW. This was one of Australia's first programs to bring young people here for specific job training.

World War I and Women Farmers

When World War I started, fewer trainees came to the farm. Many men went to fight in the war, leaving a shortage of skilled workers. So, in 1915, the Scheyville farm opened its training to women.

However, not many women were interested in farming at that time. Most women who joined the workforce during the war went into jobs like clothing or teaching. By 1917, only about 25 women had trained at Scheyville.

After the war, many soldiers returned home and couldn't find jobs. From 1917 to 1918, Scheyville helped again. It offered basic farming training to returned soldiers. The Dreadnought scheme for British boys restarted in 1919 and continued until 1929.

In 1928, new buildings were designed for the farm. These beautiful buildings, known as the "Quadrangle Precinct," included offices, a kitchen, a dining room, and dormitories. The farm kept training young people through the 1930s, even during the Great Depression.

Scheyville During World War II

When World War II began, the military took over the farm. In 1942, it became home to the 73rd Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Company. This group used powerful searchlights to find enemy aircraft at night. They trained at Scheyville before going to New Guinea to help guide Allied planes.

Later in 1942, Australia's first paratrooper group, the 1st Parachute Battalion, also trained at Scheyville. These soldiers learned to jump from planes and fight. They were tough and highly skilled. They used the same buildings as the searchlight company for their training and living.

A New Home for Migrants

After World War II, many people from Europe needed new homes. They had lost everything. In 1949, Scheyville became a large Migrant Holding Centre. Thousands of migrants came through here between 1950 and 1964. It was one of the biggest migrant centers in Australia.

The old farm buildings were used for staff and offices. New prefabricated huts were built to house the migrants. There were also dining halls, a community hall, and even a kindergarten. Scheyville became a self-sufficient community, helping new Australians start their lives.

Officer Training Unit

In 1965, the military returned to Scheyville. This time, it became an Officer Training Unit (OTU) for National Servicemen. These were young men who had to join the army for a period of time. The OTU offered an intense 22-week course to train them as army officers. This was a new way to train officers in Australia.

Between 1965 and 1973, over 1,800 young men trained here. They learned leadership skills through classroom lessons and tough outdoor exercises. The quadrangle buildings were the main hub. The trainees lived in the prefabricated huts. They also used the surrounding land for obstacle courses and a rifle range.

The training was very challenging, both physically and mentally. It was designed to completely transform the trainees into strong leaders. Many graduates served in the Vietnam War, and some became important leaders in civilian life, like former politicians Tim Fischer and Jeff Kennett. The OTU closed in 1973 when National Service ended.

Later Uses and Becoming a National Park

After the OTU left, the site was empty for a few years. From 1978 to 1983, Hawkesbury Agricultural College used the buildings as student housing. In the mid-1980s, the NSW Police Tactical Response Group used the site for training.

There were many ideas for the land after that, like an international airport or a prison. But none of these plans happened. Finally, in 1996, the land became Scheyville National Park. It was put under the care of the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

When the park was first created, some old buildings that were damaged were taken down. But now, people understand how important it is to protect all parts of the park's history, both natural and cultural.

Nature and Wildlife at Scheyville

Scheyville National Park is a special place for nature. It's located in the Hawkesbury region, near the Hawkesbury River. The park covers about 954 hectares.

Plants and Trees

The park has the largest remaining area of a special type of forest called Cumberland Plain Grey Box/Ironbark Woodland. This forest is very important and is considered endangered. There are also other unique woodlands and forests.

You can find two rare plant species here: Dilwynia tenuifolia and Acacia pubescens. While some areas have introduced grasses, the park is working to protect its native plants.

Animals and Birds

Longneck Lagoon in the park is part of the Hawkesbury wetlands. It's a home for many different birds and other wildlife. You might see some threatened or endangered species here.

The park is also home to various animals. You might spot native animals, but there are also some introduced animals like foxes, cats, and rabbits. These animals can sometimes harm native wildlife. The park managers work to control them.

In the lagoons, you might find European carp. These fish can make the water muddy and harm native fish and plants.

What You Can See Today

Even though many years have passed, you can still see signs of Scheyville's history. The park has four main areas that show its past uses.

• Longneck Lagoon Area: This area in the northwest is important for its wetlands and rare plants. It also has an old sandstone quarry. Stone from this quarry was used in local buildings long ago.
• Scheyville Camp Area: This is where most of the old buildings and remains are. You can find traces of the Pitt Town Village Settlement and the early Dreadnought farm.
  • The "Quadrangle" buildings, built in 1929, are still standing. They were used as dormitories, offices, and dining halls for all the different groups who lived here. They even have a special rainwater collection system.
  • You can see the original path layout in the central courtyard, with old palm trees and cypress trees.
  • There are also two large "SAARS Huts" (similar to Nissen huts). These were used as dining halls and recreation areas for migrants and later as a gym and mess hall for the Officer Training Unit.
  • You can still see the concrete foundations of the prefabricated huts where migrants and officer cadets lived.
  • The Parade Ground, a large paved area, was built during the Officer Training Unit period.
  • The front gates and a monument honor the military uses of Scheyville and the soldiers who trained here.
• Dreadnought Farm Area: This area has archaeological potential related to the old Dreadnought Farm.
• Sewage Works and Military Training Area: Here you can find the old sewage treatment works from the Migrant Holding Centre. There are also remains of the Officer Training Unit's rifle range and obstacle course.

Many of the old buildings are still there, though some are in disrepair. The Administration building is in good condition and is used as the park's office. The park is working to preserve these important historical structures.

Why Scheyville National Park is Special

Scheyville National Park is very important for many reasons:

• Rich History: It shows a continuous story of human use, from the Dharug people to early settlers, farming experiments, military training, and migrant settlement. It's like a living history book for New South Wales.
• Important People: The park is linked to many important figures, like Governor King, who set aside the land, and William Schey, who started the Dreadnought scheme. Military leaders like Sir John Overall and Brigadier Ian Geddes also played a role. Even famous politicians like Tim Fischer and Jeff Kennett trained here.
• Beautiful Scenery: The park has lovely woodlands, open grasslands, and wetlands. You can see many birds and other wildlife. From its higher points, you get amazing views over the Hawkesbury River and the Blue Mountains.
• Community Connections: Many groups of people feel a special connection to Scheyville. This includes the descendants of the Dharug people, former Dreadnought boys, soldiers from the 73rd Searchlight Company and 1st Parachute Battalion, and thousands of migrants who started their new lives here. Former Officer Training Unit cadets also have strong memories of their time here.
• Research Potential: The park has archaeological evidence of Aboriginal life and all its later uses. This can help us learn even more about its history. It's also a great place to study rare plants and animals and how nature changes over time.
• Rare and Unique: Scheyville National Park is unique because it shows so many layers of history in one place. It also protects the largest remaining area of special native vegetation on the Cumberland Plain. It's home to rare plants and many threatened birds.
• A Great Example: The park shows how land can be used for many things over time. It's also a good example of the national park idea, protecting both nature and history for everyone to enjoy.

Scheyville National Park was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2010.

Images for kids

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  A mudflat in Longneck Lagoon

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  A sign on the track around Longneck Lagoon