Willaston, South Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids WillastonAdelaide, South Australia |
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 Willaston
Location in South Australia
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| Established | c. 1850 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 5118 | ||||||||||||||
| Location | 39 km (24 mi) NE of Adelaide CBD | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Town of Gawler | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Light | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Spence | ||||||||||||||
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Willaston is a suburb located about 39 kilometers (24 miles) northeast of Adelaide city centre in South Australia. It is part of the Town of Gawler. Willaston is a friendly place with a mix of homes, parks, and local sports.
Contents
A Look at Willaston's Past
Willaston has a cool history that goes back to the mid-1800s. It was officially started as a village around 1850.
Who Founded Willaston?
Two important people, William Paxton and Samuel Stocks, bought land here in 1848 and 1849. After Samuel Stocks passed away in 1850, William Paxton planned out the village. It's thought that Willaston might have been named after a place called Willaston in England. This is probably because of a connection to the Stocks family.
When Did the Post Office Open?
The Willaston Post Office opened its doors on November 1, 1864. This was an important step for the growing community.
People Living in Willaston
Learning about the people who live in a place helps us understand its community.
How Many People Live Here?
In 2006, the Australian Bureau of Statistics counted 3,209 people living in Willaston. About 47% were male and 53% were female.
Where Are Residents From?
Most people living in Willaston (about 77.4%) were born in Australia. Another 11.3% said they were born in England.
What is the Average Age?
The average age of people in Willaston is pretty similar to the rest of Australia. In 2006, about 67.2% of residents were over 25 years old. About 32.8% were younger than 25.
Fun Things to Do in Willaston
Willaston has some great spots for sports and outdoor activities.
Willaston Football Club
The Willaston Football Club is a local sports team. It was started way back in 1889! The team is known as the Donnybrooks. They play in the Barossa Light & Gawler Football Association.
Gawler Par 3 Golf Course
If you like golf, you can visit the Gawler Par 3 Golf Course. It's located on the southern edge of Willaston.
Willaston General Cemetery
The Willaston General Cemetery is in the northern part of the suburb. It's next to a retirement village.
Parks to Explore
Willaston has some nice parks where you can relax and play.
- Elliot Goodger Memorial Park is located between Gawler River Road and Kelly Road.
- Clonlea Park is on Murray Road, right along the banks of the North Para River.
Getting Around Willaston
Willaston is well-connected by roads and has access to public transport.
Major Roads in Willaston
Willaston is located next to the Sturt Highway (also called the Gawler Bypass). It's also near the southern end of the Horrocks Highway. Main North Road also goes through Willaston, connecting it to Gawler.
Public Transport Options
The closest train station for public transport is Gawler Central. From there, you can travel to other areas.
Famous People From Willaston
Some interesting people have lived in or come from Willaston.
- Job Harris was an important person in early Willaston. He ran the Willaston Stores and also operated the very first Post Office in the area.
