Wickham, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wickham Newcastle, New South Wales
Wickham Location in Newcastle, Australia
Population	1,079 (2016 census)
• Density	1,540/km2 (4,000/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	2293
Area	0.7 km2 (0.3 sq mi)
Location	3 km (2 mi) WNW of Newcastle
LGA(s)	City of Newcastle
Parish	Newcastle
State electorate(s)	Newcastle
Federal Division(s)	Newcastle
Suburbs around Wickham: Maryville Maryville Carrington Islington Wickham Carrington Hamilton Hamilton East Newcastle West

Wickham is a small town, or suburb, located very close to the main city area of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. It is about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) from the center of Newcastle.

What is the History of Wickham?

Who Lived in Wickham First?

The first people to live in the Wickham area were the Awabakal Aboriginal people. They were the original owners and caretakers of this land.

How Did Wickham Get Its Name?

The name Wickham is actually a mistake! It was meant to be spelled like "Whickham," which is a suburb in the north of England. The name "Wickham" means "village by the creek."

When Did Wickham Become a Town?

Wickham officially became its own town, called a Municipality, on February 27, 1871. This happened mostly because of the hard work of a person named James Hannell. He later became Wickham's first mayor, which is like the town's leader.

How Do People Travel in Wickham?

What About Trains and Light Rail?

Wickham used to have its own train station, called Wickham railway station. It was part of the very first railway line built in this area, which opened in 1857. This line connected Newcastle to other towns like Maitland.

The old Wickham train station closed on December 25, 2014. This was to make way for a new way to travel: the Newcastle Light Rail. A new station, called Newcastle Interchange, opened on October 15, 2017. It connects people to both trains and the new light rail system.

What Sports Are Popular in Wickham?

Cricket Teams in Wickham

Wickham is well-known for its cricket teams in Newcastle. The local team is called the HamWicks. This name is a mix of "Hamilton" and "Wickham," because the team represents both suburbs.

Rugby Union Clubs in Wickham

There are also two rugby union clubs in Wickham:

• Hamilton Hawks: This is one of the biggest rugby clubs in the Newcastle area. They have teams for men, women, and even younger players.
• Newcastle Griffins: This club was formed from two older clubs. They play in a different rugby competition.

Images for kids

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  Wickham Public School was built in 1904 and based on the Edwardian style of building.

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  The former infants school was built in 1892, employing elements of the Victorian Gothic and Italianate style.

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  The former Wickham council chambers. Erected in 1889. Now used as the Wickham Pre-School