Whitton, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Whitton New South Wales
Train station, now disused and relocated to the town museum
Whitton Location in New South Wales
Population	496 (2016 census)
Postcode(s)	2705
Elevation	147 m (482 ft)
Location	11 km (7 mi) from Gogeldrie 22 km (14 mi) from Leeton
LGA(s)	Leeton Shire
County	Cooper
State electorate(s)	Murray
Federal Division(s)	Farrer

Whitton is a small town in New South Wales, Australia. It is part of the Leeton Shire area. You can find Whitton about 23 kilometers (14 miles) west of the town of Leeton.

The town was started in 1850. It is named after John Whitton (1820–1898). He was a very important engineer for the New South Wales Government Railways. The railway line reached Whitton in 1881. In 2016, about 496 people lived in Whitton.

A Look Back: Whitton's History

Whitton was first called "Hulong." It is the oldest town in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. This area is a special farming region that uses water from the Murrumbidgee River.

The town grew because it was on a main road for "teamsters." These were people who used teams of animals, like horses or bullocks, to move goods. They carried supplies to the South-West parts of New South Wales. In 1883, Hulong was renamed Whitton.

What Can You Find in Whitton?

Whitton has many useful places for its residents. You can find a hotel called the Ricebowl Hotel. There is also a general store where people can buy everyday items. The town has a post office for sending mail.

For places of worship, there is St John's Anglican Church. Whitton also has a fire station to keep everyone safe. If you like sports, there is a bowling club. Kids can go to the local primary school. In warmer weather, people can enjoy the public swimming pool.

Local Businesses and Farming

Whitton is also home to businesses that help with farming. Southern Cotton has a cotton gin. This machine separates cotton fibers from their seeds. Voyager Malt has a facility that makes craft malt. Malt is used to make drinks and food.

A popular place to visit is the Whitton Malt House. It opened in 2020. This place is a regional tourist spot.

Sports and Teams in Whitton

Whitton used to have its own rugby league team. They were called the Whitton Bulls. They played in the Group 17 Rugby League competition. The Bulls won the competition in 1998 and 2001. They were a strong team for many years.

However, the team stopped playing in the mid-2000s. Their home ground, the Whitton Sports Ground, is now empty. You can still see parts of the old clubrooms and goalposts there. It's a place that curious people sometimes explore. The ground is on the Whitton-Darlington Point Road.

Australian Rules Football

Whitton also has a connection to Australian Rules Football. The town has a combined team with Leeton. They are called the Leeton-Whitton Crows. This team plays in the Riverina Football League. However, the team has not played games in Whitton for a long time. Before joining with Leeton, Whitton had a team with Yanco. They were known as the Whitton-Yanco Tigers.

Famous People from Whitton

Some well-known people have come from Whitton:

• Bill Box: An Australian rules footballer.
• Linda Burney: A member of the Australian House of Representatives. She represents the area of Barton. She is also the Minister for Indigenous Australians. This means she works to help Indigenous people in Australia.
• Stan Lloyd: Another Australian rules footballer.

Images for kids

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  Whitton Railway Station (1899-1925)

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  Whitton Railway Station

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  Whitton Railway Station

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  Whitton Railway Station

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  Whitton Malt House venue in front of the Voyager Craft Malt factory (2021)