Wandsworth, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids WandsworthNew South Wales |
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General store, Wandsworth
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 Wandsworth
Location in New South Wales
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| Population | 80 (2006 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 2365 |
| Elevation | 1,400 m (4,593 ft) |
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Armidale Regional Council |
| County | Hardinge |
| Parish | Ollera |
| State electorate(s) | Northern Tablelands |
| Federal Division(s) | New England |
Wandsworth is a small place, also called a locality, located in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia. It sits on the Northern Tablelands, which is a high area of land.
Wandsworth is found where Guyra and Wandsworth Roads meet. It is about 63 kilometres north of Armidale. It is also 54 kilometres south of Glen Innes. The area is part of the Armidale Regional Council. Some nearby parts are in Inverell Shire. Wandsworth is quite high up, about 1,100 metres above sea level. Limestone Creek flows nearby.
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History of Wandsworth
Wandsworth got its name from a place in London, England. The name was first used for a large farming area called a "squatting run." This was in the New England Pastoral District.
Early Settlers and Ollera Station
In 1838, John and George Everett started a farm called Ollera in the same area. Later, with Francis Halhed, they also took over Wandsworth Station. By 1850, Wandsworth Station was a big farm. It had 7,250 sheep, 1,150 cattle, and 250 horses. Ten years later, in 1860, it had grown even more. The station then had 12,000 sheep, 2,000 cattle, and 400 horses.
Ollera became like its own small village. It had many services for the people who lived and worked there. There was a bakery, a post office, a store, and even a bank. A school opened in 1862, and there was a church too.
Many different workers lived at Ollera Station. These included masons (stone workers) and farriers (who shod horses). There were also shepherds, stockmen, and sheep shearers. Carpenters and other workers lived there with their families. They all had their own houses.
The station also had a medical fund to help people with health costs. There was even an amateur acting group for entertainment. A cricket field was set up by 1862. This field is still used today. In 1885, a touring English cricket team played a match there. A wool cleaning factory was built in 1895. The Ollera Post Office opened in 1870. It was renamed Wandsworth later that same year. The post office closed in 1968.
Historic Buildings and Sites
In 1876-77, St Bartholomew's Church was built on Ollera Road in Wandsworth. The land for the church was given by Ollera Station. This church was used by both the Anglican and Presbyterian churches. Today, both this church and Ollera Station are listed on the Register of the National Estate. This means they are important historical places.
The Ollera Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in the New England Region. It is thought to have started in 1843. While new burials are generally not allowed, descendants of the original owners can still be buried there. The cemetery helps us understand the lives of the early settlers in the area.
Wandsworth Today
In 2006, a count of people (called a census) was done in the area around Wandsworth. It showed that 80 people lived there. About 52.5% were males and 47.5% were females. There were 24 families living in the region. There were also 64 private homes, including some that were empty.
The main jobs in the Wandsworth area are in agriculture. This mostly means raising sheep and beef cattle.
